Where does the sweetness of life originate within our being? Chakra philosophy claims it resides in the second or sacral chakra. In Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language, the second chakra is called Svadhisthana. Swa translates to “one’s own” Adhisthana means “abode or seat.” In other words, “One’s own seat.” My teacher Syl at www.gobodhiyoga.com calls this area the “sweet spot.” My grandchildren are all in this stage of development. I love watching them take pleasure in connecting with others. They love snuggling, hugging or giving you kisses. They love to hold your hand, and for the most part always prefer to do so. They are instinctively curious about their bodies, put almost everything in their mouth, and they are constantly in motion. When they sleep their breath is deep and full. They are loved, and their reaching out is met with encouragement. They live in the present and fully enjoy being alive. They’re beginning to relate to others outside their family, at church and in small play groups. I love seeing their imaginations and creativity growing. At any given moment they are exercising their right of choice, which is often accompanied by tantrums, and NO! They like doing things for themselves, saying things like, “I do it myself!” They are so stinking cute and smart. They are like little sponges, taking everything in. They feel safe moving their bodies and do so spontaneously whenever they hear music. They are in the seat of the Self, enjoying the “sweet-spot.” They are moving from a world of instincts governed by their root chakra, to gaining a new sense of self in the form of emotions.
Sadly, not all of us had these privileges or grew up this way, nor presently do all children have stability and love, allowing them to explore and individualize. Often young children have to shoulder adult responsibilities, and in the extreme, become the caregiver to their parent or sibling. Maybe we were only given pleasurable things when we behaved a certain way, so pleasure came with strings attached. When we had big emotions such as sadness, anger or neediness, those emotions were met with denial of love, lack of support, or distraction. Traumas and abuses come to all of us in many forms, and steal away our basic right to feel and have pleasure. Often these basic rights to feel and have pleasure are denied or manipulated by others, eventually making us emotionally numb. If we have strong emotions such as anger or fear caused by painful experiences out of our control, and we don’t know how to process these emotions, we are likely to turn these emotions inward on ourselves. Believing that it is our own fault, creating guilt, that in turn blocks us from experiencing the sweetness of life.
Growing up, my parents were loving and attended to my needs the best they could. I was loved, nurtured, and well cared for. I felt physically safe, but at times emotionally uneasy as my parents had a difficult time communicating and resolving problems. My Mother grew up with an alcoholic Father during the Depression. These circumstances created a lot of fear. My Father grew up in this same era. He was born in 1929, the very year the Great Depression commenced. The collective energy of this era left its scars. Fear of not having enough was manifested in so many areas of my Father’s life. He was loving and nurturing at times, but also had a temper. I spent most of my childhood trying to not make him mad. Believing if he was upset or angry in some way it was my fault. I know now that this is not true, that his anger was not mine to carry, but as a child I did not understand this. My Mother was the bread-winner of our family, and stood for long hours. At the end of the day I would often see her at her adding machine, punching the numbers and worrying about money. Some days she was full of energy and other days she would lie on the bed with a terrible back ache. From an early age I felt it was my responsibility to help make things less difficult for my parents. I became proficient at managing circumstances to feel a sense of control. I developed a reasonable sense of trust in myself and others, but my lens on life became somewhat distorted, viewing things from a fear-based perspective. It has taken a lot of inner work to recognize I am operating from a program with flaws.
Born into Christianity, I am well acquainted with the Bible. Recently I’ve discovered it states over a hundred times to not be afraid. I believe what God is saying, so once should be enough right? Let’s get real here, I’m still afraid a lot. Is it because I lack faith? Possibly, but I genuinely feel that it is because my programing has got some “bugs” in it. I’m grateful for God’s constant reminder and loving patience while I learn to sit with my fears and learn to let go of them. I’m working on updating my faulty programs with self-awareness and self-acceptance. This awareness helps me get to the root of my fears, and self-acceptance allows me to have compassion for myself while I work through these emotions. As my lens becomes clearer, I am able to see that fear and guilt rob me from the pleasure of life. As my foundation of who I really am becomes stronger, I am able to set clearer boundaries for myself. My vessel or container (Me) is able to hold space for the “sweetness” of life. Because I have experienced the “sweet spot” in my life many times, I know it is possible to live life from this place, and not just from survival.
This sweet spot, Svadhisthana is said to be located in the lower abdomen. The center of our sexuality. It is symbolized as the element water, also symbolizing motion and change. Water, just like emotions, are fluid and constantly changing. Water is also transformative and refreshing, just like the pleasurable things in life. We are meant to move and explore the world around us. Transforming ourselves and all things we come in contact with. We have been given an amazing playground for our growth and learning. Our second chakra program is set up for movement and connection.
As infants we didn’t comprehend that we were separate from our mothers, but as we began to crawl and then walk, there came a realization that we were sperate from her. This is when the concept of duality and polarity begin, it is more than just an awareness of our self, it is an awareness of the other. When we were going through this stage of development, and our basic needs were met, then we felt free to begin this exploration of “self” and “other.” Using our senses as a gateway between the internal and external world, we began to collect data into our little systems allowing us to connect and give meaning to our experiences. As humans we want to connect, desires arise and emotions follow. Whatever we want to connect with sets this action in motion. We could have a desire to connect to nature, or another person, a pet, music or art. You get the picture. As part of this polarity we began to tell the difference between pleasure and pain, and if our basic needs for survival are met, then the drive towards pleasure is in our program.
On the other hand, if our foundation as an infant was not established, we most likely have imbalances, either excessive or deficient. When we lack root support or a foundation, then pleasure is sacrificed on the alter for survival, and our sacral chakra which governs our power of connection, our creative exploration of life, our sexuality, and our power of choice is diminished. We might have difficulty forming harmonious relationships and friendships. Our sexuality may be shrouded with shame, guilt, addiction, deprivation, fear, or even duty. We become deficient in our creative center, and rigid in our thinking. We fear change and lack an overall desire for passion and excitement in all its forms. To compensate for our imbalances or lack of security not provided by our foundation or root, we may become excessive. This excessiveness can show up as the lack of ability to create healthy boundaries, or invading others boundaries through control, abuse, or bullying of others. If we don’t consciously recognize our imbalances, then our physical bodies will reach out for some kind of “fix” to create balance, which will usually result in an addiction. Sexual addictions have their root in the second chakra. We may also compensate by being overly sensitive or emotionally dependent on others for our happiness.
Don’t be too surprised that there are definite physical problems that can arise from these energetic imbalances. The bladder, prostate, ovaries, kidneys, gall bladder, bowel and spleen are all governed by the sacral chakra. Don’t despair, remember this chakra is divinely programmed. Its job is to facilitate change, we just need to uncover where we are blocked or where we need to create containment and boundaries for healing to happen. Pleasure encourages us to connect and integrate, while pain drives us to separate and disown, but our negative emotions are the very thing that initiates our quest for change. If we run from these challenging emotions, then we run from the open door to transformation. Introspection helps us start to uncover the mysteries of why we do the things we do or act the way we act, but many emotions are trapped or frozen inside our bodies not available to our consciousness minds. This is where I believe meditation and movement are essential. In meditation we can learn to experience our Self beyond our thoughts and emotions, beyond the limits of our physical body. It is here that we gain insight into what is holding us back, or what is excessive and out of balance. We are able to see our blind spots and bias more clearly. Meditation allows us to enter the unconscious, accessing forgotten memories and past traumas that may be wreaking havoc in our lives. Movement and meditation can heal or cleanse these blockages of repressed or trapped emotions. It is in the stillness that we open to grace. It is in movement and breath that we release. Remember that meditation can become a safe place where we can practice connection, connection to Self, connection to God.
Allowing yourself simple pleasures is healing, suppressing basic pleasures creates a need for overindulgence, which in turn turns to pain. Pain is an indication we are going the wrong way. Instead seek for satisfaction, and contentment. 
Remember this is your pleasure center, your “sweet spot.” It is the spring for your passion and sexuality in life, your potential for creation, and your need for connection. It is through our desire we create movement, and through movement we create change, and through change we stimulate consciousness. Understanding the essence and function of our sacral chakra gives as the ability to balance it. Now as an adult, I try to see myself as that little girl, excited to run and jump into life with both feet, free from fear and quilt. Learning from my own grandchildren to reach out and make connections. To try new things, for the sheer pleasure of learning. To be curious about my body, and the messages it is sending me. Maybe not throwing tantrums, but trying to express my emotions in a positive way. Lastly, saying hell no when a boundary I have set for myself is crossed. Brene Brown, a well-known researcher and writer, said that setting clear boundaries allows you to be more compassionate. When she understood boundaries more clearly, she said of her self, “I may not be as nice as I use to be, but I’m more loving.” Working to heal and balance my second chakra has required a deep look inside of myself. My second chakra journey is a work in progress, and ultimately I hope to someday fully enjoy life.
Namaste, Holly
