Also known as the Swadisthan, the Sacral Chakra is the source of our creativity and the inspiration we get from what Carl Jung called the ‘Collective Unconscious’.  Read on to find out how you can connect with and unlock this unending store of knowledge and talent.

There is some confusion about this chakra as it has some fundamental differences to the others.  On the gross level the Sacral Chakra corresponds to the aortic plexus, which is positioned at the base of the abdomen. However, this chakra actually moves around the whole of the nabhi (stomach), marking out a perimeter area called the Void, or the ‘Ocean of Illusion’, (more on the Void later) and in the centre lies the Nabhi Chakra.

The Sacral Chakra is yellow in colour, whilst the Nabhi is green.  The Sacral Chakra has 6 petals corresponding to its qualities and the organs it looks after, which are the liver, the uterus, the pancreas and also our sight.  The qualities of this chakra are Creativity, Aesthetics, Abstract Thought, Pure Knowledge and Pure Desire. It acts by converting energy from fat cells to be used by the brain to create brain cells.

However, when we are thinking, planning and worrying all the time, this chakra has to work very hard and becomes weak.  It neglects the other organs it has to look after and instead creates more energy for the brain.  In these situations a person can develop problems with their liver, pancreas or uterus and they have a weakened attention, which means they have trouble focusing on anything for very long.  Indeed, too much thinking and short attention spans are a modern malaise and the bombardment of the media does nothing to help.  Therefore it is more important than ever to protect and strengthen the Sacral Chakra to prevent the development of serious illnesses.

The Sacral Chakra corresponds to the element of fire and its crystal is the amethyst. These items can be very useful to use when cleansing this chakra.  The fire burns negativity and amethysts are healing and protective, helping to rid negative thoughts from the mind.

When this chakra is in balance it calms the mind so that we can be in the present moment (not planning in the future or wallowing in the past), drawing inspiration from the Silence of the Collective Unconscious.  It is a very nourishing state and one that many famous geniuses such as Mozart and Einstein credited as the source of their talented works. It is this Silence that gives you the right ideas on what to create and what is good for you.

Earlier I mentioned the Void or the Ocean of Illusion.  It is also known as the Bhavasagara in Sanskrit. On the gross level this corresponds to the gap in the Vagus Nerve (the longest nerve in the body) and where we were separated from our mothers at birth, when the umbilical cord is cut.  Scientists don’t know how the Vagus Nerve can still function with this gap in it because they don’t understand the subtle nature of the body.  However, when the Sacred Kundalini energy arises, we can cross the Ocean of Illusion and we begin to become enlightened and we start to see the Reality around us for the first time.

The Void is not a chakra as such but it does have the quality of Mastery.  It is where The Spirit as the Teacher of the Self can help us achieve mastery over ourselves and our lower nature.  Additionally, the perimeter drawn by the Sacral Chakra around the Void is the boundary of human dharma or correct behaviour.  Amazingly this corresponds to the 10 Commandments as well as other innate moralities.  In India these are known as Maryadas.  If we stay within the maryadas then we can live a balanced and happy life.  As soon as we step outside the maryadas we get burned – often very quickly.  For example, I have seen over the years that people who live an immoral life or if you do anything immoral, then problems occur.  It could be problems with the law, with society, in your relationships, in your finances or even diseases.  All these troubles come to you when you break the maryadas.

So there is a great deal to take in about the Sacral Chakra and its importance!  We should take positive steps to look after this energy centre.

Here is a short meditation for the Sacral Chakra.

• Light a candle and sit comfortably, preferably on the ground so that the root chakra can be closer to the Mother Earth, which has a cleansing effect on all our chakras.
• Close your eyes and place your palms face upwards on your lap. Place your right hand on the lower abdomen – this helps focus your attention there.  Hold your attention there for a few minutes and every time your attention wanders away, gently bring it back to this chakra. 
• Inside yourself to your own Spirit, say the affirmation: Please make me a more creative person. Please give me pure desire and pure attention. Say it 6 times.
• Continue to sit with your attention on this chakra for a while. Then after a few minutes, guide your attention up through the centre of your body to the crown of the head.  If you can’t do that easily, you can use your right hand and lift it slowly in front of you from the base of your spine to the top of your head.  Do this 7 times.
• Then take your right hand and place it firmly on the top of your head and press down. Hold it there for a few minutes so that your attention stays there.
• Move your hand back to your lap and keep your attention at the top of your head and sit quietly like this for a few more minutes.
• Slowly open your eyes – hopefully everything will look brighter and you will be feeling more relaxed and energised.

Try this at home if you are thinking too much or planning for the future all the time.  See if it can help with your work and creative output by giving you great ideas.