Sushumna

One of the vertical channels (nadi) in
the traditional conceptions of the subtle
body. The subtle body is an alternate
physiological system believed to exist on
a different plane than gross matter but
with certain correspondences to the
material body. It is visualized as a set of
six psychic centers (chakras) running
roughly along the course of the spine,
connected by three parallel vertical
channels. Above and below these centers are the bodily abodes of the two
divine principles, Shiva (awareness) and
Shakti (power)—the latter as the latent
spiritual energy known as kundalini—
conceived in the form of a coiled serpent. In the types of yoga that focus on
the subtle body, the ultimate aim is to
awaken the kundalini, and move it up
through the chakras to the abode of
Shiva. The union of Shiva and Shakti in
the aspirant’s body mirrors the action
of these divine forces in the macrocosm, and with this union the aspirant
gains bliss and final liberation of the
soul (moksha).
The sushumna is the middle of the
three vertical channels in the subtle
body—the side channels are the ida
nadi and the pingala nadi—and it is by
far the most important of the three. The
sushumna provides the pathway for the
rising kundalini as it awakens and
straightens during the aspirant’s spiritual exercises, piercing through the
chakras on its way. In most people the
675
Sushumna
sushumna is closed where it intersects
the chakras, which blocks the flow of
energy from moving smoothly through
it. When the chakras have been pierced
and opened by the rising kundalini, the
passageway has been opened for the
kundalini to rise to the abode of Shiva,
and effect the union of Shakti and Shiva
that will bring ultimate realization. For
further information see Arthur Avalon
(Sir John Woodroffe), Shakti and Shakta,
1978; Philip S. Rawson, The Art of
Tantra, 1973; Swami Agehananda
Bharati, The Tantric Tradition, 1975; and
Douglas Renfrew Brooks, The Secret of
the Three Cities, 1990.