by Donna Quesada: As I explained in my first article in this series, which focuses on Kundalini Yoga’s 10 Bodies,
the Self is understood, not as one body, or even as a body and a mind, but rather, as 10 Bodies. Consider them as a 10-part network, in which each body is a different aspect of our consciousness, and they all coexist and work together. In other words, we are not just a physical body. We are a complex assemblage of energetic realms that enable us to live a more sensitive, intuitive and fulfilling life.
Kundalini Yoga presents itself in the form of kriyas, which are sequences of movements, breathing techniques, mantras and meditations, meant to effect a certain outcome. The word is etymologically related to the word karma, and simply means “action.” There are hundreds of them and each leads to a desired effect. For example, there is a kriya for anger, a kriya for vitality, another for tolerance, and so on. There are also many which focus entirely on each of the 10 Bodies for the purpose of strengthening them so that they will support us on our journey toward self-realization.
This article spotlights The Second Body… The Negative Mind, which, together with the Positive Mind and the Neutral Mind, make up the three mental bodies.
The Negative Mind is also referred to as “The Protective Mind” because it does just that… it protects us. Its job is to look out for danger. Let’s face it, the world can be a dangerous place at times, and the second body (The Negative Mind) is always on the lookout for trouble.
When this soldier sends out a warning, the other “bodies” respond appropriately… our fight or flight response is signaled into action, our nervous system stands at attention, our heart beats a little faster, blood courses through our muscles for possible battle, and our frontal cortex responds with a plan of action. It’s a needed survival mechanism.
Although we need this warrior, sometimes this “Negative Nancy” can be a bit much. He/she needs balance, which is where the other other minds come to work as a team while providing perspective. But to work effectively together, they each have to know their limits and be in good functioning order.
The problem comes when one body is out of control, and this particular body—The Negative Mind—has a tendency to do just that. This soldier is the jumpy type and tends to always imagine the worst.
When the Negative Mind is balanced and healthy, working well with others, it assesses the situation, responds appropriately, and either backs away or takes action when there really is danger. But it also knows its limits and works in conjunction with others for a good game plan.
On the other hand, when the Negative Mind is imbalanced, or not able to read the picture clearly, we become obsessed with our worries and can easily slide into despair, anxiety and depression.
An interesting bit about the Negative Mind that takes us into a deeper level of understanding…From the point of view of Yoga (all Yogas), we are here for the purpose of self-realization. It’s like the Yogic saying, “We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” We seek this oneness in the form of relationships… all of our relationships, from romantic ones to friendships. Our soul is looking for oneness and so it longs to merge. The ultimate merger is of course with the divine… but we are all divine, so when we merge, by way of laughing together, walking together, or through loving union with another, we are merging with God, in a very real sense.
But… we need appropriate boundaries in the material world. Not all relationships are safe. Not all people are safe. The Negative Mind has assumed the job of making sure these boundaries are respected. This is why it’s also known as the “Protective Mind.” It protects us from harm. The key is to find just the right balance between “over-protective” and “anything goes.”
Keeping our energetic field strong through exercises that focus on breath-work is the key to balancing the Negative Mind.
Here is a simple breathing exercise to strengthen the Negative Mind:
Sit in a chair or on a cushion. Lengthen your spine.
First, just sit in silence without doing anything special. The silence reveals what we call “the monkey mind” in Zen, which is the name for when incessant thoughts flood our mind constantly. This, in turn, exposes all the negative thoughts and fears that are always dominating our consciousness.
Next, focus on your breathing. Now, inhale deeply through the NOSE. Then, exhale in a long and powerful release, through the MOUTH. Repeat several times.
