Science and Spirituality
The Master Endocrine Gland
& Extrasensory Potentials
Significant role of the pituitary gland is now well known to neuroscientists. Anatomically, this gland exists inside the brain at the junction where the optical nerves meet to form the optical chasm. Secretion of a variety of hormones required for controlling the body-functions and behavioral expression of anger, fear, anxiety, depression, cheerfulness, enthusiasm, etc — originates from these extrasensory nuclei. The perceptions of smell, taste or any other experience of the sense organs are also supposed to be regulated from here. Because of such a predominant role pertaining to one’s mental and emotional state, pituitary gland is also called the master gland. Location and function of this master gland corresponds to the āgyā chakra described in the Indian scriptures on yoga.
Scientists have found two valve-like structures (called functional valves) near the pituitary location; one facing the right and the other towards the left side of the brain. The optical functional area and the sensory areas are located near it in-between the superior and inferior cerebral pedicles (plexuses). Advanced neurosciences research has helped analyze about 17-20% of the structural expansion of the brain. More amazing functions and mysteries are hidden inside the remaining ~80%. Though scientific investigations have not been able to decipher the subtle structure of this ‘masterpiece’ (pituitary gland) of the brain, experts are optimistic that its detailed knowledge would be able to unravel the mysteries of the internal world of the human brain and rest of the body.
All kinds of sublime energy nuclei (the six charkas in the parlance of yoga-science) present in the brain receive stimulation from the sahasrāra (crown chakra). An extrasensory ‘wonder land’ of consciousness-force seems to be present here, which is beyond the grasp of physical instruments. One can experience it and unravel its mysteries only by awakening the otherwise dormant powers of the inner-self. Essential sādhanā-steps to achieve this require controlling of mental agility, restraining extrovert tendencies of the mind, practicing mental concentration and meditation and imbibing the principles of spirituality in all facets of life.
According to ancient Indian mystical texts, the subtle flow of supreme consciousness in this chakra connects human consciousness with the cosmic currents of divine consciousness-force. Awakening of this extrasensory ‘nucleus of vital spiritual energy’ in the human brain is said to activate a latent source of divine potentials and complete knowledge of the past, present and future of one’s life.
The Indian rishis had realized the existence of the sahasra kamal (lotus-like domain of the crown chakra) along with the six chakras and the brahma-randhra in the human brain. The sahsrāra is described as superior to all the other extrasensory centers (chakras) of the subtle energy of prāna2. It is described to exist in the reticular activating system in the brain. The prāñic activity center (bio-electric transducer) of this chakra is described to be subtly located in the hollow portion about two inches away from the temples and about two to three inch deep behind the bhrūmadhya3. Upon successful completion of the associated sādhanās, it is realized as a unique glow of light. According to the spiritual masters of yoga, the shape of this effulgent spot appears like that of an inverted umbrella or a bowl and it consists of seventeen principal types of elements (particles) of light. The glow of this spark of divine light is experienced by the yogis as similar to the silver bright effulgence of high-voltage mercury light.
The Chandogya Upnishad describes the state of realization of the sahasrāra as — ‘tasya sarveṣu lokeṣu kāmachāro bhavati’ (7.25.2) Meaning: the yogi who has seen (realized) the sahasrāra can attain the knowledge of all the sciences. Sahasrāra (the crown chakra) is the center of the regulatory power of the brain from where the latter controls the activities of the body. It, being the ‘core repository’ of intrinsic tendencies, is also the source that inspires and governs human intellect, which is the root of the enormous creations and great accomplishments in this world.
If we sharpen the knowledge-acquiring unit of our brain up to the brightest level then we can recall, at will, whatever we had ever heard, seen, read, thought or experienced. Moreover, we can also see or know everything that is read, heard, thought, seen or experienced by others around us so clearly as if a reel of a film is being projected in front of our eyes. The memory registers of the brain store the visual perceptions like those on a reel at a speed of about one scene per second. More surprisingly, this majestic box inside the skull also contains ‘preprints’ of the scenes, which a person is going to see in future. This astonishing capability of the human brain, if used completely, can enable one to become omniscient. Each one of us can attempt to realize and activate the hidden powers of the brain and benefit accordingly.
It is said that the soul resides in hidden layers of consciousness in the brain. Knowledge of the journey of the soul, knowledge of the cosmos, and that of the Omniscient Supreme Divine Force are also subliminally inscribed in the inner core of the brain (unconscious mind). Some neuroscientists believe that if there were sensitive instruments to measure and project the millisecond to millisecond activities of the majestic neuronal network in one’s brain, then it would be possible to unravel the complete history of his present and previous lives. It would then be possible to see in what kinds of yonis (life-forms) an individual soul had appeared and what were its sinful (pāpa) actions and what were its morally high, noble, altruist deeds (puñya) in the past or the present life. Awakening of the crown chakra links the individual consciousness with the limitless ‘ocean’ of collective consciousness and endows one with not only this potential, but also activates the supernatural cognitive faculty of ‘seeing’ the journey of others’ souls as well. The sahasrāra is like a ‘crystal’ through which one can get a glimpse of the journey of the soul and retrieve detailed knowledge about the past and the present life. This is the reason why the scriptures of Hindu religion call the sahasrāra as sūtrātmā –– eternal linkage of the soul with Brahma (the Omnipresent, Supreme Consciousness Force).
In the state of dream all the activities of our body are internalized under the control of the ever-active unconscious mind. Many a times the events seen in a dream or experienced subconsciously come true. This signifies the linkage of brain (mind) with the eternal consciousness of the soul, which is constantly inspired by the Omnipresent Supreme Consciousness-Force (Brahma) and which is beyond the reach of any sensory perception. The supernatural experiences associated with different faculties of mind indicate the existence of a supreme source (of its power) which is absolute and which can never be bound within the limits of time and space. Einstein had accepted the existence of the absolute power of consciousness. He had even attempted proving its eternity through his theory of relativity.
Scientific experiments on rats and monkeys have helped in understanding the neurophysiology of their motor control. In human beings, the complexities are so intricate even at the level of simple physiological activities that much of these autoregulatory mechanisms and functions of the brain still remain the topics of research. Its automatic control of the sensory perception is more complicated. The brain experiences (as pain) the injuries of a leg or any other organ. The eyes weep but the sorrow is felt by the brain (mind). The body moves but it is the brain that worries about the hindrances along the path. The hands use tools but it is the brain that enables them to do so. Whatever one thinks, does, believes and feels is because of the brain. In essence, the brain characterizes the existence of a human being.
Indian Philosophy and science of yoga are focused on the in-depth knowledge and realization of the four facets of the inner self — mana, buddhi, citta and ahamkār - hidden in the sublime functional cores of the human brain. The rishis, the visionaries of this eternal knowledge, had discovered the principles and methods of acquiring absolute knowledge and attainment of ultimate bliss by the realization of the subtle streams of prāna. They explain in the Dhyanbindu Upnishad (Hymn nos. 103-106) that —
kapāla kuhare madhye chaturdwārasya madhyame,
tadātmā rājate tatra yathāvyomni divākarh.
kodandadwaya madhyatu brahmrandhreshu shakti cha,
swātmānam purusham pashyenmanastatra layam gatam.
ratnāni jyotisnanādam tu bindumāheshvaram padam,
ya evam veda purshah sakaivalyam samashnute.
Meaning: In the inner core of the forehead lies the center of the four doors of the sensors of eyes, ears, nose and mouth. There one hears the eternal music –– resembling the sound of a divine peacock–– entering in the brahmarandhra from the cosmos. Like the sun in the sky, the soul is gloriously placed at the top of the inner brain. Below the brahma-randhra, deep in the bhr¿madhya, there exists the reflection of its power. One should realize the existence of the Self in this inner core of the brain. The eternal glow and sound of the Omniscient, Omnipotent, Supreme, Soul (God) exists there in a sublime form. One who knows this can attain the divine state of ultimate peace, bliss and knowledge.
Modern science has not yet been able to unfold and analyze the existence and activities of the unconscious mind. As research in this direction advances in collaboration with that in the fields of subtle sciences (of yoga and spirituality), the role of sahasrāra would become clear and recognized as the source of linkage of the individual self with the Supreme Self.
Through dedicated experiments on the subtle science of yoga and spirituality, our rishis (ancient Indian sages and spiritual yogis) had unraveled the existence and principal role of the sahasrāra in association with the six chakras and the brahmrāndhra as the intrinsic invisible regulator of the (human) brain. Different sādhanās of spiritual experiments and yoga were devised by them so that every human being could realize and benefit by the immense power of his/her brain through sincere practice of these sādhanās. It is unfortunate to note that the people of the later ages could not pursue the dedication, disciplined and ascetic life essential for the sādhanās, and instead preferred materialistic gains and luxuries. Even the simple practices of japa (repetition) of mantras and dhyān (meditation) could not find place in the daily lives of most people. This had led to a severe discontinuity that gave rise to the near total disappearance, in the present era, of the most advanced branch of complete knowledge (of the conscious and the transcendental mind) accessed by our sagacious ancestors.
We must note that we can enjoy a truly accomplished and blissful life only by maintaining health, happiness and peace of mind. Measures based on psychological, physiological and other scientific aspects could be useful in positively conditioning the mind provided they are focused at the sublime powers and faculties of consciousness. The mind, being a sublime faculty of the brain, is a source of expression of the inner self; it is the source of one’s existence and identity of the individual self. Whatever be the potential or talent of a person, its seed resides in his brain. The development of personality of an individual depends upon the level of his conscious mind and the quality of its subtler (subconscious and unconscious) entities. We cannot know ourselves, not even our body, without knowing our brain up to the deepest depth.
Notes (Glossary):
1. Brahmarāndhra: Sublime inlets in the upper layer of the cerebrum for the reception of cosmic (consciousness) energy through dedicated spiritual experiments of Yoga Sādhanās.
2. Prāña: Vital spiritual energy.
3. Bhrumadhya: Mid point between the eyebrows deep inside the brain.
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People of little understanding
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Once it is removed, it may stick again,
But NOT as strong as it holds when you first applied it..!
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