Physical body: Between the cells of our physical body, there is considerable space. The other two bodies (causal and subtle, described below) pervade this space—like radio waves pervade the “solid” walls of a room.
Subtle body: The seat of our feelings. The subtle body has seven major spinning wheels of light energy (chakras), energized by the five basic elements: earth, water, fire, air and akasha (space). Elements—and combinations of elements—play an essential role in determining how we feel. Under conditions of stress and toxicity, the elements lose their purity and potency. This may have a negative effect on our feelings. For example, when the earth element is in abundance, we feel solid and grounded, and our confidence is strengthened, while if earth is dispersed, we may feel weak and sluggish. When air is plentiful, we may feel buoyant and more loving; if polluted, it can cause us to feel uncaring and lonely.
Causal body: Where our thoughts reside. Human beings, in the process of survival, evaluate changes in their environment first in the causal body by means of thought. Thoughts generate feelings in the subtle body, which are then expressed in the physical body. Thoughts, feelings, and sensations influence one another.
Physical body: Physical purification sharpens all five senses. It inspires the desire to keep the body healthy. The dietary protocol is intended to cleanse the internal organs (liver, kidney, bladder, spleen, blood and intestines), strengthen the immune system, and decrease sensitivity to allergens. Regular exercise and a healthy diet become part of our routine.When the chakra rhythms are in order, our circadian rhythm is in order as well. This, in turn, allows our body to naturally have 2 or 3 daily bowel movements.
Subtle Body: Purification of the subtle body cleanses our feelings and emotions. The negative ones may have been buried beneath our awareness. Sometimes, old memories from early childhood emerge. This is part of the purification process. As participants become in touch with their real feelings on a deeper level, they begin to lay the groundwork for improvement in relationships, creating contentment as competitiveness evaporates—one can truly feel happy when others are also succeeding. Helping others becomes a reward in and of itself. Sri Shyamji’s sounds and mantras act deeply on the subtle and causal body, increasing awareness of the effects sounds have on body, mind and spirit. Many have reported a greater sound awareness as the retreat ends.
Causal Body: We discuss deep questions such as: “Who Am I?”; “Why Am I Here?”; and “How do I create and maintain wellness and happiness in my life?” The educational experience is empowering on many levels. The process of thinking itself may begin to feel clearer. Interest in abstract thinking naturally emerges, along with the desire to turn the senses inward (pratyahara). We chant sounds and mantras that produce soorya akasha. This highly refined akasha pushes dense, inferior akasha out of the microchakras. The absorption of soorya akasha purifies apana, and helps to integrate the three bodies, facilitating meditation and life transformation. Consequently, the breathing rate drops dramatically and participants feel freer to meditate, refining thinking and facilitating life transformation with improved intuition.
The light of the chakras travels through subtle pathways called microchakras™. Blockages in the microchakras cause stress, anxiety, addictive behavior and lack of confidence. When open, these pathways lead to a more meaningful, productive, and joyful life, in harmony with the laws of nature.