Ritual

single brain cell may be in relationship to 25,000 others; the
number of possible associations is astronomical, therefore, being a
quantity larger than the number of atoms in the universe. At each
second, the brain receives approximately 100 billion sensations and
it is estimated that it fires off around 5,000 signals per second. In
contrast to the vast reservoir of our potentialities, we are aware of
only one millionth of our own cortical signalling. And so vast areas
of the brain, which the neurologists call 'silent areas', remain
'wasted assets', untapped and unutilized. Once these areas are
completely active, we have begun to communicate with our own
higher consciousness. The opening of this centre to its fullest
capacity enables the Kundalini to ascend to the highest psychic
centre, Sahasrara, the place of the Cosmic Consciousness,
symbolized by a thousand petalled lotus located just above the
head. In the process of Kundalini-yoga, it is said, even the pattern
of the electrical impulses in the brain is altered. Through tantric
disciplines, the ascending Kundalini vitalizes the psychic centres in
the human body, technically called chakras, until it finally reaches
the Sahasrara where a mystic union takes place. The aspirant thus
realizes, in a transcendental experience, his union with Siva-Sakti.
The Kundalini Sakti can be aroused through various meditative
techniques and processes including the practice of yogic Pranayama,
the control of the vital cosmic life-force. Rhythmical
breathing makes all the molecules of the body move in the same
direction in order to gain control of the mind. If the air in our lungs
at any moment contains 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, atoms,
we can imagine what current is generated by the movement of all
the molecules in the system, bringing the restless mind into singlepointedness.
In this state the vibrations of the body become
perfectly rhythmical and the nerve current is changed into a
motion similar to electricity, generating a power so tremendous
that the Kundalini is aroused.
The attainment of supernatural powers, known as the Siddhis, is
considered to be the indirect result of this practice. There are
considered to be eight great Siddhis among which the following
are best known: Anima, the power of becoming infinitely small so
that one can see things of the minutest size, even the inner structure
of the atom; Mahima, the power to become immensely large so
that one can perceive enormously vast things, the functioning
of the solar system and that of the universe; Laghima, or
weightlessness, 'the power to control the earth's attraction on the
body by developing in each cell the opposite [centripetal]
tendency'. Others are the power of leaving the body and entering
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