Empower the creativity chakra
DR Satish K Kapoor
Chakra-s are ‘the gateways of consciousness’ vertically aligned along the human spine. They are energy centres that operate on a vibrational frequency, and remain connected to the rhythms of life. Swadhishthana, or the sacral chakra, is the second psycho-energetic centre of the subtle body. It is the seat of creativity, pleasure and passion that encompasses everything ‘from anticipation and desire to sensation and satisfaction.’ Located in the upper part of the sacrum below the navel, it is associated with the sense of taste, apana vayu governing the elimination of waste energy, and kuhu-nerve.
Water element
Swadhishthana chakra symbolises the water-element which blends well with two of the other elements, earth and air. It is aligned with the energy of the moon, which causes tides, and influences human emotions. It is also linked to three water-signs of the zodiac (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces), and an aquatic creature, resembling a crocodile. Its ruling planets are Pluto and Jupiter. The former symbolizes reflection and regeneration; the latter, growth, protection and balance.
Swadhishthana chakra is pictured as a lotus of six vermillion petals, each shining with a Sanskrit letter, bam, bham, mam, yam, ram, lam – symbolizing different states of consciousness. It has an inward-facing linga, that shines like a coral reef. The blue-white crescent within this chakra is symbolic of emotions. It presiding deities are Vishnu, lord of preservation, and Rakini, an aspect of the goddess Saraswati.
Balancing and empowering
If Swadhishthana chakra is under stimulated, it makes one weak and sluggish. If hyperactive, it leads to mood swings, overeating or indecent behaviour. Excessive energy at this level goes up, triggering the hypothalamus region of the brain to secrete oxytocin, ‘the love hormone’ that facilitates bonding. Swadhishthana chakra can be balanced by sattvic vichara, pure thoughts, sattvic ahara, pure diet, and sattvic vihara, a healthy life-style. Surya namaskara, a set of 12 sun-salutation exercises, practiced at dawn, is the best way to empower it. Deep, energizing breaths (kapalabhati and bhastrika), pelvic floor contraction (mulabandha), and yogasana like shoulder-pose, cobra pose, triangular pose, lizard- pose, pigeon-pose, and nataraja–pose, can be employed to invigorate the sacral, hypogastric or prostratic nerve plexuses, associated with this chakra. Cold-water bath, aerobic or aquatic exercises, music, dance, sports and other physical activity, are useful to channelize its energy, and establish a constant sense of self.
Meditation, mudras and crystals
While focusing on Swadhishthana chakra, one should visualize a glowing sphere of orange or vermilion in the mind’s eye to induce deep relaxation, and chant its seed syllable, VAM, that is said to purify and nourish vital fluids of the body. Hand gestures like samana mudra (joining all fingers at the tip of thumb) and shakti mudra (joining little and ring finger of both hands and folding thumbs into respective palms) can be simultaneously employed to balance the water-element in the body. One may wear amulets of milky moonstone, reddish-brown carnelian, golden topaz, red coral or green emerald, to align this chakra with other subtle centres of power.
Each of us is a vibrant electrical field of energy. A healthy Swadhishthana chakra helps one to experience the symphony of life by converging the seemingly different dimensions of the physical self and the higher self. It orients one to the warmth of intimacy, the delight of inspiration and the ecstasy of creativity. One should not suppress, negate or overuse its energy, but flow with it naturally, like water cascading down the mountains.
(Dr Kapoor is a noted educationist, historian and spiritualist)
