PRESENTER NOTES

WEEK 3 – THE SUBTLE SYSTEM

Know Yourself

MEETING OVERVIEW
1. Introduction
2. Self-Realization experience
3. The subtle system, channels and chakras
4. Technique: Balancing the left and right channels
5. Video
6. Meditation

INTRODUCTION

• If there are new people joining the group, introduce once again (briefly) the
objectives and benefits of Sahaja Yoga.

• Review the topics that will be explored during the weeks ahead emphasizing that:
• Some of the knowledge of Sahaja Yoga is formal or mental knowledge, but the basis
of this knowledge is experiential and should be confirmed through our own
perception of vibrations.

• We are going to learn about ourselves. We will discover the Spirit, the Kundalini
and the state of our subtle system.

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November 2002 Presenter Notes—Week 3 1
Sahaja Yoga Yoga
• This week we will learn about the three subtle energy channels and to identify the
chakras in the central channel.

• We will also learn where to direct our hands to nourish the chakras.

• Reassure people who are not feeling vibrations that in some cases it takes time, but
they will eventually feel the vibrations.

Essential Avoid
Everyone can locate the position of the Getting caught up in the details.
chakras on their own.

THE SUBTLE SYSTEM

• The Subtle System is sacred. Inside every human being there is a sacred subtle
system made up of thousands of channels (nadis).

• The experience of Self-Realization in Sahaja Yoga allows us to feel our subtle system
for the first time. Then we begin to understand that we are spiritual beings with a
subtle system that is very beautifully made.

• We are the Spirit. The subtle system is the vehicle of the Spirit.

• It forms the basis of our physical (the body), emotional (our relationships), and
mental (concepts and habits) selves.

• On the physical level, the subtle system is expressed as the autonomous nervous
system. Who is this “auto”? This “auto” is our Self. Thus, the subtle system, once
perceived, allows you to know your Self.

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November 2002 Presenter Notes—Week 3 2
Sahaja Yoga Yoga
• Through our subtle system we feel the connection with the Divine, we experience
the awakening of the Kundalini and collective awareness.

• Emphasize that as we meditate, we balance the subtle system. Through meditation,

we learn whether we tend towards one side or the other.

• The subtle system exists in everyone; therefore, everyone has the potential to evolve.

THE CHANNELS

• There are three main channels through which our subtle energy flows: the Left
Channel, the Right Channel and the Central Channel.

• The right and left channels are fundamental for life and for attaining Self-
Realization. Excessive use of the left and right channels--being caught up on the left
or right side--causes imbalances which attract negativity to us. However, without a
strong desire to evolve and to grow spiritually, just being in the center is of no
spiritual value.

• The Left Channel is also called the Moon Channel for it is similar in nature to the
Moon. Similarly, the Right Channel is also called the Sun Channel. They are affected
by many things, including what we eat, by heat and cold, and by our relationships
with others.

Definitions, Excesses, Spiritual Function

• The left (Moon) channel: feminine qualities, the night, inertia, perceptions, desires,
emotions, conditionings, nostalgia, memory, the past, the subconscious. It allows
us to feel pure desire.

• The right (Sun) channel: masculine qualities, daytime, activity, creativity, self-
improvement, thoughts, planning, the future, the supraconscious.

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November 2002 Presenter Notes—Week 3 3
Sahaja Yoga Yoga
 • The central channel: balance, the present, evolution, ascent.

The terms “left side” and “right side” can be used for “left channel” and “right channel”.

The left and right sides are represented in the hands.

Present the concepts of EGO and SUPEREGO briefly. Explain that they will be covered
later.

THE CHAKRAS

The chakras are spiritual energy centers formed by the energies of the two channels
which correspond to the nerve plexuses in the body. They represent the stages in our
evolution as human beings. Each center manages certain bodily functions and certain
emotions, behaviors, and qualities.

For example, the Nabhi Chakra represents the evolutionary point when man’s shelter
became ‘home’-when the family unit became a source of satisfaction in itself rather than
just a channel for reproduction. On a higher level, this translates into the satisfaction we
feel with life in general after our Self-Realization. Other qualities of the Nabhi Chakra are
peace and generosity.

Have you ever had a “gut feeling” about something that has later turned out to be true?
Often that “gut feeling” means that we are being sensitive to the state of the Nabhi
Chakra. This seemingly illogical expression represents an unconscious recognition of a
deeper knowledge within all of us – knowledge of the subtle energy system of chakras
and channels and the way they work to produce many of the odd sensations and
intuitions that all of us experience from time to time. While many of us in the West find
the concept of the chakras a foreign idea, in reality we deal with them almost every day.

We will go into more detail regarding the chakras in Week 7, “Qualities of the Chakras”.
But at this point, we can explain that at the physical level the chakras coordinate:
• Systems: circulatory, digestive, immune …
• Organs: Spleen, kidneys, liver...
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November 2002 Presenter Notes—Week 3 4
Sahaja Yoga Yoga
• Glands: thyroid, pancreas…
• Nerve centers

Chakras and channels are under attack from external aggressions such as hunger,
pollution, shock, … and from internal aggressions such as excesses, self-destructive
actions, unbalanced relationships, unhealthy diets, and the use of alcohol and drugs.

Up to a point, the chakras are capable of managing these aggressions and of re-
establishing balance. When they are saturated, however, the result is imbalance at the
physical level (ulcers, heart attacks, cancer), the emotional level (jealousy, loneliness,
depression) and the mental level (fanaticism, obsessions, dementia, domination:

• Present the concept of balance and extremes. Going out of balance opens the door to
attacks from the subconscious or supraconscious.
• Show how to balance the channels by raising and lowering the sympathetics (right
and left sides).
• Show another way to balance the channels using the earth and the air:
• For the left side: left hand to the photo, right hand towards the earth
• For the right side: right hand to the photo, left hand facing backward over the
left shoulder into the air
• Through vibrations, we can feel the results of our negative behavior on our subtle
system. This motivates us to change our behavior.

MEDITATION

⇒ Balance the left and right channels.

⇒ Referring to the chakra chart, lead people in locating each chakra in the central
channel with their right hand.
⇒ Tie up Kundalini
⇒ Give a Bandhan

BACKGROUND PREPARATION FOR THE SPEAKER

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November 2002 Presenter Notes—Week 3 5
Sahaja Yoga Yoga
• “The Instrument of Awareness” chapter from The Advent

MATERIALS
• Chakra Chart

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November 2002 Presenter Notes—Week 3 6
Sahaja Yoga Yoga
VIDEO FROM NY VIDEO COURSE COMPILATION, TAPE #1
• Introduction to the Subtle System (LA, September 1983):

Starting point: “When the Kundalini rises, She enlightens the innermost core
of the centers.”
Ending point: “So you develop your wisdom by this first center.” (12 mins.)

HANDOUTS
• Lotus Booklet: Subtle System Diagram
• Balancing the channels

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November 2002 Presenter Notes—Week 3 7
Sahaja Yoga Yoga