Harish Johari (1934–1999)

'Johari skillfully takes us into the machinery of Hindu metaphysics, a nerve system vehicle that navigates the invisible frontiers of consciousness. So coompressed with detail is Chakras that it feels like a rare manuscript etched in bark and passed along from yogi to yogi...a beautifully crafted book.'-Hinduism Today

'For Harish Johari-artist, composer, teacher, tantric devotee-desire is the brush and the five senses are the palette.'-Yoga Journal

'Johari's text is among the best of Western explications, combining traditional, visionary, and practial views. Chakras is illustrated, detailed, accessible to the neophyte, and notable for its valuable discussion of tantric vocabulary.'-East West Journal

In the ancient science of Tantra, the human body is viewed as the most perfect instrument for the expression of consciousness, a perfection realized through the development of psychic centers, known as chakras. Located within the cerobrospinal system, the chakras are the stage upon which the interaction between higher consciousness and desire is played out. Consequently, it is through understanding and utilizing the energies of the chakras that we ultimately reach an enlightened state of being.

In Chakras, Indian scholar and Tantra practitioner Harish Johari introduces the classical principles of the chakras as well as their practical application for today. In this revised and expanded edition, complete with new color paintings and black-and-wiite illustrations, Johari unfolds the mysteries of these subtle centers of transformation with visualization techniques essential to a fully realized tantric practice. He explains each chakra's connection to colors, sounds, sense and work organs, desires, the elements, planets, and dieties, as well as the behavioral characteristic and effects of meditation for the chakras.

Mediating on the beautiful, full-color paintings of each chakra vitalizes the cerebrospinal centers and harmonizes the entire system both physically and psychically. Coloring the black-and-white illustrations included in the book, following the prescribed order, helps the mind retain the images of the chakras and leads to deeper states of meditation. Scholars and spiritual aspirants of every level will find Chakras an invaluable and practical source of information, tools, and techniques to activate these centers of transformative energy and elevate one's intellectual knowledge to an experience of spiritual growth.

Harish Johari (1934-1999) was a painter, sculptor, and composer of Indian music. He authored twelve books on Eastern spirituality, including Ayurvedic Massage; Ayurvedic Healing Cuisine; Breath, Mind, and Consciousness; The Birth of the Ganga; Dhanwantari; and Tools for Tantra. He also produced several audiocassettes of mantra meditations, including Sounds of Tantra, Chants to the Sun and Moon, and Sounds of the Chakras.

Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 Principles of tantra yoga
2 Kundalini and yoga
3 The essentials of the chakras
Muladhara chakra (First chakra)
Svadhishthana chakra (Second chakra)
Manipura chakra (Third chakra)
Anahata chakra (Foruth chakra)
Vishuddha chakra (Fifth chakra)
Ajna chakra (Sixth chakra)
Sorna chakra
Sahasrara chakra (Seventh chakra)
4 Chakras, rebrith, and spirituality
Appendix: Extracts from Hindu scriptures on the various stages of yoga
Glossary
Index… (mais)

This tells the story of the HIndu deity Ganesh. Ganesh began as a chubby little boy who was created by his mother from sandalwood paste. The little boy was created to guard his mother and he did a wonderful job of keeping intruders away. Soon, people decided to fight back and eventually Shiva and Vishnu cut off the little boys head. The mother is outraged and demands her son back. Vishnu searches for an appropriate head and decides on an elephant. The boy becomes wiser and eventually rules the Sivaganans. Ganesh helps to remove obstacles.… (mais)