which Indian Yogis have for centuries referred to as divine. Most of
these smells and sounds have always been there, but have been
overshadowed by our attention to other things. As you grow qui-
eter, and become less distracted, these ever present sounds be-
come evident with the exception of the nadis, the divine sounds,
which alter characteristically as one progresses spiritually.
When you have finally reached the point between your eyebrows,
you are half-way finished. This doesn’t only refer to opening the
Microcosmic Orbit and other routes, but to what follows as well.
The next stage (after the routes have been opened) involves the
transportation of vital materials, the hormones as well as chi in the
practical application to one’s daily life of these new found abilities.
These steps have already been described as organ purification,
stimulation and development of the vital flow for the healing of ill-
ness. It brings strength and vitality to those who have been weak
and finally rejuvenation and long life.
This calls for a very subtle balancing of powers and methods of
approach to avoid the many pitfalls that side-effects can bring. The
danger here is real. Without the proper knowledge as to how to
proceed, outright physical and emotional damage can result. Some
of the side-effects, again, are sensations of tightness or heaviness
in the head, sleepiness, ear-noises, toothaches, sinusitis, nervous-
ness, anger and irritability, all of which are due to having too much
power accumulated in the head. The precaution, again as a re-
minder, is to be sure to bring the power back down along the route
it travelled on its way to the head and/or being sure to end each
practice period by returning it back to the navel in the prescribed
manner. At the navel circulate the chi clockwise (if you are male)
36 times and then counterclockwise 24 times, ending by pushing
in at the navel (reversing the direction of circling if you are female).
If you concentrate solely on the forehead or if you do so for long
periods of time without having properly opened the routes, you will
have most of these ill effects. Of the hundreds of students I have
taught, most of them have reached higher levels of practice with-
out much, if any, such trouble. Our aim here is to acquaint you with
the side effects that can occur and how to prevent them so that
you can be alerted to what can happen as you practice and thereby
be more successful in your endeavors. Younger people, who have
stronger power, must be more careful and should be sure to bring
the power down to the navel at the end of each session.Chapter V