THE SECOND CHAKRA The second chakra, located in the spinal area behind the pubic symphysis, is responsible for a number of different functions – too many to list here. But, there is a connection between four of the main second chakra functions that is imperative to understand if we wish to get free from our suffering.
we are turned on by emoting and are using sexual energy to recreate our ego, which is the source of human suffering This very same chakra is responsible for: a) Emotional reactivity – reactive facilitation based on projections/fantasies of the limited individual self as dictated by karma/conditioning. b) Sexual pleasure, lust, conditioned desire. c) Water element, which is responsible for our enjoyment, taste, nourishment, contentment, ease and sense of cohesiveness/connection. d) Ego formation – ahamkara, or the “‘I am maker” This probably speaks volumes to your sense of intuition even if you have never heard this… but we are actually getting off on our emotional reactions! Not only are we literally turned on by emoting but we are using that sexual energy – every moment – to recreate/conceive/birth our self-image (ego), which is the source of human suffering. The fact this emotional reactivity is all tied up with our ego formation and our sexual pleasure is why it is so hard to “just drop it.” Sexual energy is the most potent force we know. It is Kundalini Shakti herself. We are literally using our free will to strangle our otherwise unlimited Energy and cramp it into this limited form of our ideas about who we think we are. Creative force is alive and well in each of us, all the time. Yet, we squander it on recreating our ego, momentby-moment…and we love it! It titillates us and it makes us feel alive. So much so, we may have no experience of a life other than one of constant emotional facilitation. Our ego becomes so identified 20
with our reactions to stimulus we actually just assume that is what life is. When I first broke through this pattern for a moment and glimpsed something beyond I was shocked! I really thought I was engaged in life, but it was actually a near constant reaction to the self-image formation dream world I was creating with my own sexual force and free will. It was wonderful and terrifying to see, exhilarating and depressing all at once. I had a peek at freedom, but recognized how entrenched and even addicted I was to the pleasure I was getting in self-indulging my egostories. I realized even in negative situations I was getting off on the drama. From here, if this recognition really sets in, there is a lot we can do – the disciplines of tantra are practically infinite. Classical tantra (not the new age ilk which justifies hedonism as spirituality – major second chakra issues) was designed to understand this relationship between projections, emotions, sexual pleasure, ego-samsara, unconditioned enjoyment, and to utilize it as the fuel for our transformation. Stopping the emotional flow of our creative juices from spilling out through anything that has to do with our ego, and using that very same force to nourish the higher chakras of cosmic awareness, love, and bliss is called “turning the light.” But this is not just an intellectual decision or a matter of will. And it is not just asana practice that will make this turn. There is a current trend in thinking that understanding this philosophy and leading a pretty healthy life with some consistent yoga classes and a fairly regular meditation practice is sufficient to transform ego energy (ahamkara) to enlightenment energy (Kundalini). Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. But, it is possible! And, that, my friends is a beautiful thing. First we must recognize the huge pay-off we get by staying limited. We must admit we love to suffer – otherwise we wouldn’t keep it up! Then, once we see the predicament we are in we can consciously decide: “Okay, I need to starve out the hungry ghost (the insatiable appetite of the ego’s desire is often depicted as a hungry ghost in classical dharma teachings) by no longer indulging in the stories of my limited self.”