In my last blog, I mentioned that events occurring at the physical level happen beforehand at the astral or spiritual level. (The link to this previous post is http://karmasutratkos.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/do-events-happen-first-in-spiritual.html).
I also mentioned that in order to perceive the footprints of those events in the CSB (the ‘Cosmic Sensitivity Barrier’ area referred to in detail in Chapter 1 of my book Karmasutra: The Karma of Sex), we would need to silence our brain. Instead of using the term ‘silencing the brain’, there is another way to express this idea. This is simply an alternative perspective. I call it the blood circulation perspective of meditation.
The essence of this perspective is that in order to increase spiritual receptivity, we must maintain maximum blood supply in the brain area called the CSB, as well as in the superfine blood vessels above the neck. This helps enhance the overall sensitivity of the mind. One important point to note is that for our spiritual awareness, the quality, quantity and other parameters of the blood supply must be higher in the cosmic sensitivity region than in other areas of the brain. Some drugs and various other methods often maintain blood supply in certain regions of the brain, but this is not sufficient for spiritual receptivity. For example, if I am constantly keeping accounts or monitoring my business profits and losses, there may be excellent blood flow to the parts of my brain associated with mathematics, calculations and memory, but this may not result in spiritual sensitivity.
Similarly, some people chew herbs, consume energy drinks, ghutka, tea or coffee (which we might refer to as 'stimulants') to keep the blood supply active in the head area. This might improve brain function and mental sharpness, often temporarily, but there is little evidence that spiritual receptivity will be enhanced. Some drugs of a psychedelic nature may create certain perceptual or sensory experiences that resemble spirituality, but this is not the same as true spiritual receptivity.
Engaging in strenuous exercise such as running provides excellent pumping action from the heart, sending blood to most corners of the body at greater pressure. This is beneficial for the body and for many brain functions such as logic, quantitative reasoning and memory. It also promotes overall immunity and good health. This is because many health disorders originate from inadequate blood supply to certain parts of the body.
However, this exercise regime does not always significantly improve the condition of the Cosmic Sensitivity area. This is because the CSB does not merely require a voluminous supply of blood at high pressure, as is often the case with athletes. It requires blood to be delivered with optimal pressure, flow and other specific parameters. These are not achieved through exercise alone, but rather through meditation and, to some extent, through calming prayer or chanting.
In other words, if too much blood flows into other areas of the brain or body, or if the blood is not delivered at the optimal pressure, flow and chemical composition, then the cosmic receptivity area is not nourished sufficiently to enhance spiritual sensitivity. Therefore, if we wish to work on spiritual receptivity and sharpen our intuition, it is beneficial to minimise unnecessary blood flow to other areas of the body in order to keep the spiritually receptive area of the brain well nourished.
Another factor that hampers smooth blood supply to the CSB area is stress. If we are constantly stressed, rushing to catch trains or to meet deadlines at work, this lifestyle disrupts the blood flow in the brain's receptivity area. We can reduce this stress to a large extent through exercise, yoga and similar practices. However, while these activities can neutralise the negative effects of stress, they do not always sufficiently nourish the CSB.
As mentioned in Karmasutra, if we lead a life in which we must conceal many aspects of our thoughts or actions from others, this results in a different composition of blood flow that does not support spiritual sensitivity. I have explained this in the book as ‘congruence’. In fact, this incongruence between our thoughts, words and deeds is another form of mild stress. For true spiritual progress and for high-quality blood flow, there should not be too great a difference between our thoughts, actions and words.
In addition to these minor effects, there are other broader factors that draw blood supply away from the head region. What are the most common areas of the body to which blood flow is redirected? First, if we enjoy rich food and eat heavy meals consisting of meats, fats, alcohol, soft drinks, proteins or high-calorie, high-carbohydrate dishes, our digestive system becomes highly active. A large volume of blood is redirected from the above-the-neck region to the various organs involved in digestion. This explains why many people feel sleepy after a heavy meal. Smoking and excessive alcohol intake also introduce toxins into the bloodstream, interfering with the quality and characteristics of the blood needed by the spiritual sensitivity area.
Another major activity that diverts blood flow is sexual activity. After intercourse, a significant amount of blood remains in and around the genital area for some time before it can be redirected to the brain to nourish the spiritual receptivity area. Some people suggest that Shirsasana (the headstand yoga pose) helps bring blood back to the head. Indeed, Shirsasana can be helpful due to the effects of gravity, but if it is followed by a heavy meal that includes alcohol or by sexual activity, the blood is quickly drawn back downwards.
Bathing in water that is too hot or too cold, and significantly different from body temperature, can also cause shifts in blood circulation. Cold water baths certainly have health benefits, including improved blood flow. I do not discount these benefits. However, for the novice spiritual seeker, such sudden shifts can disrupt blood circulation. For the more advanced seeker who has achieved a degree of mental equilibrium, cold river bathing is excellent due to its cleansing effects on a spiritual level.
Too much sensory stimulation can also draw blood away from the brain and towards the stimulated organ. For example, if we watch television or films for extended periods, the eyes will begin to demand increased blood flow. This is one reason why meditators often keep their eyes closed, to minimise light intake. Our eyes are the main gateway for receiving information about the material world. Keeping them open allows this information to enter and immediately activates the information processing centres of the brain, diverting blood away from the CSB area.
Of course, in practical life, it is not always possible to meditate or pray with closed eyes. If we are working or travelling in crowded trains, we may not want to draw attention or invite judgement from others. In such situations, a useful compromise is to keep the eyes slightly open. For example, one can open the eyes to about 80 percent. This gives the impression that our eyes are open while reducing light intake by 20 percent. Although this may seem a minor adjustment, such small changes matter to those who wish to maintain their spiritual sharpness. Similarly, engaging in passionate, intense conversations for long periods also redirects blood flow. If we become too focused on boosting or inflating our egos, other areas of the brain receive more blood, not the spiritual area. I hope to write another blog post soon about some techniques for reducing ego, as gathered from great practitioners.
Beyond all these factors, as we age, the finer blood vessels begin to lose their elasticity and suppleness. As a result, we may require longer meditation sessions to achieve the same level of receptivity.
All these efforts, both large and small, become worthwhile when our spiritual receptivity sharpens and we begin to feel the imprint of events in the spiritual or astral sphere. This enables us to take corrective measures to prevent or at least mitigate those negative events from repeating themselves in the material world.
Through this post, I am not suggesting that everyone must avoid enjoying good food, the company of friends, or sexual activity. However, if someone is a genuine spiritual seeker and is wondering why their progress feels limited, this article may offer some technical insight. As I mentioned in my previous blog, everything shared here is based on my personal understanding, derived from various direct and indirect sources. Please feel free to disagree or disregard it entirely.
