Home Blog Page 322

Kundalini Rising, Part 4: The Heart Chakra

Gary Z McGee
-
14
Kundalini Rising, Part 4: The Heart Chakra

“If you’re really listening, if you’re truly awake to the poignant beauty of the world, your heart breaks regularly. In fact, your heart is made to break; its purpose is to burst open again and again so that it can hold evermore wonders.” ~ Andrew Harvey.

Imagine Kundalini as a divine snake moving up your spine, causing each chakra it passes through to blossom. The more we meditate on this type of energy, the more we allow our personal frequency to resonate with the greater orchestra of the cosmos.

And the more we allow our frequency to resonate, the more balance and health we will experience in our lives. This article will discuss the profound significance of the fourth chakra: Anahata, the heart chakra.

Before reaching the heart chakra, we were bound by the laws of karma. With the merging of the divine feminine and the divine masculine, we gain the ability to make our own decisions. We become an aspect of Karma itself.

This chakra is the balancing pivot between the three lower and three higher chakras. Here, our higher nature has the potential to become manifest. We are now free to “follow our own heart.” We have discovered that sacred place where the sages can hear the secrets of the universe: a language older than words.

ashana-rudra-shiva-feminine-masculine-energy-heart-chakra
Shiva/Shakti divine masculine and feminine

The Anahata is symbolized by a smoke-green lotus with twelve petals, known in Buddhist circles as the heartmind. It is located in the chest, while its central activation point is the heart.

In the center of the lotus are two intersecting triangles, forming a hexagram, which symbolize the union of the divine masculine and feminine. The triangle facing upward symbolizes Shiva, the male principle; while the triangle facing downward symbolizes Shakti, the female principle.

It is associated with the element of air, the sense of touch, and the planet Venus. Heart chakra is the seat of Vital Breath, like water (Sacral Chakra), air assumes the shape of whatever it fills, yet it is less subject to gravity than water, and so we may require a replanting of our root chakra in order to remain grounded. Air is breath, and so it is vital that it be free, but it can also overwhelm us if not balanced properly.

Like Blaise Pascal wrote, “The heart has its reasons that reason knows nothing of.”

The deity associated with this region is Vāyu, Lord of the Winds, who is often depicted riding an antelope. He is also known as prāna, “the breath,” and so he personifies the five vital forces of prana: Prana vayu, Apana vayu, Samana vayu, Udana vayu and Vyana vayu, which all circulate through the body and connect us to the vatavaran, Sanskrit for “atmosphere.”

His greatest lesson is in connecting us with the Cosmic Breath, where the vibration, magnetism, and resonance of the universe is free to move through us and begins to provide us with sacred synchronicities.

When this chakra is balanced we are Vayu deva, deity associated with the heart chakrafilled with unconditional love for self and others, what the Buddhists call Mahakaruna “the Great Compassion.” We are filled with appreciation, joy, and happiness.

When this chakra is opened the Higher Self is free to emerge and resonate with higher frequencies. We are free to recognize the importance of Namaste: “the divine within me recognizes the divine within you.”

When this chakra is blocked, however, we tend to experience poor circulation on the physical level, we tend to lack empathy on the emotional level, and we tend to lack devotion on the spiritual level. Our hearts become closed and hard. We have trouble loving ourselves, and we are therefore paranoid and afraid to love others.

Many issues of love, grief, hatred, anger, jealousy, fears of betrayal, of loneliness, as well as the ability to heal ourselves and others are centered in the fourth chakra.

Heart Chakra meditation:

While meditating, focus your prana on the heart. Breathe and be Breath. Imagine vital air emanating from this chakra, resonating through your body and out, connecting you to the greater cosmos. Feel the life-giving air invigorate and rejuvenate your heart chakra. Imagine this connection nourishing your soul, bathing your heart and skin in healing spirit.

Touch is important with this chakra, so “feel” the cosmos pressing against your skin. “Feel” your skin absorbing the cosmos. And then realize, in the deepest most fundamental part of yourself, that there is no separation. Disconnection is an illusion.

We’re always connected to everything. Awareness is the key. We become more aware by being and becoming with each breath. The Door of Life has been opened. Allow the Vital Breath to guide you up to the next level; to the fifth chakra: The Throat Chakra, the Vishuddha.

Image source:

Shiva/Shakti divine feminine and masculine

Kundalini Rising, Part 3: The Solar Plexus Chakra

Gary Z McGee
-
9
Kundalini Rising, Part 3: The Solar Plexus Chakra

“The Manipura Chakra is as radiant and bright as the sun dominating the dawn. Draw in the prana and hold it there while meditating on the fire element. This meditation dispels the deeply ingrained fear of death” ~ Gheranda Samhita, one of the three classic texts of Hatha yoga.

As we rise up through the seven blossoming Chakras, with the corporeal energy of Kundalini in tow, we become more aware of our divine union with all things. We discover that the universe itself is a giant blooming flower in and of itself, and we are its slowly opening eye.

Conscious awareness is upon us. Our vehicle is the divine feminine, Shakti. We are ready to be transformed, and fire will be the medium of our transformation.

In our last article we opened the Swadhisthana Chakra, or Sacral Chakra. Kundalini has been awakened and has now moved up to the third level: The Manipura, or Solar Plexus. The fundamental quality of this chakra is transformation. The fiery aspect of this Chakra makes it the seat of our unique identity, where we are free to project our power and charisma into the world.

This is where our Will to Power (Nietzsche) and self-discipline become manifest. Just as fire transforms solids into liquids and liquids into gas, the inner fire transforms our unconscious into conscious awareness. The Manipura is our energy center, radiating vital prana, the sum total of all energy that manifests in the universe, throughout our entire body.

The Manipura is symbolized by a yellow lotus with ten fiery petals. It is located in the area of the solar plexus just above the navel. It is associated with the element of fire (the inverted red triangle), so the sun is a popular symbol, but its primary planet is Mars. The direct translation of Manipura is “The City of Jewels.”

agni deva e1584899576691

The main deity associated with this Chakra is the Hindu deity Agni, God of Fire, who has two heads, one denotes the creative aspect of fire and the other denotes its destructiveness. He is ever-young, being born and reborn every day in the crucible of his own fire.

A lesser deity associated with this chakra is Rudra. His name has been translated as, “The Howler;” and so he howls inside us, turning ‘red’ with passion and a will toward a higher calling.

It is also associated with digestion and movement. In this respect, our emotional self and mental correlate which are found within intuition and “gut feelings.” When this Chakra is balanced we feel endowed to lead our lives with dynamism, power and authority.

Self-love is important here. When in tune and balanced, our solar plexus puts the ego-mind (or small mind) in check, and then Big Mind is free to engage and ‘feel’ the cosmic threads that bind and connect all things. It boosts self-esteem, respect for others, calmness, and initiative. You feel friendly, joyful, and confident.

By meditating on this Chakra one is said to attain the prana to create or destroy the world. In this respect, an over-active Solar Plexus Chakra can lead to arrogance, conceit, and self-centeredness. If this happens we run the risk of becoming power-hungry, one-right-way, egotists.

When this Chakra is under-active, or blocked, we tend to feel unworthy and have a low self-esteem. Our emotional state is one of depression and anxiety. We tend to be doubtful and mistrusting toward others. This kind of stress can lead to a plethora of physical problems: poor digestion, ulcers, diabetes, liver or kidney problems, anorexia, bulimia, and even intestinal tumors.

Solar Plexus Chakra Meditation


Wear something yellow, or imagine the color yellow. Better yet, meditate in front of a fire or a candle. While meditating, focus your prana on the solar plexus. Imagine a bright yellow Chakra spinning there, like a radiant sun. Imagine this internal sun nourishing your core, bathing your digestive organs in healing light, just as the external sun nourishes your skin.

Notice how you feel as a Differentiated Unity in the greater undifferentiated cosmos. Feel the benevolent power of the universe. Allow it to pour into you in the form of charismatic confidence and transformative control. Allow it to guide you up to the next level; to the fourth chakra: The Heart Chakra, the Anahata.

Image Source:
Agni
Rudra

P John Burden’s Art that Captures the Spirits of Nature

Clyde
-
12
P John Burden’s Art that Captures the Spirits of Nature

Its difficult to put down in words the joy one feels when you come across someone’s creations that speak a language your soul understands. P John Burden’s work is laced with elements of nature and country folklore, though he comes from a different time and space; his art creates a bond that transcends these barriers.

“When I paint, I am blind – trying to see,” says John who had a tough upbringing and a bunch of creative work experience, but he ended his corporate career to do what satisfied his soul. He ponders on how so many of us are still stuck in the material cycle even after knowing the destruction of life and beauty it causes. Here’s our interview with this fascinating artist.

Tree of Life
Tree of Life

You have a long history of working for the commercial establishment, what made you quit?

Yes I have, been an illustrator, created church windows, designed furniture, been a silver/goldsmith and so on. Also worked (including advertising) for volunteers, co-ops, & ethically sound small businesses. But I never thought of myself as a commercial artist. To me, a commercial artist is someone working for the worst aspects of capitalism, out of an advertising agency in New York, or wherever – I never did that.

In fact I just did my best, and if ever a client “demanded” significant change – I just walked out. A lot of that stuff I haven’t quit doing (I still illustrate, do some stained glass windows, and, sometimes, do stuff for volunteer agencies.) But, in 1999 I decided to go back to painting my own pictures. There seems to be a lot of controversy over “what is an artist”.

I think an artist is simply someone who is always struggling to do their best, and thereby never satisfied. I had, and still have, many stories in my head, waiting to be painted – and much as I was okay about working for others – there were never enough hours in the day. (Of course, there still aren’t enough hours, and the older I get, the longer I work) that is not a complaint – just a fact. I am content.

blue blues
Blue Blues

 

When and how did you discover the artist in you?

My family were quite poor when I was very young. My mother worked in a grocery store – to support us, including my father while he studied to be a doctor. Both parents also made crafts for sale, and I was always intrigued by what they made.

My sister and I were encouraged to entertain ourselves, including drawing – an inexpensive pursuit for a child. I failed miserably at school, I had little ability to focus for long on just about anything. So I always gravitated to the art class where, whilst drawing or painting, I became positively obsessed.

I think I was more driven into being an artist, it was the only thing I was any good at!

What do you portray through your work?

Perhaps I try to portray “Yearning”. Yearning being the ever present beauty hidden within the chaos of our existence.

Your work seems to have a very natural feel to it, elaborate a little on these elements and how they inspire or fascinate you?

Upon graduating, my father became a country doctor in Norfolk, England. Here, still young child, I had few friends (other than my long suffering family and some of the elderly farm workers.) Wandering (and sometimes working) amidst the old fashioned rural Norfolk culture, made me aware of much ancient lore still remembered by the country people.

I will never forget the unforgiving beauty of those bleak landscapes, and the stoic will of the ill paid farm workers. Although I seldom figuratively paint those landscapes and all the ancient lore entwined within them (but one day I will) I still often paint those emotions.

Which is your personal favorite painting and why?

I don’t really have a favorite, but “Remember Me” haunts me.

Remember Me
Remember Me

How has your work evolved over the years?

In the late 1960’s, I was doing copper plate line engravings of the desolate side of London (England) life. It was shortly after that I “went commercial”. I returned to my own world of paintings in 1999. I still sometimes paint memories of city life and the destitution therein, but most of my work, over the last few years has been of nature spirits (goddess’s and etc.).

I believe much of this folk lore has it’s echoes in the contemporary soul. Those echoes are clamoring in my “soul”, and demand to be put into my work. These are the “interlopers” that can often be found in my paintings.

What is your opinion of the times we live in?

luna
luna

In art, I think we live in the times of the Emperor’s New Clothes. And much of the most meaningful art has been long overlooked. Beyond that, I think we all of us in this world live in terrible times. The world is breaking apart, and yet so many of us are still mesmerized by the pitiless corporate machine and it’s destruction of life and beauty.

John wanted me to share this particular experience, “Some time back, when i was a jeweler i made myself a belt buckle of a western “grotesque” (a pagan ornament, sort of like a gargoyle that would decorate Christian churches). I wore this belt buckle when going to Australia, as a sort of portable wealth (had some nice rubies etc. in it.) When stopping over in Fiji airport a local lady rushed over and told me I was wearing the guardian god of her doorway. This episode just pointed out to me that these ancient images transcend space and time – sort of universal.”

Kundalini Rising, Part 2: The Sacral Chakra

Gary Z McGee
-
13
Kundalini Rising, Part 2: The Sacral Chakra

The more conscious we become of how our energy moves through our body, through the seven flowering Chakras, the more we work to move our energy in healthier ways. The more we move our energy in healthier ways, the more we discover that which is cosmic, infinite, and unconditional in us.

In our last article we opened the Muladhara chakra, or root chakra. Now moving up to the second level: The Swadhisthana or sacral chakra. The fundamental quality of this chakra is pure creativity and attention, unencumbered by the ego. This Chakra works on an instinctual level, but it still remains unconscious, containing mysterious primal desires, especially sexual and tantric.

But opening the Sacral Chakra isn’t about enhancing sexuality. It’s more about focusing primal energies upon greater awareness so that we can enjoy the flow of life. The Swadhisthana is where the different samskaras impressions (potential karmas) lay dormant, waiting to be expressed. It’s a tapping into the latent, primal intuition of the unconscious realm hidden within the emotions and desires of the human condition.

The Sacral Chakra is symbolized by a vermilion-orange lotus with six petals representing the following six modes of consciousness: affection, ruthlessness, vision, derision, and doubt. It is located near the coccyx, just above the Muladhara chakra, while its central activation point is the pubic bone.

It is Varunaassociated with the element of water (the crescent moon in the flower), the sense of taste, confidence, sexual vitality, and its primary planet is the moon.

The direct translation of Swadhisthana is ‘one’s own abode.’ The deity associated with this chakra is the four-armed god Varuna, who is often depicted riding on a crocodile named Makara.

Varuna is the god of water in the underworld, personifying the power of the bodies liquid elements; blood, lymph, semen, urine and saliva. This is why the moon planet is such a powerful symbol with this chakra, as it controls the moving ‘tides’ in our waters.

When this chakra is balanced we feel full of wonder and awe for our connection to the greater cosmos. We are more adaptable and able to go with the flow of life. With the activation of Swadhisthana we begin to develop a sense of personality and self-esteem, as our body-awareness increases so does our sense of groundedness and emotional intuition.

The majority of people, especially in Western cultures, experience a blockage of this Chakra, usually because of nature-deprivation and an overall lack of awareness of the interconnectedness of all things.

When this Chakra is blocked we may feel an inability to ground ourselves, jealousy, guilt, not able to set healthy boundaries and attach too much importance on immediate gratification. Nothing seems good enough because we’re never satisfied, and depression inevitably ensues. Also, eating disorders tend to be a manifestation of an imbalanced Sacral Chakra.

Sacral Chakra Meditation

How to Open the Sacral chakra

Wear something orange, or imagine the color orange. While you are meditating, visualizing or imagining, focus your energy (or Qi) on the navel. The Sacral Chakra is fairly easy to access and transform as it responds to emotional and creative self-expression. Notice how you feel about your connection to your body and your body’s fluid connection to the cosmos.

Literally lay your hands on your stomach, Reiki-style, if you have to. Imagine your emotional, spiritual, mental and physical ‘fluids’ flowing out into the cosmos like rivers into an ocean. Visualize yourself moving with the ‘tide’ of your body’s natural rhythm in balance with the greater cosmic rhyme.

Standard practices in Kundalini yoga for balancing the energy in the Sacral Chakra include vajroli mudra (contraction of the genitals), ashvini mudra (contraction of the anus).

With the opening of the Sacral Chakra, Kundalini has become aware of itself. As it moves its way up, our consciousness begins to blossom. Our power is growing, our ability for self-transformation is beginning to manifest. The spark has struck the kindling of our spirit, and the next level, the Manipura Chakra, is the resulting fire.

Image Source:
Varuna

Chris Dyer : Spreading Positivity through Art

Clyde
-
2
Chris Dyer : Spreading Positivity through Art
Peeling Bodies
Peeling Bodies

Chris Dyer, a Peruvian artist living in Montreal, Canada, is better known for recycling old skateboards into paintings for over 10 years. Although his spiritual art transcends just skateboards as he hopes to pass on a positive message with these expressions.

His goal is to use his inner soul expressions to help other people with their own struggles and evolution into light. Let’s get to know Chris a little better –

Your art is heavily influenced by your Peruvian roots, were you living in Peru or how did it manifest itself?

Yes, I grew up in Lima Peru till age 17, before I moved to Canada where I live now. This upbringing definitely formed much of who I am today and this filters and influences my art as well.

The Apotheosis of Dualitree
The Apotheosis of Dualitree

As soon as I can remember I was creating something. Of course drawings and finger paintings and later junk robots, zines, club houses, mix tape covers, skate graphics, etc.

There has to be a connection between you and a skateboard, what is it and we also believe you started out with skateboard art?

I’ve been skating since I was 8 years old in 1987 and still do it today. Though I never gained much skating skills, I love doing it. It is my fun, my exercise, my freedom and physical expression. As a kid I would do my own graphics (imitating the greats we had in the 80s) or do finger boards and cardboard vert ramps and stuff like that. Then in the late 90s, I drew my own graphics on the blank boards I rode. Only in the year 2000 I started to paint my old broken boards and have been doing it since. Now its also a dream come true to do over 100 commercial skate graphics for the skate industry over the last 10 years.
mexico

Have you had an entheogen/psychedelic experience and has this influenced you or your work in a positive way?

Well, I used to experiment much in my 20s. Did a lot of them and learned quite a bit from them and once I got the message and saw I was risking to burn out I stopped and moved on. So yes, I’d say those psychedelic experiences (as any other) have helped shape my art, but I don’t really need them anymore.

Polaric Heart Intelligence
Polaric Heart Intelligence

Which is your favorite creation and why?

I don’t have one. Each piece is a different expression, with it’s own subject matter and intention. I can’t really pick what is better or worse, it is just all different and all good in one way or another. Then I just leave it up to my followers to pick what they prefer, if they feel like that.

What is the message you would like to communicate with your art?

Many things I guess. Oneness of spirit and cultures. Healing the psychological wounds of our past. Bridging the very grounded street culture with the very airy hippie culture. Duality and it’s dance. Imagination creatures. Etc.

God of Healing
God of Healing

What are your views of the time we are living in?

I think it’s really special with potential for it all! I really enjoy the extent technology helps us and know it will only get better, as humanity keep evolving out of it’s adolescence. I like to keep it optimistic, so even with all the problems we face, I gotta focus on how blessed we are at the same time.

Hope you enjoyed going through the interview, here’s a full documentary on Dyer, that covers his life story, many r-evolutions and explores different topics like “Can art help heal the world”.

The movie includes appearances by different respected artists n skaters, like Alex Gray, Andy Howell, Karl Watson, Nilton Neves, Bob Burnquist, Omen, Ron Allen , Other, etc.

1...321322323...348Page 322 of 348