

Mantra: LAM
Form: lotus flower with 4 red petals bearing the Sanskrit letters va, scha, sha and sa
Element: earth
Statement: "I need to survive - food, clothing and shelter"
Location : Nong Khai, Thailand
Muladhara (root chakra)
The Muladhara Chakra is represented by a red 4-petaled lotus flower next to the rectum towards the spinal tip. It's associated mantra is LAM. Pranayama focused on the Muladhara develops vigor and body hardness against life's challenges. Consciousness (caitanya) is enhanced and sexual virility (viryam) is strengthened. The sankini nadi* is located here where all 72,000 nadis in the body converge.
Foundational Chakra
Muladhara is also the root chakra and provides foundation for all the chakras - best to start developing this chakra before all the others. Analogy: in a building, the foundation has to be done first. The depth and strength of the foundation dictate the stability of the building. Traditionally, the yogis develop the Muladhara before the other chakras. However, in the last decade of paradigm-shifting where new flavors of the month are in vogue, there has been a push for the Ajna Chakra first - this is a big mistake according to the old school yogis.
Primal Instinct
Our primal instinct borne from our ancestral history and accumulated karmic sins (samskaras) are stored here. This is where our animal fight-or-flight response is centered. This is where we keep records of our lineage and their survival accounts that make our genetic mold. In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, survival first (food, clothing and shelter) before heaven in our minds.
Pranayama to Awaken the Kundalini from the Muladhara Chakra
This exercise (sadhana) is an amalgamation of full lotus seated pose (padmasana), regulated breathing (pranayama), visualization into existence (bhavana), and breath-hold on the inhalation (puraka kumbhaka) and energy locks (kumbhaka).
In Padmasana facing east or north, holding the Gyana Mudra, set your intention and focus on the Muladhara Chakra. Exhale to empty your lungs. Now, inhale slowly while visualizing the awakening of the Kundalini Shakti in the Muladhara Chakra. As you continue the inhalation, clearly visualize the Kundalini finding its way up, chakra by chakra, along the central energy channel (Sushumna). Synchronize the breathing so that by the time the lungs are fully inflated, the Kundalini is on the very top chakra, the Bramaghuna. Hold the breath in, suck-in the tummy (Uddiyana Bandha), chin to the chest (Jalandara Bandha), and visualize the entire body covered in white light, power and wisdom. AS you begin the exhalation, imagine the Kundalini descending its way down the Sushumna, again, chakra by chakra, until it is back at the Muladhara Chakra. At this point, the lungs should be fully empty with no residual air. Repeat the process. This process will hasten the awakening of the Kundalini.
Notes on Muladhara Chakra
Supernatural Gifts (Siddhis)
Meditating on Muladhara brings about special superhuman abilities as follows:
Ending Thoughts
As a grounding chakra, it is relatively easy to spot the Muladhara level of a person. I've met conscious people who seem to live 50,000 feet above sea level and unaware of their spacey state. They are mindful of their breath but miss appointments, meetings and deadlines. Sorry to say, but monks seem to behave like that. Hello from planet Earth! This happens when other chakras were developed first before the Muladhara - there is no solid foundation for grounding. They seem to be oblivious to the demands of reality.
On the other extreme, there are people who can't seem to evolve - they are simply trapped in the dog-eat-dog struggle of daily life and have to constantly fight for survival. They are well developed in their Muladhara Chakra but seem to get stuck there.
I believe the ideal balance, and this is what I am attempting to achieve, is to have one leg on solid ground and the other leg on Cloud 9. On one hand, I can still function in society, talk to business people, politicians and householders and deliver my projects on time according to specs. On the other hand, I am also mindful of the path to being the best evolved version of myself, establishing that connection between me and the universe at large.
The Muladhara Chakra is an essential component in the yoga practice for many reasons. It's the foundational chakra that holds stability of the other chakras, it's the seat of the Kundalini Shakti, the seat of the sankini nadi where all 72,000 nadis in the body converge, and this is where the 3 most important nadis begin - Ida, Pingala and Sushumna. Self-realization through chakra awakening begins at the Muladhara Chakra. Without the Muladhara, self-realization is not possible.
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
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Next chakra:
Svadhisthana (sacral chakra)
(May 2020) Located 2-fingers above the muladhara, when combined with pranayama, the body becomes impervious to disease, no fatigue in physical work, peaceful coexistence with wild animals....more »»
Nong Khai Travel Information / Tips
At the Khua Din Bus Terminal, you can board the #14 bus bound for Buddha Park. It will make a stop on the Friendship Bridge border - 15 mins, B8000. Go to Laos Immigration to exit. Board the special bus to cross the Friendship Bridge, Kip 4,000 or Baht 20. It will stop at Thai Immigration. Get processed. From there, board a tuk-tuk for Nong Khai, 5kms.
Nong Khai Blogs by TheLoneRider
Travel Tips for Thailand
60-Day Thai Tourist Visa
NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.
30-Day Extension
NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.
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