Lost chakras

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Yesterday I went to a friend's house and, in the process of consuming vegetable balti (ohhh so good....), talked to the friend's grandfather who is visiting from India. The old gentleman seemed to know a lot about yoga, so I mentioned my difficulties with picturing the spinal column, etc.
He said that in his opinion my kundalini isn't in muladhara and is much more likely to be either in manipura or anahata and advised me to see if in meditation I can 'talk' to these chakras.
This morning I tried. Manipura, anahata, vishuddhi and ajna responded readily (by this I mean that I feel quite clearly where they are and can trace my spine mentally between them), but I got totally no response from muladhara and swadhisthana.
What does this mean? Where have my mula and swadhi gone?

[Shanti]

quote:Originally posted by img

What does this mean? Where have my mula and swadhi gone?

They are blocked... that's all. Continue doing practices and they will all clear up.


http://www.aypsite.com/plus/47.html

http://www.aypsite.com/plus/73.html

http://www.aypsite.com/plus/77.html

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Thank you, I'll do that.
I have another question. It seems that AYP advises IAM mantra and explains that it's specially formulated for the combination of linear and circular qualities. The problem is, I personally find the linear part distracting, it feels like 'hopping'. In comparison, AAAAAAOOOOOMMMMMM feel just right. ....Unless I am meant to go IIIIIIIII AMMMMMMMMMMMM, not IAM IAM IAM, but that seems unlikely.
Which is the intended way and must I stay with IAM, especially seeing that OM worked just fine before I came across AYP.
Thank you.

[Shanti]

Here is what Lesson 188 - Q&A – Mantra Design 101 says:
http://www.aypsite.com/plus/188.html

I AM is a "dual pole" mantra. The resonance of it in the spinal nerve is the reason why. "I" is the shiva component, and "AM" is the shakti component. With this mantra we are bringing the mind to stillness in such a way so as to purify the full length of the spinal nerve. By using a mantra that resonates between the third eye and the root, we are following the safest and most balanced path of awakening, just as we do in spinal breathing pranayama. The two practices are parallel methods, both working to purify the spinal nerve on their respective levels in the nervous system. Both practices, done in sequence (spinal breathing and then meditation), awaken and stabilize our ecstatic energies and inner silence. Together, these emanate out naturally from the spinal nerve.




OM resonates naturally in the medulla oblongata, the brain stem, spreading out everywhere through the nervous system, and beyond.

OM lives up to its reputation of being the "mother of all mantras." It is the deeply ecstatic primordial sound of what we are, manifesting from pure bliss consciousness. As explained in the lesson on the second enhancement, we have to prepare for it before using it in deep meditation. Otherwise, it can wreak havoc. Under the best of circumstances, OM is "devastating ecstasy" in deep meditation, especially once ecstatic conductivity is coming up. It will be too much for anyone who goes to the second enhancement prematurely, so don't rush into it. You will know when you are ready. For deciding when to "shift gears," use the guidelines given in the lesson.

OM is paired with SHREE for a reason, and it is second instead of first for a reason. It is paired to maintain polarity between the crown (SHREE) and the rest of the nervous system resonating with OM. This is another dimension of the shiva-shakti balanced relationship, in this case between the crown and the medulla oblongata. It is a more dynamic and far-reaching manifestation of the shiva-shakti pairing than I AM (which also continues). OM is placed after SHREE for more longevity in the vibration of OM. SHREE OM is coming into the body, and OM SHREE is leaving the body. It is a distinction with a noticeably positive difference in effect when seen through the inner senses of ecstatic conductivity.



So working with "om" at the beginning may cause overloads.

You are welcome to go with "IIIIIIIII AMMMMMMMMMMMM  IIIIIIIII AMMMMMMMMMMMM  IIIIIIIII AMMMMMMMMMMMM" if that feels natural and comfortable. Just dont get attached to it in that form... allow it to change if it does. If you have a day of 'i am i am i am"... go with that.
Whatever form the mantra comes up naturally in meditation, that is how we go with it... we dont try to make it a certain length or sound or clarity..

We let the mantra lead, not lead the mantra.

Does this make sense?

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Thank you, it makes complete sense.

After reading the lesson I decided to try out SHREE OM SHREE OM I AM I AM NAMAH, as it felt even better than OM, which is intriguing.
As for pure I AM, I'll keep it in reserve to use in case of overload.
And then you can say 'I told you so'.

[Shanti]

quote:Originally posted by img


And then you can say 'I told you so'.

Could never do that ... it would be like a pot calling the kettle black.