Man, the Microcosm; Part 3

At Man's present evolutionary stage, hiscertain force necessary for the sustenance of the
consciousness is polarized in the Astral body, the seatphysical organism. Chakras are portals for the influx of
of his emotions. Average people function with theiretheric forces into the glands. Should a chakra be
emotional-desire nature predominating over all of theirsluggish in its function, should it be blocked by certain
thoughts and actions--the desires of which areimpurities, or should the inflow of etheric forces be
detrimental to the health of the physical body. It is byimpeded in some way, the physical body will
treading the spiritual Path that will repolarize Man to theconsequently feel the effects--it will suffer glandular
Mental sheath and the Ego.The Mental sheath in theimbalances and inharmony in some manner. Glands
microcosm of the average person, is not considered aare, therefore, instruments of Man's karma and they
body as yet for it is still in the developing stages--it isare his "Book of Judgment."The spleen center, or
still loosely structured and is embryonic. In this worldsvadishthana plays an important role in distributing
there is much abuse, misuse and even non-use of thepranic force throughout the chakral system. It accepts
mental faculty, and this does not in the least assist thepranic energy and breaks them into a septenary force
Mental sheath to grow and improve in its quality. Whenwhich are sent to the various chakras--and from
spiritual emanations of the Ego are allowed tothence to the organs of the body via the glandular and
impregnate the lower mind, then the Mental sheath willautonomic nervous system. Pranic forces flowing into
steadily become a creative body for the true Man tothe energy-centers are nullified by negative emotions.
function in.In the Pyramidal Mysteries, the four sides ofNegative attitudes of the mind likewise disrupt spiritual
the base of the pyramid represent the personality. Theforces flowing into the chakras, especially Sahasrara,
Ego is signified by the missing capstone which has anthe crown center. Narrow-mindedness, animal-curiosity,
all-seeing eye in its center. This is graphically illustratedcynicism, aggression, a judgmental outlook, and other
in the American dollar, in the picture of the pyramid.expressions that characterizes a low mentality--these
Egyptian Initiates of bygone days called the Ego, "theall restrict the ingress of spiritual manna.The glands,
Eye of Horus." By examining this Divine Eye, certainwhen functioning harmoniously, produces substances
elements of Man's occult anatomy may be discerned.that spiritualizes a person's attitude and appearance.
This is shown in Figure 2. Not only are the Monad,The thymus is often designated as the
Atma, Buddhi and Higher Mental present, but other"youth-sustaining gland." The hormones that it secretes
occult structures, such as the Causal body, thepreserve the cells and prevents them from losing the
Sutratma, and the Antahkarana are also indicated inmemory-pattern embodied in their DNA. Divine Love is
the All-Seeing Eye of Ra or Horus. This piece ofa thymus stimulant. It is said that those who do not
information was revealed intuitively to the writer of thislove grow old quickly; on the other hand, the loving are
paper.The capstone of the Pyramid is a symbol ofyouthfully radiant.One of the most important endocrine
Christ. In the Christian Mysteries, Christ is referred to asgland in the body is the pituitary. It orchestrates most
the "head of the corner stone." This description fitsof the functions of the other hormone-producers. One
only to an edifice of a pyramidal structure. Theof its secretions, called "pituitrin," has an effect of
head-corner stone is the capstone of a pyramid. Alsoproducing the feeling of bliss and love. It transmutes
keep in mind that the Spiritual Triad, or Ego is alsoaggression into good-will. If a hormone may manifest
referred to as the "Christ Self." Thus we see in thisthe love aspect of the kingdom of God within man, it is
arcana the unity of Egyptian and Christian esotericism.in all probability that other substances representing the
It is interesting to note that whenever a candidate ofWill and Intelligence-aspect of the Divine Creator exist,
the Mysteries makes a vow, he makes it before thealthough yet to be discovered by the modern
presence of the Star (Monad), the Sun (Ego), and theresearcher. The possibility of the existence of an
Moon (Quarternary). The candidate is made aware of"intelligence-hormone" is implied specifically in the
the symbolism of these celestial bodies by theeffects of a certain Buddhist mantra. Mantras are
hierophant during initiation. In ancient Egypt, the sacredstructured sounds that stimulate the chakras and
eye was worn as an amulet. It was called "Usa" byglands. Tibetan Buddhists believe that the mantra of
the people. They believed that the wearing of thethe bodhisattva Manjushri has the power to awaken
amulet brought them health and protection. Esoterically,or increase one's intelligence. This might occur through
it is Egoic energy functioning within the Quarternarythe activation of certain chakras and glands by the
that is the promoter of vitality and the talismanic powersound vibrations of the mantra which stimulates the
behind the above condition.Of all the principles of Man,release of the appropriate hormones.It is not only the
modern science is gradually acknowledging theetheric body that possesses chakras as mentioned
existence of the etheric body, calledbefore; the higher principles--the Astral body, for
"Pranamayakosha" by the Hindu mystics.example, have them too, and they function in an
Experimentation with the magnetic force of man, withanalogous manner--they channel forces from a higher
such phenomena as healing and psychokinesis is nowprinciple or source to a lower body. Chakras of the
engaging the minds of open-minded, scientificastral body are not to be found in the same location
researchers. The etheric body is sometimes known asas the etheric centers, however. Etheric chakras are
the "vital body" for it is the battery that runs thelocated on the surface of the etheric body, whereas
physical vehicle. It is also the matrix which the denseastral chakras lie more in the interior. When the
physical structure patterns itself after. The ethericchakral-systems of the various principles are aligned
body is composed of four etheric substances:1) Theand functioning in harmony, then a channel for the
chemical ether--its major function is to direct theinflow of Egoic force is established. This means that
metabolism of the body.2) The life ether--its purpose iscontact with the higher worlds and with one's Higher
to vitalize the body and to direct propagation.3) TheSelf is made feasible. Intuitive impressions are more
light ether--its function is to cause sense perception.4)regular and less vague. One regularly hears the voice
The mental reflecting--this ether is the medium forof the Master and the group of his Egoic Ray.Chakras
memory and thought.This vital body, also calledare vivified and vitalized as Man unfolds and purifies his
"eidolon," has a dual function, as implied by the above:1)nature; as he expands and refines the quality of his
It conveys the pranic life-force and the three otherconsciousness. This vitalization and stimulation cause a
ethers into the physical body via the energy-centersreciprocative response by the glands as they secrete
called "chakras." It acts through the nervous system,hormones of a higher nature and quality. These spiritual
the endocrine glands and the blood system.2) It is ansecretions restructure the physical body and facial
intermediary for the conveyance of higher forcesfeatures into a thing of strength, beauty, and youth.
emanating from the Ego and the Monad. Man'sThey awaken dormant brain cells and form faculty
consciousness is impressed from the Mentalcenters in the cerebrum; they improve sense
force-field and into the brain cells via the mentalperception. Our thoughts and emotions arouses the
reflecting ether.The etheric body possesses theglands, and they mould not only our temperament, but
Vishnu-force. It preserves the integrity of the physicalour physical manifestation as well. A soul of beauty,
body. It vitalizes this dense body with life essence. Thepurity, strength, and determination produces a divine
Astral body and Mental sheath, with their destructivecountenance--a luster in the eyes, and a sweetness in
feelings and thoughts are constantly imposing a strainthe smile.Symbolically speaking, the chakras are
upon the physical temple of Man. Negative emotionsrepresented by astrological ruling bodies--Venus,
and thoughts harm tissues; they deplete energy andMercury, the Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars and the Sun;
destroy cells; they cause an imbalance in the glandularthey are also represented by the elements--earth,
system--decrepitude and a weakened body is thewater, fire and air--including ether and Azoth, which
result of this onslaught. Harmful emotions causerepresents the head centers. In Revelation, they are
blockages in the chakras, preventing streams ofthe "seven seals" and the "seven churches." In Greek
pranic-energy from penetrating the physical body. Thusmythology, "Olympus," the abode of the gods,
the etheric body and the Astral-Mental bodies arerepresents the higher centers, whereas "Hades," the
constantly at war with each other--one is anabolic--aabode of the shades of the dead, represents the
builder of the gross body; while the other two arelower centers. Tibetan Buddhism embody the
predominantly catabolic--destroyers of the physicalchakral-system in structures called "chorten." These
form. When there is turmoil in the lower bodies, thestructures are monuments that are supposed to
Ego's influence is minimized and curtailed. This is onepreserve the relics of the founding Father of Buddhism,
reason why aspirants on the Path are admonished toor other venerated personages. In the Egyptian
still the mind and emotions. When there is inharmonyMysteries, the King and Queen's chamber of the Great
among the lower principles, the Voice of Silence--thePyramid symbolizes the head centers. Each candidate
whisperings of the Ego--does not make an impressionfor initiation is directed therein for certain psychic
upon the brain and objective consciousness. The brainexperiences. Esoterically, this is the focusing and
is deaf and dumb to spiritual promptings.It is importantpolarizing of the consciousness in the head chakras--a
for selfish inclinations of the Astral body to bemanner of functioning of which the average person is
transmuted into spiritual aspiration--self-centerednessunaccustomed. The seven chakras correspond to the
into Self-Allness, before spiritual guidance from theseven kingdoms in Nature. Man as a collective, is the
microcosmic trinity is placed at our disposal infourth kingdom and is associated with the heart
conscious awareness. Once the Ego is in full controlchakra. In the present stage of his soul-development,
over the Personality--when the lower bodies arehe is to unfold this center, or the expression of
coordinated and functioning in accord with the will ofunconditional, divine love.The man on the street
the Higher Self, the Monad is stirred into activity and itpolarizes his consciousness in the solar-plexus center,
makes a greater contact with the lower principles thanthe seat of the lower emotions in the
heretofore.The ChakrasWithin the etheric bodies, arechakral-system--the center associated with the third, or
seven major energy-centers called "chakras," whichanimal kingdom. This chakra in its negative aspect, is
means "wheel' in Sanskrit. Christian mystics call themthe expression of self-centeredness, selfish ambition,
the "interior stars." Actually, psychic centers are to beand all sordid desires; the individual who is polarized in
found in all of the seven principles. They are thethis chakra lives like an animal; he is carnally-minded.
means whereby spiritual forces flow from one principleThe spiritual work of an aspirant, or disciple is to
to another. Hindu metaphysicians liken the ethericredirect the focus and polarization of his
chakras to lotuses in the process of blooming in theconsciousness from the lower centers, to the heart
average person, or already displaying their unfoldedand throat chakras--the centers of Divine Love and
petals in the Master-Adept. The unopened chakrasCreativity, and later to the head centers--the focus of
droop downwards, away from the face of God, or theDivine Will. The heart center, once active, stimulates
face of the Monad. Some species of flowers havethe head chakras through that channel called the
this strange characteristic. They simply will not face the"vagus nerve." This nerve, anatomically, commences in
sun. It is as though they turned antagonistic towardsthe medulla oblongata and midbrain, and extends
their life-giver--some people live and behave in a similardownwards to embrace the heart, lungs, and other
manner. Hindu esotericism assigns certain gods andparts of the thorax. Esoterically, it connects the brain in
goddesses as rulers of the chakras. "Bijas," orthe heart to the heart in the brain. The vagus nerve is
seed-sounds invoke the energies of those rulers intothe pathway for the inner breath.In the advance
the chakras.When awakened and stimulated by thestages of the practice of "Pranayama," or the art of
serpent fire, by Kundalini--of which we will dealcontrolling the life-force in the breath, the yogic
later--the chakras blossom, and are vivified. Unfolded,practitioner ceases to breathe through the nostrils. The
active, and developed chakras bestow certainyogic cessation or stoppage of the breathing cycle
faculties, virtues, and abilities. Hindu metaphysicians callactivates the intake of prana through the medulla
these "siddhis."The seven chakras are theoblongata and the vagus nerve. The control of
magnetic-field vortex of the plexuses of ethericinvoluntary functionings of the body is made possible
nerves, or "nadi." They are found in the followingby the mastering of this very important nerve.Many
locations: at the base of the spine, below the navel, atoccultists believe the ajna chakra to be the "third-eye,"
the solar plexus, in the heart area, at the throat,symbolised by the horn of the unicorn. When the
between the eyebrows, and in the area of themechanism of this receptor is functioning, Man would
fontanel. In Sanskrit, their names are, respectively:be able to perceive impressions emanating from the
Muladhara, Svadhishthana, Manipura, Anahata,spectrum of energies of the higher dimensions;
Vishudha, Ajna, and Sahasrara.. Each of the chakra,perceiving the distant past, the distant present, and the
when fully develop, vibrate in high frequencies and withdistant future would be a common thing--the Akashic
its own specific rate. Vibrating chakras causes arecords of life would be opened to his view. It is
manifestation of certain sounds and colours which, atprobable that the Cyclops of Greek mythology, with
present, can only be perceived clairvoyantly. In thetheir famed single eye between the brows, represents
future, the real technology to capture these imagesa race of spiritual giants whose third-eye was in the
including the aura on screen will be developed--and thisactive mode; however, this psychic eye gradually
would be based on direct electronic conversion of theatrophied because of misuse and abuse--this is,
energies of ultra-light, and not an indirect and unreliableesoterically, the tale of the people of Atlantis, the land
capture through the acupuncture points of the hands.Inof the Titans and the Rakshashas.The third-eye
an unevolved individual, chakras appear muddied andactually is a psychic function and not a particular organ.
grayish. In a Master-Adept, chakras are luminous andIt embraces the head centers and their glandular
resplendently brilliant. In the Temple of Solomon, thecounterparts, the third and fourth ventricles of the brain,
psychic centers are represented by sacred objectsthe medulla oblongata, and the optic thalamus. It is
used in various rites and rituals, these objects are: theformed and actuated by Egoic energy and the
Ark of the Covenant, the Menorah, the altar ofkundalini. Thus to open the third-eye, one has to evoke
incense, the altar of sacrifice, the sea of brass, and thethis Shivaic and Shakti force into the holy chamber of
Urim and Thummim.Associated with the chakras in thethe brain for a spiritual embrace which would give birth
physical body are the endocrine glands. These glandsto the god of Wisdom--represented by Ganesha. The
are, starting with the one linked with the Muladhara:three aspects of the Ego--Will, Love, and
gonads, pancreas/spleen, adrenals, thymus, thyroid,Intelligence--would have to be exercised within Man's
pituitary, and pineal. The endocrine glands arewaking consciousness.
crystallizations of the chakras. Each chakra conveys a