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RE-INCARNATION. ..
865 ignorant of the true significance of yoga centres, only looked for it in the physical organ of the heart, a place where yoga does not place it-and, needless to say, failed to find it there. The lotus of the heart is an invisible psychic centre in the spinal column, and is only known by its action. It is called the lotus of the heart, because it controls the function of the heart. This great lotus is the centre of radiation in the organism, from which life radiates its joyous vibrations all round. Its free activity leads to health, youth and immortality; but its obstruction at once converts the vibrations of love into the poison of hatred and worry which soon destroys the organism. If we observe ourselves under the influence of different emotions, we shall not fail to be struck with the fact that we feel free and easy in the presence of friends, and oppressed and uneasy when thrown together with those whom we regard as our enemies. The explanation of these two different kinds of feelings is to be found in the fact that in the former condition the vital force is allowed to radiate unchecked in the system, while in the latter it is obstructed, especially on the side of the body which happens to be the nearest to the enemy. The sense of oppression, or obstruction, arises in consequence of an involuntary contraction of certain muscles and nerves, which is the immediate result of the emotion of hatred, and the tension of which disappears the moment the emotion is changed, as when the enemy departs.
As regards the consequences of this mental tension on the physical body, it may be safely held that so long as the vital force is allowed to radiate freely in all
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