Mantra: VAM Form: lotus flower with 6 vermilion petals bearing the Sanskrit letters ba, bha, ma, ya, ra and la Element: water Statement:"My basic needs are met. I'm now intoxicated with sex, drugs and rock & roll. I am immersed in my pleasure center. I want respect, prestige and admiration." Blocked by: guilt (shit happens and you need to forgive yourself...then you can move on) Location :Nong Khai, Thailand
Characteristics Svadhishthana Chakra is at the reproductory organ, represented by a vermilion-colored (red orange) lotus flower with six petals, bearing the Sanskrit letters ba, bha, ma, ya, ra, and la. The mantra is VAM. The water element is shown as a silver crescent. This is where instinct (lying dormant in the Muladhara) finds expression in day-to-day life. Sexual desires are pent-up here and it's difficult for the awakened Kundalini to go past this chakra (because sex is intoxicating). In pop-culture parlance, this is responsible for craving sex, drugs and rock & roll. Compared to the Muladhara which is survival, Svadisthana is already beyond survival and into pleasure - much like Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Most people are stuck here - make money, acquire power and influence, crave for status and prestige.
Benefits When developed through pranayama, consciousness (caitanya) is attained (in this chakra). Good health pervades and the practitioner becomes disease-free, indefatigable and admirable (even from his enemies). Peace will reign and violence will disappear. He can walk through the jungle at night and no wild animal will harm him.
Svadhisthana (Sacral Chakra) for good health free from disease, co-existence with wild animals, stamina and admiration by others (guys wanna buy you beer and women want to sleep with you)
Asanas that Aid in Developing Svadhishthana Chakra
Matsyasana - ideal counter-pose for any forward bend and from Sarvangasana. This pose is also beneficial to people with respiratory ailments (asthma, bronchitis) and sexual issues.
Yoga Nidrasa - the life-force wind (prana vayu) is held at the Svadhishthana Chakra and the Brahmaguha Chakra, resulting in long life. Apana
Vayu will be controlled.
Buddhasana 1 and Buddhasana 2 - cleans the Svadhishthana, Anahata, Visuddhi and Brahmaguha Chakras and causes automatic cessation of the breath (kevala kumbhaka). This asana cures long-term persistent fever.
Kapilasana - Maintains the Muladhara, Svadhishthana, Manipuraka, Anahata, and Visuddhi Chakras in the proper position (sthiti). It is a helpful guide to dharana and dhyana.
Supernatural Gifts (Siddhis) Meditating on Svadhishthana brings about special superhuman abilities as follows:
freedom from enemies
the status of a lord among yogis
eloquence in speech
clarity in thinking
being unafraid of water
affinity with astral entities
ability to manifest desires
My Actual Practice I hold the gyana mudra while in padmasana. On the inhale, I do shitali mudra and engage my mula bandha while visualizing the kundalini shakti rise up from the muladhara to the svadisthana chakra. I visualize the shape and color of the chakras - the clearer the pictures in my head, the better. At the end of the inhale, while still holding the mula bandha, I pull my tummy in for uddiyana bandha, transition my tongue from shitali to nabho mudra, tuck my chin towards my chest for jalandara mudra, and hold my breath into a puraka kumbhaka (breath-hold on the inhale). While in this position, I imagine a white light pervading into the svadisthana chakra and illuminating everything. I give gratitude for the siddhis, feeling that I already have them. Before I make the exhale, I release the chin, release my tongue, and relax my entire body. On the exhalation, I chant the mantra VAM as I completely let go of the body - but I remain in gyana mudra and in padmasana. I repeat this cycle for 20 minutes.
The first few months of the practise, you should feel heat and start perspiring (that's where I am now as of this writing, May 2020). After that phase, you should somehow feel the body tremble uncontrollably (I first had this experience in June 26, 2020 after doing the Wim Hof method).
Ending Thoughts I remember during my younger years, shortly after graduating university, and pursuing a promising career, I was deep into my Svadisthana Chakra. With a good paying job, a modeling sideline, money, car, tv commercial airing nightly and my own apartment, it was a very good life of freedom, girls and glamour. I didn't have to sneak my girlfriend into my Dad's house anymore. Getting laid was the order of the day. There would never be an episode where I was not with a girlfriend. I even obsessed on a Lamborghini. It was all good while it lasted. But all that is history now. I'm happy with the meager loose change in my pocket, content that I have a roof over my head even if I am technically homeless. With no property but a wealth of life experience as I travel the open road, I can equally say that now is also a very good life.
(Aug 5, 2020) Manipuraka Chakra resides at the navel. A person at Manipuraka is strong in body and mind. He is a mover and shaker. He dominates and asserts. He also wonders if this is all that life is all about....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!