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The Chakras: a Scientific Approach

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The Chakras: a Scientific Approach THE CHAKRAS: A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH By ALLAN R. SUSOEFF, JR. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF METAPHYSICAL SCIENCE, M.MSC. On behalf of the Department of Graduate Studies of the University of Metaphysics this thesis has been accepted by Thesis Advisor IMM President July 24, 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 Chapter 2: Review of Literature .................................................................................................................... 3 Definitions ................................................................................................................................................. 3 History and Background ............................................................................................................................ 6 Types of Meditation .................................................................................................................................. 7 The Mind - Body Connection .................................................................................................................... 8 The Energy - Body Connection ................................................................................................................ 11 Chapter 3: Discussion .................................................................................................................................. 17 Is it all in our Genes? ............................................................................................................................... 18 Brainwaves, High Beta, and Addiction .................................................................................................... 19 Breath IS Life ........................................................................................................................................... 21 Emotion and Intent ................................................................................................................................. 23 Tying it all Together ................................................................................................................................ 25 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 30 Works Cited ................................................................................................................................................. 32 i Chapter 1: Introduction “The difference between science and faith is a measuring tape”. Although this statement in 1979 got me an hour of detention from Fr. Stout, my earth science teacher in my freshman year at Bellarmine College Preparatory, it is a statement that has defined my life and I believe defines the difference between mankind and all other forms of organic and inorganic life on this planet. Always the question in our minds is “why”. It is the driving force for technology, medicine, religion, and our civilization in general. When we find a limitation in our understanding and come to an impasse, it is tempting to provide answers such as, “Because God made it that way”. This may be a fine response on a certain level, but there are always deeper levels of understanding to be had if one wishes to comprehend the greater truths of our existence. My life in general, and this thesis in particular, aims to look at these deeper levels of understanding through the lens of empirical science. Within the rigors of the scientific method we can demystify the mystical, dispel ignorance, and bring that which is in the realm of faith into the realm of fact. Old habits die hard. Although Pythagoras, the Greek philosopher first proposed a spherical earth around the 6th century BC, it was not until 330 BC that Aristotle was able to show empirically that the earth was indeed a sphere. Many other scientists did experiments that showed a spherical earth over the following centuries. Regardless of this evidence, flat earth theories persisted. It is said that in 1492 when Columbus discovered the Americas that it was proven that the earth was indeed spherical, but the real proof came when Magellan circumnavigated the globe in 1519. From 330 BC to 1519 AD; it took nearly 1900 years, but that which started in the world of religious faith, became science fact eventually. Regarding the Chakras, or psychic centers as he calls them, Dr. Leon Masters states, “The knowledge that these psychic centers exist comes from the INTERNAL PSYCHIC vison of their existence during meditation in expanded states of consciousness” (Master’s Degree Curriculum 1:1:4). While this answer to the question, “What are the chakras” is perfectly acceptable if one only wants to understand and accept at the faith level, as a scientist and engineer, I am compelled to look deeper. I believe the information exists and some of the peer reviewed experimentation has been conducted to show empirically that the present-day chakras system not only exists, but that these so-called chakras can be used by us through the tool of meditation, to further our health, creativity, and prosperity and therefore improve our lives, the lives of others and ultimately the overall balance and evolution of this planet we call home. 2 Chapter 2: Review of Literature The history of the chakra system has its roots in the early Upanishads which were written around the 7th or 8th century BCE. As with anything that old, these concepts have morphed and evolved and the seven-chakra system currently accepted in western culture bears little resemblance to some of the earlier versions. Because of this long history, we must first come to an agreement about what a chakra is. In order to properly discuss the chakras from a scientific perspective it is paramount to first give a definition of a chakra as well as understand at least the basic history and background of the current chakra system. Dr. Leon Masters points out that, “The main practice in mysticism is that of Meditation”, (Minister’s/Bachelors Curriculum. 1:1), and there is no doubt of that truth from the tremendous body of evidence showing that meditation is a healthy addition to any lifestyle. The question more specific to this thesis however is which meditation is the right meditation to effect change in a person’s health, fiscal prosperity, creativity, and general well-being, particularly as it relates to the chakras? Definitions What follows are a few definitions in order to have the reader and the author not necessarily agree, but at least be on the same page for both ease of explanation and succinctness in presentation. We will not delve into the philosophical argument of whether this chakra system is more or less correct than any other system that one may choose to use or follow in terms of a belief system. What we are interested in within the pages of this thesis is whether there is scientific evidence for the existence of chakras and if so, what knowledge can we glean from that evidence in order to better our lives and the lives of those around us. In the spirit of that, most of the definitions adopted in this text will be taken from either Anodea Judith’s “Wheels of Life”, Charles Webster Leadbeater’s “The Chkaras: A Monograph” or my own combination of the two. 3 Chakra, चाक्र, is a Sanskrit word which literally means “wheel”. Anodea Judith reports that “Chakras are organizing centers for the reception, assimilation and transmission of life energies” (4). Leadbeater referred to them as the “wheel-like vortices which exist in the surface of the etheric double of man” (5) Simply put, a chakra is an Energy Center. In the system we are exploring there are seven chakras, each corresponding to a particular area of the body, specific nerve ganglia, glands, organs and each governing a particular set of emotions, and manifestations. I will mostly be referring to them by their corresponding area of the body. From the root chakra, known in Tantric traditions as Muladhara, मलू ाधार, which literally means “root” to the crown chakra referred to as Sahasrara, सहस्रार, which means “thousand-spoked”. Starting at the perineum, the first chakra or “root chakra” physically corresponds to the coccygeal nerve plexus. It is the foundational chakra and is emotionally oriented toward survival and spiritually to grounding. Here it will be called the perineum. The second chakra is Svadhisthana, स्वधधष्ठान. Also known as the spleen chakra by Leadbeater, it physically corresponds to the sexual organs, the sacral nerve plexus, the bladder and kidneys and is located just below the navel. Emotionally, this chakra governs sexuality. In this text it will typically be referred to as the sacral center or “sacral chakra”. The third chakra governs the solar plexus ganglia of nerves, digestive systems, pancreas and adrenal glands. It governs our will, our assertiveness and our power but is also the seat of those “gut feelings” we get. Its Sanskrit name is Manipura, मधि प ूर, which means “navel”. Here it will be referred to as the solar plexus, or gut chakra. 4 The heart chakra is the fourth of the seven. It is the middle chakra and all below it are considered the more physical chakras while those above it are considered to be more spiritual. It’s Sanskrit name, Anahata, अनाहत, literally means unstruck, unbeaten, or unwounded. How interesting that as humans our heart many times
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