Mooladhara Chakra

Introduction

In the beginning of evolution, the first amoeba cell organisms were formed. Thereafter they became more and more complex, developing into multi-cellular organisms, and ultimately to human beings. The Mooladhara Chakra is made of the earth element and represents the beginning of life. When awakened and nourished, this association with the earth element manifests as a magnetic force within the person. For instance a person with a strong Mooladhara centre has a good inner sense of direction (in more ways than one). This Chakra is at the root or foundation of the subtle system, and Mooladhara is situated below the abode of Mother Kundalini, at the very base of the subtle body. In Sanskrit, "moola" means root (which is the Kundalini) and "adhara" means the support - so Mooladhara translates into the supporter of the Kundalini.

Quality

The fundamental quality of the Chakra is innocence, which forms the basis of every righteous (dharmic) character. This innocence is the type of quality, which is evident in babies and small children. It represents action without motive or desire for gross personal gain. This innocence is accompanied by the innate wisdom of a child. A baby knows fundamental aspects of nature instinctively - it knows how to show discomfort by crying, or how to suck to obtain food. This root wisdom, if left undisturbed, would develop into a balanced set of priorities in the adult. Unfortunately the influence of human society sometimes tends to muddy this innocence and so obscure the wisdom that goes with it. By awakening the qualities of the Mooladhara through our meditations, we learn again to be more innocent beings. To be less motive-led in our actions and to effortlessly make the correct (dharmic) decisions in our lives.

Tradition

The presiding deity (archetypal persona) for the Mooladhara Chakra is Shri Ganesha, the child with the head of an elephant. He is the embodiment of innocence and he guards this Mother Kundalini (Shri Guari) and her instrument with great alertness and uncompromising zeal. It is he who informs the Mother Kundalini when it is time to awaken and it is his anger, which produces the heat in the sympathetic nervous system (subtle body) if any unauthorised person tries to do so. He is worshipped as the remover of obstacles - the obstacles, which may occur in the course of the awakening of the Mother Kundalini and the development of one's realisation. The wisdom of Shri Ganesha is the wisdom of the heart that is the ability to perceive the true meaning of what people may say or do (i.e. what is really in their heart). Children again naturally have this ability as they often tune in to the feelings and subtle signals rather than the face value of what is said. Shri Ganesha is also the eternal divine child, and he therefore likes to have fun and enjoy. He bubbles with enthusiasm, playfulness and love.

Gross Physical Aspect

the most sublime physical expression of love within the marriage. Through this channel birth and the creation continue their course. However, it is another thing to allow sex to dominate our lives and bring us out of balance. After realisation one learns to develop respect and proper esteem for one's own chastity and the chastity of others. This sense of right conduct is essential for the development of our own gravity and power. It is the foundation stone of each of us as human beings, the power of incorruptible innocence.

Clearing The Mooladhara

A weakened Mooladhara may show up in a number of ways such as poor sense of direction and decision making, poor memory, poor sense of balance (gravity), certain incurable diseases or mental problems.

Using the elements and affirmations:

• Sit on the earth and place the right palm down with the left palm facing up on the lap. Ask the earth element to absorb all heat from the mooladhara chakra. Affirm to yourself that you are the "pure innocence of a child".
• Meditate with the right hand on the ground and the left hand stretched out towards the flame of a candle. Ask the fire element to consume all the impurities from your mooladhara chakra. Ask "Mother Kundalini please make me an innocent person".
• Sit on a chair and meditate with your feet placed in a bowl of warm salted water, left palm up right palm down. Ask "Mother Kundalini, please push out all the negativity from my mooladhara chakra into the water element" and "please strengthen my innocence and wisdom."