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Raising
the Inner Energy—Yoga's True Purpose
From The Art and Science of Raja
Yoga, by J. Donald Walters (Swami Kriyananda)
It was not until
rocket engines were built with a strong enough thrust to escape
the earth's gravity that man actually landed on the moon. Similarly,
even after the means of reaching Him, through devotion, yoga practice,
and meditation, become known to individuals, it is necessary for
them to generate enough upward thrust to break free of the gravitational
pull of worldly desires and attachments.
[The point between
the eyebrows is] known as the Christ center, [and] may be called
the inner "moon" in man, the center of his divine awareness.
But many a practicing yogi, although gazing long and earnestly at
this point in the hope of centering his awareness there, finds his
efforts to be to no avail; his consciousness remains anchored firmly
to earth. He must deliberately generate more upward "thrust"
in his endeavor to transcend matter consciousness.
Anything that
you can do to increase the upward flow of energy in your body when
you meditate will facilitate your efforts to focus your attention
at the Christ center. For your attention IS your energy. That is
to say, your measure of concentration depends entirely on how much
energy you can direct in the process. Divine awakening depends upon
channeling all of your energy upward, and focusing it at the point
between the eyebrows. That is what Jesus meant when he said, "Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy strength."
Guidance
on Focusing Your Attention at the Spiritual Eye
As for techniques that help one to raise the inner energy, it may,
in a sense, be said that all the techniques of yoga have this for
their aim. But here [is a] simple exercise that will help you.
Sit upright in any comfortable meditation pose. Inhale slowly and
deeply, and feel that your breath is acting as a magnet to draw
the energy up from the lower part of the body to the point between
the eyebrows. Concentrate breath and energy at that point to a mental
count of 12. Exhale. Then repeat the process, concentrating at the
Christ center a little longer (25 counts, if you can do so comfortably);
focus your entire being at that point. Exhale.
Again inhale,
concentrating still longer (40 counts, if this is not too long for
comfort).
Forget the breath and the body, and think only of focusing your
energy and awareness ever more deeply at the Christ center, the
seat of divine awareness within you.
Next: Paramhansa
Yogananda on Meditation
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