Yesterday you talked to us about the effect of shaktipat and kundalini awakening in persons whose first three bodies are not prepared for it. Please explain further what kind of effect will take place if the second and third bodies are not prepared. Also, how should a meditator prepare his physical, etheric and astral bodies for the event?

The very first thing to be understood in this connection is that complete harmony in the first, second and third bodies is absolutely essential. If there is no harmonious connection between these three bodies, kundalini awakening can prove harmful. There are a few things which are very necessary in order to bring about this harmony, this relationship.

Firstly, as long as we are unaware and insensitive toward the physical body, this body cannot establish harmony with other bodies. By insensitivity I mean we are not fully aware of the body. When we walk we are hardly conscious of the fact that we are walking. When we stand we are hardly conscious of the fact that we are standing. When we eat we are hardly conscious of the fact that we are eating. Whatever activity we do with the body we do in unawareness, like a somnambulist. If we are unaware of this body we must be doubly unaware of the other bodies, because they are more subtle. If we are unaware of this gross body which is visible to the eye, the question of being aware of the invisible subtle bodies does not arise. It is impossible to be aware of them. Harmony cannot be without awareness. Harmony is possible only in a state of awareness. In a state of unawareness all harmony is broken.

So the first thing is to be aware of the body. With whatever small action the body performs remembering is absolutely necessary. There should be mindfulness with all that we do. As Buddha used to say, “When you walk along the road be aware that you are walking. When you lift the right leg your mind should be conscious of the fact that the right leg has been lifted. When you sleep in the night you should know when you change sides.”

There is an incident in the life of Buddha from when he was still only a seeker. He was passing through a village with a companion. They were both talking when a fly sat on Buddha’s neck. He was in the midst of discussion when he lifted his hand to drive the fly away. It flew away – but Buddha stopped suddenly. “I have committed a serious error,” Buddha told his companion. Then he lifted his hand again in the act of driving away the fly.

The fellow seeker exclaimed in surprise, “What is this you are doing? The fly is no longer there.”

Buddha replied, “Now I am driving the fly away as I should have. Now I am fully aware of what I am doing. Now as the hand lifts, I am fully aware that it is being lifted and that it is going in the direction of my neck to drive the fly away. That time I was talking to you; hence my action was mechanical. I committed a sin against my body.”