The Physiology of Bliss

"This [human] body is equipped to move forward in the spiritual field, possessing inherent systems and capabilities [centres] if one knows exactly where and how to access them, making it an instrument capable of much more than ordinary functions”. – Sri M

Sri M’s words imply that the human nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord, is wired for spiritual experience. Let’s understand the basis of this profound statement.

The Human Spinal Cord and Yogic Anatomy

The human spinal cord is a long, tubular structure extending from the lower part of our brain (Medulla oblongata) to the end of our backbone. At certain junctions along the spinal cord, a dense web or network of nerves intersect to form ‘plexuses’. 

Yogic anatomy has described six main energy centres or vortices (hereafter called ‘chakras’) that lie in the central energy channel called the Sushumna, which is described as a hollow tube, spatially coinciding with our spinal cord. To note, the Sushumna and chakras are non-physical, psychic, energetic structures.

Interestingly, when we look at the physical plexuses along the spinal cord, we find that they are juxtaposed or spatially coincide with five of the six main psychic chakras in yogic anatomy – the lowermost sacral plexus with ‘Mooladhara’, hypogastric plexuses with ‘Swadhisthana’, solar plexus with ‘Manipura’, cardiac plexus with ‘Anahata’, and cervical plexus with ‘Vishuddhi’. The sixth centre called the ‘Ajna’ spatially coincides with the brain’s pineal gland. 

The Wandering Nerve

Another aspect of our body’s ingenious design is the vagus nerve, the longest nerve of the nervous system, extending from the brain, through the neck, to the chest and abdomen, involuntarily regulating all vital bodily functions from the heart to breathing, digestion, sexual function and excretion. The vagus nerve innervates the eyes, ears, throat, lungs, heart and intestines, liver, spleen, kidneys and sexual organs. This longest nerve gets its name due to its meandering or wandering nature, and is heralded as the link between science and spirituality. 

The vagus nerve also is intimately linked to our vital energy or life force called ‘prana’, which fuels the engine of life and all bodily processes as the breathing (prana), circulatory (vyana), digestive (samana), and excretory systems (apana).

Yogic techniques such as ‘pranayama’ aim to stimulate both the prana (through breath regulation) and the vagus nerve. This is how yogis manage to bring various unconscious or involuntary functions like breathing, pulse rate and heartbeat under their conscious control.

Medical science now recognizes that vagus nerve stimulation generates an internal state of relaxation and happiness by releasing relevant hormones, including those that make us feel calm, relaxed and happy. Interestingly, left cervical vagus nerve stimulation is now an approved medical therapy for conditions like refractory epilepsy and treatment resistant depression. Preliminary research indicates that right cervical vagus nerve stimulation may be effective for treating heart failure, . 

Spiritual Bliss

From a yogic point of view, stimulation or activation of each spinal plexus can produce a blissful, spiritual experience.

Yogic processes are designed to take one beyond the body’s physical experiences. Through directed, one-pointed attention, such as in Kriya yoga, the main prana moves through each chakra up the Sushumna. During this time, on a physical level, the corresponding plexuses in the spinal cord are also activated along with the vagus nerve, which relays information back to certain previously inactive or unused parts of our brain, releasing chemicals that result in immense spiritual bliss. This is akin to flicking a switch on the wall that makes the light bulb on the ceiling glow.

The gradual opening of chakras along the Sushumna activates new areas of the brain, which takes the practitioner’s awareness to subtler and higher planes of consciousness. The evolved human being then begins to understand and experience phenomena which are beyond our current three-dimensional realm, thus making the human being truly multi-dimensional.

“Could it be that there are still unexplored parts of the brain including the spinal cord, which may lead us to an evolution which is beyond this [three-dimensional reality]?” – Sri M

Kriya Yoga

The technique of Kriya yoga teaches a practitioner to gather prana normally scattered within the body in the course of daily life, and turn it into concentrated prana that travels along the Sushumna, towards the top of the head. Dedicated practitioners of kriya yoga and other yogic techniques experience many physiological benefits and routinely report experiencing bliss in varying intensity – at first, in any one plexus and as one advances or matures on this path, in more than one plexus.

IYRF’s research interest 

The IYRF is also exploring the biology of spiritual bliss among other physiological phenomena. Ongoing experiments include studying the distinct brainwave and EEG patterns in long-term kriya yoga practitioners. Synchronized heart rhythms (ECG) and muscle activity (EMG) are also being investigated to determine physiological changes in practitioners of meditation.

Whether you are a researcher, a volunteer, or just curious to explore this field, we invite you to learn more and connect with IYRF: https://www.iyrf.in/home.html

#IYRF #BYVK #YogaResearch #Neuroscience #VagusNerve #ParasympatheticNervousSystem #Kriyayoga #Pranayama #Meditation #ScienceAndSpirituality #spiritualbliss 

About IYRF

Established in 2023 under the aegis of The Satsang Foundation in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, the International Yoga Research Foundation (IYRF) was envisioned by Sri M. The foundation is committed to the scientific exploration of yoga and meditation, bridging the gap between ancient traditions and modern science.

Its mission includes 

• advancing research in neuroscience, psychology, and physiology

• systematically documenting and analyzing yogic practices

• collaborating with global academic and research institutions

• developing therapeutic protocols for physical, mental, and emotional well-being

• contributing to public policy while promoting the global adoption of yoga

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Bibliography

1. Robert Howland. Vagus nerve stimulation. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2014 Jun;1(2):64–73. doi: 10.1007/s40473-014-0010-5
2. De Ferrari GM, Schwartz PJ. Vagus nerve stimulation: from pre-clinical to clinical application: challenges and future directions. Heart Fail Rev. 2011;16:195–203. doi: 10.1007/s10741-010-9216-0.
3. De Ferrari GM, Crijns HJGM, Borggrefe M, et al. Chronic vagus nerve stimulation: A new and promising therapeutic approach for chronic heart failure. Eur Heart J. 2011;32:847–855