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Several Tantras declare that ecstatic lovemaking is most potent when the vital breaths are balanced and acting in a complementary way. One text states that "by meditating on the breath during love-making, one should seize the life-force of the other with the lifeforce of oneself and bestow the life-force of oneself on that of the other." This is the Tantric love pact, which binds souls together throughout Eternity. This love pact far transcends the vow "until death do us part," con-

cept of marriage that is cosmically pessimistic and limiting.

Love-making is a wonderful opportunity to bestow the best of oneself on one's partner. Breath control should be a natural part of foreplay, as should focusing awareness on the cosmic implications of breath exchange

during intimacy. Observation of the subtle interplay of breaths can bring a new reality

of mutual exchange, nourishment and commitment.

Kundalini:

the serpent power

Most esoteric traditions refer to a great power inherent in the human psycho-organism. This power is referred to in the Tantras as an "inner woman" or Kundalini Shakti, and is likened to a dangerous coiled-up snake. This normally latent power can act either creatively or destructively, positively or negatively.

Kundalini can be understood on both a physical and a metaphysical level. The root w o r d Kunda means " p o o l , " and the Kundalini of the world is the molten pool of primordial elements at the core of the earth. This worldly Kundalini pulses at a regular frequency and occasionally wreaks havoc in the form of earthquakes and volcanoes.

The Kundalini of mankind is centered in the sexual region of each individual and is

an "inner fire" with tremendous potential. This Kundalini Shakti is the power of sex, which can either bind or liberate a person. As the latent power necessary for spiritualization, the Kundalini is particularly significant to those who seek to understand the mysteries of sexuality.

The Tantras teach various methods for "awakening" and channeling the Kundalinienergy. According to the Gheranda Samhita,

"The great goddess Kundalini, the primordial energy of the Self, sleeps in the sexual region of the body. She has a form rather like a serpent, having three and one half coils. As long as she remains asleep, the individual soul (Jiva) is limited and true knowledge does not arise. But just as the right key unlocks a particular door, so Hatha Yoga unlocks the door of Kundalini, allowing the self to experience Brahma and obtain Liberation." The same text goes on to explain how breath retention, visualization, mental repetition of specific sound vibrations, and certain physical movements together awaken and control the all-powerful Kundalini:

There are indications that a form of Kundalini Yoga was known to the ancient priestly religions of the Mediterranean during pre-Christian times. Here, a Cretan goddess is portrayed holding two snakes, indicating that she has tamed the Serpent Power. On her head is a cat, symbolic of occult attainment. Figure from the palace of Knossos, circa 1600 B.C.

When the sleeping goddess Kundalini is awakened through the grace of the teacher, then all the subtle lotuses and worldly bonds are readily pierced through and through. Let the wise person forcibly and firmly draw up the goddess Kundalini, for She is the giver of all miraculous powers.

SHIVA SAMHITA

The Kundalini is likened to a dangerous coiled snake, ready to strike at any moment. Snake poison can be deadly, but if prepared correctly, it can be used to cure serious illnesses.

Kundalini, the Serpent Power, traditionally described as a coiled snake with heads at both ends. From a Gujarat miniature painting of the late seventeenth or early eighteenth century.

Sit in a comfortable posture and inhale fully, visualizing the vital Prana [the evolutionary life energy] conjoining with the Apana [the downward-moving energy of the body]. Contract the rectum [by exercising the anal sphincter] and visualize the vital breaths entering the central Great Axis at the region just above the base of the spine. By restraining the inhaled breath, the serpentine Kundalini begins to feel cramped and suffocated. She begins to stir. Then awaken the sleeping goddess Kundalini by mentally repeating the all-powerful seed-sound "HUM" [pronounced "HOUNG"] . Say to yourself "SOHAM" [meaning 'I am it'] while imaging yourself as filled with Shakti and in union with Shiva. Draw up the Kundalini-energy from the lower region and contemplate the union of the pure Shiva-spirit with the primordial Shakti-energy.

Yogis often spend many years preparing themselves for the release of Kundalini. The conscious a w a k e n i n g and c o n t r o l of Kundalini-power requires strength of mind, awareness of the natural evolutionary upward movement of this raw sexual energy and a physical body in harmonious balance. Since physical well-being is linked to diet, exercise, and mental attitude, these factors should be dealt with first and the necessary preparations in lifestyle made before allowing the Kundalini to transform one's life experience. Each stage of preparation is simple enough for any willing participant to follow. Once the principles are understood, only openness, earnest desire and application are necessary for the achievement of success.

Sexual contact is particularly liable to stimulate and awaken the Kundalini within. Lovers sometimes experience Kundalini spontaneously, through the natural convergence of life energies during love-making. Heavy physical exertion, particularly in the heterosexual acts of love, can replicate the conditions necessary for awakening the Kundalini; the deep breathing, movement of the sexual region, convergence and exchange of vital breaths, and the grunting and other noises of love (such as " H m , " " H a h , " "Ouh") are all factors that play a role in stimulating the Serpent Power.

The experience of the awakened rising Kundalini is unmistakable; it is felt as an inner thrill, a "liquid fire," simultaneously hot

Kundalini Yoga is the conscious awakening and channeling of sexual energy upward, to pierce through the subtle centers (Chakras) to unite the inner Shakti with the Shiva-principle of transcendence. Here the Chakras are depicted as open and effulgent, as the Kundalini-energy passes through. The Navel Chakra is the concentration point of solar energy, and the Head Chakra is the focus of lunar energy. From a Rajasthani painting of the eighteenth century.

and cold, electric, almost paralyzing, opening up the whole being, lightening and liberating, taking the breath away. Sometimes the awakening of Kundalini can be a fearful experience, but if the correct mental attitude is brought to bear, it is easy to channel the energy positively. Visualization, the creative imagination, bodily awareness and several physical t e c h n i q u e s (see " R e v e r s e Kundalini," Part 3) all help overcome negative Kundalini experiences.

If the Kundalini is awakened through spontaneous, joyful love-making, it offers the couple a great opportunity to explore the heights of the spirit. For a couple engaged in Tantric love-making, the Kundalini is an ally that can help in the attainment of ecstasy and Liberation. Her potency transforms biological instincts into the urge for transcendence. Visualize the Kundalini in both yourself and your partner. Lead Her carefully and lovingly through Her journey upward. Lead Her in union from the sexual regions to the crown of the head and flood your hearts with the

joyous energy of Shiva and Shakti. Visualize yourselves rising, freed from attachments and the duality of the world.

There has been much talk about Kundalini Yoga in recent years. Yet it is not a theoretical topic but a practical one, linked directly to sexuality. Even if Kundalini Yoga is practiced alone, it is sexual energy that is being channeled upward and the process always requires erotic visualization. In some people erotic fantasy is sufficient to awaken the Kundalini, but it is rare that such a person has the ability to use the energy creatively. The numerous texts known as the Tantras are particularly helpful in understanding how to control Kundalini and use her potent power in a truly creative way. Psychic phenomena such as clairvoyance and healing are instances in which the Serpent Power is being tapped and put to use. It is, however, in a physical heterosexual context that the Kundalinis of both partners can conjoin and truly reveal their potential for transformation. Such Kundalini Yoga experiences lead directly to cosmic consciousness, the joyous ecstasy of oneness with the universe, outside the limitations of time.

In Part 3 we describe a number of methods by which a couple can exalt physical love to a mystic dimension. The role of Kundalini is paramount to this process, for without her supersensual energy love-making cannot penetrate into the higher levels of consciousness. Mastery of Kundalini, the inner woman, should be the goal of Yogis and lovers alike. For, in the words of a popular Tantric saying, "There is nothing in either this world or the next which is beyond the domain of Kundalini."

Visualize the Kundalini as a sensuous woman, a goddess, extremely beautiful and filled with eroticism. Try to fathom her special features and share in her all-powerful Wisdom-energy. The Kundalini is ever willing and able to transport the individual to the heights of cosmic oneness. Think of her often, talk to her, seduce her, share private desires with her and always try to please her; then she will grant fulfillment.

On her journey upward the Kundalini Shakti passes through psychic centers known as Chakras. These foci of subtle vibrations are transformed through contact with the rising Kundalini. They are aligned along the spine at the sexual region between genitals and anus, the spleen region above the geni-

tals, the navel region, the heart region, the throat region, and finally in the head, between the eyebrows. These are subtle rather than physical centers and function as "transformers," converting impulses from one frequency to another. They play an important role in Tantric cosmology as well as in the evolution of the spirit. Anandagiri, a great Hindu teacher of the early medieval period, beautifully describes the ascent of Kundalini: "The inner woman, entering the 'royal road,' takes rest at intervals in the secret centers. Finally She embraces the Supreme Lord in the lotus of the head. From that union there flows an exquisite nectar that floods and permeates the body; then the Ineffable Bliss is experienced."

The Kundalini Shakti can be awakened by various techniques other than those described here. Drugs can awaken the Kundalini, as can physical exercise, dancing (especially whirling), sudden shock or certain sounds that resonate in harmony with

When a couple can learn to channel and converge their Kundalini-energy consciously, an ecstatic thrill uplifts their Spirit. Seated love-making positions are particularly helpful to the practice of Kundalini Yoga.

The wise and excellent Yogi, rapt in ecstasy, should lead the

Kundalini, along with the lifeforce, to consummate union with Her Lord, who stays in the

Abode of Liberation in the pure lotus of the head center. When the Kundalini rises, all things become absorbed into her.

SATCHAKRANIRUPANA

Ecstatic love-making is likened to the opening and blossoming of lotuses. When the unconscious urge to orgasm can be consciously controlled at will, the Shiva and Shakti energies experience timeless Bliss and the Spirit is uplifted.

A person practicing the higher teachings of Tantra becomes capable of letting all vibrations enter, stay, and dissolve in the central pathway, the Great Axis, of the Subtle Body. When the four omens appear—a glittering before one's eyes, smoke, a glow, and a cooling radiant lamp-like light—that person becomes resurrected.

NARO CHOS DRUG

the subtle body

Esoteric teachings contend that men and women have an "auric" or Subtle Body as well as a physical body. Normally the various life energies in the body generate a kind of subtle "field" or aura, which can be seen by sensitives. The aura changes color and shape in resonance to the emotions and general physical condition, and also contracts or expands. A happy person has a "full" aura, whereas the aura of a sad person is contracted and colored by negative emotion.

In recent years scientific research has tended to support the traditional view of the aura. Color photographs taken using a technique known as Kirlian photography illus-

trate changes in the aura. Various theories explain telepathy and other ESP phenomena by the existence of an auric or "psi plasma" field. Dr. Andrija Puharich proved the biological and physical foundations of psi plasma field in his book Beyond Telepathy, which is a fine synthesis of traditional Shamanistic and Yogic teachings and scientific experimentation and analysis. His findings are supported by the most recent observations on the nature of subtle energy fields and throw light on the teachings on the Subtle Body as outlined in the Tantras.

The Shiva Samhita gives a clear account of the nature of the Subtle Body:

In this body the central Great Axis [Mount Meru, the spinal column] is surrounded by seven islands (the vital force, blood, flesh, fat, bones, marrow and semen/ovum). There are "rivers," "seas,"

and so on, as well as seers, sages, gods, goddesses, intelligences, all the stars and planets, sacred pilgrimage places, shrines, and presiding deities. The sun and moon, the agents of creation and destruction, also move through the body, as do the Five Great Elements of space, air, fire, water, and earth. All the beings that exist in all worlds are also to be found in the body, surrounding the central Great Axis.

In this body, which is called Brahmanda [the "egg" or "aura" of Brahma], the microcosm, there is the nectar-rayed moon, in its proper place, on top of the spinal column; it has its face downward, and rains nectar day and night. The ambrosia from the moon subdivides into two subtle parts. One of these nourishes the body, like the waters of the heavenly river Ganges, and descends as a subtle channel on the left side. The other ray of ambrosia, brilliant as the purest milk, enters the central nerve of the spinal column in order to maintain and recreate the moon in its proper place on top of the central Great Axis.

At the lower region of the Great Axis of Meru is the sun, located within the body itself. From the inner sun, situated at the navel, a subtle channel emanates to the right side of the body and carries the solar fluid upward by the power of its rays. This nerve on the right side is another form of the sun and moves through the body, swallowing up vital secretions and ultimately leading the spirit to Liberation. The Lord of Creation and Destruction is the sun, which moves through the vessel of the body.

In the human body there are several hundred thousand subtle channels, but the principle ones are fourteen in number. Of these, three are particularly important: ida (to the left), pingala (to the right), and sushumna (in the center). Of these three, sushumna alone is the highest and the most beloved of all Yogis; all other subtle channels are subordinate to it. The nerve called ida is on the left side, coiling around the sushumna and going to the right nostril. The nerve pingala is on the right side, coiling aroung the central channel and entering the left nostril. He who knows this microcosm of the body and experiences its mysteries truly teaches the highest state.