Swadisthan Chakra

INTRODUCTION

The Swadisthan Chakra is suspended like a satellite on a chord from the Nabhi (Manipura) Chakra, and moves around the Void area giving sustenance to the ten petals of the Void (which represent Ten Commandments). When the Kundalini rises, it passes into the Nabhi Chakra first and then along the chord to enlighten the Swadisthan and then returns to the Nabhi Chakra to continue the journey to the crown of the head. In the course of evolution, humans translated their need for shelter into the building of homes. As the sense of aesthetics developed they continued to improve on these forms of shelter (until eventually architecture came about). This creativity evolved into abstract form, where people could imagine, project and create an image, which had no previous material counterpart. From this burgeoning aestheticism came the creative arts

Quality

The fundamental quality of the Swadisthan Chakra is that of creativity, it's here that the energy tor our creativity is generated. After our realisation we discover that the true key to creativity is in achieving the state of thoughtless awareness (nirvichara samadhi) through our meditations. From this we discover that all the beauty of the creation is reflected within us like a still and silent lake. Once we locate this pool and beauty we can become the channel for it. We become the creative instrument of the collective unconscious without ego to distort the purity of the art. We become, as Wordsworth says "a heart that watches and receives."

The process of creativity in whatever form draws on the qualities of the Swadisthan Chakra. If this process is accomplished in a balanced state (i.e.using the energies of the central or Sushumna channel in the subtle system) then the result is spiritually enhanced, we can say that it had "heart". After realisation this is emphasised, and the resulting creation can become an inspired work. We can see this by looking at the classic works from artists of the past such as Mozart and Michelangelo who were born as evolved realised souls. Works of this quality are immortal, and provide joy and beauty that define the whole epoch.

However in the modern process, we can see that even where the artistic endeavour starts out "with heart", there is a tendency for the artist to produce later works which are flat, life-less or even exploitative. The primary cause of this tendency is the ego of the artist. As the artist becomes more successful, he or she works harder to maintain or grow this success. This requires more exhaustive use of the right channel (the Pingala Nadhi or Channel of Action). A by-product of this channel becoming exhausted is that the ego of the artist becomes inflated. Note that in subtle terms the ego is actually situated at the end of the action channel (in the balloon-like shape on the left hand side of the head). As the artist starts to believe that he is the creator of all his works (thus eliminating divine inspiration) the process is accelerated and the ego expands to such an extent that the spiritual content of these works is removed completely.

The Spirit which resides in our heart is the real reservoir of creativity, and artists and people who think excessively or are obsessed with fame or success will usually suffer a weak Swadisthan Chakra and tend to be off balance personalities. Their ambition to be superior to others or to be acclaimed by them for their talents comes from their ego, which is connected to the right side of the Swadisthan Chakra through the right channel. Their spontaneity is lost in this ambitious and competitive effort to create, and this explains why most modern creation in any aspect lacks Vitality, lacks Spirit, lack Heart.

TRADITION

The presiding deity (or role model) for the Swadisthan Chakra is Shri Brahmadeva. He represents the ultimate Creator, and has as his power Shri Saraswati, who is the Goddess of music and arts.

GROSS PHYSICAL ASPECT

The most important function of this centre is that it breaks down fat particles in the abdomen to replace the grey and white cells in the brain, and so generates the energy which fuels our thinking. Excessive thinking and planning overworks this process and exhausts this centre. The Swadisthan also looks after the liver (along with the Nabhi Centre). If the Chakrais having to cope with excessive thinking, then the other or-gans it is supposed to look after are neglected. The liver isparticularly susceptible to this neglect. Problems here are in-dicated by tingling in the thumb and middle finger of the righthand, or by prickling sensations in the hands.The liver has a particular importance in that it is the seat of ourAttention (chitta). Attention should not be confused with thought, which comes from ego (our I-ness) and superego (our past conditionings and upbringing). Attention is pure concentration minus thought/mental activity. For example when we look at the flower we put our attention on it (i.e. observe it). However we will also think about it ("that's pretty, I wonder what it is called" etc). Attention has no associated thoughts it is pure concentration/observation/witnessing. A balanced liver sustains and nourishes our attention and filters it by scanning out any impurities and external clutter. From this purified Attention comes the peace and stillness that we obtain in our

meditation. The liver is susceptible to overheating (via alcohol or other stimulants) which has a detrimental effect on our Attention, which ultimately weakens our meditations and so on.

CONDITION OF THE SWADISTHANA

A weakened Swadisthan may show up in a number of ways: diabetes, heart disease and associated problems, difficulty meditating, irritability. Interest in spiritualism and occult practices will also have a detrimental effect on this centre. If we delve into these realms we lead the Attention into the collective subconscious areas, and we leave ourselves open to increased lethargy, and maybe even hallucinations and increased overall negativity.

Clearing the Swadisthana

Right Side Techniques:

Soak the feet in cold salty water during meditation.
Place an ice pack over the liver - between the right hip and the lower ribs.
Ask "Mother Kundalini please cool down my liver and take away my thoughts."

Left Side Techniques:

Soak your feet in warm salty water during meditation.
Ask "Mother Kundalini please give my the pure divine knowledge" (Nirmala Vidya).
Place a candle near your left palm and use your right hand to hold a second candle near your left hip. Ask the fire element to absorb all catches/negativity from the left Swadisthana.