For those of you looking for an in-depth exploration of the role of the sun in human consciousness that is backed by both conventional and cutting edge research, this is it.

- Truth

By Michael Theroux with James Borges | Journal of Borderland Research

–

“Not since ____ have such violent outbreaks been seen on the surface of the sun as have been reported this year.”

The quote is from Harlan True Stetson, the date in the blank is August 1917, and the year Stetson wrote this was 1937. It sounds like it could have been written today. I’m a little dismayed at the hysteria being generated by the media about our current solar condition. We seem to be witnessing “grasping at straws” attempts to point the finger at anything suspect of causing total chaos as we approach the new millennium. At first it was Y2k that was supposed to end the world as we know it, and as that died out due to challenges and rational thought from real computer experts and industrialists (note: the computer industry is preparing for sales in the year 2000 — not the end of the world), now the Sun is the most recent victim to blame for our upcoming Armageddon. Mind you, most of these claims are coming from the alternative media, who again treasure alternative media sources for their documentation and confirmation. These media types do not consult scientists who are respected in the fields in which they work, rather they consult with so-called alternative spokespersons, prophets, and pseudoscientists (yes, I said that dreaded word) who profess “radical changes are a coming” and “head for the hills” mentality.

A classic example of this kind of behavior was presented to us at BSRF last year. We received several faxes from a couple of groups who had claimed that there was an extraordinary seismic event that occurred and had lasted for hours. They suggested that it had originated from deep inside the earth, and was unprecedented in that it was not felt by anyone. They had also suggested that it was probably a precursor to other potentially devastating seismic events. I perused the seismic databases in search of this anomaly and found nothing, so I asked the group if they could provide any data on the event. I received another fax with several seismograms from the internet’s Live Seismic Server which appeared to detail this event with a statement from the group that the USGS was silent on the event — that they may be involved in a coverup. After a quick glance at the seismograms it was easy to correlate the data exactly with a known event that had occurred on the day in question, and that their speculation on the duration of the event had stemmed from their inability to properly interpret the seismograms! Needless to say, after I replied to the group with the correct analysis, it was never mentioned again.

Of course, the USGS was not involved in any coverup — they simply had no idea what these groups were talking about and chalked it up to more lunatic hysteria — as do many mainstream scientists when confronted with such data. I can hardly blame them for their reactions as this is becoming more commonplace as the millennium approaches. Many in the scientific community are being bombarded with allegations of covering up data and research even when they try to present their findings openly. In order for the alternative science community to properly liaison with mainstream science this will have to cease. It is our hope that these attacks do not encourage elements of quantitative science to withhold rather than reveal.

So then, what is really happening with our Sun? Is there something unusual and extraordinary about the recent rise in sunspot numbers? Are communications satellites, automobiles, computers, powerplants, etc. going to be rendered useless? Is the sun going to explode soon or lash out with a gigantic fireball to consume the earth and her inhabitants? It’s always a possibility, but I don’t think so. There are some things that solar activity might be responsible for, but we’ll check into that a little later. First, let’s look at some graphical comparisons of sunspot activity through recent history. It has been stated by some media personalities that the recent rise in sunspot numbers may be the highest ever recorded — that the jump to over 300 (or 340) is simply unexampled.

[note: "Sunspot Number" is comprised of a daily index of SUNSPOT activity (R), defined as R = k (10 g + s) where S = number of individual spots, g = number of sunspot groups, and k is a variable scaling factor (usually <1) that indicates the combined effects of observing conditions, telescope, and bias of the solar observers. See: http://spaceweather.com/java/archive.html#sunspotnum

Rather than post all the graphs, here are some links to historical solar and geomagnetic data charts from 1956-1991 which show that unsmoothed sunspot numbers have indeed reached such levels and higher:

http://www.dxlc.com/solar/history/hist9107_08.gif
http://www.dxlc.com/solar/history/hist7911_12.gif
http://www.dxlc.com/solar/history/hist5907_08.gif
http://www.dxlc.com/solar/history/hist5803_04.gif
http://www.dxlc.com/solar/history/hist5709_10.gif
http://www.dxlc.com/solar/history/hist5711_12.gif
http://www.dxlc.com/solar/history/hist5611_12.gif

Or for the really enterprising see this historical database of daily numbers from 1818 to present (appears to be incomplete): http://www.oma.be/KSB-ORB/SIDC/DATA/dayssn.dat

During solar maximum there are many sunspots, and during solar minimum there are few. The plot linked below shows the number of smoothed sunspots observed from the year 1749 through the present:http://www.sunspotcycle.com/images/zurich.gif

Now here is a graphical comparison of solar cycles 21, 22 and our current Cycle 23:

Cycle
Monthly smoothed sunspot
number
Actual monthly sunspot number
21
Blue
Dark blue
22
Black
Green
23
Red

Magenta

And, here is a graphical comparison of solar cycles 10, 13, 17, 20 and the current Cycle 23 (using the international monthly smoothed sunspot number):

While Cycle 23 (our present cycle) has been predicted to be slightly above average (See: Cycle 23 will be above average but no record setter) Dr. David Hathaway of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center said, “It’s like saying we’re going to have a mild or cold winter,”

It is now quite probable that the Earth’s climate may be linked to sunspots. The “Little Ice Age” corresponded with a 70-year period, 1645-1715, when sunspots were thin in number, the Maunder minimum. Also, there are strong statistical associations linking current trends in climate (surface temperatures) to trends in solar activity (See these two excellent papers by Dr. Theodor Landscheidt from the Schroeter Institute for Research in Cycles of Solar Activity, Nova Scotia, Canada entitled, SOLAR ACTIVITY: A DOMINANT FACTOR IN CLIMATE DYNAMICS , and Solar Activity Controls El Niño and La Niña ).

Now that we have fairly determined that Cycle 23 is not really any different than previous cycles, what is it that the sun will affect, and what is it that we should really concern ourselves with?

Sunspots and Human Behavior

The recent Solar Maximum gives us a wonderful opportunity to observe the Sun in action. Borderland Sciences has been investigating the relationship of the Sun and human behaviour for many years, and we are quite confident that we can predict behaviours based on sunspot fluctuations over very short and long durations within the Solar Cycle of 11 years. Historically, research has been conducted to link the 11 year cycle of the sun to changes in human behavior and society. The most famous research had been done by professor A.L. Tchijevsky, a Russian scientist, who presented a paper to the American Meteorological Society at Philadelphia in the late 19th century. He prepared a study of the history of mass human movement compared to the solar cycle, beginning with the division of the Solar cycle into four parts: 1) Minimum sunspot activity; 2) increasing sunspot activity; 3) maximum sunspot activity; 4) Decreasing sunspot activity. He then divided up the agitation of mass human movements into five phases:

1. provoking influence of leaders upon masses
2. the “exciting” effect of emphasized ideas upon the masses
3. the velocity of incitability due to the presence of a single psychic center
4. the extensive areas covered by mass movements
5. Integration and individualization of the masses

By these comparisons he constructed an “Index of Mass Human Excitability” covering each year from 500 B.C. to 1922 A.D. He investigated the histories of 72 countries in that period, noting signs of human unrest such as wars, revolutions, riots, expeditions and migrations, plus the number of humans involved. Tchijevsky found that fully 80% of the most significant events occurred during the years of maximum sunspot activity. He maintained that the “exciting” period may be explained by an acute change in the nervous and psychic character of humanity, which takes place at sunspot maxima.

Tchijevsky discovered that the solar minimum is the lag period when repression is tolerated by the masses, as if they lacked the vital energy to make the needed changes. He found that during the sunspot maximum, the movement of humans is also at its peak. Tchijevsky’s study is the foundation of sunspot theory on human behavior, and as Harlan True Stetson, in his book Sunspots and Their Effects (available from BSRF), stated, “Until, however, someone can arrive at a more convincing excitability quotient for mass movements than professor Tchijevsky appears yet to have done, scientists will be reluctant to subscribe to all the conclusions which he sets forth.” Stetson did acknowledge that the mechanism by which ultraviolet radiation is absorbed was still a puzzle biologists had to solve.

The mechanism behind the stimulation of human behavior is still a mystery, but the theories of Georges Lakhovsky may shed some light. He considered his book, “The Secret of Life” (reprinted by BSRF), the extension of a scientific hypothesis of a new theory of life. The Sun is one of Earth’s primary sources of cosmic radiation. While the Sun does produce its own radiations, solar winds actually capture passing cosmic dust and radiation and blow it into the earth’s atmosphere. While it may seem frightening to some, this can actually be considered the Primal Vibration that sets the cells vibrating with Vital Force. This is the Prana, that Cosmic Breath, which is meant to vitalize man, and is the source for our evolution.

Dr. George Crile, a distinguished American surgeon, studied the sun in light of its radiant energy. In the ‘Preliminary Remarks’ to Lakhovsky’s The Secret of Life, Professor d’Arsonval quotes Crile: “It is clear that radiation produces the electrical current which operates adaptively the organism as a whole, producing memory, reason, imagination, emotion, the special senses, secretions, muscular action, the response to infection, normal growth, and the growth of benign tumours and cancers, all of which are governed adaptively by the electric charges that are generated by the short wave or ionizing radiation in protoplasm.”

He felt that the entire energy system of living beings is controlled by radiant energy and electrical forces. D’Arsonval points out that Lakhovsky and Crile found that living cells are electrical cells functioning as system of generators, inductance lines, and insulators. The underlying mechanism is the oscillating circuit. An oscillating circuit is a circuit containing inductance and capacity, which when supplied energy from an external source, is set in electrical vibration and oscillates at its natural frequency. D’Arsonval explains further that a conductor is said to possess inductance if a current flowing through it causes a magnetic field to be set up round it. The capacity of a condenser of an isolated body is a measure of the charge of the quantity of electricity it is capable of storing. From such a circuit, energy is readily given off in the form of waves. According to Lakhovsky, the nucleus of a living cell may be compared to an electrical oscillating circuit. The nucleus consists of tubular filaments, chromosomes, mitochondria, made up of insulating material and filled with a conducting fluid containing all the mineral salts found in sea water. These filaments are thus comparable to oscillating circuits endowed with capacity according to a specific frequency.

The cosmic radiation from the Sun is a blessing of Vital Force. As Lakhovsky has postulated, it is the cosmic radiations that give the cells their vibrant oscillations. While the sunspot maxima is occurring, the solar flares and the subsequent geo-magnetic reactions effect the many subtle reactions that take place within our bodies at the atomic level. It has been theorized that this has a direct relationship to the metabolism of the body. We know it is the subtle magnetism of positive and negative charges that pulls certain particles across membranes in cells to produce energy. These magnetic exchanges result in the stimulation of enzymes and the production of energy like ATP. The increase of penetrating waves during a solar storm causes an excitation in these electro-chemical reactions within the body. Tchijevsky also identified correlations between changes in solar magnetic activity with biological processes. In light of Lakhovsky’s theory in his own words, “…with the aid of elementary analogies, that the cell, essential organic unit in all living beings, is nothing but an electromagnetic resonator, capable of emitting and absorbing radiations of very high frequency.” A plausible mechanism is provided to understanding the stimulating effects the radiation from the Sun has on human behavior. In an abstract entitled “Automated Experiment on Macro-fluctuation Monitoring” Bruns A.V.& Visolimsky B.M. also find a close relationship with the solar activity and bio-chemical reactions. “Phenomenologically obtained data could be treated like an effect of the surface (controlled by solar activity) on the physico-chemical kinetics. This effect was realized, evidently through the mechanisms close to nuclear magnetic resonance in geomagnetic field.” In another historical study Suitbert Ertel writes in his article “Synchronous Bursts of Activity in Independent Cultures; Evidence for Extraterrestrial Connections” that evidence has been reported suggesting a link between historical oscillations of scientific creativity and solar cyclic variation. Eddy’s discovery of abnormal secular periods of solar inactivity (Maunders minimum type) offered the opportunity to put the present hypothesis to a crucial test. Using time series of flourish years of creators in science, literature, and painting (A.D. 600-1800) It was found as expected:

1. Cultural flourish curves show marked discontinuities (bursts) after the onset of secular solar excursions synchronously in Europe and China;
2. during periods of extended solar excursions, bursts of creativity in painting, literature, and science succeeded one another with lags of about 10-15 years;
3. The reported regularities of cultural output are prominent throughout with eminent creators. They decrease with ordinary professionals. The hypothesized extraterrestrial connection of human culture has thus been strengthened.

The evidence seems to show that during the maxima of sunspot activity human behavior is stimulated.

There is some Russian research that shows an increase in cardiac problems during sunspot maxima. The solar activity probably sets off a preexisting condition and no one is suggesting that people will drop dead in the streets. We could see the stress of solar activity on the biology of living things as an evolutionary agent weeding out the old and sick and strengthening those who can resonate with its radiations. In his ‘Preliminary remarks to Lakhovsky’s The Secret of Life the Professor d’Arsonval gives several examples of research done in the last hundred years that shows the most malefic effects from solar activity come at the sunspot minima. He notes from the British Medical Journal, March 7th & 14th of 1936 that both Colonel C.A. Gill and Dr. Conyers Morrel found increases in pandemics of deadly diseases during the period of minimal sunspot activity. In Gill’s study he showed that every pandemic of malaria since sunspot records were taken had occurred when sunspot numbers were lowest. Similar trends were observed in East Africa and elsewhere with Yellow fever epidemics since 1800 occur during the sunspot minima. Dr. Conyers Morrel also finds that, “…waves of epidemic diseases covering considerable periods exhibit a very close correspondence with the phases of sunspot periods. Diphtheria, Typhus, and Dysentery seemed to prosper when there was an absence of solar activity. We also see an increase in disease in Solco W. Tromp’s study. Without the stimulation from the Sun human health seems to diminish. The immune system seems to grow unresponsive during the solar lull and diseases can more easily gain a foothold in the body. Not only human health but Life itself seems hampered by the lack of solar activity. William Hershel wrote in 1801, “It seems probable analyzing the period between 1650 and 1713, and judging by the normal yields of wheat, that a scarcity of vegetation occurred whenever the sun appeared to be free from spots.” The depressed state of metabolism and lack of food in agricultural centers may have seemed very inviting to the Mongols. Goncharov, in an abstract on the “Asian Nomadic Invasions and Solar Cycles”, aid, “From the 4th to the 16th centuries the Central Asian Steepe was the cradle of the series of great nomadic tribal invasions into agricultural regions of Europe, China, and South Asia. Those invasions had similar features. They arose in middle latitudes and recurred every 160-220 years – exactly after solar abatements.”

References

Moore, Carol, Sunspot Cycles and Activist Strategy, http://www.kreative.net/carolmoore/sunspot-article.html
Lakhovsky, Georges, The Secret of Life, BSRF, 1985
Petersen, William, Man, Weather, Sun, John Anderson Publishing Company, Chicago, 1947
Stetson, Harlan True, Sunspots in Action, The Ronald Press Company, New York, 1947
Stetson, Harlan True, Sunspots and Their Effects, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1937
Botezat-Antonescu, L., Predeanu I., “Possible Heliogeophysical Influence on Human Health in Romania” (Abstract), Relations of Biological and Physicochemical Processes with Solar Activity and Other Environmental Factors, 1993
Breus T.K., Halberg F. and Cornelissen G., “Effect of the Solar Activity on the Physiological Rhythms of Human Being” (Abstract), Relations of Biological and Physicochemical Processes with Solar Activity and Other Environmental Factors, 1993
Ertel, Suitber, Solar Activity and Bursts of Human Creativity,http://www.knowledge.co.uk/frontiers/sf067p17.html
Freitas, Robert A., Sunspots and Disease, http://www.knowledge.co.uk/frontiers/sf034p12.html
Goncharov, G.G., “Asian Nomads Invasions and Solar Cycles” (Abstract), Relations of Biological and Physicochemical Processes with Solar Activity and Other Environmental Factors, 1993

- Truth

Alchemy Healing: U Shein Sayargyi uses gold ash powder to heal 

By The Mindful Word

–

U Shein Sayargyi has been using the centuries old tradition of alchemy to produce gold ash powder, a remedy that he claims “is able to improve significantly or even heal serious diseases like hepatitis, cancer, and AIDS.” He’s thoroughly tested his remedy over several years in his own practice and through sales of the product to other health practitioners and individuals.

Alchemy process

Swarna Bhasma, the calcined powder of gold, has a long history of use in Ayurveda, India’s ancient healing system. According to Dr. Ch. Murali Manohar, author of Ayurveda for All, “It is useful in tuberculosis, diabetes, anemia, edema, epilepsy, skin diseases, general debility, asthma, and heart afflictions.” In Ayurveda the seven dhaatus (metals)—gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, and zinc—are considered essential elements of the body. Any excess or deficiency of these dhaatus causes illness, which is why these metals are common ingredients in Ayurvedic remedies.

With all the concern about heavy metal toxicity, it may seem odd that metals are used as a healing remedy. To ensure the substance’s purity, Sayargyi takes the product through a complex 22-year process that involves melting gold and other metals together more than 100 times, mixing the substance with energy-packed foods and storing it for many years before being dried out. The final product, Sayargyi claims on his website, only contains trace metals that have completely lost their toxic effects.

How it works

Since gold ash powder is created through a combination of material, spiritual, and secret alchemical techniques, the healing process is induced by a number of factors working synergistically: the healing properties of the metals, the four elements, and the effect of time.

“Within one year all cells in your body are completely remade. Gold ash powder penetrates every single cell of the body, and supports and accelerates this process,” Sayargyi says. “The main difference between modern medicine and gold ash powder is that it is auto-reactive. When something is unwanted in your body it will be removed. When something is lacking it will be completed.”

Gold ash powder has no side effects and it’s not possible to overdose on it. Sayargyi says that, in this sense, it’s comparable to homeopathic remedies. The gentle substance is safe to ingest, even for pregnant and breast-feeding mothers, children and animals.

U Shein Sayargyi

As a result of suffering injuries while in the army, Sayargyi underwent a personal crisis. At the age of 36 he had a dream that he was summoned to a pilgrimage site in Myanmar by a hermit sage. He visited the cave where the hermit initiated him and passed on his supernatural healing powers.

“My art of healing is deeply embedded in Buddhist philosophy and worldview and the belief in spirits and angels called devas.” Sayargyi says. “I was now instructed by my devas to also heal with herbal remedies and to start to develop gold ash powder. The composition and exact process of the production was given to me by my devas.”

Sayargyi founded his healing clinic in 1966 in Yangon, Myanmar. Patients come from as far away as Europe for medical treatment and advice from the healer-sage. As a doctor trained in western medicine, he successfully treated strokes, heart attacks, paralysis, HIV, and lung cancer. “I experienced success that was previously unknown and unimaginable to me,” he says.

With the body’s cells completely changing on a regular basis all that’s needed to heal are the right conditions. Gold ash powder merges the material and spiritual realms providing those right conditions for healing.

To order gold ash powder or to book an appointment with U Shein Sayargyi, visit www.gold-ash-powder.com. To learn more about gold ash powder and U Shein Sayargyi watch Healing Magic documentary: Journey into Myanmar`s Healing Tradition (http://www.gold-ash-powder.com/film_EN.html).

- Truth

Peace is a Process: James Twyman on continuing the manifestation conversation

By James Twyman | Emissary of Light 

I directed and produced a film called The Moses Code, which is in many ways, an answer to The Secret, the film that came out a few years ago that highlighted the “Law of Attraction.” Now, the reason I say “an answer” is because I had very strong feelings about The Secret when it first came out. Yes, I was able to admit that there were a lot of people who were just beginning a spiritual journey who needed to get that—the understanding that we do draw everything into our own experience, into our reality, or into our world and, knowing that, we can take control or we can draw the things that we really want, rather than the things that we just happen to haphazardly attract. That’s a good beginning level of understanding.

However, the way it was presented in The Secret seemed as if it was the only level—like if you get this, then you’ve got the whole thing. That’s very dangerous, because you don’t want to think that you’re in graduate school when you’re really in first grade. So people were really getting confused. They were hurting themselves in many ways, because they didn’t realize that it’s not so much about the goods that you attract but more importantly it’s about the goodness that you attract. It’s not about using these spiritual laws to attract on an ego level, but rather it’s about the soul awareness and attracting things that are serving your soul and humanity itself.

I felt that this was a conversation that needed to be continued. It needed to be brought back to the soul. That was why I wrote the book, The Moses Code and why we ultimately made the movie. It was hugely successful because so many of the well-known authors and teachers that are out there felt the same. They wanted to take part in continuing this conversation, and so many of them, from Michael Beckwith, who was also in The Secret, as well as Neale Donald Walsch and Debbie Ford, and others, supported this movie. It ended up being a great success. I think it continued this conversation in a beautiful way.

Many manifestation techniques that we’ve been exposed to lately are absolutely important. But to do them without heart, without soul, just serves the ego. They’re like chains: they trap us and they keep us from focusing on what really is important. And being wrapped in a gold chain is just as binding as being wrapped in a steel one.

People need to understand that what the soul really wants is not to get a new car or a bigger house. The soul wants to be in service and, in doing so, to know that everything is automatically attracted into your life. In other words, when you’re not just thinking about your own selfish desires but how you can be the source of goodness for others, then all the goods that you need are attracted automatically. You don’t need to focus on them. That’s just how the law works. It’s kind of like when Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all of these other things will be added unto you.” It’s natural, it’s automatic.

This is what I think people are beginning to realize now and so I honour The Secret for beginning this conversation. I just think this is something that needs to be continued. I’m glad that we were able to do that with The Moses Code. I have a good friend named Robert Evans who is continuing that through his program “The Habit of Attraction.” And many people are talking about this, which is good, because if we allow it to be held hostage by the ego, we’re in trouble. If we can bring this message back to our soul and realize that we have an opportunity here to create a new world, not just attracting a car, then we’re really getting somewhere. There’s nothing wrong with a new car, and there’s nothing wrong with abundance. It’s beautiful. The question is, what’s it for? Are you doing it to avoid what actually wants to manifest through you? Or are you doing it to serve that?

The ego should not be so vilified. We so often say things like, “We need to get rid of our ego.” Well, the surest way to have your ego be fully in charge of everything is to try and get rid of it, because it’s not going to happen. The key is for it to be the servant of the soul, rather than trying to call all the shots itself. When the soul is in its own natural, right position, then it relaxes.

Think of it like a dog—especially a dog that needs to have a job. If it’s confused about what its function or job is, it’s a dangerous dog, because it’s going to be looking for it in all the wrong places. But when a dog knows what its role is, when it knows who the master is, then it’s comfortable and can relax and it plays its role perfectly. The same is true for our ego. When it knows why we’re here, then it relaxes, and, as the soul guides the ego in a proper way, we’re really moving somewhere and this peace we’ve been describing begins to manifest in our lives and in the world.

And peace is a process. It’s something that we need to create and develop and share over time. It’s dangerous to think that some magic wand is going to be waved over the heads of humanity and from that moment on there’s no longer going to be any conflict or war.

People sometimes ask if I think that we’re ever going to get to the point where there will be complete peace and the cessation of all violence. I don’t really think that that is how it works. We created this world of duality in order to learn certain very important spiritual lessons. This is the world where we learn from our mistakes, where we learn from everything. One of the things that we learn from is the way that we relate to one another, both skillfully and unskillfully. This is the evolutionary trek, both individual and collective, that brings us to a spiritual maturation.

Maybe there comes a point where each individual makes that choice to such a degree or level that they no longer have a need to reincarnate, if you believe in that. Or we move on to the next schoolroom, the next classroom, where we have different lessons. The main thing that I’ve learned over all these years I’ve been doing this work and been in spiritual practice, is that I don’t know anything. So these are my theories, just as we’ll all have our own.

I don’t know what is meant to happen here. The only thing I really do know is that I am meant to continue to choose peace in very dynamic ways in my own life, and to try and share that whenever I can. How this ends, what happens, I’m not attached to it, because I know that in the end we’re all going to realize that we created this world and can create a better one. And in doing so, peace may happen. I hope it does—that would be wonderful. But I’m not attached to it, I’m more attached to the spiritual growth.

I believe that we’re beginning to focus much more on the ways that we’re the same, rather than the ways that we’re different. Ireland is a very good example, because clearly, whether you’re in Northern Ireland or whether you’re in the Republic of Ireland, they’re all Irish. And whether they’re Catholic or Protestant, in the end, does not supersede the fact that they’re really the same.

The one thing I’ve learned as I’ve travelled around the world, often to these war zones, is that we’re not all that different from one another. If we could begin focusing on the ways that we’re the same as opposed to the way we’ve been doing it, which is to begin where we’re different, and build from there fosters a new attitude that ultimately does lead to peace. The Internet has been fantastic at that. We have broken down boundaries and walls in ways that we never would have thought possible twenty years ago, just through connecting through the Internet, email, Facebook and other social networks. And this is an exciting time to live in—we have opportunities here today that are just remarkable.

I remember the first time I was invited to Iraq, back in 1998 by Saddam Hussein himself to perform the Peace Concert in Baghdad. I was pretty nervous because of course I thought, “These people are so different from me—what’s going to happen? Am I going to be safe?” But it was one of the best experiences of my life. After I did this major concert in Baghdad, they had a party for me. It was one of the most fun parties I’ve ever been to and all we did all night long, was sit around singing Simon & Garfunkel songs! In Baghdad! We really were a lot more similar than I thought that we were.

It makes me think of how I got into this work in the first place. You may remember twenty-five years ago, there was a gathering that took place in Assisi, Italy, the home of St. Francis, where for the first time in history, the leaders of the twelve major religions of the world came together, not to have discussions, just to pray. Each one brought a peace prayer from their tradition and there was an amazing, beautiful gathering where each one prayed that prayer. It was those prayers I eventually arranged to music.

That was the beginning of something very important to me, especially in terms of our spiritual history and the way we relate to one another in religion. Even though all religions are very different, they all have a common denominator, and that is the desire for peace. Everyone has a peace prayer. We see this happening in so many ways. Allowing these boundaries between individuals, cultures and nations to continue to dissolve is what ultimately is going to lead to peace.

James Twyman is an internationally renowned, best-selling author, filmmaker and musician who has a reputation for travelling to some of the world’s greatest areas of conflict, who enjoys sharing his message of peace. Known as the peace troubadour, he is the author of several books, including The Moses Code, The Barn Dance, Emissary of Lightand The Art of Spiritual Peacemaking. He is currently promoting a film produced specifically for seniors called Redwood Highway.

- Truth

On a Possible Psychophysiology of the Yogic Chakra System (Part 3)

By Dr S.M. Roney-Dougal | Yoga Mag
–

This is part 3 of a 3 part series.  Part 1 can be read here and part 2 can be read here.

The root of the spinal cord: swadhisthana chakra

Swami Satyananda has stated that swadhisthana is connected with all ‘the phases of the unconscious’, the subliminal mind. “Swadhisthana is made up of all the rubbish which you never wanted, which you never needed, which you never desired but which got in.” (Satyananda, 1972a). Traditionally it has also been linked with sexuality, sensory pleasure, liquid, taste, procreation, self-indulgence, the kidneys and the prostate gland.

I think that swadhisthana is connected with the generative aspect of sexuality embodied by the womb in women, with follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone, oestrogen and androsterones as the hormones of this chakra. These hormones are central to the development of the secondary sexual characteristics – that which makes a man a man and a woman a woman – they define our gender, our selves as sexual people, the pitch of our voice, the shape and strength of our body, whether or not we have a beard, and the differing emotional characteristics related to oestrogen and testosterone – that which is the essence of man or woman.

There is a strong link between the pineal gland and the generative aspect of sexuality. Melatonin levels in the mother are exceptionally high during pregnancy, reaching a peak at birth. The diurnal rise in plasma melatonin appears enhanced as pregnancy progresses, supporting the idea of a role for the maternal pineal in entraining foetal body rhythms.

In animals, there is a biological clock oscillating in the SCN during foetal life before circadian rhythms are overtly expressed and before the retino-hypothalamic pathway has innervated the SCN. (i.e. a unique form of maternal communication coordinates the phase of a developing circadian clock until the developing mammal can respond to light directly through its own eyes.) The foetal SCN shows circadian variation in metabolic activity that is in time with the rhythm in the mother and with the external lighting cycle. Research by Reppert et al (1988) has found that this foetal circadian rhythm can be detected in rats as early as the 19th day of gestation. Pineal NAT is the first measurable circadian rhythm evident, accurately reflecting circadian output from the SCN. Pups which have been reared in an environment with no light cues express a NAT rhythm that is in phase with the circadian time of the mother.

In humans circadian rhythms are not obvious until well into the postnatal period. Human SCN neurons are formed by the 28th week. A significant fraction of incident light is transmitted into the uterus of a pregnant woman. It is possible that direct photic entrainment augments or even replaces maternal-foetal coordination of the circadian phase since the foetus can synthesize and store melatonin. Also after birth social cues are very important in entrainment of the sleep-wake cycle. (Reppert, 1988)

Vasopressin messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) can also be used as an intrinsic marker of the oscillatory activity of the SCN during foetal life since circadian rhythm of vasopressin levels in cerebrospinal fluid originates in the SCN. Vasopressin mRNA levels exhibit a prominent day-night variation in adult rats, which begins in the foetal SCN on day 21 of gestation in phase with the mother’s rhythm. In mothers whose SCN has been destroyed on day 7 of gestation, the entraining signal for the foetus no longer works, and the foetal SCN metabolic activity has no day-night rhythm. Also the pineal N activity for 10 day old pups born to SCN-lesioned mothers and reared in constant darkness is completely disrupted and they have no daily rhythm. But, if the mother’s SCN is lesioned after foetal neurogenesis of SCN then foetal synchronization is not disrupted. Destruction of the maternal SCN also eliminates a circadian rhythm to birthing. Possibly also the developing circadian clock is involved in initiating parturition, as different species have different times of day when birth is more likely to happen.

When pups are fostered with a mother whose circadian rhythm is opposite to that of their natural mother, their rhythms change to become synchronous to that of the foster mother. In these cases entrainment of rhythm is possibly linked with feeding activity which occurs on a rhythmic basis. One needs to have the pup entrained so that its feeding cycle is in tune with the mother and the other pups. This ensures that its activity cycle is such that it emerges from the burrow at a safe time of day. When litters with many pups are born they need to all be synchronized in their activity.

Thus the strong connection between the pineal gland and the gonadal system is very apparent in connection with pregnancy and birth. The glandular connection of swadhisthana is with the gonads and related systems so that to some extent it overlaps with mooladhara chakra, and so I look to other aspects of our sexuality – puberty and the menstrual cycle – in the discussion of mooladhara.

The coccygeal plexus: mooladhara chakra

According to Satyananda, mooladhara chakra is the root chakra, intimately connected in the male with the testes, and in the female with the cervix, and with the perineum and anus in both sexes. This chakra is connected with the sense of smell, the nose and the earth element, with passion, the animal instincts, anger, greed, excretory functions, secretory and sexual aspects, attachment, material security, survival and materialism. Working on this chakra releases suppressed emotions and unconscious memories, and causes extreme swings in mood. It is the seat of kundalini, and has obvious and direct connections with sexual energy in its most earthly aspect.

Some systems link the root chakra with the adrenal glands even though the adrenals are located above the kidneys back of the navel. The only information I have come across which justifies this idea is that in embryology the gonads and suprarenals all start in the same place, and the adrenal cortex makes small amounts of androsterones. However, I consider that the yogic description of mooladhara chakra and particularly its connection with kundalini suggests sexuality as its primary physical manifestation and therefore I link this chakra with the gonads, with testosterone in men which is primarily made by the testes (Wilson & Foster, 1992), and with oestrogen and progesterone in women.

As we have already seen, the pineal and the gonadal system interact extensively. Satyananda considers that there is a special connection between ajna chakra and mooladhara, and there are certainly extensive connections between the pineal gland and the gonads. The pineal synthesizes antigonadotropic peptides. In their turn the gonadal hormones inhibit the biosynthesis of the pineal hormone melatonin, although gonadectomy has little influence on magnitude of melatonin increase or on phasing of the rhythm, and prolactin secretion is inhibited by ovarian steroids, suggesting that there is a physical as well as spiritual, mental and emotional links between mind, heart and sex.

Melatonin inhibits gonadal development in children and regulates the onset of sexuality at puberty for humans. There is a fall in plasma melatonin associated with male human pubertal development. The pineal normally becomes calcified at puberty (Ng & Wong, 1986; Vaughan & Reiter, 1986), and there is a sharp decrease in melatonin production at this time.

The pineal night-time melatonin concentration decreases progressively during the menstrual cycle, with an increase at ovulation and peak values during menstruation. Melatonin seems to be ‘taken up’ by the ovaries, testes and uterus. Thus women show a 28 day melatonin rhythm, though many women have a menstrual cycle that is more closely correlated with the 29.5 day lunar cycle and menstruate every full moon. Those using the contraceptive pill have less melatonin since there is a positive relationship between melatonin and progesterone. Melatonin secretion is significantly higher during the late luteal phase than during the preovulatory phase and melatonin levels fall before ovulation: this could be the determinant of the menstrual cycle. The onset of the LH surge is in the early morning when melatonin levels are falling (Brzezinski & Wurtman, 1988). Continuous light, which causes a decrease in melatonin production, also causes a decrease in ovarian melatonin concentration, whilst injections of melatonin result in smaller testes.

I consider that these studies linking the pineal gland with the gonadal endocrines aid understanding of the lore surrounding sexuality and psychic functioning. Children and celibates were almost universally those chosen as temple seers and prophets, the oracle at Delphi being an excellent example of this. Some research suggests that children are more psychic when they are younger, and much of the research into poltergeists suggests that adolescents are often the focus for this wild uncontrolled psychokinetic storm.

Conclusion

Our knowledge of the endocrine system, the chemistry of our body-mind and emotional system, is still meagre. The neurochemists have only just isolated pinoline from the pineal and are still learning about melatonin and serotonin. However, partial as our knowledge may be, it does fit together with what the yogis, ‘scientists of the subtle mind’, tell us about the yogic chakra system. Our disciplines, apparently so different in language and method, appear to corroborate each other.

In conclusion, pinoline can be seen as the physical aspect of ajna chakra as the psychic chakra, and melatonin as the neurohormone of ajna chakra as the command chakra in that it has an inhibitory role for the endocrine organs, many of which are found physically at the traditional places where the chakras are located. Thus vishuddhi at the throat links with the thyroid which is the metabolic regulator, anahata at the heart with the breasts, manipura at the navel with the adrenal glands involved with our reactions to stress, and swadhisthana and mooladhara at the root of the spinal cord with different aspects of the genital system. There are a bewildering number of versions of the yogic chakra system: attempts to correlate the chakras with Western physiological models may not only help us to understand physiology, but also help us find the version of the chakra system that makes the most sense physiologically. Perhaps by linking this spiritual system with Western psychoneuroendocrinology we can create a deeper understanding of the links between mind, body and spirit for the benefit of all of us.

This is part 3 of a 3 part series.  Part 1 can be read here and part 2 can be read here.

References
Airaksinen, M.M. & Kari, I. (1981). Beta-carbolines, psychoactive compounds in the mammalian body, Medical Biology, 59, 22–33 & 190–211.
Allman, J. (1998). Parenting and survival in anthropoid primates: caretakers live longer, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 95, 6866.
Arendt, J. (1978) Melatonin Assays in Body Fluids. J. Neural. Trans. Suppl. 13, 265–278.
Barker, S.A. et al. (1981) Identification of various beta-carbolines as in vivo constituents of rat brain and adrenal glands. Biochemical Pharmacology, 30, 9–17.
Bilger, B. (1995). Forever Young, The Sciences, 35(5), 26–31.
Brezezinski, A. & Wurtman, R.J. (1988). The Pineal Gland: Its possible roles in human reproduction. Obstetrical & Gynaecological Survey, 43 (4), 197–207.
Callaway, J.C. (1988). “A proposed mechanism for the visions of dream sleep,” Medical Hypotheses, 26, 119–124.
Capra, F. (1975). The Tao of Physics, Wildwood House, Britain.
Cowley, G. (1995). Melatonin, Newsweek, Aug.7, 46–49.
Davidson, J. (1989). Subtle Biology: The Web of Life, J. Davidson, Cambridge.
Don, N.S. et al (1996). Psi, Brain Function and “Ayahuasca,” Proceedings of Presented Papers. Parapsychological Association 39th Annual Convention, San Diego, August 1996.
Eichler, V. (1985). The Pineal: Modern View of an Ancient Gland, The Theosophical Research Journal, 11(3).
Halaris, A. (ed.) (1987). Chronobiology and Psychiatric Disorders, Elsevier, New York.
Johnson, L.Y (1982). The Pineal as a Modulator of the Adrenal and Thyroid Axes. In Reiter, R.J., The Pineal Gland, Vol. III: Extra-reproductive Effects. C.R.C. Press Inc., Boca Raton, Florida, USA.
Jourdan, J-P. (1994). Near-Death and Transcendental Experiences: Neurophysiological Correlates of Mystical Traditions. J. Near-Death Studies, 12(3), 177–200.
Kensinger, K.M. (1978). Banisteriopsis Usage Among the Peruvian Cashinahua, In Harner, M.J. (ed.), Hallucinogens and Shamanism. Oxford Univ. Press.
Leaton, B.R., Malin, S.R. & Finch, H.F. (1962). The Solar and Luni-Solar Daily Variation of the Geomagnetic Field at Greenwich and Abinger 1916–1957, Royal Observatory Bulletin, 63.
Maestroni, G.J.M. et al (1989). Pineal Melatonin, its fundamental immunoregulatory role in ageing and cancer. Annals New York Academy of Sciences, 140–148.
Martikuinen, H. et al (1985). Circannual concentrations of melatonin, gonadotrophins, prolactin and gonadal steroids in males in a geographical area with a large annual variation in daylight. Acta Endocrinol. (Copenh), 109, 446–450.
Matthews, C.D. et al (1981). Melatonin in Humans. In Biran N, & Schloot, W. (eds.), Melatonin: Its current status and perspectives. Advances in the Biosciences, 29, Pergamon Press.
Miles, A. & Philbrick, D.R.S. (1988). Melatonin and Psychiatry. Biol. Psychiatry, 23, 405–425.
Motluk, A. (1998) Natural Born Fathers, New Scientist, 2164, 38–41.
Naranjo, C. (1967). Psychotropic properties of the harmala alkoids. In Effron et al. (eds.), Ethnopharmacologic search for psychoactive drugs. NIMH, US Dept. for Health, Education and Welfare.
Naranjo, C. (1973). The Healing Journey: New approaches to consciousness. Ballentine Books, NY.
Naranjo, C. (1978). Psychological aspects of the yoga experience in an experimental setting. In Harner, M.J. (ed.) Hallucinogens and Shamanism. Oxford Univ. Press.
Ng, T.B. & Wong, C.M. (1986). Pineal lipid metabolism, J. Pineal Res., 3, 55–66.
Nischalananda, Swami (1992). The Chakras. Satyananda Ashram Newsletter, 9.
Ott, J. (1993). Pharmacotheon: Entheogenic drugs, their plant sources and history, Natural Products Co., WA, USA.
Ott, J. (1994). Ayahuasca Analogues: Pangoean Entheogens, Natural Products Co., WA, USA.
Paranjpe, A.C. (1984). Theoretical Psychology: The Meeting of East and West, Plenum Press.
Reiter, R.J. (1995). Intracellular actions of melatonin with a summary of its interactions with reactive oxygen species. In Fraschini, F. et al (eds.), The Pineal Gland and Its Hormones, Plenum Press, NY.
Reiter, R.J. & Richardson, B.A. (1992). Some Perturbations that Disturb the Circadian Melatonin Rhythm. Chronobiol. Int., 9(4), 314–321.
Reiter, R.J. (1981). The Pineal, Vol. 6. Annual Research Reviews. Eden Press, USA.
Reppert, S.M. et al. (1988). Maternal Communication of Circadian Phase to the Developing Mammal, Psychoneuroendocrinol., 13, 63–78.
Rhine, L.E. (1969). Case Study Review. J. Parapsychology, 33, 228–266.
Roney-Dougal, S.M. (1986). Some speculations on a possible psychic effect of harmaline. In Weiner, D.H. & Radin, D.I. (eds.), Research in Parapsychology 1985, Scarecrow Press, Metuchen, NJ, p.120–123.
Roney-Dougal, S.M. (1988). The pineal gland’s possible role as a psi-conducive neuromodulator. In Proceedings of Int. Conf. On Paranormal Res., Colorado State Univ., Colorado, USA.
Roney-Dougal, S.M. (1989). Recent Findings relating to the possible role of the Pineal Gland in affecting Psychic Abilities. J. Soc. Psych. Res., 56, 313–328.
Roney-Dougal, S.M. (1990). Geomagnetism and the Pineal Gland: Some Speculations. In Henkel, L.A. & Palmer, J. (eds.) Research in Parapsychology 1989, Scarecrow Press, Metuchen, NJ, USA.
Roney-Dougal, S.M. (1991). Where Science and Magic Meet, Element Books, Britain.
Roney-Dougal, S.M. (1993). Some Speculations on the Effect of Geomagnetism on the Pineal Gland, J. Soc. Psych. Res., 59,1–15.
Salvador, J. et al. (1988). Circadian rhythms of thyroptropin and prolactin secretion. Chronobiol. Int., 5(1), 85–93.
Saraswati, Swami Satyananda. (1972a). The Pineal Gland (Ajna Chakra). Bihar School of Yoga, Bihar, India.
Saraswati, Swami Satyananda. (1972b). Kundalini Yoga. Bihar School of Yoga, Bihar, India.
Strassman, R.J. (1990). The Pineal Gland: Current Evidence for its Role in Consciousness. In Lyttle, T. (ed.), Psychedelic Monographs and Essays. Vol. 5. PM&E Pub., Boynton Beach, Florida.
Tart, C.T. (1977). Transpersonal Psychologies. Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Toutou, Y. et al. (1984). Patterns of plasma melatonin with aging and mental condition: stability of nyctohemeral rhythms and differences in seasonal variation. Acta Endocrinol, 106, 145–151.
Ullman, M., Krippner, S. and Vaughan, A. (1973). Dream Telepathy, Macmillan, NY.
Vaughan, G.M. & Reiter, R.J. (1986). Pineal dependence of the Syrian hamster’s nocturnal serum melatonin surge, J. Pineal Res., 3, 9–14.
Webley, G.E. et al. (1988). Positive Relationship between the Nocturnal Concentration of Melatonin and Prolactin, and a Stimulation of Prolactin after Melatonin Administration in Young Men. J. Pin. Res., 5, 19–33.
Wetterberg, L. (1995). Seasonal Affective Disorder, Melatonin and Light. In Fraschini, F. et al.(ed.), The Pineal Gland and its Hormones, Plenum Press, N.Y.
Wever, R.A. (1979). The Circadian System of Man, Springer-Verlag, Germany.
Wile, L.C. (1994). Near-Death Experiences: A Speculative Neural Model. J. Near-Death Studies, 12(3), 133–142.
Wilson, J.D. & Foster, D.W. (eds.) (1992) Williams Text Book of Endocrinology, 8th edn., W.B. Saunders, USA.
Wurtman, R.J. (1979). Rhythms in Melatonin Secretion: Their possible role in reproductive function. In Zichella, L. & Pancheri P. (eds.), Psychoneuroendocrinology in Reproduction, Elsevier, North Holland Biomedical Press.
Ziegler, T. (in press). Hormones associated with non-maternal infant care: a review of mammalian and avian studies, Folia Primatologia.

- Truth

Are You Aligned With Your Brilliance?

By David Barnes | Peace of Mind Overtures
–

Do you feel like you’ve found your life’s calling and have been moving in that direction for a number of years? Are you passionate about what you do yet for some reason, you can’t seem to connect with the abundance you expected? Do you recognize your own mastery?

If you’re unable to recognize your own unique gifts, your audience can’t either. This usually means you’re not aligned with your brilliance. This can be evident if you don’t believe you’re at the mastery level or even more common – you don’t believe you’re worthy of receiving the abundance that awaits you.

If this sounds familiar, the following Alignment Process movie session is for you. If you’re reading this blog, it’s most likely time for you to acknowledge your brilliance and intentionally align with it.

You’re not alone. Here’s a true story to help you see the pattern. There’s tangible abundance waiting for you to simply come into alignment with your unique greatness.

In 1968, record producer Dennis Coffey heard about this new musician performing in Detroit at small and obscure clubs. Coffey had worked with some of the greatest performers from Motown: Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and more. He knew talent when he saw it.

Coffey goes to see a new performer named Rodriguez at a small dive alongside the Detroit River. His first memory of Rodriguez is perhaps a clue to why Rodriquez’s abundance was on hold:

“There in the far corner I could see the shadow of a man and I couldn’t see his face. I said, what’s the deal?”

Rodriguez was onstage with his back to the audience singing. Coffey was impressed and compares his writing skills to Bob Dillon. He decides Rodriguez needs an album and proceeds with co-producing it for him.

In the movie, Searching For Sugar Man, we see an example of a brilliant musician that wasn’t ready to be aligned with his gifts. Either he didn’t recognize it, or didn’t feel worthy – we don’t know for sure. Regardless, the movie shows the abundance that was waiting for him in escrow. He was beloved, had numerous fans and didn’t know it.

The story of Sixto Rodriguez is a good one and we’ll leave the twists and turns for you to discover on your own.

When you watch this movie, think of these questions:

1)   Can you see your own brilliance?

When working with gifted yoga teachers, mechanics, leaders, musicians and other artists, we’ve found they usually won’t accept they’re brilliant masters of their craft. Rodriguez helps you look at this limiting belief. You’ve done the work and honed your skills, yet you’re still not sure. If you don’t agree you’re brilliant like Rodriguez it’s a sign you’re not in alignment with your gifts.

2)   Do you feel worthy of abundance?

Notice when Rodriguez meets his fan base, and begins to receive abundance and love. What does he do with the money? Does he allow his lifestyle to change?

3)   Are you ready to align with the audience that awaits you?

Then watch this movie in its entirety.

The 9 Key Benefits From Searching For Sugar Man Alignment Process movie Session:

1)   The release of past identities that limit your potential.

2)   A softening of your fear of humiliation.

3)   An acceptance of the level of mastery you’ve already attained.

4)   Embracing your authenticity that’s needed in the world right now.

5)   Releasing the doubt that holds you back.

6)   Less fear of being “out there” and more courage and strength.

7)   An acceptance that people are waiting to support you and need your brilliance.

8)   Permission to begin believing in yourself and your dreams again.

9)   Allowing your heart to lead you to the next right step for your work.

How To Get Started?

Here’s a link to the Intention Session. It’s your first step to preparing for this free Alignment Process movie session. You only need to do the Intention Session once and then you can benefit from any movie sessions on our blogs or that are currently on our website(s). It’s that simple.

Watch the entire movie. If you fall asleep (which sometimes occurs), just go back to the part where you snoozed and watch again. If you’ve already seen this movie, you have to watch it again to get the energetic benefits.
Today Sixto Rodriguez must be aligned with his abundance. He’s playing to sold out shows around the world.

David Barnes co-founded Peace of Mind Overtures with Sue-Anne MacGregor and together they have co-authored two books on human emotional patterns. He currently lives in Plano, Texas with his wife Lura and their children Sarah, Michael and dog Murphy.

Vishuddhi chakra is the throat chakra.  Anahata chakra is the heart chakra. Manipura is the solar plexus.  These sanskrit names hold special energies which activate and harmonize the chakras when used.  Therefor you may want to begin using them instead of the somewhat arbitrary english names.

- Truth

On a Possible Psychophysiology of the Yogic Chakra System (Part 2)

By Dr S.M. Roney-Dougal | Yoga Mag
–

This is part 2 of a 3 part series.  Part 1 can be read here and part 3 can be read here.

The thyroid gland: vishuddhi chakra

According to Satyananda (1972b), vishuddhi chakra is located in the throat and is the centre of ‘the nectar of immortality’. It is connected with the sense of hearing and thus with the ears, and of course with the vocal cords and with self-expression.

The thyroid makes thyroxine, which regulates the metabolic rate of the body, i.e. it controls how fast the body runs: an overactive thyroid means that the heart beats fast, one becomes thin, sexual desire increases, and the mind works overtime; whilst an underactive thyroid has the opposite effect. Neurochemically, the thyroid is under the inhibitory control of the pineal gland, removal of the pineal resulting in thyroid enlargement and increased hormonal secretion rate. The pineal is also under feedback control by the glands which it influences. Pineal cells respond to thyroxine, the response being particularly strong at night.

Synthetic melatonin has the effect of inhibiting iodine uptake and the secretion of thyroxine, and, given at the correct times, can reproduce the daily and annual biological rhythms since iodine uptake naturally decreases during the night. Thus, evening injections of melatonin are more effective than morning ones, showing that the time of day when hormone supplementation is given is a significant factor, the influence of the circadian rhythm once again. (Johnson, 1982). The effect of synthetic melatonin on the secretion of thyroxine decreases after puberty.

The hypothalamus makes thyroid releasing hormone (TRH), which stimulates the pituitary to make thyrotropin (TSH), which stimulates the thyroid to make thyroxine.1 There is a circadian variation in human TSH levels, TSH beginning to rise several hours before the onset of sleep, reaching maximum levels between 11.00 p.m. and 4.00 a.m., declining gradually with a minimum at 11.00 a.m. People with hypothyroidism also show a seasonal variation and circadian changes in plasma TSH, which suggests that the circadian rhythm of TSH is not related to the negative feedback control exerted by thyroid hormones under normal conditions: serum thyroxine levels show maximum concentration in late morning and minimum concentration in early morning.

Sleep deprivation results in larger and broader TSH peaks. Pinealectomy does not result in changes in serum TSH or hypothalamic TRH content, nor does it produce alterations on the diurnal rhythms of hypothalamic TRH – so there is little firm evidence for significant interactions between melatonin and rhythmicity of TSH secretion, yet chronic melatonin treatment decreases pituitary TSH content and increases plasma TSH concentration.

TSH is, together with melatonin and the adrenals, involved in coping with long term stress. Alpha-adrenergic pathways play a role in the stimulatory control of TSH release. Circadian changes in cortisol levels follow an opposite pattern to those of TSH. Glucocorticoid administration has an inhibitory effect on TSH secretion and rhythmicity, but there does not seem to be a close relationship between the daily profiles of each hormone and abolition of the circulation rhythm of cortisol does not disrupt the TSH rhythm. Glucocorticoids inhibit TSH release, and so the circadian rhythm of TSH is abolished in patients with hypercortisolism (Johnson, 1982).

Stress is intimately connected with metabolic rate, heart rate, an overactive mind, and also with age as an older person cannot cope with stress as well as a younger person. Long term stress is very different from short term stress (which is dealt with by the adrenals) and it is interesting that ajna, vishuddhi and manipura are all concerned with stress – which also affects the heart – when the mind just won’t stop going in circles around the problem (the beta-rhythm mental chatter), which is one of the worst aspects of long term stress. These are all the negative aspects of vishuddhi and we learn through meditation to overcome these aspects and so to become peaceful, still, calm and to live to a ripe old age, which is another way of saying that the thyroid is connected with immortality. Relaxation is the first step in meditation; slowing down, letting go, releasing the stress, stilling the endless internal chatter as is exemplified so well by the Chinese symbol of immortality, the tortoise; the slower you go, the longer you live. Yogic lore states that it is perfectly possible to regulate the functioning of the endocrine system, thus learning how to control one’s metabolic rate. It is feasible that yogic exercises designed for the ajna chakra do physically regulate the pineal gland and so influence the functioning of the other endocrine organs.

The heart centre: anahata chakra

According to Satyananda (1972b), anahata chakra is concerned with will and with feeling, touch, the skin especially the hands, manifesting in such arts as painting, poetry and music, which are aspects of heart.

The thymus

As a result of the writings by Theosophists, many people consider that anahata chakra is connected with the thymus gland, which physiologically is most active in children and is concerned with the immune system. Recent research suggests that there is a connection between the pineal gland and the thymus because of its interaction with the immune system, as mentioned in the section on the pineal gland as command chakra. Functional connections between the immune and the neuroendocrine systems are being increasingly recognized. Thus stressful effects, distress, from psychological or neuro-endocrinological causes may adversely affect the immune system and vice versa.

Circadian synthesis and release of melatonin exerts an important immunomodulatory role, in that it appears to be a physiological up-regulator of the immune system and to operate via the endogenous opioid system on antigen activated cells. When given in the evening to mice it increases the primary antibody response to T-dependent antigens, buffers the depression of antibody production and thymus weight induced by the acute restraint of mice inoculated with sheep red blood cells, and confers resistance against injections of a virus, not by protecting the thymus cortex but because it enlarges the thymus medulla. The anti-stress action of melatonin appears to be antagonized by administration of the opioid antagonist naltrexone, suggesting that melatonin operates via the endogenous opioid system (EOS) even though the opioid system is not itself involved in the immunological effect of acute stress. When administered in the morning no effect on the immune system was found (Maestroni et al, 1989). Thus, it is possible to see melatonin as an anti-stress hormone since melatonin reverses the depression of antibody production induced by corticosterone in drinking water. Failure to cope with distress may be dependent on an exhausted EOS and melatonin may restore the EOS.

So there is some connection between the pineal and the thymus in animals, and yet whilst there is a certain link between keeping healthy and the normal concept of the emotional aspect of heart in our culture, there is another hormone connected with this region in humans which expresses heart emotion much more strongly: the hormone prolactin which is connected with lactation in the breasts.

Prolactin

I have noticed in my research into the pineal that melatonin is the off-switch for a hormone called prolactin which is made by the pituitary, is involved with pregnancy and stimulates lactation, and is implicated in manic-depression. Most of the research with prolactin has been with animals, but there has been some research with humans showing once again the link with the pineal gland.

In seasonally breeding species in which both hormones show a seasonal variation, melatonin mediates the influence of light on prolactin release. All ruminants (e.g. cows, sheep) show a marked seasonal fluctuation in plasma prolactin concentration, i.e. high in summer and low in winter, and certain animals become impregnated in autumn at the end of the long day light hours (Wurtman, 1979), this fluctuation being controlled by melatonin. This inhibition of prolactin secretion in ruminants inhibits implantation of the blastocyst during the winter, so that the foetus does not implant into the womb until spring time, even though mating and fertilization occurred in autumn.

Prolactin secretion in women is also controlled by the ovarian steroids, its level being modified by the fluctuating oestradiol levels of the menstrual cycle. Whilst few clinicians would accept a seasonal basis for reproduction in humans, older epidemiological data, and data more recently derived from conditions of borderline fertility, both support a seasonal change. The exact link to melatonin is as yet unestablished but seasonal changes in plasma melatonin have been described (Matthews, 1981) for women, but not for men. Martikuinen et al (1985) found peaks in both summer and winter, and Touitou et al (1984) found differences between young and old people (see vishuddhi chakra).

Webley (1988) worked with 11 young men intermittently over a 9 month period. He found that, like melatonin, prolactin shows a night time peak around 3–4.00 a.m. and that, whilst inter-individual variations are large, there are no changes in the amplitude of the peaks across the February, March and June samplings. This significant positive correlation between melatonin and prolactin concentrations is greatest at night and strongest in June. Melatonin concentrations decrease earlier than prolactin in the morning and increase before prolactin in the evening (see Figure 3 and Table 2).


Prolactin concentration increases with sleep. The dependence on sleep is independent of time of day, so night workers will make some of their prolactin during the day, but prolactin also shows a circadian pattern of high levels at night. There were inconsistent changes in the circadian pattern of melatonin for the individuals, which suggests that environmental factors other than the light/dark cycle can influence the circadian pattern in men, and as I am suggesting here, stress/relaxation is one of these factors – other factors may be sleep/activity pattern, different social cues and physical exertion.

Webley found that melatonin doses given both morning and evening stimulated a significant increase in prolactin concentrations. There is a diurnal rhythm in sensitivity to melatonin: melatonin given in the morning stimulates a constant increase in prolactin concentration across the sampling period, whereas in the evening a peak in prolactin was evident after 90–120 minutes.

This leads to the conclusion that it is possible that melatonin may control directly the nocturnal increase in prolactin, but in some cases if melatonin concentration is increased, prolactin concentration is decreased; for example, a decrease in melatonin by pinealectomy results in an increase in prolactin release and the nocturnal increase in prolactin is absent in a pinealectomised human who had no nocturnal increase in melatonin. The observed stimulation of prolactin after melatonin injection in the human is also at odds with the inhibition of prolactin release in seasonally breeding animals – this may be indicative of a difference between the response to acute and chronic melatonin administration as is also seen with thyroxine, or may be indicative of the different responses to the hormones between humans and animals. In rats acute administration of melatonin stimulates prolactin, whereas prolactin is inhibited with chronic melatonin. Melatonin can inhibit dopamine release from the rat hypothalamus, the degree of response showing circadian variation. Since dopamine is known to inhibit prolactin release, the influence of melatonin on prolactin may therefore be via a dopaminergic mechanism. Such a mechanism would provide a central site of action for melatonin on human reproduction (Webley, 1988).

Research by Allman (1998), and Ziegler (in press) suggests that in some male species prolactin changes in the fathers are elevated just prior to and following the birth of the offspring, in some cases just as high as their nursing mates. The most experienced fathers had the highest levels of prolactin, the paternal high prolactin level remaining for up to six weeks after birth (Motluk, 1998).

Like TRH, prolactin secretion during the day follows the opposite pattern to that of cortisol. Glucocorticoid administration reduces pituitary prolactin content and release as well as prolactin responses to TRH, but does not affect circadian rhythm.

Oestrogens stimulate prolactin secretion, so women have higher basal levels, particularly during reproductive years and pregnancy. There is a close parallel between plasma oestradiol and prolactin. Women have higher sleep-related prolactin elevations.

Further hypersecretion of prolactin and the related pituitary hormones, luteinising hormone (LH) and human growth hormone (HGH)2 may be associated with affective (mood) disorders such as manic depression and recurrent depression – here we see clearly the link between emotional, physical and psychological state of being through its disturbance. Further, dopamine antagonism is a feature of major tranquillizers which may cause high prolactin levels; dopamine neurotransmitter dysfunction is associated with schizophrenic disorder and Salvador (1988) considers that dopamine is the most important inhibitory regulator of prolactin and TSH synthesis.

I am suggesting that the hormones are the physical aspect of the chakras. Every hormone appears to have a physical component which affects the working of the body. They also appear to have an emotional component, and I am suggesting that prolactin is the hormone of the emotion we associate with love, which most cultures associate with the heart. Prolactin is made in men as well as women and children, for all of our lives, and has functions other than the primary one of lactation. It is intimately connected with melatonin and hence ajna chakra, with TRH and hence with vishuddhi chakra, with glucocorticoids and our stress levels and with oestrogen and hence female sexuality. As the hormone of love this makes perfect sense.

The solar plexus: manipura chakra

Satyananda says that manipura chakra is located behind the navel and causes old age, decay and emaciation by burning up the nectar of immortality. It is also connected with the sense of sight and the eyes and it is the organ of action and hence is also connected with walking, the legs and the feet. The solar plexus is the locus for our ‘gut feelings’ about people and situations, and is connected with digestion and assimilation. It has also been linked with ambition, will, self-assertion, vital energy, power struggles, anger and jealousy. Manipura is the uppermost of the ‘earthly’ or base chakras.

There are two possible endocrine organs in the gut which could be linked with manipura: the pancreas and the adrenals.

The adrenals

The adrenals are the endocrine glands I consider are most strongly related to manipura. Most people know these as the ‘fight or flight’ glands in that adrenaline is produced when we are in a stressful situation and we burn up our body energy in order to cope with a crisis; adrenaline is the hormone of action. We feel the fire in our belly.

The pineal is connected with the adrenals, and in particular with adrenaline and the corticosteroids in many ways. The adrenals comprise two parts: the cortex and the medulla. The cortex secretes glucocorticoids such as corticosterone, on a rhythmic light-dark cycle linked with hormones from the pituitary and the hypothalamus. The glucucorticoids are involved with sugar metabolism and as stress protectors. The cortex also secrets mineralocorticoids which are involved in mineral balance, and also anxiety. The third sort of hormones produced by the cortex are the androgenic steroids which include testosterone, are involved in body building and anger; there is a steroid surge in the morning to help wake up. These are the stress-related hormones.

The adrenal medulla secretes adrenaline. The pineal inhibits release of all of these hormones, thus controlling our physical level of immediate short-term stress – as it does with the thyroids on a long-term basis. Melatonin is actually found in the gut as are the beta-carbolines. Beta-carbolines interact with adrenaline and noradrenaline uptake and outputs as well as with corticosterone secretion, thus interacting closely with the adrenal functions. Constant administration of small doses of beta-carbolines causes the weight of the adrenals to increase, whilst removal of the pineal gland causes enlarged adrenals. The significance of this enlargement of adrenals, as with the thyroids, when for some reason or other there is no pineal, is that the inhibitory effect on these glands has been removed so that they work overtime. And, as a result, one burns up. This can be understood in the spiritual as well as in the physical sense.

The pancreas

Some systems consider that the pancreas, which is involved in digestion and the input of energy and energy maintenance (the Islets of Langerhans within the pancreas make insulin, a glucose using hormone, and glucagon, a glucose saving hormone), is the endocrine organ of manipura chakra. This would make very good sense in terms of our Western concept of the solar plexus, and is certainly to be considered. Davidson (1989) mentions insulin and glucagon in this connection as the food factory of the body, that which gives us our physical energy.

However, there is a connection with the adrenals because the pancreas is turned off by adrenaline and noradrenaline, and adrenaline regulates the uptake of glucose. Therefore the pineal is connected with the pancreas via the adrenals.

This is part 2 of a 3 part series.  Part 1 can be read here and part 3 can be read here.

Beyond these four core truths, the dietary suggestions in the article below will help you refine and hone your health in a way that is uniquely and perfectly tailored to your own body and constitution.  You do not need to rely on a diet guru or doctor to guide you — you just need to learn to listen to your body and the signals its giving you.  It is truly that simple.

- Truth

Food and You

By Dr. Greg Yuen, M.D. | Greg Yuen

–

Last Saturday was a glorious day at my Kailua taichi class. The sun was out after our bouts of rain, there was a nice group of people attending, and the interaction was lively. The topic for the Special Day, which we have every second Saturday of the month, was Food.

Here are the simple bullet point takeaway points for that session:

1) Consider your dietary intake as a factor for all of your health conditions ranging from a chronic medical condition to the passing cold. Consider food as a factor in your psychological state of mind and your ability to deal with stress. If you eat a certain way, you will be more equipped to deal with stress and your emotions.

2) Don’t just blindly listen to what your doctor or anyone tells you to eat. Try it out for yourself and you decide whether that regimen makes a difference or not. Be your own best doctor.

3) Remember that food changes your body slowly. When you start a new dietary regimen, give it at least 3 months. I have seen changes take over a year to manifest in my body when I was following a particular dietary regimen.

4) One scheme used to break down the timeline for food to change your body’s condition is:

10-14 days on a regimen are needed to change the plasma in your blood

It takes 120 days to change all your red blood cells, all of your blood. The life cycle of red blood cells is about 120 days.

It  takes 7 years to totally change all your body cells.

5) What you like to eat the most may be what will kill you or cause disease. Even something that is purportedly good for you in the short term may lose its benefits over the long term. This applies to vitamins, nutritional supplements, or even food items. Use all of these with benefit but consider a holiday from them at some point to see if you can do without them for a bit. You can always come back to them later. Moderation in all things; too much of anything could lead to an imbalance in your body.

6) Health is about balance and keeping the “whole” in mind. What you think is good for you needs to be balanced with other things that you probably have not considered. Eat a variety of foods and not just what you think is good.

7) EAT WEIRD FOOD. In line with the philosophy of eating a variety, try to eat a little of things that you might generally avoid or dislike. For some people, it might be something like uni, the sea urchin roe used in sushi.

8) Most of the world does not live on dairy products. This suggests we also do not need to be so dependent on them. Those developed countries that consume large quantities of dairy products, in fact, suffer more from osteoporosis than those countries where less dairy is consumed.

9) Non-dairy sources of calcium include: seaweed, dark leafy vegetables (like kale or broccoli), soy products, fish with their bones, sesame butter, beans, nuts, sprouts.

10) There is no one food that is “good” for you. Every food is good in the right situation and the right proportion. Consider why you are eating a certain food. See in your experience whether in fact that food is making a difference where you want it to.

11) Consider eating more warm foods when the weather gets cooler. Living in Hawaii, we may think that salads and fruits are the mainstay throughout the year. Consider reducing them in cooler weather.

12) One way to choose the foods that are good for you is to consider the yin and yang of food. In the macrobiotic tradition, yin foods have more expansive energy. Yang foods have more contracted energy. Salt is more contractive as evidenced by what happens when it is poured over a slug. Water is more expansive as noticed when it soaks into furniture made of pressed wood. Yang foods, more salt and animal foods, will get you more geared up for action. Yin foods, salads, fruits and vegetables, are more relaxing. Grains are considered balanced foods.

13) Find the water intake that suits your body condition. Don’t simply live by the dictum of drinking 8 glasses of water a day.

14) Don’t get oversold on the marketing of various foods or supplements. All of them have a place in your overall health. Rather than just consuming them because they are supposed to be good for you, develop an awareness of how they might actually be making a difference in your body’s function.

15) ABOVE ALL, LEARN TO NOTICE THE EFFECTS OF FOOD ON YOUR MIND AND BODY!

Therefore, we present to the Healers Journal community this in-depth three part series on the physiological basis of the chakras and how they interact with the mind-body-spirit triad.  This is a very interesting and enlightening series of articles that receives our highest recommendation.  Learn, grow, expand and enjoy.

- Truth

On a Possible Psychophysiology of the Yogic Chakra System (Part 1)

By Dr S.M. Roney-Dougal | Yoga Mag

–

Abstract
Recent theoretical research by myself into the pineal gland as the physical locus of ajna chakra, conceived in the yogic tradition as being the psychic centre of our being, is extended here to explore the yogic idea of ajna chakra as the command chakra, in command over all the other chakra centres. I have come across multiple references to the importance of melatonin as the off-switch for the endocrine glands’ output of hormones, working together with the pituitary gland, which is considered to be the on-switch. I am suggesting that the pineal gland is the physical aspect of ajna chakra; the thyroid of vishuddhi; the breasts of anahata; the adrenals of manipura; and the gonads of swadhisthana and mooladhara. These endocrine glands are all positioned at the traditional points of the chakras and their functions are remarkably equivalent to the traditional descriptions of the chakra functions. I am therefore proposing that the endocrine system is the physiological aspect of the yogic spiritual tradition of the chakras, and that the autonomic nervous system can be equated with the yogic nadis.

Over the last quarter of a century, there has been increasing interest in ‘translating’ the knowledge of one system into the language of another. For example, 20th century physicists have been comparing quantum mechanics with mystical knowledge as exemplified by Fritjof Capra in The Tao of Physics (1975). This same process has been occurring in psychology, for example Tart’s Transpersonal Psychologies (1975), Paranjpe’s Theoretical Psychology (1984), both examining Eastern philosophies and religions from a Western psychological standpoint, and research exploring a neurological basis for near-death experiences and their similarity with the kundalini experience (Wile, 1994; Jourdan, 1994).

Much of this translation has, of necessity, been in general terms, since we have to clarify the overall picture first. I seem to be involved in this process from a rather different perspective. I have been researching a specific topic, the pineal as a psi-conducive gland, which has generalized to the endocrine system as the physical aspect of the yogic chakra system. I must stress that what follows is still in a speculative and exploratory stage.

The yogic chakra system

The yogic chakra system as explained by Swami Satyananda Saraswati (1972b) consists of seven chakras which are normally depicted as a sort of ‘spinal column’ with three channels called nadis (ida, pingala and sushumna) which interweave, the crossing-points being the sites of the chakras (See Figure 1).

In Western terms this can be readily understood as the central nervous system (sushumna) in the spinal cord around which, on either side, runs the autonomic nervous system which has two aspects, the parasympathetic which can be readily correlated with ida, and the sympathetic with pingala, the sympathetic and pingala being the activating aspect of the system and the parasympathetic and ida the relaxing. Where these two cross they form plexuses, or nodes, from which nerves go out to, for example, the heart, lungs, diaphragm, digestive system and the endocrine organs. Satyananda connects this nervous system with the chakras as follows in Table 1.

These chakras are considered to be important points for the channelling of consciousness, energy nodes linking the physical with the spiritual. They have been adopted quite widely into popular usage in the West, partly through the Theosophists at the turn of the century, and partly because of the intense interest in Eastern spirituality birthed during the sixties. There are at present so many different correspondences and attributes linked to them and therefore this research is presented with the aim of achieving greater clarity.

The pineal gland: ajna chakra

As a parapsychologist I am interested in the Indian lore surrounding ajna chakra, which is held to be the psychic centre. This corresponds very closely with Western lore which considers the pineal gland to be the ‘third eye’ or ‘the seat of the soul’. Swami Satyananda (1972a) states that: “The name ajna comes from the root ‘to know’ and ‘to obey and to follow’. Literally the word ajna means ‘command’… Yogis, who are scientists of the subtle mind, have spoken of telepathy as a ‘siddhi’, a psychic power for thought communication and clairaudience, etc. The medium of such siddhis is ajna chakra, and its physical terminus is the pineal gland.” I consider that his concept of the pineal gland as the psychic chakra and as the command chakra has a sound psychoneuro-endocrinological basis.

The pineal gland is situated in the centre of the brain and its main function is to make neurohormones which affect both the brain and the body. The pineal works with the pituitary through the hypothalamus, controlling the endocrine system. Basically it is one of the regulators of our circadian rhythm, is implicated in our emotional state, reproductive function, possibly dream sleep and in certain psychoses. Melatonin is the best studied of the pineal neurohormones and was first isolated from cattle in 1963. Before this the pineal was generally considered in the West to be vestigial. Amphibians and reptiles have light sensitive cells in the pineal gland which, for them, is literally a light sensitive third eye at the top of their brain just below their skull. In humans, fibres from the inferior accessory optic tract go to the pineal; these are separate from the main optic tract bundle, which suggests that the light sensitivity of the pineal is not necessarily related to sight (Eichler, 1985).

Most people have heard of the pituitary gland, often known as the ‘master gland’ in that the hormones it makes exert a controlling effect on the endocrine organs. We can think of the pituitary as being an ‘on switch’ and the pineal as being an ‘off switch’ (the mistress gland) in that it works with the pituitary by switching off the endocrine organs. The form of ajna chakra is traditionally depicted as bilobed and we can understand this to be the joining of the two glands, pituitary and pineal, which makes very good sense from a neuroendocrinological point of view. To me this makes much better sense than assigning the pituitary to sahasrara, the crown chakra, as some systems do, since sahasrara is better understood as the culmination of everything, the whole rather than any of the parts. Just as mooladhara is considered by Satyananda to be the top chakra of animals and the bottom of humans, so sahasrara can be understood as the top chakra of humanity and the bottom chakra of the next order of being, whatever that may be.

The psychic chakra: pinoline

There is a large body of neurochemical and anthropological evidence which suggests that the pineal gland may produce a neuro-modulator that enhances a psi-conducive state of consciousness. An abstract of this research was presented at the Parapsychological Association Convention in 1985 (Roney-Dougal, 1986). For full details of this research please see Roney-Dougal (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993). In brief, the pineal gland has been found to synthesize various beta-carbolines and peptides, and to contain enzymes that produce psycho-active compounds such as 5-methoxy dimethyltryptamine (5MeODMT). “The two precursors that are most likely to be involved in the synthesis of such compounds are serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) and tryptamine” (Strassman, 1990). These have wide-ranging effects throughout our brain and body, affecting the gonads, adrenals, pancreas, thyroid, and other emotional and endocrine activities.

Of most interest here are the neuromodulators called beta-carbolines which are MAO inhibitors that prevent the breakdown of serotonin. This results in an accumulation of physiologically active amines within the neuronal synapses which may lead to hallucinations, depression or mania depending on the amines being affected (Strassman, 1990). Beta-carbolines are also found in the retina of the eyes, in the adrenal glands and in the gut. The pineal contains the greatest concentration of serotonin in the brain, this being accentuated in those who suffer from psychoses. The pineal also contains enzymes that inhibit synthesis of these compounds, thus suggesting a regulating mechanism within this gland. There is a suggestion that it is the action of the pineal beta-carbolines, in particular 6-Methoxytetrahydrobetacarboline (6MeOTHBC, now being called pinoline), on serotonin that triggers dreaming (Callaway, 1988). Spontaneous case collection studies (e.g. Rhine, 1969) have found that many spontaneous psi experiences occur during the sleeping and dreaming state of consciousness, which suggests that dreaming is a state of consciousness whereby we are likely to have psi experiences. This has been confirmed experimentally (Ullman, Krippner & Vaughan, 1973). Pinoline is suggested to be the neurochemical that triggers this particular state of consciousness.

Anthropological data also suggest that these beta-carbolines are psi-conducive because their chemical structure is very similar to a naturally occurring group of chemicals called harmala alkaloids which occur in an Amazonian vine, Banisteriopsis caapi, used by Amazonian tribes for psychic purposes (Roney-Dougal, 1986 & 1989) (See Figure 2). The Amazon has a huge variety of psychotropic plants, yet all the tribes throughout that vast area use this same vine mixed with Psychotria viridis (Nai kawa) which contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT) (Ott, 1993 & 1994), for healing, out-of-body experiences, clairvoyance and precognition. It is traditionally used only when psi experiences are desired, though nowadays it is also used for general initiatory purposes. Thus the tribal people make a mixture of harmala alkaloids and DMT which mimics the tryptamine-pinoline mixture ascribed to the night time output of the pineal gland. My speculation is that when the pineal gland is stimulated to produce pinoline we are more likely to enter an altered state of consciousness which is psi-conducive.

In the 1960s a Chilean psychotherapist, Claudio Naranjo (1973, 1978) used a variety of hallucinogens including harmaline (one of the harmala alkaloids) in the psychotherapeutic setting, and came to the conclusion that: “Harmaline may be said to be more hallucinogenic than mescaline. . .both in terms of the number of images reported and their realistic quality. In fact some subjects felt that certain scenes which they saw had really happened and that they had been as disembodied witnesses of them in a different time and space. This matches the experience of South American shamans.” (Naranjo, 1967). Ott (1993) considers that the harmala alkaloids are not actually hallucinogenic in their own right, but that they permit the DMT in the ayahuasca mixture to be absorbed into the blood stream so that these create the entheogenic effects. This is still a matter of debate. There is extensive evidence from many anthropologists which suggests that the Banisteriopsis vine together with Psychotria Viridis is a psi-conducive drug, particularly with regard to remote viewing, clairvoyance and precognition but so far there has been no experimental test of these claims (Kensinger, 1973). Ayahuasca has recently been investigated by Don et al (1996) who suggested that its action is consistent with their other research into brain function and psi experience.

Thus, the anthropological evidence suggests that harmala alkaloids mixed with DMT stimulate a psi-conducive state of consciousness; the neurochemical evidence suggests that the harmala alkaloids are an analogue of pinoline which is produced in the pineal gland, noting that in the comparison between the action of the harmala alkaloids and pinoline it must be remembered that a one-position change in methoxy grouping can be profound in its action. The yogic and occult teachings and common folk lore all say that the pineal gland is the psychic centre and I suggest that the pinoline made by the pineal gland at night time, through its action on seratonin, stimulates a dream type state of consciousness which is psi-conducive.

The command chakra: melatonin

However, the yogic lore not only equates ajna chakra with the psychic centre of our being, but also as the command chakra. For an understanding of the pineal gland as command chakra we have to look to its main action which is the production of the neurohormone melatonin. Melatonin is found in protozoans, suggesting that it dates back a thousand million years, and is found in all animals. It is important in bird migration cycles, dogs’ moult cycles, and frog colour change. In this article I refer both to research with humans and with animals in order to obtain as full a picture as possible of the relationship between the pineal gland and the endocrine organs since there has been relatively little research with humans, whilst being very aware that one should not extrapolate too much from animal data as is the tendency so often these days in biological and psychological research. Therefore, as far as possible, whenever the data comes from animal studies I state this explicitly.

The most important function of the pineal gland is maintaining the biological clock, both on a daily basis according to the sun, on an annual basis according to length of day, and on a lunar basis as well. The study of the biological rhythm is called chronobiology and it has been found that there is a genetic connection, a basic inner clock, and an environmental connection through the retina: light stimulates the monosynaptic retinohypothalamic pathway which leads directly to the anterior hypothalamic suprachiasmic nucleus (SCN), pineal and hypothalamus.

Within the pineal, the circadian rhythm regulation is achieved through the actions of serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is made during the day and melatonin at night. Acute exposure to light at night suppresses melatonin production. The intensity of light required to suppress production varies between species and in humans is 2000 lux. It has been suggested that perhaps rhodopsin is the photopigment that mediates the suppressive effect of light on pineal. Blue light seems to be maximally inhibitory (500–520 nm). Acute exposure to nonvisible, non-ionizing radiation, e.g. extra low frequency (ELF) 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields also suppresses melatonin production as does pulsed static magnetic field exposure. There is speculation that these effects are also mediated via the eyes (Wetterberg, 1995, Reiter & Richardson, 1992).

Seratonin is a very important neurotransmitter in the brain and its action has been linked with mental states such as psychosis, with entheogenic plants, with our mood circuits and therefore with illnesses such as appetite disorders (anorexia and bulimia). It is a very complex neurotransmitter with 5 or 6 different receptor sites, which means it has many different modes of action.

Melatonin is made from serotonin through the action of two enzymes, serotonin n-acetyl transferase (NAT) and hydroxy-indole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT). Melatonin production is determined primarily by neural activity from the hypothalamic suprachiasmic nucleus (SCN) and there is a feedback relationship with the endocrine glands. Gonadal steroids, pituitary gonadotrophins, thyroxine, prolactin and the adrenal hormones intervene in the mechanisms governing melatonin synthesis.

All humans have a circadian rhythm though the magnitude of NAT production varies greatly. In general there is good correlation between pineal NAT activity and pineal and plasma melatonin rhythms. The rhythm at birth is linked to that of the mother; maturation of the cycle accompanies growth of sympathetic nerve fibres into the gland; melatonin production peaks just prior to puberty when there is a sudden and dramatic drop, and from then on it gradually decreases into old age.

The most important neuronal function of melatonin is as a sleep inducer. It has been found to ease insomnia because it causes drowsiness, and also to combat jet lag because it helps to reset the biological clock: 5mgs per day helps induce sleep and helps airline workers adjust to new time zones. (Cowley, 1995). Is there a genetic component in early or late risers? Hypophysectomy (loss of the pituitary gland), which causes depressed metabolic activity, and bilateral adrenalectomy blunt the nocturnal melatonin rise though the rhythm stays the same.

Being forced to exercise (swim) at night causes a rapid drop in pineal melatonin levels in rats, but not in NAT or HIOMT activity. Melatonin production stays as normal, and blood levels rise dramatically suggesting it is being rapidly released from the gland into the blood system. Removal of adrenals doesn’t change this so normal stress hormones are not implicated. This finding has profound implications for the health of night workers (Reiter & Richardson, 1992) because melatonin also modulates release of stress hormones, thereby controlling heart attacks and stomach ulcers.

Jogging or other exercise is a mood enhancer since it stimulates endorphins. Exogenous opiates increase melatonin levels, and beta-endorphin levels decrease when melatonin is administered. Opiates stimulate basal prolactin secretion. Opioid receptor antagonists also decrease prolactin concentrations although continuous administration does not affect circadian rhythm of prolactin, which is related to melatonin levels.

Recent research suggests that melatonin is involved in the ageing process and that giving 19 month old mice melatonin each evening in their water improved their weight, their vigour, their activity levels and their posture when compared with the untreated mice and they lived almost 200 days longer on average (20%) (Maestroni et al, 1989). Touitou et al (1989) measured melatonin levels in people in February, March and June and found that old people have half the amount of melatonin that young men do (we make half as much by age 45 as we do when children), that senile people show far less circadian rhythm, with elderly women showing least variation. For all groups, all through the year melatonin production peaks between 2–3 a.m. with the largest amplitude in January. Inter-individual variations are large in all groups. Since pinealocytes and enzyme activity are not altered in the pineal of the elderly, the decline of plasma melatonin levels may well be related to a modification in the release of the hormone and/or to an increase in its metabolism or excretion. An increased sensitivity to light could also explain the relatively low levels of plasma melatonin in the elderly.

Melatonin production decreases as we age, the thymus gland shrinks and we produce fewer antibodies and T-cells. There are special melatonin receptors on cells and glands of the immune system. A recent controversial speculation is that nightly melatonin supplement boosts the immune system thereby preventing cancer and extending life. Research has suggested that melatonin protects cells from oxidation by free radicals, which contribute to at least 60 degenerative diseases, including cancer, heart disease, cataract and Alzheimers. In this respect melatonin differs from other natural antioxidants, B-carotene, vitamin E and vitamin D in that melatonin is absorbed into target cells and exerts its action from that intracellular position with much greater effect (Reiter, 1995). Melatonin reduction is linked to the calcification process that starts at puberty. People taking chlorpromazine, an anti-psychotic medication that raises melatonin and prolactin levels have low rates of breast cancer. Prolonged exposure to high oestrogen levels raises breast cancer levels and melatonin inhibits oestrogen release.

It thereby also helps to prevent pregnancy because of its interaction with the reproductive system as a hormone inhibitor. This inhibitory action means that melatonin controls puberty; without it we would be sexually active at 4–5 years old. Parapineal tumours, those that lie next to the pineal, stop the pineal from functioning and lead to precocious puberty and progeria (accelerate ageing); while pinealomas, tumors of the pineal gland itself, produce excess melatonin secretion and delayed puberty.

Thus melatonin functions to affect the body in ways which are traditionally connected with yogis: yogis are said to live for many years longer than normal; are considered to be relaxed and stress-free people; to be able to control many of their physical functions, such as heart rate, circadian rhythm and metabolic rate; celibacy is linked to the religious life, and within yoga there is also the tantric path; and they are considered to enjoy excellent health.

Through the light sensitivity of the pineal gland and its primary role within the biological clock system, regulating the rise and fall of the metabolic system and switching off the endocrine glands, which I am going to expand on next, we can see that there are considerable grounds for the concept of the pineal as the command chakra.

1 First published in the Journal of Indian Psychology, July 1999, Vol. 17, No. 2.
Reprinted with the permission of the author, S.M. Roney-Dougal, Psi Research Centre, Glastonbury, Somerset, Britain.

Unfortunately there are many in our society with incredible wealth who are morally and spiritually corrupt, however, correlation is not causation.  Money does not corrupt itself — it only magnifies those qualities in an individual that are already present.  If someone is susceptible to being corrupted or morally loose, then money will magnify that tendency.  If someone if spiritually aware, kind and generous, then money will amplify those traits and help them spread their benevolence on an even greater, needed scale.

Are you ready to finally claim your abundance?

- Truth

The Yoga of Money

By Brent Kessel | Brent Kessel

–

It’s not about how much you have or don’t have—it’s about what you think (and don’t think).

Many seekers and yogis have spent years or decades looking within for the answers to life’s most troubling questions, and, in the process, find themselves with a plethora of tools and insights they’ve learned on the yoga mat, in the therapist’s office, or on the meditation cushion. However, I’ve observed that very few apply these powerful practices to money, an area with virtually unmatched ability to spark our attachment, avoidance, hope, aversion, envy, and fear. Over the past 15 years, I’ve been on a quest to integrate the insights and practices of the East’s yogic and spiritual traditions with the latest financial-planning wisdom of the West. This quest has taken me around the world to ask questions about money and spirituality, consulting financial experts and spiritual teachers alike, including Thich Nhat Hanh; Joseph Goldstein; the Dalai Lama; Adyashanti; Gangaji; the founder of Vanguard mutual funds, John Bogle; 1990 Nobel Prize winner in economics, Dr. Harry Markowitz; meditation teacher Christina Feldman; and spiritual guide Ram Dass, among other prominent figures. What I discovered in these interviews as well as in my work in general is that money has the power to be a most profound spiritual teacher in our lives—if we are willing to engage it with the same consciousness and intention as we do our traditional spiritual practices.

Of course, this isn’t as easy as it sounds. Money is one of the easiest targets when we’re looking for the cause of our discontent, our lack of choice and freedom, the decimation of the planet’s resources, and class inequality. Examples of people profiting from others’ misfortune litter human history, and it is true that the desire for material gain leads to wars, destruction, and misery. This has caused many to simply turn away from money, blame it for most of the ills of the world, and avoid looking more deeply into their own relationship to money.

In my professional work with people from all financial walks of life, I have noticed that although the details of people’s behaviors and problems are unique, great similarities emerge among groups of people. From this, I’ve created some broad definitions of these groups, or archetypes, so that we can learn from others who have gone through similar experiences, who subscribe to similar beliefs, and who exhibit similar behavior patterns with money. These financial archetypes are

• The Guardian, who is always alert and careful
• The Pleasure Seeker, who prioritizes pleasure and enjoyment in the here and now
• The Idealist, who places the greatest value on creativity, compassion, social justice, and/or spiritual growth
• The Saver, who seeks security and abundance by accumulating more financial assets
• The Star, who spends, invests, or gives money away to be recognized, feel hip or classy, and increase self-esteem
• The Innocent, who avoids putting significant attention on money and believes or hopes that life will work out for the best
• The Caretaker, who gives and lends money to express compassion and generosity
• The Empire Builder, who thrives on power and innovation to create something of enduring value.

I present and teach these archetypes not as a categorization system to be fixed in stone but as a way to tease out what might be affecting a person’s financial life on an unconscious level, both positively and negatively. Identifying the archetypes that are most active within you at any given time (and it’s usually more than one) is an important step toward creating true financial freedom.

The Archetypes in Action

Many seekers and yogis I’ve met exhibit the Idealist archetype. Idealists are often able to express great vision and compassion in their use of money, but they also experience mistrust, skepticism, or rebelliousness around money. More often than not, they view money as the problem and not the solution.

Many Idealists, rich or poor, feel that a lot of suffering and sacrifice is necessary to be creative or spiritual. In fact, most Idealists are artists, musicians, alternative-health practitioners, or work for nonprofits. At the extreme, Idealists are often financially dependent on others, and they either don’t earn enough to file a tax return, or, if they do, they choose not to file in objection to the government’s use of tax dollars. Interestingly, none of the spiritual teachers I interviewed for my book felt that financial deprivation or scarcity was an aid to expression of spiritual or creative ideals. In fact, many felt that financial stress, whether due to actual lack or due to strongly held beliefs, was a major hindrance to having the time and psychological freedom to pursue authentic spiritual practices.

When I spoke with Gangaji, a spiritual teacher who has taught at Kripalu and is the author ofYou Are That, she offered this perspective on one of the Idealist’s common mantras that money is not spiritual: “If poverty is idealized, then there’s actually a war against those who have money, or a feeling of being righteous or more pure, or more true, and that’s a huge spiritual trap.”

As part of my quest, I went to France to stay for a short time at Plum Village with Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and author of The Art of Power. During our interview, Thay, as he’s affectionately called, said to me, “If you are free, if you are compassionate, it’s true that some power and some money can help you to help people. But if you don’t have that freedom, you become a victim of money, a victim of power.” Like Thay, many of the teachers I interviewed said that using money to express our compassion is one of the most important and spiritual potentials of money. When we are giving in a healthy, balanced way, we are essentially telling ourselves, “I have enough,” which reconditions the more prevalent unconscious belief, “I’ll never have enough.” The archetype which most exemplifies using money to express empathy and compassion is the Caretaker. An overly caretaking orientation, however, can lead to enabling or even self-abandoning behaviors.

Caretakers spend more than 20 percent of their income on others in need—family members, friends, or charities—but they are not financially generous with themselves and usually don’t feel a sense of ease about their generosity. As David Whyte, a poet and organizational consultant I also interviewed, said, “It doesn’t matter how much you have or haven’t, just the burden of having to hand out money all the time can be hard on the psyche.” And, in fact, with Caretakers having financial dependents who often cause them to have less than six months’ expenses in the bank and perhaps even significant credit-card debt, the toll sometimes affects more than just the psyche.

Another archetype that is prevalent among yogis and seekers is the Innocent, who generally feels that things will work out better if they don’t put significant attention on money. However, when these tendencies to avoid (or the results of unfortunate life circumstances) become too great, Innocents are usually helpless and unconscious of just how bad things have gotten. Their money mantras are “I don’t have enough financial smarts to get my money situation together,” or “Life’s too short to worry about money.” These beliefs aren’t helped by living in a culture, where, as spiritual teacher A. H. Almaas said to me, “It’s difficult for people to really have a sense of worth if their financial worth is not much.” Of course, there are Innocents who, no matter how much they pay attention to their finances or transform their internal money mantras, will never make ends meet due to either illness, disability, or lack of education.

The Middle Way with Money

Recently, I was fortunate to be able to ask the Dalai Lama why there are so many people in the West who are unhappy despite their considerable affluence. His Holiness responded, “When there’s too much stress and too much worry, you need to look inward. Read more. Think more. Trying to find the answer from outside yourself is nonsense.”

The key to transforming money stress and worry into freedom, as with yoga asanas, lies in applying the yogic principles of self-observation and the cultivation of balance. There is nothing inherently wrong with the qualities of any of these archetypes. It’s primarily a matter of whether we’re exhibiting our financial tendencies and habits in distorted and imbalanced ways or in balanced, integrated ways.

In sum, financial transformation is possible—for all of us. In my professional practice and facilitation of workshops for hundreds of people, I’ve observed overwhelming credit-card debt become celebrated home-ownership. Middle-of-the-night financial anxiety attacks are realized as having a deeper root than just the numbers and are transformed into a lasting spiritual practice. I’ve also seen overspending become a life of voluntary simplicity without the dreaded feeling of sacrifice. The common theme in all of these people’s lives was that once they identified their unconscious tendencies with money, they were then able to emphasize the thoughts and behaviors which created more balance, freedom, and fulfillment for themselves and thus for the wider world their lives touch.

Brent Kessel is the author of the forthcoming HarperCollins book, It’s Not About the Money, and the cofounder of Abacus, one of the nation’s top sustainable investing and financial planning firms, whose tagline is “Changing the World One Portfolio at a Time. www.brentkessel.com

Ancient Taoist masters spent entire lifetimes developing the science of Qi cultivation and mastering its use in the human form and this knowledge has been carefully preserved through thousands of years of transmission from master to disciple.  In this day and age, this knowledge is shared rather freely and openly although it can still be difficult to find accurate, complete sources of information.  The basics presented here by Dr. Greg Yuen offer a complete, fundamental picture of the practices and methods for becoming aware of and cultivating Qi in the body.  Often times this core understanding is enough to allow seekers to begin using and experiencing the force in their lives immediately.  Please note that the terms Qi, Chi and Ki are used throughout this introduction and article interchangeably — they all refer to the same concept/force.

- Truth

Seven Elements of Chi Cultivation