This book is about, and an introduction to, the seven traditional CHAKRAS, the energy centers which align along the human
spine. (These are the <1> Basal or security and survival; <2> Sexual or pleasure; <3> Power center or control; <4> Heart; <5> Throat or intellectual; <6> Third Eye or imagination and creation; <7> Crown or highest
spiritual, respectively). Kundalini yoga is the traditional way to arouse, balance, study, experience, integrate and use these energies. This is a manual for kundalini yoga, without saying so (although the concept is introduced, mentioned, explained and used in an essay toward the end of the book).
After a singularly pleasant Acknowledgements section, the author's Preface gives a brief CURRICULUM VITAE, telling how he came to be aware of, study and finally write about the human chakra system. There is an introductory section of the book which explains the concepts further which are developed in the remainder of the book; the chakras, balance (as used in this context), energy, surrender to the experience of energy and breaking the restraints on our mind, heart and body, which can come from our past experience and cultural conditioning. This is followed by a section which covers the chakras, separately adn individually. Each chakra, or energy center, is explored at the level of the DRIVE of each chakra, or that which pulls our attention to that level; the PERCEPTION, or how life looks from the perspective of each chakra; the UNBALANCED EXPRESSION, or the effects of an awakening of the energies of the given chakra, without having integrated the experiences of these energies into one's consciousness and life; SUSTAINING CONSCIOUSNESS, that is, what it takes to keep this level of consciousness balanced and integrated; the PURPOSE, especially for the higher chakras; and associations for each chakra with colours, crystals and stones, and the location for each chakra. Following this is a section of essays on how to make the best use of the information given earlier in the book. It includes essays on such subjects as the relationship of Soul, Ego and Spirit; on transmuting negative energies to positive and useful energy; and the Kundalini Force, among others. There are many meditations as well as practical tips on how to develop oneself psychically and spiritually in accord with this system. Several meditations in the back include techniques for cleansing oneself of negativity and for developing the chakras and your own clear energy and paths connecting to the Earth and the heavens. There is a beautiful chart in the Appendix summarizing the basic information about each chakra, including their traditional number, drive, core issues, perspective, level of consciousness, their unbalanced state, and the developmental task for each level of energy in your body. There is an excellent bibliography which, though short, gives an excellent focus for spiritual direction and
development. There is a fairly comprehensive Index at the end of the book.
This is one of the most useful books on psychic/spiritual development from a physical point of view that I've ever come across. It is excellent as an introduction for the complete novice, but contains material that is useful even to advanced students. Don't let its simplicity and beauty deceive you. It is deep, and it will take you as deep as you want to go. (One word of warning: if a woman is pregnant, she should concentrate on the lower two chakras primarily until her child is born.)