Path to the Soul provides an important evolutionary leap in the rapidly evolving understanding of our psychological and spiritual essence. Drawing from Hindu and Christian spiritual wisdom, biological medicine, psychiatric technique, and over twentyfive years of clinical experience, Dr. Bedi has created a highly effective and integrated treatment approach to problems associated with both medical and psychiatric illness. He explains the Hindu concepts of maya, karma, and dharma, and builds a bridge between psychological disease and our intrinsic hunger for spiritual union. Each symptom is seen as a crucial whisper from our soul, and if we understand its message, it can lead us to psychological balance. Dr. Bedi guides us through the process of Kundalini diagnosis, showing how the use of life events, medical or psychiatric symptoms, relationship strengths and problems, and life goals and aspirations can help us determine our dominant and auxiliary chakras. Since our chakras are focal points where physical, emotional, developmental, and spiritual forces intersect, they provide a paradigm that usefully links physical, psychological, developmental, and spiritual dimensions. He explains how he has successfully helped many patients correct imbalances by learning to access and strengthen this energy. Throughout this book there are numerous examples of how Dr. Bedi's patients have discovered what each individual eventually has to recognize that our fulfillment, satisfaction, wholeness, and harmony can be reawakened when we touch the spark of divine light glowing within. Dr. Ashok Bedi is a Jungian psychoanalyst and a board-certified psychiatrist. He is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists of Great Britain, a Diplomat in Psychological Medicine at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of England, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is a Clinical Professor in Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and president-elect, training analyst, and faculty member at the Analyst Training Program of the Carl G. Jung Institute of Chicago. He practices psychiatry at the Aurora Psychiatric Hospital and the Aurora Health Care Networks. He is author of Path to the Soul (Weiser Books, 2000) and and the co-author of Retire Your Family Karma (Nicholas-Hays, Inc., 2003). His website is www.pathtothesoul.com . PATH to the SOUL By Ashok Bedi Samuel Weiser, Inc. Copyright © 2000 Ashok Bedi All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-57863-187-2 Contents AcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1. The Soul and the PathChapter 2. Maya, Karma, and Dharma: The School, the Teacher, and the LessonChapter 3. Physical and Emotional Symptoms as a Portal to the SoulChapter 4. Kundalini Yoga as a Path to the SoulChapter 5. The Seven Chakras of Kundalini YogaChapter 6. Karmic Complexes as a Path to the SoulChapter 7. Clan KarmaChapter 8. Attending to the SoulChapter 9. On the PathChapter 10. In the SoulGlossaryBibliographyIndexAbout the Author CHAPTER 1 The Soul and the Path Know that that by which all this is pervaded,is indestructible; Nothing can work the destructionof this which is imperishable. —Bhagavad Gita Michael, a patient of mine, brought a vivid dream to his session with me oneday. In the dream, Michael takes off in a small amphibious plane. He isconcerned that he may be flying too close to some treetops. But then he realizeshe has no control over his plane! As he looks out the cockpit window to scan hissurroundings for a safe place to crash, he sees a much larger plane ahead ofhim. Each time the larger plane maneuvers, his little plane makes the samemaneuver. Then he realizes there must be an invisible cable linking his planewith the larger plane ahead of him, and that his plane is actually not a planeat all, but a glider. At best, he can follow the movements of the large plane,and at worst, he can fight them. Michael had come to me for therapy under pressure from his employer. Although hewas technically proficient, he did his job joylessly. Nobody wanted to work withhim. His employer said he could not get along with anybody on the job. Michaelhad been a military pilot and had wanted to fly commercial aircraft followinghis discharge. After his discharge, however, his parents had pressured him toenter a technical field. For many years, he continued to fly his private plane,but, as he became more and more depressed, hopeless, and isolated, he flew lessand less. Finally, he sold his plane. Michael's difficulties at work mirroredhis unhappy personal life. Although he and his ex-wife had shared a fewinterests, they had not been happy. Michael had remained in the marriage "forthe sake of the children." When they left home, he felt his situation was nolonger bearable, and he and his wife divorced. When we are caught in a limited view of life, the soul often sends us a dream togive us a deeper view—the soul's view—of our situation. Dreams make a preci