Hi Yogibear, Kyman, Little Turtle,
Kyman wrote:
quote:
Do we determine what is seen by where we hold our attention and direct our energy? Does putting energy into a certain spot so the region becomes full of energy somehow produce the visions seen? What other mechanism would one use to choose between seeing the images through the various parts of the body? Or is our image of the third eye somewhat of a reflection of our entire spine and gives us some sense of the light that can or cannot flow through the central channel?
Interesting the question of where in our bodies we experience all these visions. I can't speak for anyone else, but so far I've always 'viewed' any vision from the same place in front of my closed eyes. I think Satyananda gives a pretty good definition:
'
chidikasha - the psychic space behind the forehead where all psychic events are viewed.'
My last experience of the star illustrates how the physical place in the body involved with the vision itself differs from the place of viewing. As the vision in front of me evolved and the star became clearer, I further concentrated my attention at the third eye, which further focussed the vision. But if I became too active in observing the events then the clarity of the star began to diminish. This balance of active versus passive concentration changed several times over the course of the experience, as I began to learn how best to react to events. Clearly (no pun intended!), remaining as passive a witness as possible in chidikasha allowed greater concentration on the third eye, which was key in increasing the depth of the experience.
Little Turtle wrote:
quote:
I think all of the third eye/sushumna visions we see are parts/gradations of the spinal nerve and chakras and it's various levels of awakening or vibration.
When you say 'third eye/sushumna visions,' do you mean visions perceived in chidikasha? Since my third eye felt tingly/numb during the whole course of my last experience, I was pretty aware of its physical location throughout. I'd say that I felt a distinct separation in space between it and the great television screen in the mind where I was observing events - that the star I was witnessing in my mind was definitely
not at the third eye itself. Otherwise I agree with you, that these visions are probably all or at least mostly parts/gradations of the spinal nerve and chakras.
Kyman wrote:
quote:
Do you have to look really far up, as in the eyes go limp, cross, and then become focused upward as the energy flows in?
My eyes seem more drawn to the tip of the nose. They very easily relax and then drift into that focus. From there, they begin to aim upwards without losing that gaze towards the center, as if still focused on the tip of my nose. Once they are raised, I have only a minor degree of comfort and relaxation.
Just a thought: I wouldn't force sambhavi too much, since it'll draw your attention away from what you want to be focussing on. With me, definitely the further the eyes raise, the more intense the effect. But then again, I don't feel it as a strain. To give a similar example of my own, though: I've always found YMK quite a technical mudra, with lots to keep my attention on (thereby
distracting my attention). During this last occasion with the star, though, all those side issues didn't bother me and I was much freer to concentrate on the essentials.
