A channel is referred to as “nadi” in Sanskrit. You can think of a channel as an enclosed passage. In the context of our subtle system, the channel is a means through which the Kundalini energy flows within our subtle system.
THE IDA NADI (LEFT CHANNEL OR MOON CHANNEL)
The left channel relates to emotions, desires, and your connection with the past. And so, whenever you desire something or use your emotions, your attention moves to the left channel.
Your left energy channel begins at the 1st chakra (Mooladhara) and travels up the left side of your body, terminating on the right side of your brain. In our subtle system, this part of your brain is the superego. This is where our memories, habits, and conditionings reside. Everything that influences us – things your parents and friends taught you, your identification with your race, ethnicity, or nationality and its associated culture – is stored in your superego.
QUALITIES OF THE LEFT CHANNEL
The essential quality of the left energy channel is joy. Remember when you were a young child and you’d wake up happy every morning? The joy carried by the left energy channel feels just like that. As adults, we long for that feeling. This joy still lives within us and can be awakened through meditation.
BALANCE WITHIN LEFT CHANNEL
In its pure state, the left energy channel brings about emotional balance and helps us express the qualities of deep joy, pure love and compassion.
If your left energy channel is in distress, you may experience emotional extremes. It shows up as depression, lethargy, sadness, low self-esteem or guilt.
To return your left channel into a balanced state, all you need is meditation. With Sahaja Yoga meditation techniques, you can easily renew your state of joy and emotional balance within.
THE PINGALA NADI (RIGHT CHANNEL OR SUN CHANNEL)
The right channel is the channel of activity ( both mental and physical) and the future. When you act on your desires, your attention moves to the right channel.
Your right energy channel begins at the 2nd chakra (Swadisthan) and travels up the right side of your body, terminating on the left side of your brain. This area of the brain in our subtle system is the ego, which gives you a sense of individualism. Things that you affect through your actions – for yourself or others – are a product of your attention on the right side.
QUALITIES OF THE RIGHT CHANNEL
Action and planning are the fundamental qualities of the right energy channel.
When you are physically active and dynamic, it is the right channel which supplies the energy for it. When you focus, plan or analyze things in your mind, it also fuels your mental activity.
BALANCE WITHIN RIGHT CHANNEL
In its pure state, the right channel brings about dynamism and helps us act effectively with a still mind and in a joyful manner.
When we make excessive demands of energy from the right side, it makes the left side weak. As a result, our emotional side takes a back seat and the sense of joy evaporates. We become grouchy, irritable and even aggressive. Not very pleasant to be around.
Fortunately, awareness is the first step to correcting imbalance. You can meditate and utilize Sahaja Yoga meditation techniques to easily renew your state of calm and dynamism within.
THE SUSHUMNA NADI
The central channel is the channel of balance and spiritual evolution. It is also called the middle path.
Your central energy channel travels from the sacrum bone at the base of your spine straight up your spine towards the final chakra (Sahasrara).
QUALITIES OF THE CENTRAL CHANNEL
Spiritual evolution and integration with the collective consciousness is the essential quality of the central channel.
When we no longer seek material well-being and wish to find a more innate sense of contentment and purpose, it is through the qualities of the central channel that we can find what we are searching for.
Your Kundalini rises through this central channel at the time of Self-Realization.
BALANCE WITHIN CENTRAL CHANNEL
Your central channel is the path to the Sahasrara chakra.
With Self-Realization, your Kundalini energy uses this central channel to reach the Sahasrara chakra. It nourishes and strengthens it as it flows through it.
As we meditate in thoughtless awareness, the attention gradually stops swinging from the left channel to the right channel, from the past to the future and settles into the central channel. Our attention is then able to remain centered. We exist in the present moment and experience true inner peace and joy.
Your key to developing a strong central channel is regular meditation in thoughtless awareness.
Sahaja Yoga is practiced worldwide. Meditation classes are offered free of charge at various locations. Classes are run by experienced meditation practitioners who volunteer their time to share the knowledge they have received.
