Energy Body

Three energy channels and subtle energy centres, called Chakras in the Hindu Tradition.
Comparisons can be made with the Kabbalistic Three Pillars and Sefirot.

Having started our first meeting for this term focussing on the most solid, physical aspects of life and our bodies, in our second meeting on October 5th, we moved on up the Tree a little to consider the more subtle aspects of the physical world.

We looked at the second 'Face' on Jacob's Ladder, representing where the material and psychological worlds interpenetrate each other. We reflected on how we all experience this; how stress can lead to physical illness for example, or vice versa. We then explored how several spiritual systems work with what is sometimes called the etheric or energy body, which is often understood as existing within or around the physical forms of all life from human beings to landscapes. We compared briefly the Hindu chakras and Taoist Tantiens and saw how both systems focus on subtle energy centres in the body, connected by energy channels, including major centres in the lower abdomen, heart and head.

The Tree of Life can be mapped onto the body in a similar way, with the Four Worlds of Kabbalah related to subtle energy centres in feet (Earth/Physical World/Malkut), lower abdomen/genitals (Water/ Psychological World/ Yesod), Heart (Air/Spiritual World/ Tiferet) and the crown of the head (Fire,/Divine World/Keter). We experienced this subtle energy Body Tree through meditation, working with the breath and expanding awareness from feet to crown, from Malkut to Keter.

We concluded our meeting with some chanting led by Joyce. This gave a fascinating and energising insight into how the vibration of sound can stimulate the subtle energy centres in the body.