081 Posting.txt
Dharmadeva
The physical energy that forms an important part of psychic energy is a
transmuted form of vital force that operates each and every phenomenon in
this universe. All living organisms ingest it in the form of food and drink
or imbibe it from air and sun to maintain a ceaseless source of supply for
their survival. In humans, as in other animals, this by-product of
primordial vital energy operates all physiological processes. The
electromagnetic currents in our nerve cells and nerve fibres, the chemical
reactions in our body machine, the mechanical contractions of our heart and
skeletal muscles are nothing but the derivatives of this physical energy.
The physical energy controls the body machine by regulating the electrical
impulse in our nerve cells and nerve fibres as well as by adjusting the
secretions of our hormones. Mind meets body in these nerve cells and
hormones. Our thoughts and emotions crystallize into the molecules of our
neural juices called neurotransmitters and into our hormones that control
the metabolic factory of our body machine. This factory is not only the
supply line for each and every cell of our body but also a regulator of body
heat. Body functions depend on body temperature. Therefore, it is important
to discuss the regulation of body heat in some detail particularly because a
number of our practices for achieving spiritual progress (embodied in the 16
Points) involve cooling of the body.
Humans are warm-blooded or mesotherms, that is, they can maintain a
relatively constant body temperature regardless of their surroundings,
through a sophisticated regulatory mechanism. Balancing heat production
against heat loss controls the body temperature. Most heat produced in the
body is generated in the deep organs such as liver, brain, heart and
muscles. This heat is then transferred from the deep organs and tissues to
the skin, where it is lost to the surroundings. The blood flow transports
the heat from the deep tissues to the body's surface. Therefore, the skin is
an effective 'heat radiator' and the flow of blood in the skin is a
mechanism of heat transfer from the core to the surface of the body. A nerve
centre in the hypothalamus of the brain senses the fluctuations in
temperature inside and outside of the body and adjusts the blood flow
accordingly. Therefore, the hypothalamus acts as a thermostat.
It is essential that the excess heat from the deeper organs is radiated
through the skin otherwise overheating of these organs will impair their
function. Higher temperature accelerates and lower temperature slows their
functions. When the heat production is more than that which can be radiated
from the skin surface, sweating ensues to increase the heat loss by
evaporation in addition to radiation. The rate of breathing also rises to
increase the heat loss by evaporation in the breath. Hyperthermia is a
condition where body temperature rises above normal as occurs in fever, heat
stroke and dehydration. If it goes too high it damages body tissues
especially brain and testes.
Conversely, when the core body temperature drops below normal as occurs in
cold exposure, hypothermia results that could be life threatening. When the
body is too cold the blood vessels constrict throughout the body. This
prevents blood flow to the limbs and diverts it to deep tissues where heat
production is accelerated by increasing the cellular metabolism in the
muscles, thyroid and adrenal glands. Shivering is an attempt of muscles to
increase heat production.
Body hair plays a very important role in the regulation of temperature. It
insulates the body from fluctuations in the external temperatures as well as
regulates the heat loss. When the body temperature falls below normal and
heat needs to be conserved the hairs become erect increasing their
insulation value. If the cold exposure is prolonged the hair coat thickens.
Hair tufts are thicker in certain joints such as armpits and pubic areas
that have an important effect on the heat regulating mechanism of the body.
Shaving these areas will interfere with this mechanism.
Thus, the body temperature must be maintained within a strict range for
survival. Brain and endocrine glands are especially sensitive to fluctuation
in body temperature. A precise range must be maintained for their proper
functioning. Body temperature is higher during the day and during exercise
because of the higher metabolic rate. It is lower in the nights and
mornings. Therefore, the times of early morning and early evening are better
for sa'dhana - spiritual meditation. Body temperature is also lower in the
limbs than in the deeper organs. Therefore, bath and half bath, with water
cooler than body temperature, will divert the cooler blood from the skin and
limbs to the deeper organs. Incidentally, one fifth of our total blood
volume can be pooled in our limbs by our daily routines. It can be utilised
to lower the core body temperature. The cooling effect on the brain and
glands will improve the quality of sa'dhana (meditation).
Food, drinks, air and sunlight are the major source of physical energy that
needs to be constantly replenished. The foods, drinks and air that we
consume goes on to form lymph in our body machine. Photosynthesized food is
the ideal. Lymph affords vitality to the body. It stocks the ingredients
that endocrine glands use to produce their hormones. The nerve cells convert
lymph into ectoplasm or the stuff of which mind is made. Therefore, the
quality of the provision for the physical energy will determine the quantity
and quality of the ectoplasm and hence the scope of one's mind. A sentient
and vegetarian diet produces copious lymph of a high quality that enables
the mind to grow in magnitude.
The physical energy provides vigour and drive to the psychic energy.
However, if it rules us due to an inadequate supply of psychic and spiritual
energy the vigour and drive is directed to the gratification of physical
urges and achievement of mundane pleasures. Just as the physical energy is
provided for by physical means, the psychic energy needs to be properly
harnessed by proper psychic expression. Accordingly, psychic or mental
growth needs to come from those activities that elevate the mind. That
elevation then also assists in spiritual awareness. And spiritual energy
also needs to be constantly replenished by spiritual practices. For any
system of spiritual practices it is mandatory to include the means for
prudent and judicious use of physical energy so that its vigour and drive
can be sublimated for proper psychic functioning and into providing the
impetus for spiritual growth. The same applies to psychic energy - it also
needs to sublimated towards spiritual ideals.
The tools to achieve this is the 16 Points - a set of fundamental and
essential tools to assist and move towards holistic development of the human
personality and being.