On page 88 of Graham Hancock’s Heaven’s Mirror, we find an extremely provocative tableau from the second shrine of Tutankhamun (ruled 1333 to 1323 B.C.), the picture of which I have scanned and included here. Hancock points out the obvious and explicit connection being made between intellect, insight and astronomy and the link to the afterlife as seen by the ancient Egyptians.

Hancock also alludes to the shamanistic aspect of this illustration. “It was believed that the initiate’s ability to ascend to the sky, in other words to make visionary journeys amongst the ‘stars of heaven’, would be enhanced if he were to divorce himself from the concerns and ‘attachments’ of material existence.”

Another writer has also argued that the ancient Egyptian texts were actually mystery teachings of a shamanic character. Jeremy Naydler, whose doctoral dissertation, Shamanic Wisdom in the Pyramid Texts: Mystical Traditions of Ancient Egypt makes a very strong case for this shamanic aspect.

But I believe that it goes further, and is much more sophisticated, than shamanism. I believe that what we see here is a tradition of cultivation of the life force, or chi, which awakens the spiritual chakra centers of the Pharaoh’s body and ultimately the Eye of Horus, or Wedjat Eye. In other words, this is Yoga. I would further argue that this Yoga was essential to the Pharaoh’s power, and that furthermore, I would argue that the temples, especially the Great Pyramid at Giza, were devices designed specifically to facilitate the awakening of this power. They were special places that were carefully designed to amplify the lines of earth energy, star alignments and the amplification of sounds with harmonics, combining in a powerful existential and phenomenological experience for the initiate, resulting not in a metaphorical enactment of the awakening, but the real thing. Read this:

The Wedjat Eye was a symbol of power of the god of light. With the Ankh sign it means "to flourish." It was also a protection against the evil eye, p. 128. Cf. Sir Alan Gardiner, "Egyptian Grammar," Griffith Institute, 3rd Revised Edition, 1994, p. 111 - "thou hast placed it (the Eye of Horus) in thy head, that thou mayest be eminent by means of it, that thou mayest be exalted by means of it, that thy estimation may be great by means of it." It is called "the sound eye", p. 197. The Eye of Horus is even equated on some occasions with the uraeus (i.e. the cobra), p. 421 bottom note.

Anyone familiar with the phenomenon of Kundalini will readily see a clear connection in this picture with the chakras of the yoga tradition. Not all yoga traditions agree on the exact number of chakras. Generally, there are thought to be seven, sometimes twelve, sometimes many more, and sometimes fewer. In all traditions, the chakras are described as nexus points or meeting points of nerves and energy channels.

In the illustration, we see six (6) centers depicted. In the lead, Pharaoh is enlightened by the Serpent Power, which awakens and quickens his Eye of Horus. Then, all the rest of the figures are connected directly, through the Third Eye, as well as the Crown Chakra, to the stars in the heavens. I believe that what this is saying is that by awakening the Serpent Force and opening the Eye of Horus, Pharaoh achieves transcendent wisdom, and also is able to achieve a transmographication of the flesh. In other words, he becomes literally, not figuratively or metaphorically, a god.

Also evident from this analysis is that the ancient Egyptians were well aware that the origin of humans is not earthly, but spiritual, heavenly. This is further in accord with all mystical traditions that teach that we are descended from fiery chi realms, heavenly spirit realms, and that we have become trapped in flesh and carnality. The way to return home is in the cultivation of the life force, awakening our spiritual centers and our transcendental wisdom, or as we call it in Buddhism, prajña.

For a really good series of articles concerning Kundalini development and awakening Tao, or Wisdom, I would highly recommend the articles on this website on Why to Meditate, along with all the different styles of meditation. Also you should read articles by Bill Bodri at www.meditationexpert.com on the subject of awakening Kung-Fu powers and Kundalini.