Millions of salutations to Adi Tantra Yogi Shiva on the occasion of his sacred Shivratri festival, may he continue to bless us all.
One simple yet profound realization changed how I see prana. When we feel pain in the foot, why do we experience it in the foot itself and not in the brain, where it is actually processed?
Nerves only send signals to the brain. If the brain were the sole center of experience, pain should be felt in the brain, not at the point of injury. Yet, it doesn’t work that way. This means something beyond just nerve signals is connecting consciousness to the body—something that allows experience to be localized at the exact place of sensation. This invisible connection is prana.
Prana: More Than Just Energy—It Localizes Consciousness
If prana were just physical energy, it wouldn’t explain why different parts of the body hold different experiences. Love is felt in the chest, fear in the stomach, sexual pleasure in the lower body. Prana acts like a network flowing through non physical experiential channels or nadis that binds consciousness to different locations in the body, making sensations real and localized.
This made me rethink prana—not just as life force but as the very mechanism that determines where we experience life. Prana is not just movement of energy; it is the movement of experience itself.
Tantra Yoga: Shifting Experience from Body to Mind
This understanding connects directly to my Tantra Yoga practice. In Tantra, sexual energy is not suppressed—it is shifted. Normally, pleasure is felt in the lower body because prana is concentrated there. But through specific techniques, this energy can be moved upwards to the brain.
When prana moves, the location of conscious experience moves with it.
- The same energy that once felt like raw pleasure transforms into mental clarity, bliss, and stability.
- Instead of being outwardly stimulating, it becomes inwardly illuminating.
I’ve experienced this shift, but not yet to a state where it remains stable. The connection is clear, but true mastery—where prana stays effortlessly in higher awareness—is something I still seek.
Health Aspects: Can This Practice Cause Issues?
While moving energy upward can bring profound mental clarity and deep meditation, forcing the process unnaturally can create imbalances. Some possible issues include:
- Head Pressure or Mental Fatigue: If too much prana is held in the brain without grounding, it can create discomfort or detachment from daily life.
- Lack of Interest in Worldly Activities: A rapid shift of prana to the higher centers can reduce attachment to physical experiences, making normal activities feel empty.
- Physical Imbalance: Moving prana upward without proper grounding can sometimes lead to nervous system issues, digestive problems, or sexual dysfunction.
Balancing Energy for a Healthy Experience
I’ve realized that prana must be guided, not forced. When the shift happens naturally, it leads to clarity without imbalance. I consciously use grounding techniques when needed, ensuring that I stay connected to both higher awareness and practical life.
What This Means for Spiritual Growth
This insight opened a new perspective for me:
- Prana is not just sustaining the body—it is directing consciousness itself.
- Where prana flows, experience follows.
- If we can control prana, we can control not just energy, but where and how we experience reality.
I’ve seen glimpses of this transformation, but I am still refining the practice. My goal is to make this shift natural and effortless—not just something I touch occasionally, but a state I can rest in permanently. At the same time, I’m careful to balance this journey with health and well-being, so the experience remains both profound and sustainable.
Demystifying Kundalini 