Greetings All,

I would like to know what developments, if any, have been achieved in scientifically exploring the correlations between a phenomenon like the "third eye" and the physiological counterparts in the human brain, such as the pineal gland? There must be some advancement since the days John C. Lilly (and others) began with such fascinating research on clairvoyance and states of enlightenment, as it relates to imbibing psychoactive chemicals. Who has achieved any success delineating any significance of the pineal gland, as being counterpart to the third eye, or perhaps, singular eye? As well as the other primary psychic centers listed in the whole chakra ideology. By this, I question the greater Nexian community, who I think of as family, if they have any data about these equations.

What have we recently learned about the chakras, if anything, which are located in a superimposed manner, centrally within the human organism? How do these specific locations operate within the nature of our consciousness, as it interrelates with these psychic energy centers along the axis of the material spinal column (and deep into the complex glandular regions within the human brain)... or not?

From a metaphysical standpoint, there is a palpable connection between such energy centers and vital human organs and glands within the human brain. Obviously, I am suggesting the well known Indian Yogic system, which teaches us about ideology of these 7 chakras. Are these manifestations still a burgeoning science, partially shrouded in mystery? That being said, we all know what the expression, "He's got a lot of heart" means. We don't refer to the size of the heart organ, rather, the state of mind in which a person is loving and compassionate. Likewise, the common concept of "a feeling in my gut" or "seeing through the mind's eye", is easily understood as having meaning by most people.

We all can easily comprehend the implications of these colloquialisms but how do we study their physiological interrelation? Everyone can deduce that these interior centers of energy are not the same as the physical organs and glands but how do we measure the interrelationship between the physical and the metaphysical? Has anyone spent time investigating this subject (either metaphysically or physically). I would expect that there has been considerable research into brain waves, respiration rates, blood pressure and the like, in conjunction with altered states of consciousness (with and without the integration of a psychedelic substance)?

Without any direct experience of these energy centers, it would be meaningless to further explore their validity. So too, without our personal impressions of these regions of conjunction, that being physiology and consciousness, it's all hypothetical and essentially, hearsay. Of course, the same can be said of the bulk of modern science, in terms of it's assumptions and calculations about the nature of reality. However, at least with scientific pursuits, methods of testing these realms are accessible through experiment and can be tested. Many people do have mystical or spiritual experiences, especially when engaging in use of psychedelic substances, so there this implies something universal is happening to these individuals. To qualify my use of the word universal, since the universe is quite a vast place (the little of it we can perceive), I suggest an interconnectedness which transcends the individual perspective and becomes immersed in a view of reality which is far different than that of "normal" consciousness.

As for myself, I can only speak from my own history, experience and perspective, so I would like to initiate within this fine community, a discussion along the lines of research spent uniting the religious with the scientific. Has any progress bean make in this region of study? If not, can such progress be made at all, rationally? How are we to proceed to understand what these phenomena are and how we can map them out for our mutual benefit, through closer examination?

Thank you in advance for your kind consideration and participation. Let's place nice, shall we?

Peace, love & light

Here's my quick take: I don't know that "scientific" study of the "chakras" and their connection with the physical body parts would be possible, since the "chakras" are felt, not externally perceived. By this I mean that the chakras are experienced, during states such as those you describe. So for this reason, a "scientific" study of chakras - the felt experience of the LIFE ever-present in parts of the body - corresponding to what Whitman so aptly described as the "body electric". Seen in this light, "chakras" can be seen as the interior correspondents to the external, physical body parts. So if someone complains of, say, "blockage in the throat chakra", that can be seen as an internal experience of being unable to communicate oneself or represent oneself vocally in the world. A "sex center blockage" can be interpreted as the internal experience of sexual dysfunction, and so forth. Does this make sense?

I don't know about whether any "scientists" have looked into this. I've seen people claiming to be able to take pictures of the chakras, using "Kirlian photography". Don't know whether this could happen - if it's genuine, then one possible "explanation" or model would be that around the body, there's an electromagnetic field present which somehow ties in with the "psychic centres" you mention. Perhaps this electromagnetic spectrum of energy is what's being sensed.

I would look into the density of nerves in the gut and heart for some suggestive physiological correlations with the tan t'iens of Taoism.

You may want to look into the endocrine glands...
(From a hyperspacial perspective)

You make a few significant points and now you've got me inspired to extrapolate! Having trained in Yang Family Taijiquan (tai chi chuan) for over 30 years, I can attest to the living presence of the Dan'tien and it's role as an axis for the cultivation and transmission of Qi. Essentially, this is the center of gravity within the human body and can be perceived through the abdomen. Furthermore, it is from this region that Qi is directed throughout the entirety of the body. It is, however, more than just a material reality, it is an internal center of awareness. Many people in the West have a problem conceiving of awareness and consciousness, as being perceived through any other body part than the brain. What's that about? Just kidding, since any variety of bodily awarenesses would link directly to the brain, eh?

Far Eastern sensibilities include the belief that we have awareness in our entire bodily form and can channel such an internal force to any part of the bodily extremities, via the fulcrum of the Dan'tien. This electromagnetic universal energy is called Qi (Chi) in Taoist terminology. On the other side of the Himalayas, it is called Shakti, within Indian cosmology. This flowing force, whose power stems from the very source of all energy & mass, the formless Void of the Tao, may well shed light on this interphase between psychic energy and material reality? It correlates with the 3rd chakra, although it has both, an internal capacity to absorb and store such energy (coiling or silk reeling), as well as the ability to expand and propel such energy (fajing), through the vehicle of the human organism.

I believe I recall reading that significant research is being conducted in mainland China about this Taoist phenomenon. I haven't heard of any follow-up on this issue, yet. Still, it is more than likely that such research will kindle further studies. I is more than reasonable to conclude that similar investigations into the heart would yield fascinating insights? :idea:

Peace, love & light

Yes, you are definitely on to something, in this regard. These glands are situated within proximity of the psychic centers labeled as chakras, so how do we proceed to find a link? Perhaps no links exist but I suspect we are able to discern some interconnection, by the process of observation and investigation. It's been inferred for centuries, that we can conduct the experiment within our own bodies and minds (yogically). This is a great suggestion and it has been done by individuals throughout our collective history. Still, to those who have not had the direct experience of Oneness/enlightenment or experienced any internal phenomena... it is all conjecture and a subjective projection of the mind. I often ponder if science and religion can concur about these realms of energy and mysterious bio-mechanics. For all I know, volumes of research has been done and there is a wealth of data to support the perceptions of mystics, shamans, sages and psychonauts. Regardless of which side of the fence one stands, it is a fascinating realm of exploration.

The hindu chakra SYSTEM is just a SYSTEM for understanding emotions and human energies.

They're not real physical things. It's just a metaphorical system used to describe things that are otherwise hard to articulate.

For instance. Let's say you're feeling loving, when normally you are not. The hindu would say "oh, you're heart chakra is open!"

See?

Don't take it too seriously.

There is indeed a whole "science" to chakras derived from meditation experiences, and I gather it is well over a thousand years old. It has to do with their color, shape, and similarities to things in the physical world. They are generally compared with lotus petals of differing colors, number of petals, alignment, "location" in the body, etc. Many writers have evidently experienced it and put it down on paper for us regular folks to read about. What's more, there appears to be some uniformity in these reports across Buddhist, Hindu and even the Christian traditions. While I have perhaps a small handful of meditation experiences where, afterward, I may have said to myself, "yeah, that was likely a chakra", I cannot say this for sure. I do believe that they are not going to be discovered by scientifc physical world apparatus, but if they do exist in some other realm or level of hyperspace, then it might be possible to witness and measure their influence. Hey, you go to hyperspace and it effects the rest of your life, so why not?

The colors just represent the different tones in an octave. The pedals and symbols serve no purpose other than identification. It's not like people actually see these lotus pedals opening up. It's a metaphor.
You COULD visualize that happening if you wanted to, but whats the point in that?
All you're doing there is strengthening your imagination skills, and fooling yourself.

It goes like this:

In the hindu chakra system, they're trying to show you how you think with your body.

Roots = stability
Sacral = sexual/creative energy
Solar plexus = balance and fight-or-flight mode.
Heart = Loving
Throat = Communicating
Third eye = seeing within
And Sahasrara, the crown = having that psychedelic cosmic awareness.


The hindu believed that if you have all aspects of your existence working properly, than you were an optimal human being.

It's just their beliefs...their system....remember that. None of this is scientific, or true.

(so many people seriously misinterpret this crap...)

Thank you for your input. I beg to differ, however, as my own personal experiences contradict this dismissive conceptual projection you offer as rationale. I agree that this "SYSTEM" is rooted in symbolic interpretations of real electromagnetic phenomena, by necessity of the problems inherent with human subjectivity, it's attempt to translate information which has no rational, known definition and hence, eludes a definitive equation. This is compounded by the limitations of language and there we have it.

Linguistics are based on the known and definable. Were the appropriate terminology available, it would be easier to peg. When the sufficient data remains unavailable, expressions and descriptions are usually borrowed from well-acquainted symbology, recognizable patterns of comprehension,etc... Familiar earthly metaphors are used to represent these energy patterns, as abstract metaphysics is rather difficult to comprehend if one has not experienced some measure of it. This hardly means it is "crap". :idea: My bad for contesting your assertions.

In the end, I may decide that any positive discussions of this nature are futile and of little popular consideration. Such is the perplexing nature of existence. We all stand by our own dream of what be see as reality and how we choose to interpret the signals we recognize as having existence or not. As there are many levels of awareness we will never be able to perceive, I believe it behooves any of us to dismiss the ideas of large Eastern populations, as nonsense and fantasy. So you get to define what is real and what is fantasy, what is fact and what is illusion? We all do, each in our own measure. I don't dismiss your vantage point or your perception, so do me the pleasure of an equal amount of restraint. OK? Have a lovely evening.

Peace, love & light