The human body is a sacred temple, a profound microcosm of the boundless universe. Ancient mystics divided this temple into three realms—heaven, earth, and hell—each embodying a unique facet of our being. Heaven, the celestial realm of divine light and harmony, is envisioned as above, the dwelling place of the divine essence. From sacred mountain peaks to the shimmering expanse of starry skies, it beckons the soul upward. When we pray, we lift our gaze and hands toward this divine source, yearning for the radiant wisdom that guides our journey through life.
Between the celestial heights of heaven and the shadowy depths of hell lies earth, known in Norse lore as Midgard—the vibrant middle garden where humanity thrives. This realm pulses with life, from verdant fields and winding rivers to the boundless expanse of oceans. A radiant rainbow bridge connects it to heaven, allowing divine energies to flow downward, while volcanic craters and fissures open pathways to the mysterious underworld. As Goethe so eloquently expressed, we exist “twixt heaven and earth,” poised in a dynamic equilibrium where the forces of good and evil, order and chaos, engage in an eternal dance. This interplay shapes our lives, inviting us to find harmony amidst the constant pull of opposing energies.
Hell, the realm below, is a place of darkness, struggle, and chaos. We envision it as “down,” just as heaven feels “up,” with earth serving as the middle ground. This underworld harbors disruptive forces that challenge our world, tugging against the harmony of heaven. Yet, these realms are not distant; they resonate within us, mirroring the light and shadow that dance in our hearts.
At the center of this sacred map is your spinal column, the axis mundi of the ancients, the body’s pillar and the Jacob’s Ladder from the Bible. This ladder symbolizes the journey to enlightenment, akin to attaining sainthood or Buddhahood. It is the link connecting the worlds above and below to Midgard. As human beings living in Midgard, we feel the pull of two forces—the heavenly order above and the chaos of the underworld below. Both are equally real, and we are here to embrace both sides of our existence, learning to master the art of balance. Only through this balance can we consciously ascend the ladder, aligning with the divine.
Your spine is the path you climb while rooted in this physical world. In the East, this ladder is represented by the chakra system, seven energy centers aligned from the base of your spine to the top of your head. Each chakra carries its own color, sound, deity, and symbol, connecting to different aspects of your body, emotions, mind, and consciousness. From the root chakra, tied to survival and the earth element, to the crown chakra, linked to spiritual wisdom and divine light, these centers guide you through a spectrum of needs—physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. They are not merely physical organs or nerves but hubs of life energy, or prana, flowing through pathways called nadis. Reducing chakras to mere physicality misses their deeper essence, like trying to capture a star by studying its light alone.
Climbing this ladder consciously is only possible by means of purifying your thoughts, habits, and actions, awakening your seven senses and even unlocking the hidden potential in your DNA. As you move through these seven chakras, you align with the divine, connecting your earthly self (lower self) to the heavens (higher self). This is the legend of Kundalini rising, the coiled energy at the base of your spine that ascends through the chakras to awaken your full potential. It’s not a mechanical process but a sacred flow, accessed through meditation, rituals, or yoga poses that honor each chakra’s unique qualities, like its color, planet, or sound.
Paramahansa Yogananda captured this truth beautifully: “The spine is the highway to the Infinite. Your own body is the temple of God. It is within your own self that God must be realized.” Your spine is more than bone—it’s your bridge to the divine, with the chakras as stepping stones linking heaven, earth, and hell within you. Spiritual growth is about discovering this inner ladder and choosing to climb toward a consciousness that transcends duality. The light and the dark are not the goal; they are teachers guiding you to the awareness that lies beyond.
At Gnostic Serpent, we are dedicated to guiding you along this transformative path with clarity and support. Our mentorship program, The Path of the Serpent, seamlessly integrates time-honored theory with practical application, tailored to your unique aspirations. Whether you seek a profound spiritual awakening or aim to cultivate greater mindfulness in your daily life, we collaborate closely to define your goals and chart the steps toward them. Through personalized insights and practical tools—such as chakra-focused meditations, yoga practices, or ceremonial rituals —we empower you to shape your own journey.
Book a consultation to explore how we can support you in awakening the Kundalini within and climbing your inner ladder, using your spine as the highway to the Infinite.