Sacral Chakra: Powers Of The Swadhisthana

The sacral chakra or swadhisthana is one of the 7 major chakras. The Sanskrit word swa means “one's own” and adhisthana means “dwelling place or residence.” Thus, swadhisthana means “one's own abode.” The sacral chakra corresponds to the reproductive and urinary systems in the gross body and is physiologically related to the prostatic and utero-vaginal plexus of nerves. The location of sacral chakra is at the base of the spinal column, at the level of the coccyx or tailbone. This is a small bony bulb which can be felt just above the anus. It is anatomically very close to the root chakra in both the male and female bodies.

The Sacral Chakra, Karma, and Samskaras

Swadhisthana is said to be the foundation of individual human existence and is usually associated with the subconscious mind which houses our karmas (actions or deeds) and samskaras (mental impressions). The sacral chakra symbolizes all the karmas, the past experiences, and the unconscious dimension of our personality.

All the karmas and samskaras stored in the sacral chakra influence our daily behavior though we remain completely unconscious of them. This is true because they exist in a seed state. For example, yesterday you may have had a pleasant or a painful experience. That experience has become an unconscious process or force which may be acting and affecting your conscious awareness today. They have practically no form, but they are a great force.

The Sacral Chakra & The Element of Water

Water is used to symbolize the sacral chakra. The example given above is just one way to interpret the relationship of water with this energy center. In kundalini yoga and other esoteric systems, water is used as a metaphor for transformation. You’ll find many examples of this in myths and stories where the main character jumps into a body of water either intentionally or accidentally. This represents the final separation from a person’s known world and self. By diving into the water, a person shows the willingness to undergo a metamorphosis.

In the first film of the Matrix Trilogy, for example, this is represented by the scene that immediately follows after Neo takes the red pill from Morpheus. Cypher says, "Buckle your seatbelt, Dorothy, coz Kansas is going bye-bye.” Within a few minutes, Neo is taken out of the Matrix and is expelled into the "sewerage system" of the machine city.

There are also stories about great mystics and saints going through this kind of experience. Perhaps the most famous of all examples are the stories of Christ being tempted by Satan or the Buddha being tempted by Mara (the same guy who tempted Christ). What these stories basically imply is that it is within the unconscious that you will meet your own demons.

From these accounts, it becomes obvious that it could be a terrifying experience to have your consciousness transformed. If you want to undergo a spiritual transformation, you must be able to give yourself the assurance that you have done the necessary preparation for it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t know how to evaluate the experience, which might turn out to be horrific. Being unprepared is just like diving into the deep part of a swimming pool without knowing how to swim.

Spiritual Powers of the Sacral Chakra

In many systems of yoga, meditating on the different chakras of the body allows the person to attain different kinds of spiritual power or what the Hindus call "siddhis." The following is a list of siddhis associated with the sacral chakra:

• Knowledge Of The Arrangement Of Stars And Planets
• Mastery Of The Elements (Water)
• Mastery Over The Five Senses Of The Body (Taste)

Practices for The Sacral Chakra

There are many practices for controlling or balancing the energy that goes through the sacral chakra. The following practices are used mainly in the tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism.

1. Asanas (yogic postures) - Asana is defined as "posture;" its literal meaning is "seat." Asanas greatly stimulate and influence the functioning of the endocrine system. The following asanas are useful in awakening sacral chakra: bhujangasana, shashankasana, dhanurasana and shashank-bhujangasana.

2. Vajroli Mudra (for men) - Vajra means thunderbolt in Sanskrit. A mudra or "seal" is a symbolic or ritual gesture. Vajroli mudra (the thunderbolt) stimulates the genitals with prana activated blood. The object of vajroli mudra is to be perfectly established in brahmacharya (purity, chastity, non-lust) and to control the contraction and release of the urinary passage in the male body.

3. Sahajoli Mudra (for women) - Sahajoli means "strong" or "mighty" in Sanskrit. This practice involves physical contraction of muscles around the urethra and directing the energy upward. The object of sahajoli mudra is also to be perfectly established in brahmacharya and to control the contraction and release of the urinary passage in the female body.

4. Ashwini Mudra - Ashwa means “horse” in Sanskrit. In this mudra (gesture), a similar movement of expansion and contraction of the anus of a horse is expected. It involves the contraction and relaxation of the anal sphincter muscles causing a rise in pranic energy.

5. Samyama Meditation - Samyama meditation is a combined simultaneous practice of dhāraṇā, dhyāna, and samādhi. These techniques primarily belong to the classical yoga called Raja Yoga or "royal union." According to this system of yoga, meditating on the sacral chakra using this technique allows the practitioner to have full control of its power.

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