Mantra: YAM Element: air Form: lotus flower with 12 petals bearing the Sanskrit letters kam, kham, gam, gham, ngam, cham, chham, jam, jham, nyam, tam, tham Statement:"I have love and compassion. I am creative. I am into art, music, poetry and innovation. I feel my connection to the universe. Everything is connected and part of the same singularity. My one leg is grounded on solid granite and the other leg is dancing on Cloud 9." Blocked by: grief (bare our grief in front of you and come to terms with your losses...that's life. Let go of the pain. The void will be filled-in by new love. Now, move on)
Characteristics Anahata Chakra is located at the heart and represented by a twelve-petalled green lotus. Inside the lotus flower are 2 interlaced triangles - one pointing up for consciousness, the other pointing down for grounding. Together, the 2 triangles form a 6-pointed star. Anahata is the mid-point where you keep grounding while pursuing consciousness. The mantra is YAM. It is associated with love and devotion - love for humanity, love of God, love for a cause, etc. Like all chakras, Anahata is expressed uniquely by the individual.
Seat of Consciousness Yogic tradition maintains that the heart is the seat of consciousness - not the brain. The brain acts like an operating system that ensures functionality of the body. But transformation and manifestation are done from the heart - feeling the joy of the desired outcome and being grateful for it. Even Patanjali's yoga sutra says so. The heart should be the focus of concentration during meditation. New science points out that the heart has its own share of neurons independent from that of the brain. Manifestation results when the mind and the heart become one in its vision - to think from the mind and feel the outcome from the heart.
Struckless Sound Anahata means sound that exists without being struck. First, let's understand that sound is created when something is struck and the vibration (usually referred to as frequency hertz) is what we hear as sound. Anahata produces 108 unique sounds that have been associated with deities. When Anahata is developed, one starts hearing these sounds. Lesser mortals may think they are going crazy. A slight mental imbalance can be amplified. Thus caution should be exercised. Intellectual discernment and sweetness of emotion are both required to be able to handle an Anahata activation.
Anahata Chakra lies on the nipple-line in the middle of the body
Accepting Imperfection Opening this chakra leads to intense feelings of devotion. At this level, a yogi accepts and loves all unconditionally for what they are with all its flaws and merits. He sees everyone as an actor playing his role in a play called life. World-famous people who have transcended hardship to be an example of humanity's triumph are usually at this level (Mandela, Gandhi). Beyond this chakra, one begins to transcend his own individual existence.
Kumbhaka and Anahata Khumbaka (breath-holds) with varying ratios, focused on anahata, strengthens the heart to freely move emotions like affection and devotion - so stuck emotions are energized and begin to flow. Superior states of the mind arise from the heart. When performing the Maha Bandha Mudra, when the mind and breath are motionless, concentrate on the anahata chakra to achieve kevala kumbhaka(spontaneous cessation of the breath).
Man-made Deities Ancient ascended yogis created deities who still exist today, even though the yogis who created them have long passed on. Some deities are simply let loose. When Anahata awakens, a welcome gong is sounded that invites all these deities. You start hearing sounds and you start seeing things. They can look horribly frightening. Anyone who is not prepared for this will be traumatized thinking they have gone mad. It takes a certain level of mental stability to be able to handle this - that's why it is wise never to rush a chakra activation or kundalini awakening. When the student is ready, these things will happen on their own.
Asanas Heart-opener asanas are geared to do just that - open up the heart. These following asanas provide that function: bow, camel, wheel, fish (just about any asana that opens the chest). What's equally important is the intention and visualization that go into performing the asana. On the inhale, feel the heart opening-up to receive and send loving compassion and love. Without this visualization, then the asana is simply reduced to a physical stretch.
Benefits One who meditates on Anahata becomes radiant. His presence can light up a room. He becomes endearing and loved by all. Women are drawn to him. He can practice with high levels of concentration and focus. He can articulate his ideas into powerful words.
Supernatural Gifts (Siddhis)
becomes capable of protection and destruction
he can enter other people's bodies at will
he can leave and enter the body at will
Symptoms of an Unbalanced Anahata Chakra
feeling isolated, unable to connect
inability to forgive, holding grudges
self-centeredness, always about you
being too hard on yourself
oscillating between victim and savior complex
glass is half-empty - seeing the negative instead of the positive
My Actual Practice Developing the heart is something new to me - between thinking and feeling, I would rather think. There is too much rationalization and intellectualization going on inside my head that everything should be logical. Sure, I had been complimented on having a good analytical mind and being able to connect the dots by weaving together a coherent set of ideas and practices into a seamless singularity. But at the end of the day, I ask myself, "Where is the joy?", "Why am I disconnected from family? Why can't I accept them for their dysfunctional corrosiveness?". It is with this concern that I pursue to develop my Anahata. How?
I defer to Gregg Braden when he talked about thinking from the heart - that to manifest our desires, we have to FEEL from the heart that we already have what we desire instead of the usual THINKING that we want to have this thing. By feeling the joy of the outcome and being grateful for it as though it's already there, I feel more connected to myself instead of intellectualizing the entire process.
Additionally, when I am aware, I silently forgive those who did me wrong. But if I'm NOT aware, I could catch myself in deep thought where I exact my revenge. But this seldom happens now. I would rather forgive than get revenge. Thus I have to be vigilant with my thoughts.
On breathholds (kumbhaka), I focus on the heart. This moves stuck energies and emotions, bringing vitality back to life.
(July 8, 2020) This is a personal movie to me because I was there on a ringside seat when former First Lady Imelda Marcos and her deceased husband, former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos autocratically ruled the Philippines with iron hands. Together, their conjugal dictatorship ruined lives, plundered the Philippine treasury and threw the country in abject poverty...more »»
Chiang Mai INFORMATION
Chiang Mai Map
Chiang Mai, Thailand
IMPORTANT PLACES
Bus Station Train Station Chiang Mai International Airport Nong Buak Hard Park - free yoga classes daily
HOTEL
Arun Dara Villa - 7 exclusive rooms, 1 swimming pool for every room, grand opening
Nawa Sheeva Hotel - big rooms, high ceiling, salt-water pool, restaurant, cafe
Nawa Saraan Hotel - low density (4 spacious rooms), stone garden setting, Koi fish pond, Old City location
Arun Suite - 3 bedrooms in a 3-storie guesthouse within Old City, ideal for families
MOTORBIKE RENTAL
Tawan Bike - motorcycle rental | +66 91 635 2863 | Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
Chiang Mai FYI / Tips
crop-burning season in Chiang Mai is between late Feb to early April. But laws change everytime. This year, 2019, there is a 61-day ban on burning so the farmers started burning early. When my plane was approaching Chiang Mai on Jan 24, 2019, there was already a thick blanket of smog covering the entire city (and beyond). But within the city itself, you won't feel it (but that doesn't mean the air is healthy). To monitor air conditions in real time, refer to site: Chiang Mai Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
hot season begins March and lasts until June
wet season begins July and lasts until September
best time to visit Chiang Mai is mid-September to mid-February - after the monsoon and before the burning
you have to try Khao Soi, this is north Thailand's culinary staple
the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located in the Old City
to exchange your dollars to Thai Baht, the Super Rich Money Exchange give the best rates. There are many branches scattered around Chiang Mai
get a red cab (songthao) outside the train station for Baht 50 (instead of paying B100 if inside the train station) to Old City - if you haggle nicely enough...I did!
shared red taxi (songthao) - B30 standard fare plying all over Old City
for only B50/day, best to rent a bike to go around the Old City - it's a 2.5km2 with lots to discover
FREE daily yoga classes from 9:00am to 10:15am at Nong Buak Hard Park (southwest corner of Old City). Resident and passing-through teachers take turns conducting yoga classes.
Blues/Jazz Bars in Chiang Mai
North Gate Jazz Coop - at Chang Phueg Gate, great Tuesday jam session, Blues on Sundays at 11pm by the Chiang Mai Blues band
Boy Blues Bar - at the Night Bazaar. Mondays at 9:30pm is open mic
My Secret Cafe - near Wat Phra Singh. Tuesdays at 7:30pm for the changing front-act and 9:00pm for the Panic Band
Taphae East - 88 Thapae Rd. (just north of Night Bazaar). Fridays at 9:30pm by Chiang Mai Blues Band
Chiang Mai Cost Index
B60 Chiang beer
B250 1 hour drop-in yoga session
B200 one hour Thai body massage at WAYA Massage(highly recommended)
B50 noodle soup with meat
B50 coffee
B40 pad thai
B30/kilo wash-only laundry
B50/kilo wash+iron laundry
B100-150 dorm bed/night
B250 fan room/night
B30 internet cafe/hour
B170-190 Movies Sat-Sun and public holidays
B130-150 Movies weekdays
B100 Movies Wednesdays (movie discount day)
B750 1/2 day Thai cooking lessons
B900-1000 1 full day Thai cooking lessons
B400 Muay Thai boxing ticket
B2500 starting room rate at the luxury hotel, Nawa Sheeva(highly recommended)
Transportation
B450 bus, Chiang Mai to Bangkok
B160-180 bus, Chiang Mai to Pai
B1250 bus, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B1650 slow boat, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B210 bus, Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, 3-4 hours
B360 Green VIP bus, Chiang Mai to Mae Sai (Thai border town for visa run to Tachileik, Myanmar)
B50 bicycle rental, 24 hours
B200 motorbike rental, 24 hours
B273 #51 sleeping train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Book Online - direct booking with State Railway of Thailand. Best to register first. If going to BKK from CNX, click "Northern Line".
note -- big difference between booking direct with the State Railway and booking with an online 3rd party agent. 12GO was charging B1330 for the same trip that only cost me B941 with the State Railway.
note -- Oct 2022, I took the #10 Train from CNX to BKK, upper berth, 2nd class, a/c, sleeper, B941. The train was clean, fast, comfortable and modern. If you have heavy luggage that will cost more money in flight checkin, I would suggest this train. Otherwise, the flight now is so much cheaper it doesn't even make sense to take the bus or train.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train from Bang Sue Train Station
10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
Loei to Chiang Mai by Bus
From Loei town center, take a tuk-tuk ride to the bus station, B30. There is only one bus station.
As of June 28, 2020 (still on Covid schedule), there are only 3 night trips: 8:30pm, 9:30pm and 12 midnight. 9 hours, B470.
The bus makes the following stops at the following times from a 9pm Loei departure: Phu Ruea (9:50pm), Phitsanulok (12:40am), Uttradit (2:20am), Lampang (4:35am)
Final bus stop is at the Red Bus Arcade, Chiang Mai, 9 hour-trip, arriving 6am (from 9pm Loei departure).
Take a red songthaew to Old City, B50. They'll try to charge you B100, but they'll take B50 (just assure the driver you won't tell the other passengers).
How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days
This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.
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.
Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
b) flight booking to Thailand
c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
d) filled-in tourist visa form
e) 2 passport pictures
f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
g) passport with at least 6 months validity
After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.
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.
bring the following to the Immigration Office:
a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
b) Baht 1900
c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!