Organs Dictionary

mauna: silence, the practice of maintaining silence to prevent the dissipation of energy to exercise discipline over the sense organs.

(See also: mauna , Hinduism, Yoga, Body Mind and Soul)

Ayurveda (Ayurveda Medicine, Ayurvedic healing, Ayurvedic healthcare, Ayurvedic medicine, ayurvedism, Indian medicine, Science of Longevity, traditional Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine, Vedic medicine): The medical phase of Hinduism.

Ayurvedic theory posits a subtle anatomy that includes:

(a)    nadis, canals that carry prana (cosmic energy) throughout the body;

(b)    chakras, centers of consciousness that connect body and soul; and

(c)     marmas, points on the body beneath which vital structures (physical and/or subtle) intersect.

Ayurvedic diagnosis involves examination of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, nails, and pulse.

Ayurvedists associate parts of the lips and tongue, for example, with internal organs and maintain that discolorations, lines, cracks, and irritability in various areas indicate disorders in corresponding organs. The pulse is important because the heart is the seat of the underlying intelligence of nature: human consciousness.

(See also: Ayurveda , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Nidana (Sanskrit). The 12 causes of existence, or a chain of causation, "a concatenation of cause and effect in the whole range of existence through 12 links". This is the fundamental dogma of Buddhist thought, "the understanding of which solves the riddle of life, revealing the insanity of existence and preparing the mind for Nirvana". (Eitel’s Sans. Chin. Dict.)

The 12 links stand thus in their enumeration.

(1)  Jail, or birth, according to one of the four modes of entering the stream of life and reincarnation - or Chatur Yoni (q.v.), each mode placing the being born in one of the six Gati (q.v.).

(2)  Jararnarana, or decrepitude and death, following the maturity of the Skandhas (q.v.).

(3)  Bhava, the Karmic agent which leads every new sentient being to be born in this or another mode of existence in the Trailokya and Gati.

(4)  Upadana, the creative cause of Bhava which thus becomes the cause of Jati which is the effect; and this creative cause is the clinging to life.

(5)  Trishna, love, whether pure or impure.

(6)  Vedana, or sensation; perception by the senses, it is the 5th Skandha.

(7)  Sparsa, the sense of touch.

(8)  Chadayatana, the organs of sensation.

(9)  Namarupa, personality, i.e., a form with a name to it, the symbol of the unreality of material phenomenal appearances.

(10)              Vijnana, the perfect knowledge of every perceptible thing and of all objects in their concatenation and unity.

(11)              Samskara, action on the plane of illusion.

(12)              (12) Avidya, lack of true perception, or ignorance. The Nidanas belonging to the most subtle and abstruse doctrines of the Eastern metaphysical system, it is impossible to go into the subject at any greater length.

(See also: Nidana , Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary,)

AURA THERAPY

Every substance in the universe, both living and dead tissue, emits energy and has therefore a radiation pattern. This radiation, termed 'aura', thus forms distinctly different force fields in the case of each item, in the same manner as a fingerprint. The individual auras are in contact with a universal field of spiritual energy from which they draw their power.

Artists and mystics have from ancient times seen and portrayed this effect all over the world. Aura therapists say that although we are usually not aware of it consciously, auras, rather the effect of interacting auras, determine our first responses to people and situations. Developed and understood properly, it is a quicker and more sensitive gauge than more rational faculties. The unease or elation that one feels immediately on meeting another person is thus caused by the auras being in harmony or without it.

The auras of plants, animals and minerals are said to communicate and interact with one another as part of a single living system. Each person's aura is thought to be made up of the radiation from all the cells and chemicals within the body and their interaction. The visible aura, which is much in evidence in all religious texts, is said to be an oval extending from a few centimeters to a meter around the body, sometimes more at the head. The light being composed of seven coloured rays, each associated with particular organs of the body and conveying a distinct message. The variations in shape, colour & strength a reflection of each individual's uniqueness.

Therapists believe that personality and emotions too can be interpreted from auras. One with soft, fringed edges for instance is likely to indicate a person too susceptible to the influence of others. Firm but fluid boundaries would indicate openness but not vulnerability. And a hard, distinct outline belonging to one who is defensive and insecure. Similarly, lots of red within the aura would indicate anger while a predominance of blue would stand for idealism.

Treatment comes in the form of adding extra colours to improve a dull or depleted aura or using complimentary colours to offset to help balance one that is too strong. The therapists only acting as conduits for transferring the universal spiritual energy into the auras of patients, by touching the latter's auras or by using visualisation to transmit energy. However, active patient in the entire process is extremely crucial which involves their becoming more self-aware of their spiritual nature.

(See also: AURA THERAPY , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Nidana (Sanskrit) [from ni down, into + the verbal root da to bind]

That which binds, to earth or to existence, philosophically speaking. Originally meaning bond, rope, halter -- that which binds. From this arose the implication of binding cause, or bonds of causation, and hence in Buddhist philosophy it signifies cause of existence, the concatenation of cause and effect.

The twelve nidanas given as the chief causes are:

1)    jati (birth) according to one of the chatur-yoni, the four modes of entering incarnation, each mode placing the being in one of the six gatis;

2)    jara-marana (decrepitude) and death, following the maturity of the skandhas;

3)    bhava, which leads every sentient being to be born in this or another mode of existence in the trailokya and gatis;

4)    upadana, the creative cause of bhava which thus becomes the cause of jati, and this creative cause is the clinging to life;

5)    trishna (thirst for life, love, attachment);

6)    vedana (sensation) perception by the senses, the fifth skandha;

7)    sparsa (the sense of touch) contact of any kind, whether mental or physical;

8)    shadayatana (the organs of sensation) the inner or mental astral seats of the organs of sense;

9)    nama-rupa (name-form, personality, a form with a name to it) the symbol of the unreality of material phenomenal appearances;

10)  vijnana, the perfect knowledge of every perceptible thing and of all objects in their concatenation and unity;

11)  samskara, action on the plane of illusion; and

12) avidya (nescience, ignorance) lack of true perception.

Nidana is also a title of Brahma, considered as the first cause, being the kosmic living aggregate of vital bonds forming the universe into an organic whole; reproduced through its own internal energies from the preceding manvantara.

(See also: Nidana , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

REFLEXOLOGY

Reflexology works on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands that correspond to all the body organs and systems. It is a term that refers to the stimulation of the microsystems of the hands, feet or ears to have an effect on all the glands, organs and other parts of the body.

A microsystem is one part of the body that contains a reflection of the whole body. It is believed that there are at least fifteen microsystems in the human body. By applying pressure to the reflexes, one can bring the body back into a homeostasis or balance. Generally no implements are used in reflexology, only the therapist's hands. When an ill child or elderly parent is feeling nauseous, has a fever or other discomforts, a purposeful foot rub or hand rub can work wonders.

(See also: REFLEXOLOGY , Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Senses. The ten organs of man. In the exoteric Pantheon and the allegories of the. East, these are the emanations of ten minor gods, the terrestrial Prajapati or " progenitors ". They are called in contradistinction to the five physical and the seven superphysical, the "elementary senses". In Occultism they are closely allied with various forces of nature, and with our inner organisms, called cells in physiology.

(See also: Senses , Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary,)

karmen-driyas:

karmen-driyas (-dhriyas). Organs of action: larynx, hands, feet, anus, sex organs.

(See also: karmen-driyas , Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

ayurveda: (Sanskrit) "Science of life." A holistic system of medicine and health native to ancient India. This sacred Vedic science is an Upaveda of the Atharva Veda. Three early giants in this field who left voluminous texts are Charaka, Sushruta and Vagbhata.

Ayurveda covers many areas, including:

1)    chikitsa, general medicine,

2)    shalya, surgery,

3)    dehavritti, physiology,

4)    nidana, diagnosis,

5)    dravyavidya, medicine and pharmacology,

6)    agada tantra, antidote method,

7)    stritantra, gynecology,

8)    pashu vidya, veterinary science,

9)    kaumara bhritya, pediatrics, 1

10) urdhvanga, diseases of the organs of the head,

11) bhuta vidya, demonology, 1

12) rasayana, tonics, rejuvenating,

13) vajikarana, sexual rejuvenation.

Among the first known surgeons was Sushruta (ca 600 bce), whose Sushruta Samhita is studied to this day. (Hippocrates, Greek father of medicine, lived two centuries later.) The aims of ayurveda are ayus, "long life," and arogya, "diseaselessness," which facilitate progress toward ultimate spiritual goals. Health is achieved by balancing energies (especially the doshas, bodily humors) at all levels of being, subtle and gross, through innumerable methods, selected according to the individual's constitution, lifestyle and nature. Similar holistic medical systems are prevalent among many communities, including the Chinese, American Indians, Africans and South Americans. See: doshas.

(See also: Ayurveda , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Linga-sarira (Sanskrit) (from linga characteristic mark, model, pattern + sarira form from the verbal root sri to moulder, waste away)

A pattern or model that is impermanent; the model-body or astral body, only slightly more ethereal than the physical body; the second principle in the ascending scale of the sevenfold human constitution. It is the astral model around which the physical body is built, and from which the physical body flows or develops as growth proceeds.

"These astral realms are not one single plane, but a series of planes growing gradually more ethereal or spiritual as they approach the inward spheres of Nature's constitution or structure. The Linga-sarira is formed before the body is formed, and thus serves as a model or pattern around which the physical body is molded and grows to maturity; it is as mortal as is the physical body, and disappears with the physical body" (OG 88), dissolving atom by atom with the atoms of the physical corpse.

The linga-sarira has great tensile strength. It changes continuously during a lifetime, although these changes never depart from the fundamental human type or pattern, just as the physical body alters every moment. It also possesses the ability to exteriorize itself to a certain distance from its physical encasement, but in no case more than a few feet. It is composed of electromagnetic matter, which is somewhat more refined than the matter of our physical body. The whole world was composed of such matter in far past ages before it became the dense physical sphere it now is. After long ages the astral form had evolved and perfected, so that it has the form that the human races had during the early period of the third root-race -- a more or less materialized concretion of the still more ethereal astrals of the first and second root-races. After another long period, during which the cycle of further descent into matter progressed, the gradually thickening astral form oozed forth from itself a coat of skin, corresponding to the Hebrew allegory of the Garden of Eden. Thus the present physical flesh-form of mankind appears.

The astral form sustains and permeates the body, containing the real or causal organs corresponding to the physical outer sense organs. It has its own complete system of nerves and arteries for conveying the various astral auric fluids, which are to that body as our blood, nervous energy, and pranic currents are to the physical. Hence, the linga-sarira is the real personal body.

Amongst others of its functions, it automatically registers and retains all the effects, including the physical memories, of earth-life, and thus automatically and of necessity repeats after death, in accordance with its limited powers, what the person knew, said, thought, and saw during life. If properly understood, the workings of the linga-sarira during life would give the key to many of what are now called the mysteries and problems of psychological and physiological science.

(See also: Linga-sarira , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Iron Shirt Chi Kung (Iron Shirt, Iron Shirt I, Iron Shirt Chi Kung I): A foundational component of the Healing Tao. Iron Shirt is a system of breathwork, movements, and postures, that, develops the ability to draw Earth energy and packs chi into the fasciae of vital organs.

(See also: Iron Shirt Chi Kung , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

According to ayurvedic philosophy an individual bundle of `spirit’, desirious of expressing itself, uses subjective consciousness or Satwa to manifest sense organs and a mind. Spirit and mind then project themselves into a physical body, created from the five (Pancha) great (maha) eternal elements (bhutas) – together called the Panchamahabhutas – which arise from Tamas. The sense organs then using Rajas to project from the body into the external world to experience their objects. The body becoming the mind’s vehicle, its physical instrument for sense gratification.

The Bhutas combine into "tridoshas" or bioenergetic forces that govern and determine our health or physical condition. While the three gunas (Rajas or activity, Tamas or inertia and Satwa, which balances the first two) or psychic forces determine our mental and spiritual health. Ayurveda is thus a holistic system of health care that teaches us to balance these energies in order to achieve optimum health and well being.

(See also: Principles of Ayurveda , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

A dictionary Of Commonly Used Sanskrit terms. From Lac to Omkarasana.

Please note that all words in grey, like "yoga", "enlightenment" or "kundalini" are hyperlinked to archives further explaining the term. At the corresponding archive you will also find articles related to the term.

Scorpio The scorpion; eighth sign of the zodiac, in astrology a watery, fixed sign, the night house of Mars. Its physiological correspondence in the human being is the organs of reproduction. Metaphysically, Scorpio stands for one of the four Maharajas of the four quarters and corresponds to the eagle of the four sacred animals. This sign originally formed part of Virgo-Scorpio, and was later made into a separate sign.

A curious medieval European representation of the zodiac, called Ezekiel's Wheel (cf IU 2:461-2), places Scorpio as equivalent to Adam-Eve. "The Adam of the first chapter is the spiritual, therefore pure androgyne, Adam Kadmon. When woman issues from the left rib of the second Adam (of dust), the pure Virgo is separated, and falling 'into generation,' or the downward cycle, becomes Scorpio, emblem of sin and matters" (IU 2:463).

It was alleged by ancient Hindu philosophers that the sun when located in this division of the zodiac is called Vishnu and relates to the 12th skandha of Bhagavata (12 Signs of the Zodiac). In other respects, Scorpio is intimately and even causatively connected with the human organs of reproduction and their functioning, because it is a spiritually and otherwise productive and generative sign -- functions which are primordially spiritual and which therefore have their reflection in all the lower hierarchical ranges emanating from the original spiritual productive power. Although Vishnu in other senses is looked upon as the sustainer or continuer, this is achieved by a constant efflux of productive or generative energy from the original cosmic power.

If the twelve sons of Jacob in the Hebrew scheme are made equivalent to the twelve signs of the zodiac, Dan is assigned to Scorpio; Dan is described as a serpent by the way, who bites the horse's heels and causes the rider to fall backward -- and one must here remember the role always ascribed in archaic occultism to the serpent: the Agathodaemon or the Kakodaemon, the serpent of wisdom and the serpent of evil.

In the Brahmanical zodiac Vrischika corresponds to Scorpio and its deity is Kamadeva, the Hindu god of love. "The sign in question properly signifies the Universe in thought or the universe in the divine conception.

"It is properly placed as the sign opposite to Rishabham [Taurus] or Pranava. Analysis from Pranava downwards leads to the Universe of Thought, and synthesis from the latter upwards leads to Pranava (Aum)" (12 Signs of the Zodiac).

(See also: Scorpio , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Colon Therapy: A high colonic enema that cleanses using water. Benefits include detoxification, cleansing of the blood, and the stimulation of internal organs. 

(See also: Colon Therapy , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

When the man is about to die, the various organs withdraw themselves into their original sources and help no more the function of the organs. In death there is a complete withdrawal of the organs into the heart or the heart-lotus or Akasa of the heart. But in the state of dream the organs are not absolutely withdrawn. Here lies the difference between sleep and death.

The death and dying and the life after death has always fascinated man. This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Soul’s Journey After Death: Process Of Detachment

Reflexology

A therapy that heals the body through massaging certain parts of the foot or hand that allegedly correspond to the major organs of the body. Pressure applied to specific nerve endings stimulates glands and organs elsewhere in the body which helps to release toxins, improve circulation and relieve tension. Zone Therapy.

(See also: Reflexology , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Apana: one of the pancha vayu; pranic air current operating in the lower abdominal region causing elimination through the excretory and reproductive organs.

(See also: Apana , Hinduism, Yoga, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Antahkarana - Fourfold internal organs, viz., Manas, Chitta, Buddhi and Ahankara.

(See also: Antahkarana ,Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Ananda Yoga: Ananda Yoga focuses on gentle postures designed to move the body's energy to different organs and muscles, but primarily to the brain to prepare for meditation.

(See also: Ananda Yoga ,Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Chinese physiognomy: Diagnostic method of Chinese medicine whose principle is that areas of the face correspond to internal organs.

(See also: Chinese physiognomy , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Bindegewebsmassage (bindegewebsmassage system, connective tissue massage): Form of bodywork developed in Germany in the 1930s by Elisabeth Dicke. Its theory resembles that of traditional acupuncture, positing a powerful association between particular areas of connective tissue (e.g., cartilage) and specific paths of the nervous system and internal organs.

(See also: Bindegewebsmassage , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)