6 Does introspective knowledge exist? Let us take a number of examples that can serve as particular working material. All of them are examples of objectively valid knowledge acquired by looking inwards into one’s self. They demonstrate firstly that introspective knowledge is possible. Secondly, that the origin of this knowledge is largely unknown. And thirdly, that such knowledge is necessary because the results of extrovert science are often distorted without it. Indian yogis were masters of introspection. Their observations of inner states and processes have been captured in a scholarly and meticulous terminology of a kind for which there are no equivalents in Western languages. They elaborated a subtle physiology that is at least 900 years old (if not more). According to yoga, there are streams (nādi) of life force (prāna) of diverse qualities flowing through the human body. These qualities are expressed by astral symbolism. Lunar energy (ida) flows through the left side of the body, and solar energy (pingala) through the right side. Both streams cross over in the head and change sides. Less than every two hours, they alternately flow stronger. The times when vital breath flows predominantly through the left side is favourable for different kinds of activities than the times when it flows through the right. There are techniques by which these streams can be regulated. Whoever succeeds in bringing both to an equilibrium attains spiritual enlightenment (Weinfurter 1947, 190–193). The modern West alone did not know anything about this until the second half of the 20th century when it was otherwise discovered by Roger Sperry, Nathaniel Kleitmann and Milton Erickson. Sperry was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1981 for the discovery of cerebral asymmetry and the lateralized function of the brain (Sperry 1974, 5–19). Each hemisphere specializes in different processes; but because the nerve strands cross over in the head, the right side of the body is innervated by the left hemisphere, and the left one by the right hemisphere. Kleitmann discovered that hemispheres are activated alternately less than every two hours (80–120 minutes) and called it the “Basic Rest Activity Cycle”. Their findings correspond entirely with the contents of Indian treatises (śāstra) and with the astrological meaning of the Sun and Moon. The Sun represents self-awareness, reason, activity, and the future; the Moon represents the unconscious, imagination, receptiveness, and the past. Indeed, only the hemisphere innervating the right side is self-aware, while the other one is unconscious. During the phase when activity on the right side predominates, we are better able to solve verbal, rational tasks, and we are ready for assertive activity (even aggressiveness in the case of an extreme imbalance). Conversely, the hemisphere connected with the left side is more receptive, musical, and recognizant of images, shapes, faces and emotions. That is exactly what the ancient Indians said: if the breath flows through the right side, one should engage in writing, calculation, combat, etc. If it flows through the left side, the time is favorable for singing, decorating, and family meetings, etc. On our left, we experience the past, on our right, the future. Erickson Spirituality Studies 1 (1) Spring 2015 55 (19)
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