About improving digestion
Namaskar,
In Ananda Marga, all are deeply involved in psycho-spiritual practices each and every day. Our lives move ahead singing kiirtan, doing sadhana, and absorbing the mind in His svadhyaya. In this way, the higher cakras are benefited immensely, and one can progress along the path of spirituality.
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Digestion & cakras
After being on the path for some time,, many margiis begin to notice that there are many foods which they can no longer digest. And, in fact, it is well known that many margiis (both wts and family people) suffer from a variety of stomach related diseases-- primarily due to indigestion.
It is not uncommon for margiis to have a difficult time digesting even sentient foods, while in the general society there are non-margiis who eat just about anything and do not seem to suffer any digestive problems at all. The question then becomes— why does this happen?
According to Baba, as the higher cakras become strengthened, oftentimes the lower cakras weaken. So those sadhakas who remain involved in more subtle pursuits such as sadhana and spiritual talks etc, their upper cakras are more developed and their lower cakras lose their strength. Whereas those non-margiis who never do sadhana have strong lower cakras and undeveloped higher cakras.
A'nanda Ma'rgiis should be universally fit
All along, Baba's divine direction is that every Ananda Margii should be healthy and adept in all the spheres of life and be able to do all kinds of social service.
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Baba says, "Every person who joins Ananda Marga...has to strive to develop and strengthen the mind. Everyone has to work for a strong and healthy body...Every member of the Marga has to physically serve others...Every individual thus becomes universally fit." (1)
Thus, Ananda Margiis have to be balanced and capable in all the trifarious activities of life. Furthermore, Baba describes who is an ideal Ananda Margii.
Prout philosophy states, "Sadvipra leadership is the ideal form of leadership. Such leaders will be physically fit, mentally developed and spiritually elevated." (2)
By these above descriptions, it is clear that Baba wants that we should be vibrant and competent in all the spheres of life-- and, for that to happen, all the cakras, even the lower ones, should be healthy and strong.
Agnya'shaya: the man'ipura cakra
As we all know, the third cakra of the human body is the man'ipura carka, and it is basically mutative or rajasik in nature. Even then it has tremendous import on the human structure. Even though it is one of the lower cakras, it has great significance in the development of a well-rounded human being. Here are some of Baba's facts and figures about this third cakra.
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Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Igneous plexus (man'ipura cakra) -- agni man'd'ala." (3)
Ananda Marga philosophy explains, "In the igneous plexus, or man'ipura cakra, there is the maximum accumulation of heat. It is the shelter of heat, and is known as agnya'shaya in Sanskrit. It is also known as maha'shaya, meaning "the shelter of greatness", because it is the centre of the body. The igneous plexus or agni man'd'ala contains within its fold the ten glands and sub-glands of the man'ipura cakra. The area of the man'd'ala is greater than that of the cakra." (4)
So the entire region of the manipura carka is quite complex and is looked upon as the controlling point of the human body. In addition, here are the various tendencies of mind or vrttis which are controlled by the man'ipura cakra.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The man'ipura cakra: This cakra is located at the navel. It controls ten propensities: lajja' [shyness, shame], pishunata' [sadistic tendency], iirs'a' [envy], sus'upti [staticity, sleepiness], vis'a'da [melancholia], kas'a'ya [peevishness], trs'n'a' [yearning for acquisition], moha [infatuation], ghrn'a' [hatred, revulsion] and bhaya [fear]." (5)
Thus it is highly important to keep this man'ipura cakra strong. If it becomes weak not only will our digestion suffe,r but also all kinds of undesirable mental tendencies will creep into the mind.
How to keep cakras strong
Our shuddhis, our tattva dharana (third lesson), our cakra shodhana (fifth lesson) and our entire system of sadhana keep the cakras balanced. Even then, as the mind rises, more attention is given to those higher cakras– those upper cakras where we repeat our ista mantra and do our Guru dhyana. In that case, invariably, the higher cakras strengthen, and the lower cakras weaken.
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To help balance this, Baba prescribes various asanas for us to practice since the asanas help strengthen particular cakras. And this has a major benefit on the entire human structure-- both physical and mental.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "By performing a'sanas regularly, human beings can control the propensities attached to each cakra, and hence the thoughts which arise in their minds and their behaviour. This is because a'sanas have a profound effect on the glands and sub-glands." (6)
So keeping all the cakras healthy and balanced through the twice daily practice of asanas is an important aspect of the life of each and every sadhaka. If we fail to do this, we will suffer from all sorts of deficiencies, physical and mental.
Manipura cakra: psychic tendencies & pracara
Some are under the misconception that doing asanas only addresses one's physical ailments. And while it is certainly true that the regular practice of asanas both prevents and cures the onset of various diseases and maladies, it is also true that asanas also correct and benefit one's mental inclinations as well. Here, Baba clearly tells the relationship between public fear and shyness and the man'ipura cakra.
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Ananda Marga philosophy says, "If someone has a great fear of public speaking, it means his man'ipura cakra is weak." (7)
And here Baba tells how the practice of asanas will help cure this mental weakness.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Mayu'ra'sana [peacock posture] has a pressurizing effect on the man'ipura cakra. The secretions of the glands and sub-glands of the man'ipura cakra and the propensities associated with them will become more balanced if this a'sana is practised regularly. If someone has a great fear of public speaking, it means her man'ipura cakra is weak. Through the regular practice of mayu'ra'sana, this propensity will be controlled and fear will be eliminated." (8)
It is well known that peacocks can digest anything-- even poisonous snakes, so mayu'ra'sana will surely aid in digestion. But that is not all — it will cure all sorts of mental weaknesses like fear of public speaking. That is Baba's above teaching.
Manipura cakra: psychic tendencies & pracara (cont)
Thus, asanas like mayu'ra'sana, uddayan mudra, agnisara mudra, and yoga'sana which have a pressurzing effect on the man'ipura cakra will produce similar beneficial effects, like enhancing one's public speaking.
That is why our asana practice will have a tremendous effect on our ability to do pracara. We have so many good sadhakas in our Marga who have so much to offer the world, yet we see that most of the planet is not yet interested in AM-- or has not even heard of it. But, as we become more courageous and speak more consistently and openly in public, then surely the citizens of this globe will become more and more attracted to Ananda Marga. So all A'nanda Ma'rgiis should endeavour to be more involved in pracara, and, in that way, our Marga will grow and we can fill the world with sweetness.
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So we should be vigilant in all our AM practices and strengthen all the cakras and become ideal in every respect.
Prout philosophy states, "Sadvipra leadership is the ideal form of leadership. Such leaders will be physically fit, mentally developed and spiritually elevated." (9)
Conclusion
By Baba's grace, the day is not far when all will be brought into the beautiful fold of our Ananda Marga. May we courageously strive ever onwards towards this goal.
Ananda Marga Caryácarya states, "Remember, until every person in the universe accepts the A'nanda Ma'rga ideololgy, you have no opportunity to rest." (10)
Namaskar,
Cinmay
Manipura cakra & umbilicus
Here, below, Baba tells more about the man'ipura carka.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The man'ipura area is the primary location of deha'gni [bodily fire], the main sphere of the existence of vitality. An unborn baby, through the medium of this man'ipura cakra, remains joined with the mother's body by means of the umbilical cord. And through this medium the lymph from the mother's body penetrates into the body of the infant. That is why this part of the human organism is not incinerated by the normal temperatures of fire. After a cremation the descendants of the deceased carry this part away from the funeral pyre, along with the bone remnants, and ultimately throw it into the Ganges. This is known as asthivisarjana [immersion of the bone remnants]." (11)
Man'ipura cakra balanced: pu'raka'nta vs recaka'nta
Both noaka'sana (boat pose), also known as dhanura'sana (bow pose), and cakra'sana (wheel pose) help a lot in the development and strengthening of the man'ipura cakra. Noakasana is done inhaling upwards with the navel pressed to the ground. While cakra'sana is done inhaling upwards with the navel pointed to the sky. Thus both of these a'sanas are classified as recaka'nta, since they both end while exhaling, or while releasing the air from the body. In contrast, there are some asanas that end while inhaling such as utkat' pashcimotta'na'sana (difficult upward seated forward bend). Such a'sanas are known as pu'raka'nta since they end while filling the lungs with air. All these three asanas mentioned herein-- whether they be pu'raka'nta or recaka'nta-- exercise the man'ipura cakra.
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Please refer to Caryacarya part three for more information about these specific poses and about asanas in general. In addition, always consult with an acarya or qualified member of our Marga before undertaking the practice of asanas or before adding new asanas to your current practice. This is also Baba's guideline.
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell Part 11, Ananda Marga - A Revolution
2. Prout in a Nutshell Part 21, Nuclear Revolution
3. Yoga Psychology, Plexi and Microvita
4. Yoga Psychology, Plexi and Microvita
5. Yoga Psychology, Glands and Sub-glands
6. Yoga Psychology, Glands and Sub-glands
7. Yoga Psychology, Glands and Sub-glands
8. Yoga Psychology, Glands and Sub-glands
9. Prout in a Nutshell Part 21, Nuclear Revolution
10. Caryácarya Part 2, Miscellaneous, Point #6
11. Yoga Psychology, Under the Shelter of the Guru
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
“Mádhavii ráte kaomudi sáthe, mainjiśt́há mainjari guinjare háy…” (Prabhat Samgiita #3893)
Purport:
On the moonlit night, the buds of mainjiśt́há flower hum divine music in concert with the madhavii flower. Due to that melodious tune, the distinction between the known and the unknown dissolves. Those realms completely merge into one. Together, those flowers strive to draw everyone into their blissful, mental abode.
Who was where? Who is present there now? And who will remain where? For whom has his heart become restless? And what panoramic scene will He paint on the screen? The hint and answers of all these thoughts and existential queries are heard in that divine music.
Who will stop on the way due to the fatigue of the journey? Who will chase the wheels of the chariot? Who will venture headlong to hold the goal firmly in their bosom? Everyone’s innermost feelings vibrate in that auspicious and spiritual tune….
