The path from the first circuit to the third circuit (Malkuth to Hod) on the Tree of Life is path 20, and is called Shin. Shin is a Hebrew word meaning "tooth" and is a symbol of the power which "destroys the error that holds us in bondage to false knowledge." The Biosurvival circuit often lives in a false fear that destroys lives and stops people from functioning in a meaningful way. The Biosurvival circuit will use this pathway to the conscious third circuit to control the manner in which a person thinks. If great fear has been placed in the Biosurvival circuit about dogs, no amount of "rational" thinking will cure that fear and the person will experience an often irrational fear of even a very friendly dog. This type of Biosurvival fear can show up in many areas of a persons life and cause small to large dysfunction. When irrational fears suddenly arise about something that the average person has little or no fear of, you can be certain the fear comes out of the Biosurvival circuit.

It is also said of the path called Shin, that it helps to free our higher vehicles (minds) from the physical plane. A clear suggestion that the rational mind can overcome the damage in the Biosurvival circuit. The Tree of Life has further descriptions similar to this, "It has to do with weighing the evidence, estimation, and measurement." This influence of the rational mind on path 20 allows us to influence the first circuit and enable changes we may need to heal damage. The planet Pluto is associated with this path. Pluto force "is the life-force in sex, birth, and death--that which is bound is released." This description from the transcendental symbol of the planet Pluto indicates the level of energy required to successfully operate this brain path between the rational mind and the Biosurvival primitive mind. Of the choices given (sex, birth, and death) it would seem advisable to choose sex as the method applied to working this path. Death seems a little final and birth a little soon. It does take real power internally to make functional changes in your brain patterns.

This path can tie the third circuit to a damaged first circuit, creating a cold, cruel survivor. It can also be used to heal the first circuit or to block it off from making a slave of the third circuit. The rational mind has calculated, cold emotions yet takes great joy in syntheses of patterns. By using the right set of patterns, and adding the strength of the fourth circuit sexuality, the subconscious can be overcome, healed, and integrated.

Such work on the Biosurvival circuit must take some form of physical activity in order to reach the unconscious, sub-physical brain cells controlling the first circuit activity. Meditation can help to reinforce or prepare the way for acceptance but only physical activity reaches this "flight or fight" physical circuit.

From the third circuit of the rational mind we use the Shin, path 20 to reach the first circuit. This is done through training in a martial art, extensive survival skills training, dedication to Tantric methods, or other logically applied skill which through repeated practice creates an automatic (Biosurvival) response to danger.

From the fourth circuit of the Holistic Physical brain, we reach the first circuit through the path called Qoph, Path 18. Social and sexual techniques are used here. It is possible to extensively retrain a person to a new cultural function, for example take a ghetto or barrio child and retrain them to middle class cultural behavior. The only problem with this is reflected in the old saying, "You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy."

To make changes in the Biosurvival circuit requires physical activity of a fundamental, repeating character. In other words, just as in a martial art training, an exercise from the fourth circuit must be given the power of body activity to carry the message to the hidden first circuit.

Fourth circuit activity is strongly sexual. Exercises which will be effective in reaching the first circuit from the fourth circuit must take this into account. To teach the child with no table manners, use a beautiful, sexy, exhibitionist of whichever sex is appropriate. You will have the full attention of the first circuit. I know it sounds extreme in our puritanical society but I didn't make either the brain or the societal values.

From the fourth circuit to the first circuit with sensuality, massage usually calms the first circuit. Massage is the most sensual touch possible without actually having sex. Touch and physical activity is how you "talk" to the primitive, body controlling, physical Biosurvival brain. This circuit will not respond to logic. The path from the logical third circuit to the first circuit can only be used by physical activity. On that path you logically decide what to do, rationally proceed and physically do it until you don't need to think anymore. At that point, the first circuit is finally picking it up. The same principle applies to use of the fourth circuit. To reach the first circuit you logically plan a method that includes sexual and sensual activity (third circuit planning for fourth circuit activity). Then, the fourth circuit puts this into action and repeats until it is automatic. At that point, the first circuit is getting the message. Continue until absolutely certain the first circuit is retrained and then go on to the next fourth circuit step needed to continue the retraining of the Biosurvival circuit.

A note on "getting the message" is in order. It is important to have a good idea about what is wrong with the first or second brain circuits that you want to fix, improve, or alter in some way. Most of the problems encountered with the primitive reptile brain called the Biosurvival circuit involve fear of some kind. Fear of heights, fear of elevators, fear of closed spaces, and many more fears constitute evidence of first circuit problems. When it is wished to cure these fears it is required that the person begin to encounter the object feared at some level through study, observation, and interaction. People who become home-bound from fear of the outside world have a general fear of everything "out there." Most people with damaged first circuits have overwhelming fear in their lives and cannot point to any single item that creates that fear. The object of fear will change from day-to-day or even moment-to-moment. In the past, many of these people fled the world through religious orders or other cloistered groups. Such cloistering is no longer generally available and being home bound nearly always leads to some form of neglect and harm.

It is important to include study, meditation, and logic in any attempt to change the primitive Biosurvival circuit. You must meditate, heal your body energy through yogic or meridian massage methods, logically think out exactly the message you intend to give to the errant first brain circuit and then carefully set up the method for doing so. This is commonly called a ritual. I strongly recommend writing your own rituals. There are some rituals included in these writings, and rules for writing rituals. However, there are no rules and now exact methods. Please write up your own to suit your circumstances and needs. Include a powerful energy portion, a strong and simple mental image of change, and a safe haven to return to after the danger or risk (risqué) is past. It really helps to have a concerned and loving partner for this as has been noted earlier.

A number of methods are available for retraining the first and second circuits so they integrate supportively with the rest of the brain. Virtually all Yogis use techniques that calm the first circuit or isolate the subconscious so the conscious mind can operate independently. These yoga techniques use the path from third circuit to first and/or second circuits. The Tree of Life supports this technique by noting that with this path the mind becomes passive. With the subconscious passive a person will experience a massive increase in the use of the conscious mind. For most people, operating the conscious mind without hindrance from the subconscious is a sublime experience.

Dion Fortune in her book "The Mystical Caballa" states firmly, unequivocally and repeatedly that no operation involving higher powers can be considered without use and involvement of both lower circuits. She says this many ways, many times. One of the best analogies she uses is the one concerning the physical aspect of sex and relating it to a flower. As she says of those who cut off the physical aspect of sex, it is like cutting off the root of a flower. If you pick the flower, the root will send forth more flowers. But if you take the root away, there will be no more flowers. Modern religions tend to take the root of our sexuality away and then they wonder why there is no flower. Modern yoga methods do the same.

Such yogic techniques do not create changes in the lower circuits, nor do they open higher circuits. These yogic exercises numb, calm, or shut off the lower circuits and allow more use of the conscious circuits. Once the lower circuits are numbed or cut off, the conscious circuits can be more fully utilized to attempt to move into the higher spiritual, mental, and physical powers. A separate method must be applied to do this once the yogic method has isolated the lower two circuits.

Separation of the circuits as a technique for reaching higher powers has the weakness of having to constantly guard against these two lower circuits waking up again and crashing the exercise. Also, this method lacks the full brain power available to a person. When the conscious circuits are supported by the subconscious circuits which have great power, the rational mind is greatly empowered. This is a real difference of magnitude from simply being freed from the drag of the lower circuits and will increase a persons IQ. greatly. When the lower four brain circuits are integrated and support each other, the human brain is ready to reach the higher spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, and god powers of the upper brain circuits.

Tantra yoga is the only yoga that contains techniques which involve the lower circuits and does not isolate them. Tantra uses the full power of the human physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies. Make no mistake: the spiritual is as real as the physical and the physical is as real as the spiritual. Both must be fed. Yes, Tantra uses the power of our sexuality in many ways. In our puritanical society, the very mention of the word sex can be censored, even by people who openly say such words as fuck, shit, piss, etc. We live in strange, strained times in which our society teaches us many things that are beyond the imagining of a sane, whole person. Therefore, if the thought of using you sexual powers for you own good in a pure state of mind is going to bother you, do not do it. Use the modern, devolved yoga methods that cut off the body, sex, and do not integrate the brain circuits. These methods have been designed to meet the needs of our modern, repressed society. They will, at least, calm or isolate your damaged subconscious for a little while so you can have a few moments of peace.

If you want to have many moments of peace, practice Tantra yoga. With this method you can learn to join your brain circuits into a cooperative unit powered by a vitality of both the physical and spiritual worlds. Dion fortune in "The Mystical Qaballa" says of the physical plane, "The glory of god can only shine forth in manifestation when there are forms to manifest it." When you cut off the lower circuits and their attendant physical manifestations, you take away the possibility of the glory of God manifesting in your life. With Tantra, you put the possibility of receiving the glory of God in physical manifestation back into your life.

Jan Kennedy in her book "Sex, Pleasure, and Power" says of sex, "what most people call sexual is akin to tension, and what they call pleasure is closer to stress reduction. Very sexual people are generally charismatic, powerful, attractive, and magnetic--and may or may not have any interest in the act of sex unless it is an extension of a deep rapport in relating intimately with someone in other ways. Horniness usually results from physical imbalance, or when people have not bee taught alternative ways of experiencing and expressing their sexual feelings."

Tantra cures the imbalance of the physical plane caused by our societal training that splits the lower circuits and isolates them from our consciousness. Tantra teaches alternate ways of expressing and experiencing your sexuality. Tantra teaches ways to integrate your brain circuits, methods to reach your higher powers, and when correctly taught (and learned) this is done with purity. A pure heart is the first requirement for Tantra. Those who approach Tantra for physical gratification will be disappointed by the amount of study, purification, and small amount of sexual activity. At the same time, those who persevere find a "pearl of great price" in the methods that bring forth the higher spiritual values and powers.

Tantra has been described in many ways by textbooks, encyclopedias, dictionary descriptions, even teachers. Most of these descriptions are so far off the mark that it defies any possible explanation. For example, the American Heritage Dictionary of the English language says of Tantra, "One of a comparatively recent class of Hindu or Buddhist religious writings concerned with mysticism and magic." It then goes on the give the Sanskrit meaning of the word Tantra as "Loom, warp, hence principle, doctrine."

Since Sanskrit is the oldest Indo-European language, how "comparatively recent" can such writings be? What can we compare it to since the Sanskrit writings are the oldest of that type known? Please notice also, no mention of Yin/Yang, female/male principles, and no mention of sex. It seems Tantra is to them a recent development dealing only with magic and mysticism. To refute this I must say the only thing mysterious about Tantra is the mystery of how it can be so mistaken for something it is not. It is not magical. Tantra contains methods and processes that help heal, integrate, and uplift. Tantra is used by the Hindu and Buddhist but is not a religion. Tantra is a method of attainment. Tantra is available for all to use.

As you read the literature connected with this course of study and do the exercises which include the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, you are, and have been, learning Tantra. Tantra would be best defined as a method of becoming more aware. This awareness begins internally and expands to include the world about us and the spiritual world available to us but almost never encountered. Tantra also opens your own higher brain powers which are immense and alone would make such a study worthwhile. Tantra is a method of encountering yourself and growing up in the manner you wish. You may not like all the methods but you will like the results.