Adopting a conducive ASANA

[Aunt Clair]

Asana
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana

The asana is an energy work pose, the asana that you choose could help you to resist sleep when trancing .The poses we use in meditation and energy exercises to help to unblock and promote the flow of energy

Throne Pose~knees spread , bare feet , palms up , head supported upright with headrest or chair back .This will help place the head back so that breathing is not cut off wheras leaning forward will cut off air flow and increase sleepiness.

Thoth Pose~leaning forward at 45 degree angle while sitting with feet under hips . heels up bare ball of feet and toes on floor. Supporting body with desk or turn a chair around and support the chest with the top of the chair .

Steles of Seth~as Thoth but elbows on knees to open the flow from forelegs to forearms . the hands support the head promotes waking .

Caterpillar~bow head forward spine curled knees up to chest feet perched toes down

Monk Pose~lying with knees to elbows so forelegs and forearms make contact with the floor

Lion Pose~Draw energy up palms and soles on the ground , back arched

Star Pose ~ lying down arms and legs forming an x will open the body to flow but is uncomfortable enought that it might reduce sleep .

More here ;
http://forums.riverofenlightenment.com/index.php/topic,312.0.html

[Aunt Clair]

As we draw energy into the body it is important to notice the position of the spine .The chakras on the spinal column draw energy to the heart which sends it throughout the body . It is very effective to vary the position of meditation to allow the body to blossom and open all centres with energy .

A comfortable armchair offers an open channel from the male kanda at the pelvic floor to the female kanda at the crown . Energy may thus be drawn down or up through the spine . The palms up and the bare feet down allow these centres to open effectively and bring more energy into the body . Uncrossed limbs will ease flow of energy and aid in attaining meditative visions .


In time the base kanda can directly take in energy and this is helped by sitting on the ground in positions like the lotus .

http://www.bu.edu/alumni/bostonia/graphics/2004/spring/lord/lord02.jpg
But the lotus impairs the flow to the legs . So we see the need to vary positions for comfort and to effect greater flow of energy through the human energy body . And over time we may notice that there are parts not being developed .Meditators may recognise a need to open these under developed areas;
*The Entire Back
**back of heart
**behind the navel
*The Rear of the head
**Behind the third eye
**behind the mouth
**behind the nose
Other undeveloped areas
*Back of the hands
*top of the feet
*fingers
* toes


http://www.rainpalm.com/Ganesha01/ians_ganesha_f18u1484t.jpg

[Aunt Clair]

http://www.indiayogi.com/eshop/images/idols/wtc/hanu.jpg

Symptoms may become obvious of blockage. These include congestion due to overload of energy in the chest , a feeling of headache like pressure in the head or bloating in the Earth Stone . These symptoms may signal the need to purge energy . We need to always remember to deep cleanse the breath and to open in a flowing channel .

If the third eye feels pressure , then open the space directly behind it on the back of the head . See a cobra of energy about the size of the largest coin or a vaccuum hose entering the third eye gently and passing through the back of the head effortlessly . Will this cobra of energy to go above the head and back down to the forehead in a loop . Continue this until you feel relaxed and the pressure is eased .


http://www.wrage.de/kgs/meditation.jpg

If the heart feels pressure during meditation or energy work , then open the centre behind the heart . This should flow freely purging the stale prana behind you . You can open the heart by sending a cobra of energy from your heart to a peer facing you behind their back over your heads and back to yours . If you trust a peer then you can develop faster by sharing energy in this way in a spiritual development circle . A good solitary way to open the rear of the heart is with pranic knots .

exercise 1
Manifest a psi ball by opening in protection , deep cleansing breaths , powering up and pulling energy from the crown to the heart and down the arms to push it out the hands . Bring the hands together palm to palm and pull them apart slightly until you begin to lose the feel of warmth and energy . Bring the hands back together until you feel it . Now roll this energy like a clay ball is formed and with each breath , send more energy into the psi ball .

Extension ; Visualise a person you love with whom you have an energy linking bond . As you form the ball think of them . You can continue to send core images of love , healing and wellness of being into a psi ball to form an angel sphere and then send it with a prayer to the loved one.

exercise 2
Form a psi ball in the palm of your right hand and roll it down your arm to your heart and through the heart to the other arm and to the opposite palm . Roll it back to the heart again and moving your arms before you parallel to the floor roll the psi ball down the arms like a bowling alley . Bring it back to the heart and roll it out the back of the heart . Continue this exercise a few times daily until you open the heart .

exercise 2
After you can feel the energy come through the back of your heart still as a psi ball then try moving it in pranic knots similar to the cloverleaf pattern of a beltway exit . Send it from the outstretched right arm to the heart and out to the left arm there to catch it then will it to roll around on an arc back to the the right hand again . Now send one from the left hand to heart out front to the waiting right arm and swing it on an arc to the left hand which moves to catch it .

exercise 3
form the psi ball in the right hand
thru heart
to left hand
out to the front of the heart 50 cm
catch with left arm only if necessary
thru the heart
thru the back and out

form a psi ball in the left hand
thru heart
to right hand
to front of heart 50 cm
catch with right arm only if necessary
thru to heart
thru the back and out

exercise 4
rapidly send a psi ball formed from your left hand
thru heart
out heart 50 cm
to left hand
make the ball stronger still
thru heart
to right hand
make it stronger still
thru heart
out heart 50 cm
to right hand
make it stronger still
thru heart
behind heart 50 cm
to right hand
make the ball stronger still
thru heart
behind heart 50 cm
to left hand
roll back to heart
repeat reversing flow

exercise 5
full pranic knot
form akashic psi ball in left hand
roll rapidly to heart
forward
left hand
heart
rear
right hand
heart
forward
right hand
heart
rear
left hand
heart
out rear

This technique greatly opens the heart to send and recieve energy . The heart is the main pump of the human energy body .

If the pelvis becomes congested , one method is to draw that energy upward for further development . Another is to stand and allow the energy to be drawn into the crown and passed thru the male kanda at the pelvic floor until you feel in equilibrium .


http://www.pahof.de/mediac/400_0/media/DIR_7544/ww-K-AW-Bayon2.jpg
Thai Nun in prayerful meditation

[Aunt Clair]

Why do we need to be concerned about the backdrafts and purges ?

On a swimming pool there are influent pipes and effluent pipes . Influent pipes include the drain and the skimmer and a skimmer drain on the side of the pools in large pool systems too . Influent is where water is taken back into the pump to be cleaned . Water flows through the pump to the top of the filter and down to come out to the pool clean and clear . The effluent pipes enter the pool at the bottom and through the sides , these are called returns .

Over time the system needs to be cleaned . It will run daily for 24 hours in a community pool and it mush be backwashed at least once daily . To backwash the pool the operater reverses the flow . The operator shuts down the pump . Then closes the returns . And opens the backwash dump to sewer or to filter . Then the water pipes are reversed . So that when the pump is turned back on the water will come in from the bottom of the filter to the top this time and gently blow off debris from the filter the water will run through a scope and the operator will let it run until it is clear . In a few moments the water is clear and the pump can be turned off and the valves can be realigned so that order is restored .

That is just like the human energy body . It is no good to take in take in take in and not provide for returning energy out of the body . And daily we need to reverse the flow . We also need to deep cleanse our filters .

So we learn to heal ourselves and others and eventually whitelight the planet too . The energy passes then from our crown out our hands and our fingers develop . It is evident in a strong energy body that the colour comes to the top of each finger tip . Most people have nothing in their fingers . Everyone has some energy in their palms though . The difference is profound . Show me a person with energy colour in their fingertips and I will show you a strong energy body that can heal well and project at will .

[Aunt Clair]

We learn to open the purges and keep them clear flowing . Let us look at which are the natural openings to the energy body now .

The naturally influent centres ;
*Crown
*Third eye
*Heart
*Insteps of Foot
*Palms of Hands
*Perineal Area ( where you sit , the pelvic floor )

Naturally effluent centres ;
*Palms of Hands
* Heels of Feet

Over time effluent centres develop and all centres become influent or effluent at will .
Centres of importance
*Front and Back of Heart
*Front and Back of Head
*Front and Back of Pelvis
*Top of Head , the crown
*Bottom of Perineal Area , the throne
*Hands and Feet


http://www.missouri.edu/~leemyoung/meditation.jpg

In brief revision here are the basic steps of meditation .
1. Open in Protection 2. Deep Cleanse with energy through and out of body 3. Draw in clean fresh Energy 4. Close eyes and begin meditation .
What can we safely vary ?
Form of protection; ie prayers , shields
Flow ; Opening top down or bottom up
Position ; The body parts that contacts the floor are important to vary ie the perineal area , the feet , the back of arms , the front of legs , the back of legs, the back of head , the nose . The alignment of the spine should always be a comfortably straight pose

[Aunt Clair]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/casinova26/Music/praying.jpg
An Asana means a pose adopted for energy flow. One asana might develop the flow of energy through the legs like a Kneeling , Thoth or Throne asana. Another might develop the third eye and heart by opening up the uplifted rib cage and hyper extending the neck. Another asana might close the body for protection like the knitted fingers , covered third eye and crossed limbs occulde the flow.

When we observe the various positions of prayer, meditation and prayerful or mystical meditation around the world, we can see the rationale in these poses. These poses can effectively open the energy body to a greater connection to the Godhead. But they also facilitate the communication and knowledge of the higher self and guardian angel. This makes us become more compassionate , more centred and more connected. Beyond those spiritual benefits ,the varying of poses allows for better health , increased visions , ease of projection , and a higher vibration.

Energy flow into , out of and through energy centres develops their power and sophistication. Flow around a centre causes adjacent areas to manifest new energy centres. All of the energy centres unfold in a natural predictable continuum like buds upon a tree which blossom and then set fruit. So our Tree of Life is a broad trunk of subtle energy connected through and upon our physical spine.

This Tree buds, blossoms and sets fruit when there is tetrapolar balance. The Tree requires Earth from which to draw nutrient rich prana like the Tree draws up minerals and nutrients from the soil. Our Tree requires water to cause this flow of nutrients and to make our Tree wick so it will grow in heighth and breadth and the roots will grow in depth. And the Tree needs the fire for the light which creates new leaves and new sustenance and energy for the subtle energy bodies. This Tree needs the wind to carry its seeds to other realms so it can experience the full cosmology of the Godhead. So the magician is carried like a golden seed of light upon the winds .

This growth is cyclical in nature because the more we develop the energy centres the more we thirst or desire to develop them even more. In this manner, the magician scaffolds building strength upon strength and developing all clairient skills over time.
http://www.yachtaragorn.com/photos/Gallery/WomenPrayingAtHinduTempleUbud.jpg
Look at the position of the spine and the limbs . We can vary how we pose to bring energy into the front and back of the legs , the back of the head , the back , and the tops of the feet .
Here are two images of Mother Teresa standing at prayer;
http://kpalermo.typepad.com/soaring/Mother%20Teresa%20-%20Prayer.jpg
OPEN
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ9UNu5UVIfg164yjgjcXtvw4rq3G7HP iYJTbf9QdGQWGpj40esiA
CLOSED
http://www.excerptsofinri.com/images/mother_teresa_love.jpg[/center]
It has always been curious to me that some prayer poses block the third eye with the hands , bend the neck which closes the head to energy flow , lace the fingers closed and place hands over the heart centre blocking it too .
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R2pvR1R2588/TWG59LVWDKI/AAAAAAAABxA/moqY8Dtkp_8/s320/OldMonkPrayingWhite.jpg[/img]
Here this Christian monk has the neck bent blocking the flow to the spine ,the hands are laced blocking flow into the arms and the third eye is occluded by position and flow blocking visions .

http://www.painetworks.com/photos/jd/jd6181.JPG
Contrast that pose to these which are open in supplication to receive grace and energy.
http://1800sunstar.com/zzC1LUV/zholydays/thanksgiving/gfx-graphics/native-american-indian-thanksgiving-prayer-223x300.gif
It is good to know closing safe positions too for everything must be in balance .

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT93gU8dChncKGxknTz3Mk6gxDmcL0Ac c86QaggKdbwW8K3qZ6R
Crossing limbs and covering energy centres with hands and feet can close them . Lifting up arms and lining up limbs opens us up. Placing parts of the body on the ground provides energy to stimulate the growth of kandas in those areas . Particularly important for astral projection is to open the kanda of the lower legs . These placed side by side react reciprocally to produce the vibes which lifts the etheric body away in projection.

http://www.photocase.com/stock-photos/29744-stock-photo-woman-flower-beach-prayer-bali-indonesia.jpg
Balinese ladies with the arms lifted up in prayer.This opens the flanks which rarely have light or energy flowing into the energy centres because the flanks are normally occluded by our arms.

http://www.itisnet.com/jpg/taka2001/malaysia/penang/chinese_temple_3_penang_malaysia.jpg
This man in Malaysia holds the hands in prayer above the head while kneeling.

http://www.americaskarate.com/photo_gallery/photos/3/preview/one%20knee.JPG
These karate students open the flow of energy to the legs as they stretch and centre being in this martial arts pose.

Women at prayer on mat in Vietnam .Ideally the spine is lined up in a pose such as this lady exhibits . This opens the back of the head and the back of the heart and the back of the pelvis .The primary three stones are in the head , heart , and pelvis as the moon , sun and earth tan tien respectively .All three stones need to manifest a kanda at the front and the back and at the top and the bottom they must be influent and effluent to allow the tree of life to fully blossom .
http://www.cecfoto.com/galerias/China_2005/SmallImages/TempleAtTianjin.jpg

This pose allows the 4 steles of Seth to come to the ground . These are the fore arms and the lower legs. These same areas form the kandas which become aligned in the fetal position to produce the vibes for EP and AP .
.
The ritual of queuing up while praying effectively raises the energy of all those present . Gathering together to pray or to meditate makes a whole sum that is greater than its parts .
http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/sepavo/sepavo1202/sepavo120200188/12385605-jerusalem--february-20-jews-pray-at-the-wailing-wall-february-20-2012-in-jerusalem-il-the-wall-is-th.jpg
Jewish males standing at prayer at the Wall in Jerusalem.

Standing in meditation or prayer is difficult with the eyes closed and requires discipline and balance to maintain it. Here some read,some pray, some chant. And some wail. Ritual prayer and chanting is effective to make a spiritual connection and it also opens the throat energy centres which makes communication and influence stronger too. Wailing and weeping can be cathartic and purging to the energy body. Coming together at a traditional place gathers energy to that place which is palatable.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQDTZy5720f2FDxNUZ4SDLtsAlOCHrk4 MdYgAb0VPZoMwcTlLlOSw
Walking Zen Meditation allows for energy to flow with the increased circulation coming from activity; http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/05/zen-and-the-art-of-walking/
http://www.shotokankarate.ca/walking%20zen.htm

http://www.staatsbad-pyrmont.de/images/kuk-meditation-liegend.jpg
Lying on the back in meditation can be eased with yoga forms under the neck and knees.
Look at the variety of prayer poses which allow contact with the energy of Mother Earth in full prostration. Yoga poses facilitate this gradual opening of the human energy body in an orchestrated manner and are highly recommended . But learn to listen to your body and ease the pressure of energy intake by sending out energy in kind. Developing the purge valves behind each kanda helps us to relieve tension , anxiety , pressure and stress . This is done through diligent and mindful meditation.

http://www.heavenlygardens.org/album/samadhi/spiritual-meditation.jpg

[Aunt Clair]

3 Suggested Yoga Asanas for Meditation

http://www.theholisticcare.com/Yoga%20Pics/Sukhasana%20(Easy%20Pose).jpg
Sukha Asana (Easy Pose)
from :
http://www.theholisticcare.com/asana/Sukha%20Asana.htm
Sukhasana (Easy pose) is a comfortable seated position for meditation. Sukhasana is a popular Yoga pose this position helps to concentrate on breathing and the body. It strengthens the lower back and opens the groin and hips. It also promotes the inner calm.

With the buttocks on the floor, cross the legs, placing the feet directly below the knees. Rest the hands on the knees with the palms facing up.

Keep your spine straight and press on the sit bones down to the ground. Drop the shoulders down and back, and press the chest towards the front of the room.

Relax the face, jaw, and belly. Let the tongue rest on the roof of the mouth, just behind the front teeth.

Breathe deeply through the nose down into the belly.

http://www.santosha.com/asanas/images/siddha-vj-g.jpg
Siddha-asana
The Accomplished or Adept Pose
http://www.santosha.com/asanas/siddha.html
Siddha-asana~The Accomplished or Adept Pose
Translation: The Sanskrit word siddha means accomplished or adept, one who has attained the highest. The name implies the attainment of a perfectly stilled mind and the experience of peace that results from meditation. The siddha-asana is a recommended pose for meditation.
Pronunciation: sid-dhah-sa-na
Difficulty: (2)
"Press firmly the heel of the left foot against the perineum, and the right heel above the genitals. With the chin pressing on the chest, one should sit calmly, having restrained the senses, and gaze steadily on the space between the eyebrows. This is called the Siddha-asana, the opener of the door of freedom."

Accomplished or Adept Pose (Siddha-asana) Instruction:
1 Begin in a seated posture. Bend the left knee and grasp the left foot with both hands and place the heel against the perineum and the sole of the foot against the inside of the right thigh.
2 Exhale and reach down and loop the forefinger of the right hand around the big toe of the right foot and grasp the left foot with the left hand.
3 Bend the right knee, grasp the right foot with both hands and place the outside edge of the right foot where the calf and thigh of the left leg meet, right ankle over left ankle. The heel of the right foot should line up approximately with the navel and be as close to the pubic area as possible.
4 With palms up, place the hands on the knees, form a circle with the thumb and forefinger and extend the remaining fingers straight ahead.

Comments:
The siddha-asana is complicated to describe but is actually one of the simpler sitting postures. It requires less flexibility of the legs than the padma-asana yet it facilitates relaxation, concentration and ultimately, meditation.

Siddha-asana helps to establish an equilibrium throughout the body/mind. It will also help stretch the legs and pelvic area to the point where the padma-asana can be held effortlessly. Either posture, by creating a firm foundation with the legs locked in a crossed position and the spine held straight and motionless, awakens the attention and helps cultivate concentration. When concentration is highly focused and undistracted, meditation follows.

Durations/Repetitions:
Sit in the siddha-asana for a minimum of 2 seconds and extended the time up to ten minutes or more.

http://www.santosha.com/asanas/images/padma-lb-o.gif
Padma Asana The Lotus Position
From :
http://www.santosha.com/asanas/padma.html

Posture: Padma-asana - The Lotus Posture
Translation: The Sanskrit word naga means snake or serpent. The naga-asana is also known as the bhujanga-asana. The Sanskrit word bhujanga, which also means snake, is derived from the root bhuj which means to bend or curve.
Pronunciation: pud-mah-sa-na
Difficulty: (2-6) depending on flexibility of legs
"Place the right foot on the left thigh and the left foot on the right thigh...with the soles upward, and place the hands on the thighs, with the palms upwards...This is called Padma-asana, the destroyer of all diseases. It is difficult of attainment by everybody, but can be learned by intelligent people in this world.
From :The Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika I.46-49

The Lotus Posture (padma-asana) Instruction:

1 Siit on the floor with the legs stretched out straight in front.

2 Bend the right knee and grasp the right foot with both hands and place it on top of the left thigh bringing the heel as close to the navel as possible.

3 Bend the left knee and grasp the left foot with both hands and place it on top of the right thigh bringing the heel as close to the navel as possible.

4 Both knees should be on the ground and the soles of the feet are pointed upward. The spine is held straight but not rigid.

5 The position of the legs may be switched after a period of time if the posture becomes uncomfortable.

Comments:
When in the padma-asana the hands can be placed in one of the following three positions:

# Place one hand on top of the other, both palms up, and rest the hands on the heels (this is known as the dhyana-mudra). This variation is recommended for meditation.

# Place the hands on the knees, palms down.

# With palms up, place the hands on the knees, form a circle with the thumb and forefinger and extend the remaining fingers straight ahead (this is known as the chin-mudra). Recommended for pranayama (Yogic breathing).

The padma-asana facilitates relaxation, concentration and ultimately, meditation. The posture creates a natural balance throughout the body/mind. When the knees are stretched enough to remain in the padma-asana without discomfort the posture creates a feeling of effortlessness and ease that will soothe the nervous system, quiet the mind and bring about the condition of one-pointedness.

Durations/Repetitions:
The length of time to sit in the padma-asana depends on your intention. In the course of a typical asana routine you might hold it for several minutes or until you experience discomfort in the legs. When used as a meditation posture you hold it for the duration of the meditation.

Variations:
If you find the padma-asana difficult or painful, can try the ardha padma-asana variation or half lotus posture (ardha means half). Instead of placing both feet on the thighs, only one foot is place on top of the opposite thigh and the other is place under the opposite thigh. Periodically alternate positions to allow both knees to be stretched. Those who are unable to do either variation of this asana comfortably should practice the baddha kona-asana.
Yoga asana at a glance
http://yoga.iloveindia.com/yoga-poses/asanas-at-aglance.html

[Aunt Clair]

How does Prayer Work ?
http://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/articles/id/aboutspiritualresearch/SpiritualPractice/prayer/howprayerworks#s21

The fingers are not initially effective at drawing energy into the body although bringing the elbows to the heart does help energy to spread throguh the body as the heart is the pump of the human energy body . There is a kanda on the crown which can directly draw in energy too .
http://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/aboutspiritualresearch/SpiritualPractice/prayer/images/Praying-with-sp-emotion.gif

[Aunt Clair]

To facilitate trance and stimulate the brow centre , the magician will want to direct flow from the primary energy centres along the spine and limbs upward from bare feet to crown.

The Throne Asana is sitting up in a comfortable arm chair with the arms supported and the limbs uncrossed.The bare feet are upon the floor comfortably and not suspended. The palms are open and upward. The spine is erect but supported and relaxed to facilitate continuous flow of energy for trance from feet to brow centre;
http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/AuntClair/th_b136.gif (http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/AuntClair/?action=view&current=b136.gif)
The Thoth Asana is similar but the magician leans forward so that there are two long paths of flow and many smaller pathways provided which cooks the energy and causes the brow to be further stimulated. This is good for Remote Viewing or short times in trance. There are 2 forms of the Thoth Asana. Either the open palm or the elbow is upon the knee and these are otherwise the same pose;
http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/AuntClair/th_Thothelbow.jpg (http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/AuntClair/?action=view&current=Thothelbow.jpg)http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/AuntClair/th_Thothelbow1.jpg (http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/AuntClair/?action=view&current=Thothelbow1.jpg)http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/AuntClair/th_Thothelbow3.jpg (http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/AuntClair/?action=view&current=Thothelbow3.jpg)http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/AuntClair/th_Thothelbowpath2.jpg (http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/AuntClair/?action=view&current=Thothelbowpath2.jpg)

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