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root of genitals. The second 'Manipura' is at the centre of naval. The third *Anahat' is at the region of heart. The fourth Visudha' is at the base of throat. The fifth 'Ajnana' is between eyebrows. The sixth 'Sahasrara' is at the center of the head. The centres are described as lotus-shaped with petals numbering six, ten, ten, sixteen, two and one thousand respectively. The practitioner is required to concentrate on each of these centres sequentially visualizing the number of petals, their colours and words written on them. Weird visions, fantasies and hallucinations such as furious flames of fire, black stones, majestic temples etc. are experienced (rather imagined). The process involves considerable pain, physical disorder and even disease. The whole concept is imaginary and not sustainable scientifically. There are no lotus shaped centers (Chakras) in the body. The fact is that the practitioners are fed and indoctrinated with the hypothesis and therefore experience imaginatively. It is possible because they have seen and known the lotus and this is stored in the memory. Any person blind from birth will not be able to visualize such things.
While hard and intricate practices are prescribed as necessary to awaken Kundalini (Serpent power) there is a strange case of Deepa Kodikal, mentioned in her published diary in book from “A Journey within the Self". She experienced aroused Kundalini involuntarily without any effort on her part while sleeping, standing and even masterbating. She is undoubtedly a case of psychiatric disorder.
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Now-a-days arousal of Kundalini is done commercially in large number of persons by a yoga teacher, commanding the entire congregation, giving hypnotic suggestions and all feel as instructed that their kundalinis have been aroused, some start laughing, some weeping and some doing strange actions with hands, feet or whole body. This contradicts the very concept of Kundalini which implies arousal of sleeping cosmic power lying coiled in the individual and needs considerable effort, practice and expert guidance. But gullible people succumb to temptation of easy path, get hypnotized and do as instructed. Nirmala Devi has coined her form of Kundalini Yoga as 'Sahaj Yoga'. Another yoga teacher Ram Lal Syagi demonstrates this as 'Shaktipat' (energy passed on to disciples by one yoga teacher. Both of them organize such camps for masses. They ridicule the very principle of Yoga which needs one's own vigorous effort, of course guru can only guide but one has to make effort and practice himself.
Mantra Yoga :
This is practised as rhythmic repitition (Japa) of certain hermetic formulations coined as hymns or mantras which are claimed to be based on secret powers of sound. Mantra are in various formulations. There are one syllable mantras as 'Aum' or of two syllables 'Soham' or more syllables contrived in various rhythms and combination of weird and mystic word
