Prana, often referred to as breath, but it is the life force that is the fire of light within us. It is not physical, yet its presence enables our heartbeat, breathing, and brain function. Without prana, life ceases to exist.

Similar to a blazing fire, prana embodies intense enthusiasm, vitality, and determination. It drives us to see things through until the end, even unto death. This fiery energy teaches us the art of sacrifice, reminding us that the way we live is intrinsically linked to the way we will depart this world. Through burning our karmic actions, we experience countless deaths as our concentration deepens, ultimately bringing us closer to self-knowledge and profound transformation.

Moving through the layers of our being, each level reveals new insights that lead to further discernment and dispassion. This journey introduces us to the concepts of Shreya and Preya. Shreya represents the beneficial and meaningful choices that nourish our innermost selves, while Preya signifies short-term, superficial pleasures that merely gratify the ego. Shreya encourages a dispassionate approach that promotes our overall well-being and inner peace. The ability to choose between these two paths becomes an exercise in discerning what truly benefits us.

Kundalini acts as fuel for pursuing a higher purpose and spiritual path. It allows us to move through the five layers of consciousness, each reached through meditation. However, meditation alone is not enough, as each layer produces new insights that lead to deeper levels of discernment and dispassion. The capacity to make choices that lead to satisfaction.

“The good (shreya) and the pleasant (preya) are two different things. They motivate a person to pursue two different goals. The one who embraces the good meets with auspiciousness. But the one who chooses the pleasant is lost.”
—Katha Upanishad 1.2.1

Depression resides in the mind, but it is not the driver of our lives. We have the power to choose and direct our thoughts. We may not be the chariot or the horses, but we can train the horses to follow our lead. Pleasure may lure us away from our health, security, and peace of mind, but we have the choice to redirect our energies towards the resoluteness of life and being satisfied with Shreya.

Reflecting upon the idea of the “Religion of Pleasure” and how it isolates and disconnects us from others, it brings to mind the Ananda-Bindu Upanishad: “this is full, that is full… fullness emerges from fullness.” In this realization, we understand that fullness is all-encompassing, while pleasure and happiness are fleeting. If we allow our desires for constant pleasure to reign unchecked, we risk losing our prana, compromising our health, security, and peace of mind. Shreya, on the other hand, is always full, embodying a form of dispassion that encompasses wholeness and contentment.

By embracing the power of prana and making discerning choices rooted in the depth of our being, we awaken our true essence and allow the light of life to radiate within us.

Glow on beautiful people!

Love,

Michelle