INTRODUCTION

The evolutionary growth of humankind mirrors the ascending chakras of our subtle system, and our corresponding Spiritual growth path. The Nabhi Chakra represents the evolutionary point when a shelter became a "home", when the family unit became a source of satisfaction in itself rather than just a channel of reproduction. This domestic satisfaction translates into the satisfaction that we feel with life in general after our spiritual awakening through Self-Realisation.

Quality

Satisfaction is actually a key word for the Nabhi Chakra. Some "hot livered" people are naturally irritable. For them life without worry is an impossibility, they will express their discontent at the slightest excuse. When our Spirit manifests, we can put things into their true perspective, and worry becomes an unusual occurrence. In the peace of thoughtless awareness, we can only be content. We realise that the Spirit is not concerned with passing trends and fashions, a button missing here or there. The affirmation for the Nabhi Chakra is "In my Spirit I am satisfied"

The Nabhi is the centre of welfare, both physical and financial. As humans developed their creative powers further, they also learned to harness nature's resources to their advantage and thus grew prosperous. Prosperity is a necessary step ìn evolution, and money is a valid medium of exchange in order to obtain the essential needs and desires of man. If we do not have the means of satistfying the basic needs then they will continue to preoccupy our attention, diverting us from the true direction. We have been blessed with intelligence and a versatile body through which we can work to raise the means to fulfil these needs. When these needs are satisfied, then the mundane matters no longer occupy us and block our growth.

However, sometimes we get lost. The desire for basic needs transforms into a cycle of insatiable desire for things in general - the start of a materialist existence. There is nothing wrong in being wealthy. The problem lies in becoming obsessed with money. The desire for money for the sake of money is greed, It crosses the boundary of need and becomes an obsession, a disease that retards spiritual growth.

Miserliness and hoarding prevent the proper flow of money to places of need, and represent the selfish, primitive mind which does not know the truth about the basics of life. In nature everything flows, because nature is one. Money should be no exception - the energy has to flow to every part of the creation.

By sharing we learn. Being generous is so elevating, whereas hoarding leads to stagnation, it creates a blocked mind, a negative mind. Such as person becomes malignant and dangerous for the evolution of society. It is selfishness and greed that leads to environmental crises and to the pollution of the modern lifestyle. Our spiritual growth relies on our contentment, and our contentment depends on our open heartedness and generosity. When we share with others, we receive an uplifting feeling of collective joy, one of the first benefits of that act, and our Nabhi Chakra also benefits in kind.

Dharma

Another aspect to the Nabhi Chakra is that of Dharma or right conduct in our lives. In order for us to maintain a state of satisfaction within, we have to exist in a state of satisfaction without; and this means appreciating the benefits of living an upright life. It cannot be an artificial process, it comes naturally through our attention after our Realisation. Just as gold cannot tarnish, so Dharma cannot be altered. There is no relative state of Dharmic conduct. An act is either fundamentally right or not. Dharma is the code of evolution, through which humanity has evolved form amoeba to the present stage. This code protects and nourishes our spiritual growth. The most powerful evocation of the laws of Dharma were the Ten Commandments which were provided as evolutionary guidelines.

Those who have always followed these basic principles of right conduct experience a powerful and lasting process of self-realisation. Those who did not understand the need for such conduct before realisation, become naturally aware of it afterwards. In fact after our realisation we can even experience our reaction to Dharmic conduct by the physical signals of the stomach region, Some people have been amazed to find how sensitive their stomachs become to any activity which is
A-dharmic (outside Dharma) and how it revolts against such acts. It is a fact, though, that the more one enjoys the beauty of becoming the Spirit, the less time one has for anything which is not Dharmic. The evolutionary laws of survival and growth start to manifest naturally within us.

It must be remembered that these guidelines are there as examples for us to follow. When our self mastery awakens we become our own judge and jury. The vibrations state the case for you, and then it is up to you to give the verdict and pass the sentence - which path will you choose?. This is a direct benefit of receiving your realisation, as you stop identifying with your weaknesses and become the witness to your true self. In a way you provide your own Last Judgement on the path you choose to take throughout your life!

Tradition

The presiding deity (or role model) of the centre is Shri Vishnu, the Preserver. It is He who sustains our Dharma and leads us in our evolution. The power of the Nabhi Chakra is the place of Shri Gruhalaxmi- the wife, the Goddess of the household. The wife must be respected and also must be the embodiment of respectability. Shri Laxmi is also the source of the peace we receive from our Spiritual Awakening and through meditations.

Gross Physical Aspect

This centre governs the workings of the stomach area. If the functioning of the stomach becomes disturbed, then the process of digestion and assimilation of food is affected. The stomach is therefore very important. Our attitude towards food, and how we eat, affects the digestive juices and the glands. If we are in a hurry, or angry or worried whilst eating then the food will not be properly digested because the stomach muscles are tense and cannot work properly on the digestive process.

To keep the Nabhi in balance we should enjoy balanced meals so that the food
progresses easily to the stomach, to be dealt with properly by the digestive juices. For proper nourishment, eating peacefully is a must, it is a meditation. The Nabhi Chakra is also responsible for the liver, and the importance of this organ for our meditation and our attention cannot be stressed too much. It is very important to take particular care of the liver (which is prone to overheating through improper
diet or stimulants) and to ensure that we do not exhaust it too much through over thinking and planning.

Condition of the Nabhi

The Nabhi can be weakened in a number of ways. We can catch on the left side of this centre if we suffer problems in the household or on the right side if we worry too much about money. After realisation we learn to have faith in the power of Providence, that the Divine is taking care of us. We gain the strength to face our responsibilities and start to enjoy the duties we must take on. We realise that the family, as the most important unit in society, has to be supported and must flourish in an atmosphere of love, respect and unity.

Too much thinking about food, whether in gluttony or fasting, also affects this centre. It keeps the stomach excited and hinders the energy flow. Do not worry too much about food as long as it is wholesome and nourishing. The opposite extreme
also applies. Indiscriminate fasting disturbs the Chakra. We cannot reach our Spirit through fasting. The stomach needs a regular routine and diet. Fasting can be undertaken with proper guidance for health purposes, but it has no Spiritual significance. On the contrary, fasting serves to make the Attention divert to food. When the body needs food it sends the signal. We should not practice self-denial or aggression with any Chakra and its laws. Drinking alcohol and eating the wrong type of food are also not helpful to the a proper functioning Nabhi Chakra.

After realisation we find that our attitude to food changes. We stop craving particular dishes and start enjoying food which gives the best vibrations. We develop a subtle detached attitude, and can gain the same amount of satisfaction from the simple meal as from the finest cuisine.

Clearing the Nabhi

Use these affirmations with your hand placed over the associated centre

Left Nabhi: Mother Kundalini, by your grace, I am satisfied, I am Content, I am pure peace.
Right Nabhi: Mother Kundalini, you are the royal dignity within me, you take care of all my family concerns, you take care of all my money concerns, I have no need to worry about anything at all.
Centre Nabhi: Mother Kundalini, make me satisfied, make me content, make me pure peace.
General Nabhi affirmations: Mother kundalini, please make me a generous person. Mother kundalini, in my spirit I am satisfied.

Using the elements

Left Nabhi: hold a candle near the lower left ribcage and rotate it in a clockwise direction. Do this for a few minutes whilst periodically repeating the affirmations from you heart.
Right Nabhi: Place and icepack, covered in a cloth, over your liver which is located between the right hip and the lower ribcage. This will take away the heat and you will find it easier to be in thoughtless awareness.
Centre Nabhi: Candle treatment around the belly button area.
General Nabhi clearing: Place your feet in a bucket of cool salted water. You can also do this in conjunction with an icepack treatment.

Other advice

Avoid fatty foods, fried foods and excessive amounts of dairy products.
Eat cooling foods for the liver such as cane sugar, ginger, white rice, yoghurt, chick peas and fresh fruit and vegetables.
Try to contain the emotion of anger, particularly when it rises up in a wave of heat. This tends to find manifestation in inappropriate behaviour which is unsettling and disturbing for those around you.
Try not to complain too much.
Develop the positive habit of being satisfied with every area of your life.
Avoid miserliness.