THE WEB OF LIFE

by John Davidson

Part 4a
The Central Fire

This series of articles is derived from the authors book,

The Web of Life (publ. C.W. Daniel, 1988)

John Davidson is the author of a series of six books on

Science and Mysticism which look at the natural world from a mystical perspective.

The author is a Cambridge science graduate with a

life-long interest in mysticism.
8 Copyright 1988, 2014
John Davidson
www.johndavidson.org

The Fire Centre - East and West

Fire is the nearest translation available for the tejas tattwa, whose control point is situated in the
manipuraka or nabhipadma chakra, so called because the fiery tattwa makes it as lustrous and
sparkling as a gem (mani), the colour being a dark red, and the number of petals, eight. Nabhi
means navel, which tells us the level at which this chakra is located. The pranic vibration here
is known as Samana and is concerned with the distribution of nourishment throughout the
body.
By tejas or 'fire' is meant the quality of energetic expansion and activity, giving rise to exertion
and movement. In outward expression, it can be experienced as calorific in nature and hot, heat
being directly related to the rate of molecular or atomic movement. Thus we find that tejas
governs the kitchen and larder of our body, where food is digested and stored, being made
available for later use as required. Intestinal function and assimilation is given energy from this
point, as well as the control of nutritional metabolism. Under the influence of the fiery tattwa
and its associated pranic patterning, the basic nutritional constituents of carbohydrates,
triglycerides (fats) and proteins are broken down by the digestive system into sugars, fatty acids
and amino acids and then reassembled as storage and structural tissue in the liver, adipose and
muscle tissue, respectively. As demand requires, the reverse or yang energy route is later
followed as sugars, fatty acids and amino acids are again made available to active body
metabolism.

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The associated gland is very clearly the pancreas, which has both exocrine and endocrine
functions. In its exocrine aspect, enzymes are secreted directly into the gut for the digestion of
food, while the endocrine cells within the pancreatic tissue, are responsible for hormonal
secretions, notably insulin and glucagon, a duo whose role lies in the storage and availability of
body fuels, a part of the administration of bodily fire.
Imagine the power of these two hormones, these two energy patterns, lower harmonics with
relationship to the subtle aspect of the tejas tattwa. Their influence is felt within practically
every cell of the body. Insulin is the yin, storage hormone. Under its prompting, glucose is
converted into glycogen and stored mostly in the liver and muscle tissue. Amino acids are
converted into proteins in muscle tissue, while fatty acids are amalgamated into triglycerides in
adipose (fatty) tissue.
If insulin is pre-eminently the 'storage of nutrition', the yin hormone, the keeper of the larder,
the prompt that directs nutritional energy into stored, potential form, then glucagon is the
opener of the larder door, the opposite polarity (yang). While insulin secretion seems to be
stimulated by a post-prandial increase in blood levels of glucose, amino acids and fatty acid
concentrations, glucagon is brought into action when we miss a meal or two, in order to
maintain an adequate supply of fuel for the brain (especially) as well as the other bodily tissues.

The Fiery Tattwa

The fastest moving of all physical, expanding and radiating energies is that of
electromagnetism. Also a manifestation of the fiery tattwa, it is perceived by the eye, where
subtle tejas energy activates the retina to be responsive to the very small section of
electromagnetic vibration we perceive as light. Electromagnetic radiation moves directly and in
straight lines (more or less), interacting with the solid, watery and airy substance through
which it passes. This, for instance, underlies the phenomenon of rainbows, as well as why
sticks and straight objects appear to bend when entering water.
So the agni or tejas energy domain directs digestion and is involved in the metabolic process of
storing and releasing energy for bodily action. Air fans the flames of fire, so to say, providing
the oxidative fuel through which the fire can manifest, while water is the carrier of heat and fuel
throughout the body. Whenever there is an imbalance in this energy system, stagnation can be
the end result, but the primary cause may lie in imbalance in either of the air, fire or watery
tattvic fields.
Those forms of energy medicine, such as Dr Stone's Polarity Therapy, which comprehend the
manner in which the tattwas operate in the body have a supreme advantage, therefore, in that
they can more readily move directly to the heart of a problem and find release of energy
tensions both emotionally and mentally, as well as physically, before disharmony can appear
outwardly as pathological symptoms of tissue degeneration.
Dr Vincent Lad, in his book, Ayurveda, comments that repressed emotion of the fiery type,
such as anger, leads to toxic conditions, also changing the flora of the small intestines, the bile
duct and the gall bladder, aggravating the watery, mucous membranes of the stomach and the

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intestines, large and small. Frequently, the resultant symptoms become those of allergy to
pollen and dust, flower scent, certain foods, and so on.
A hyperactive fiery tattwa, by drawing energy from air, depletes the protective airy function of
its immune system regulation, resulting in lowered immune and protective response and in
symptoms of allergy to substances with which the body should, under balanced circumstances,
be able to cope. The link between allergy and emotion is clearly drawn and the apparently
neurotic behaviour and emotionality often associated to a greater or lesser degree with allergy,
can thus be readily understood.

Acid and Alkali, Yin and Yang

Back with our fiery theme, acidity, being yang in nature, is associated with the outgoing rajas
quality of the fiery tattwa and thus excess fire energy in the body is also observable as a more
acid urine and a more acid system generally. Conversely, a lack of body fire can also be
countered by a choice of foods or herbs, high in fire energy. These include both carbohydrates
and acidic foods. The range of Chinese tonic herbs, administered for their yin and yang
characteristics and their effects upon the different bodily organs, systems and energies are well
worth studying in this respect. The popular tonic herb, ginseng, for example, has strong yang
characteristics and while useful to those with low fire energy, it may be too powerful for those
in an already overly-yang condition.
On the other hand, a person who is low in yang energy, demonstrating itself as an active,
nervous disposition lacking in the true and sustained directive power of fiery energy, can
benefit from a boost to their inner yang. This would balance out these fibrillations of nervous
energy that stem from the attempt to move outward, but are stifled by lack of real energy and a
conflict with the yin condition.

Fire and Emotion

Psychologically, the same characteristics are manifested out of fire as are seen at the physical
level. The fire signs of astrology (aries, leo and sagittarius) are known for their relentless drive
and active, excitable natures. Fire is the tattwa demanding direct and speedy action, just as light
is the fastest moving energy of the physical universe. Fire signs, when unmodified by the effect
of other tattwas pour themselves forth in an exuberance of inspiration, aspiration and creative
expression of their inner life force. They are enthusiastic and self-motivated, often feeling pride
in their super-abundance of life energy, quite unaware that others may be overwhelmed by their
drive. Direct, self-willed seeking of their goals characterizes the fiery nature, often revealing a
lack of tact in their open honesty. 'I say what I think', says fire, 'I call a spade a spade' - quite
unaware that others may be hurt or consumed by what to them is the best and only way to
proceed.
Fire requires space and freedom to express itself and such people ensure it by the insistent
pressure of their point of view until others give way. They rush into things, always looking
ahead, rather than behind, displaying a quality of childishness in the display of force that they
feel is required to accomplish their aims. They may even belittle the sensitivity and
emotionality of the watery types, who quietly move aside and hope to be overlooked by the
onrush of the fiery nature.

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Fire in combination with earth is observed as the overpowering drive of the steam-roller, one
who reaches the top of his profession regardless of who is trampled under foot in the process.
Fire lends spontaneity to earth, while earth gives direction, perseverence and discipline to fire,
plus a grounding which gives such people the ability to test their inspirations. These people can
have an influence on world affairs within their own sphere of activity. They are the builders of
empires, who spring from nowhere, taking their particular world by storm; the creators of
family fortunes, international businesses and global networks. They make their own rules,
relying on themselves rather than conventional social patterns, and yet their earthy nature
provides a conservatism that relates their ambition to a pride in being seen to achieve what they
do.
Water in combination with fire is of interest, providing the framework from which great drama
can be created. For while water allows a depth of emotional feeling and instinct, fire gives the
ability to express it dynamically in convincing outward manifestation - just the qualities
required for the stage actor and entertainer. Personalities of this type do the whole thing and go
the whole way. Typified by a lack of self-restraint, they see everything in terms of their own
reaction to it and can be highly emotional, excitable and explosively unpredictable. Water and
fire make steam and these personality types certainly get 'steamed up' pretty readily. Indeed,
even under quiet domestic circumstances, they will find occasion for drama whenever life
becomes, by their standards, dull and uninteresting.
Imbalance in the fire energy leads on the one hand to a crude, destructive and restless pattern of
behaviour - wild, turbulent, self-centred, reckless of consequences and of the feelings of others
- while too little activity in the fiery domain leads to digestive disorders, low metabolic rate
and lack of vitality, enthusiasm, confidence and optimism.
Fire in combination with air provides fire with airy conceptual characteristics, which at their
best furnishes an idealistic basis for the drive of fiery natures, infusing high and positive
intentions and motivations. Out of balance, such folk can neglect their own physical needs, due
to a lack of the grounding supplied by earth, burning themselves out through an
over-abundance of energy poured forth continuously until breaking point is reached. Without
water, they will lack the inner emotional strength they need to develop a deep inner life.
In Chinese thinking, the yin phases of metal and water are thus never entered, so like plants
kept in a state of perpetual growth and expansion, their centre is lost and potential, inner energy
is never concentrated or restored. The phases of growth, storage and regeneration are necessary
in any energy system if its constant integrity is to be maintained.

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