[jonesboy]

b. FORMATION OF THE SEVENTY-TWO THOUSAND CHANNELS

There are 72.000 channels (Skt. nadi; Tib. rtsa) in the body that
gradually begin to form at the heart during the gestation period in
the womb. The principal one. which runs like a central shaft in the
body, is called the 'central channel,' the uma (Skt. avadhuti; Tib.
dbu.ma). The channel on the right is called the roma (Skt. rasana;
Tib. ro.ma) and the channel on the left, kyangma (Skt. lalana,
Tib. rkyang.ma). These form at the heart while (the fetus is still] in
the womb.

The other channels that initially form at the heart are the
sumkorma (Tib. sum.skor.ma) channel to the east (front), the
doma (Tib, 'dod.ma) channel to the south (right), the dudralma
(Tib. hdud.bral.ma) channel which is immediately next to the
central channel (a very bad channel because it constricts the other
channels and prevents the energy from flowing freely), the khyima
(Tib. khyim.ma) channel to the west (back), and the turn.mo (Tib.
gtum.mo) to the north (left).

kyangma. as well as the sumkorma of the east and the doma of the
south After that, the dudralmsi. the khyimn and the turn.mo
channels occur simultaneously. These are called (he eight initial
channels at the heart

The channels in the four [cardinal) directions divide into the
four channels of the intermediate directions: the southwest,
northeast, and so forth. Thus, there are the initial four and the
intermediate four, which makes eight Each of these develops a
three-fold branch, which makes 24 branches. If one goes into more
advanced stages of meditation or the body-mandala practice, one
uses these 24 in the meditation K These 24 similarly branch into
three, making 72. Each of the 72 channels divides into a thousand,
making 72.000.

This is the manner in which channels are formed during the
gestation period. If you remember 24. you will be doing quite well.
Even if you cannot remember 24. please do not forget the three
central ones: uraa. roma and kyangma. These you must remember!
Initially, five channels form simultaneously: uma, roma and
kyangma. These you must remember!

c. FORMATION OF THE PRINCIPAL AND SECONDARY ENERGIES

One should know that the energies' or "wind-energies' {Skt. vayu;
Tib. rlung) are at the root of both samsara and nirvana. It is by
way of the energies that one goes either to liberation and full
enlightenment or to the lower realms of existence. Apprehension
of any type of object, for example, is made in conjunction with the
energies. Mental distortions such as attachment and anger also
arise in conjunction with energies. The energies and states of
consciousness are very intimately related.