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Jung states that in the process of what he terms individuation,<br />
the psyche becomes 'whole' when balance among the four<br />
'functions', thinking, feeling, sensing and intuiting, is achieved. If<br />
we draw a parallel between Jung's ideas and the system of chakras<br />
we find that at each energy vortex a new element is encountered in<br />
ascending order, earth, water, fire, air, ether. The five vortices each<br />
manifest a new sense which is a limitation and possibility of the<br />
others. Thus, at the root centre, associated with the element earth,<br />
the attributed quality is cohesiveness and inertia, a level in which<br />
one may remain content without having any desire to change or<br />
expand into any other state. At the same time, just as the root of a<br />
tree implies the possibility of its growth, the earth centre also<br />
denotes an opportunity to expand awareness. Likewise the energy<br />
of the second chakra, associated with water, like its corresponding<br />
element, tends to flow downward in order to contract. The third<br />
chakra, which is associated with fire, like its flames implies an<br />
upward movement in order to consume. The fourth chakra is<br />
associated with air, and like its element is characterized by a<br />
tendency to revolve into different directions in order to relate itself<br />
with other possibilities. Finally, the fifth chakra, corresponding<br />
with the element of ether, is like a receptacle within which all<br />
elements operate.<br />
The process of becoming is not unilinear, moving in one<br />
direction either up or down, but it is dialectical, with pulls and<br />
pushes at every level. The Kundalini does not shoot up in a straight<br />
line, but at each stage of its unfolding it must undo the knots of<br />
different energies. With each successive untying a specific<br />
transformation occurs. The element-symbols associated with the<br />
vortices convey something about the positive and negative<br />
polarities functioning within the personality of an individual.<br />
When the Kundalini ascends through the psychic centres it<br />
assimilates the different energies released from the centres, and the<br />
sadhaka experiences manifold interplay of visionary experiences<br />
and sensations of sound, light, colour, etc. At the etheric level of<br />
Ajna Chakra, the centre between the eyebrows, the lower half of<br />
the dialectical functioning of the personality can be perceived and<br />
controlled. At this level, one sense predominates, the experience of<br />
awareness or the power to command, which can harmonize the<br />
energies.<br />
In Jung's patients the process of individuation transcends the<br />
barriers of polarities interacting within their personality with the<br />
help of a therapist; similarly, the tantric initiate, through a long<br />
process of apprenticeship under the strict guidance of a guru, learns<br />
XV Kali as visualized by a<br />
Sadhika, Sudha Ma, while in<br />
trance. Calcutta, contemporary,<br />
based on traditional form. Gouache<br />
on paper.<br />
XVI The psychic centres and<br />
their related symbols, detail from an<br />
illuminated manuscript page.<br />
Nepal, c. 1761. Gouache on paper.<br />
161