Understanding the Symbolism of Indian Mythology
by Haritha Nayak
As an Initiate, have you ever wondered or wanted to connect to the Universal consciousness to know the answers? Did you know that, we all are, at all times in connection with it and communicating with it? Of course, people do not know how to decipher this communication because it happens in the form of symbols and signs in meditations, dreams and even in concrete reality. It requires one to have the knowledge of Symbolic Language to connect to the Source Code, to understand and perceive well, this communication within the universe. And when we receive the Source Code, our whole life changes completely.
Ancients have used the knowledge of Symbolic Language or Symbolism since the time immemorial to pass on the wisdom. When there was no mechanism to write books etc., wisdom was passed on in the form of folklores, stories and holy symbols. When we look at the Ying Yang, the Star of David or the Ardhnareshwara form of Shiva, these were all symbols used to share the fusion of the polarities that exists in each one of us. Similarly, different traditions used symbolism to convey the same deep spiritual messages all over the world. Therefore when we know the symbolic meaning i.e. the consciousness behind the symbol or story, then we connect to the Source Code of wisdom, wisdom in the purest form, which is beyond everything!
Indian mythology is very interesting and full of wisdom when we understand it symbolically. Since I was child, I always wanted to know the true meaning of things; I questioned things because questioning triggers a beautiful journey. One day it leads to profound answers, the answers that come from within, not necessarily from outside. When we look at Indian mythology, we see the reference of many animals because animals symbolise the Needs in us. And transcending the needs leads one to an elevated conscience. Especially, in Indian mythology we see an animal being associated to each god. This was meant to help the initiate understand what kind of needs he has to transcend to be able to acquire the qualities of that associated God.
For example, when we talk about Ganesha, we see his vehicle to be a Mouse. This is so beautiful to symbolically understand that a mouse has a consciousness of insecurities, fear of being vulnerable, living in a mouse hole etc. while Ganesha is a symbol of prosperity and abundance. And mouse biologically multiplies so fast, just like the thoughts of insecurities and fears in a person when he keeps brooding. So we realise here that in order to receive these qualities of true prosperity and abundance, one has to first master the distortion of a mouse within. One who masters the inner mouse by doing an intense work on their memories, gets access to the qualities of Ganesha within, the qualities that have always been there but were hidden due to past memories of mouse behaviour in the process of learning in the soul evolution cycle. This is what an initiate should meditate on, when connecting to Ganesha, an energy that is inside everyone.
This way we can understand other aspects of Ganesha very deeply but now let us talk about another beautiful energy that we all have…Hanuman. When we look at Hanuman, we see that ancients used symbols for a reason, to transfer a wise teaching to the coming generations. The knowledge was passed with the right message that with time got lost or diluted. Now to understand, we look at the meaning of Monkey first, which symbolises lack of concentration, a behaviour of copying others, too playful, anger etc. on the minus…and this is how a human mind is, that is why sometimes the phrase “monkey mind”. But on the plus, the Monkey is a very intelligent species. It means that when a person works on these negative aspects and transcends them, then their mind is focused and concentrated, they become a meditator, a person who has mastered the anger and serves the right causes with the intelligence and power of mind…i.e. they become like Hanuman…
He is also known as”Vayu Putra” i.e. son of Air. The Air element is always in connection to thoughts symbolically, so someone who masters his/her thoughts, way of thinking, as thoughts have so much power. We create what we think or the way we think in our life…we are what we think! Now if we look at the story where as a child hanuman swallowed the sun, it means that when a person uses the power, any power, without wisdom, not considering the repercussions to others, it is not good, then the universe can take it away from the person till he becomes more balanced, intelligent and imbibes the right intentions for self and others. That is what it meant when Hanuman lost his powers and got them back to help Lord Ram later because by then he had become a changed, transformed soul who had the right wisdom of good and evil, and knew that power should be used for good deeds and actions…that misuse leads to disasters and hence forgoing them. If we think and become like that, then in the true sense we become a disciple of Hanuman, because we integrate the teaching of what he symbolises.
And, we should also look at the Anger aspect of a monkey, how, if or when they are triggered, they can be so aggressive and attack. And we see how Hanuman is a symbol of transcendence of Anger as he is always meditative, helping, kind and full of love. Therefore he also symbolises that one can be like him or if one is a true disciple, then they must continue to work on this aspect of anger and one day become a symbol of universal love and calm.
Hanuman is also connected to a deep devotion to Ram and Sita. When we understand symbolically, Ram and Sita signify the masculine and feminine polarity in all of us. Polarities are the essence of the creation; the fusion of polarities is the base of universal creation. We are a whole universe too and have the same elements and polarities that compose us. That is the reason, by working and knowing ourselves we know the whole universe. Feminine polarity i.e. love when unites with the masculine polarity i.e. wisdom, then it becomes the Creator! And to experience it within, the mind must be mastered. It needs a true devotion to achieve self-realisation, just like Hanuman. And when we understand this and imbibe this quality in us, we invoke the inner Hanuman. We connect to our own inner Source Code and move ahead in knowing the self.
Isn’t it amazing to understand the true symbolism of everything. Another very beautiful that I always admired and wanted to understand deeply was of Shiva. Quite naturally it would bring so much peace to the mind and intrigue at the same time. He is adorned with so many objects like snake in the neck, Bull as his vehicle, Ganges coming out from the head, Trishul in the hand, a moon on the head etc. Just this one figure and so much to learn from if we understand its symbolism. Let us try to understand the Bull just like the Mouse for the Ganesha. Physically the bulls are much more muscular (symbolically excessive willpower) than cows (symbolically mild and easy going), with thicker bones (symbolising well grounded and structured) , larger feet (symbolises balance in matter), a very muscular neck (Overly self focused communication), and a large, bony head with protective ridges over the eyes (ability to see clearly). These features assist bulls in fighting for domination over a herd, giving the winner superior access to cows for reproduction. They are also known for aggression and a known term “Bullying” associated. Therefore the bull signifies these qualities that an initiate must develop and distortions that an initiate must master i.e. Strength: Willpower, Motivation, Goal orientation, Balanced in matter, and Weaknesses to master : Anger, aggression, selfish, too focused in result, stubborn, crushes others to win, excessive willpower. When an initiate does that, then he invokes the ability to advance on his path , the spiritual path to become like Shiva who is the epitome of meditation, wisdom and union of polarities within. We see that the Nandi and mouse, both are the vehicles i.e. the way of advancing further, therefore we learn also profoundly that to progress towards true prosperity and abundance i.e. Ganesha, one must be steady and careful while transcending the distortions of the mouse. In the same way, to become a great meditator like shiva one must advance with great will power and goal orientation while transcending the distortions of the bull. Everything is inside us as a state of consciousness, all the animals because transcending the needs we acquire their vital strength; and the entire universe too.
In continuation to the symbolic understanding of mythology, we see another profound symbol i.e. Snake. We see snake with Shiva, Ganesha and many others in some or the other way. Snake does denote the kundalini that lives in all of us however with the deeper symbolic understanding as a state of consciousness, we can learn even more what it means for a spiritual initiate. Snake as an animal is connected with matter due to its shape as well as behaviour. As it is an animal, a snake represents certain aspects of our instinctual vital energy. Since it crawls along the ground, its symbolism is closely related to the earth element and to the world of action in matter. Its cold blood obliges it to regularly seek out sunny places to capture the heat of the sun. On the symbolic level, from a negative point of view, the coldness of its blood and the need for solar energy represent emotional coldness and the absence of inner life dynamics to radiate, enlighten, and warm the person and his entourage. Associated with the distorted use of masculine aspects, this characteristic leads to a selfish person who uses his power of emissivity and action to control and dominate others in order to satisfy his own instincts, his primary needs, his personal and sexual pleasures and desires.
A snake is also a predator that knows how to remain calm, discreet, immobile, hidden and well camouflaged in its environment, waiting for the right moment to catch its prey. This behavior associates it with slyness and hypocrisy, just as its forked tongue evokes duality in the way we communicate. Other snake features are the fact that it is deaf and it finds its way by using its sense of smell as well as its tongue, its sense of taste. This symbolizes difficulty in being receptive and listening to the needs and advice of our entourage, as well as a tendency to advance solely focused on our own tastes, moods, desires, and needs, thereby feeding on others, on the energy level. Moreover, when a snake moves, its head precedes the rest of its body. Symbolically, this indicates an obsession with our thoughts, which forces our other levels (emotional and physical) to follow. This results in very sly, insidious behavioral dynamics to get what we want.
In religious tradition, the snake symbolizes the tempter that puts people to the test, confronting them with the choice of behaving in accordance with superior realities, i.e. respecting them and obeying the Divine Laws that govern them, or acting according to instinctual impulses and personal desires, without worrying about the possible individual or collective consequences their choices and acts may lead to. That is why the ascended masters are shown with a snake in some or the other form, as a symbol of transcendence of it.
It is so beautiful to understand the true meaning of everything. It is beyond the rituals and boundaries that humans have created with each other due to not having access to the knowledge sometimes. When we understand the source code of the symbols, it opens a new door to multi-dimensions. We start receiving the answers ourselves, we become our own Guru and we become an eternal student at the same time, always Evolving. UCM is dedicated to bring this ancient knowledge back to all the seekers in the modern times, a knowledge that always has been there and is now ready to be accessed by all…Yet again!
About the author:
Haritha Nayak is an Assistant Professor with Universe / City Mikael (UCM), Canada. Coming from a background of experiencing corporate work life for many years while also balancing her spiritual journey towards soul evolution and autonomy, she now shares what many would call “Practical Spirituality”. Her practice of Angelica Yana & Symbolic language has helped her gain a deeper understanding of the unconscious and the Law of Cause & Effect.
From her childhood, she used to get powerful dreams, she knew they were messages, however at that time she could not understand them. Her soul was continuously seeking for the right guidance to come in her life. She did her Past life Regression course with a gold medal but the quest of her soul fulfilled after meeting Kaya & Christiane from UCM who initiated her to the intense path of knowing thyself with Dreams, Signs, Symbols & meditation. With this, all the Indian rituals, mythologies and spiritual practices that had lost their true meaning over the years, started become clear to her and the entire new universe of knowledge unfolded with symbolic language.
She now shares how to gain this profound understanding of the mysteries of life and the Universe by working with the 72 Angels, decoding Dreams and everyday Signs and Symbols. Through Angelica Yana, she also gives everyone a true gift of transformation.
To know more about her, please visit: https://www.ucm.ca/en/authors/haritha-nayak. Email: [email protected]
The Bridge between Ego and Spirit: The Fourth Chakra
By Kelly Lydick
Its color is Green. It’s the middle of the seven chakras, nestled between three upper and three lower centers. It bridges the gap between ego (the lower chakras) and spirit (the upper chakras), and connects each one of us to universal life force. The heart chakra creates a filed called a “torus” and it looks like a donut. This allows energy to flow in an ever-renewing fashion through the center of the body and out across the layers of the aura that emanate from the body.
The fourth chakra is also a conduit between personal power and the intellect. The three lower chakras ground our energy on the physical plane, while the three upper chakras provide a channel from the divine and the higher self into the physical—with the heart as an instrument of divine expression amongst them. The heart chakra is the wellspring for feelings of joy, oneness with all (unity), love, compassion, forgiveness, trust, excitement, and the ability to heal.
One of the most interesting facts about the heart is that is has a nervous system just like the brain and can make decisions independent of the brain (Eden, 156). It’s no surprise, then, that we are each capable of thinking with the heart just as we can think with the brain. The language of the heart is the language of divine expressed through human form: emotions. When emotions ebb and flow, the heart chakra can open and close depending on whether the emotion is positive or negative; whether there are feelings of fear or feelings of safety.
“One of the problems in modern cultures,” Donna Eden suggests, “is that the heart chakra is underdeveloped in too many individuals and its principles are underrepresented in too many of our institutions” (155). Balance here, though, is key, as a person whose heart chakra is too open “…may overidentify with other people’s pain, suffering so much for the other that they become emotionally disabled, codependent, and ultimately no more capable of a successful relationship than a person whose heat chakra is shriveled” (155).
When we experience a loss of energy in the fourth chakra, Caroline Myss states that jealousy, bitterness, anger, hatred, and an inability to forgive can occur. When fear is present in this chakra, emotional weakness and betrayal can occur (198). Often the internal struggle is whether to let the ego and intellect control, or allow the emotions to flow; with each experience there is a choice point that occurs if self-awareness is present.
The challenge is that emotions are often triggered by events of the past that are held by memories of how these past events played out. The brain’s basal ganglia, the part of the brain that stores emotions, habits and pattern recognition, expects the same outcome in the present moment that occurred at another moment in the past—and the looping that occurs here interferes with the heart’s intelligence. This is where self-awareness plays a crucial role and must be used to override the looping of the ego and intellect to allow the heart’s intelligence to lead.
Learning to work with the energy of the heart, and keep the heart chakra’s energy balanced is paramount to staying in a space of love, compassion, trust and joy.
Tips to Keep the Fourth Chakra Balanced:
- Lead with the heart. Sometimes this is easier said than done because the ego wants to engage in control. But leading with the heart is possible and can come easily with practice.
- Practice self-care. The heart chakra is the center of self. When we let self care go by the wayside, it demonstrates a lack of self love. And self love keeps us in our personal integrity.
- Raise your emotional IQ. Becoming self-aware is not an easy task. But as your awareness increases, so too can you balance the intellect with emotions. Remember that emotions as just energy in motion, and it’s the associations and attachments we create that color this experience.
- Practice forgiveness. When we forgive, we release energy from the heart space. Lacking forgiveness, for the self or others keeps energy stuck. Learning to forgive is the best way to free yourself and others from disappointment, expectation, and attachment.
- Love yourself. It’s true what has been said that you can only love another as much as you love yourself. If there are areas in your life in which you would like to heal or grow, make these a priority each day. When self-love is the foundation upon which you stand, other areas can more easily come into balance and flow.
References
Eden, Donna. (1998). Energy Medicine. London, England: Penguin Books, Ltd.
“Habits: How They Form and How to Break Them” www.npr.org/2012/03/05/147192599/habits-how-they-form-and-how-to-break-them
Myss, Caroline. (1996). Anatomy of the Spirit. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press.
About the author:
Kelly Lydick received her M.A. in Writing and Consciousness from the New College of California, San Francisco (now at CIIS). Her writing has appeared in Guernica, Drunken Boat, Switched-on Gutenberg, Mission at Tenth, Thema, Tarpaulin Sky, and True Blue Spirit magazines, as well as on the home page of ElephantJournal.com. Her work has also been featured on NPR’s The Writers’ Block. She is the author of the experimental work, Mastering the Dream.
Kelly holds certifications as a Meditation Facilitator, Reiki Master, Crystal Reiki Master, Past Life Healer, and Gateway Dreaming™ Coach. She teaches writing and metaphysical workshops, and offers private consultations through her company Waking the Dream. In 2016, she was awarded a Juno fellowship from the world-renowned Omega Institute for achievements in healing and women’s leadership. You can learn more about her work at www.kellylydick.com.
Third Chakra - The Fulcrum of Personal Power: The Solar Plexus
By Kelly Lydick
Its color is yellow. Its theme is power. This is the third chakra in the auric field, also called the solar plexus. Its balance governs power dynamics within relationships to others. The solar plexus gives structure to individual identity, and covers the most area in the physical body across the abdomen just at the belly button. The ego is intertwined with spirit here: this is where the physical world meets the spiritual world in material form.
When this chakra out of balance, power struggles occur with others, and control issues arise as the underlying cause of these power struggles. Disempowerment can occur within the self when not properly grounded, or when awareness is lacking about the self. Core wounding around self-esteem can manifest as imbalances here. Physical ailments can arise, too, if the solar plexus needs balance.
Donna Eden, author of Energy Medicine/i>, refers to this chakra as “…the reverse of the second chakra. Third chakra energy is logical rather than artistic, sophisticated rather then childlike, doctrinaire rather than organize, cunning rather than innocent, suspicious rather than trusting, and responsibility-bound rather than flowing.” (153) Eden also states that the third chakra is “entwined with your identity, your fears, and the needs of your ego.” (153)
Our personal power also is intimately linked to our connection to our spirituality. Caroline Myss says that “Each time we choose to enhance our internal power, we limit the authority of the physical world over our lives, bodies, health, minds, and spirits. From an energy point of view, every choice that enhances our spirits strengthens our energy field; and the stronger our energy field, the fewer our connections to negative people and experiences.” (173)
It’s imperative, then, to cultivate the relationship between personal power and its connection to spirit. At the same time, discerning between ego and spirit provides the appropriate degree of awareness regarding how to harness and utilize personal power. Further, a strong sense of self, and good self-esteem helps keep this chakra balanced, like weights on either end of a fulcrum.
Tips to Keep the Third Chakra Balanced:
- Do the inner work to heal wounds. Underlying imbalances reveal beneath them old wounds that fester. Work diligently to maintain clarity by healing the wounded parts of yourself. As you grow in awareness and continue a healing path, you will find that this type of work is no longer daunting, but rather exciting—because you can see results in the outer world based on the changes in behavior that result from healing the inner world.
- Practice self-awareness. This is a reciprocal and exponentially compounding practice. The more awareness you have, the more awareness you will have.
- Be assertive. Just like the second chakra, balance in the third chakra depends upon good boundaries. But for the third chakra, this is a more complex dynamic. Boundaries here have to do with the ego, and being assertive can help keep balance. Assertiveness comes in the form of being clear to others about your needs and desires—without being apologetic.
- Get physical exercise. Exercise keeps the physical body strong. As the solar plexus intersects physicality with spirituality (or material and spiritual), keeping the blood flowing can help regular the flow of energy. Low-impact cardio, or swimming are both great methods.
- Meditate. This can mean sitting meditation, Qi Gung, Marital arts, or even painting or playing music. Regularly take part in the activity that creates a meditative state within you—that which cultivates peace and equanimity of heart and mind.
References
Eden, Donna. (1998). Energy Medicine. London, England: Penguin Books, Ltd.
Myss, Caroline. (1996). Anatomy of the Spirit. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press.
About the author:
Kelly Lydick received her M.A. in Writing and Consciousness from the New College of California, San Francisco (now at CIIS). Her writing has appeared in Guernica, Drunken Boat, Switched-on Gutenberg, Mission at Tenth, Thema, Tarpaulin Sky, and True Blue Spirit magazines, as well as on the home page of ElephantJournal.com. Her work has also been featured on NPR’s The Writers’ Block. She is the author of the experimental work, Mastering the Dream.
Kelly holds certifications as a Meditation Facilitator, Reiki Master, Crystal Reiki Master, Past Life Healer, and Gateway Dreaming™ Coach. She teaches writing and metaphysical workshops, and offers private consultations through her company Waking the Dream. In 2016, she was awarded a Juno fellowship from the world-renowned Omega Institute for achievements in healing and women’s leadership. You can learn more about her work at www.kellylydick.com.
Sacred Sacral: The Second Chakra
By Kelly Lydick
Its color is orange. It connects us to our personal power. It symbolizes power dynamics and the ability to create. Its balance determines the quality of relationships to others, and to the deepest source of the divine self. It spins counterclock-wise at the second-slowest rate compared with the other chakras. Its conical shape emanates outward from just below the belly button toward the front, and at the base of the lower back facing rearward.
Donna Eden, author of Energy Medicine, mentions the sacral chakra is different than the others because from it we are able to access all seven layers of the aura, and, therefore, all other chakras as well (148). This is where the body meets the soul. Caroline Myss describes the sacral chakra as the “chakra of duality” (131) and through it we are able to understand the paradox of human life—that of mortality and divinity. It’s here that we are constantly faced with choice, and how we learn to co-create with spirit.
Myss also calls this the “partnership” chakra, that which gives us the opportunity to understand ourselves—and others—if we are willing. Keep in mind that partnership doesn’t necessarily mean romantic partnership, simply the space where we meet others to co-create with them. This includes all relationships, familial or romantic, friendships and work colleagues, neighbors and community members at large.
The sacral chakra is often activated by fear, and can be chiefly preoccupied with power dynamics and external influences. It can also be preoccupied with external attachments. When it’s out of balance, fear erupts, and it’s difficult to control racing thoughts. Irrationality kicks in, and it becomes difficult to ground your energy (See “The Power of the Root Chakra”). Choices become a struggle, and it’s challenging to reconcile ideas and feelings about the material and the immaterial. But, balancing it doesn’t have to mean an existential crisis! Tuning in to the sacral chakra is as easy as envisioning it in your third eye and beginning to feel.
To begin working with the sacral chakra, envision it in the mind’s eye during meditation. See its orange, counter-clockwise spin. See the rainbow of colors of your own aura, and feel its outer edges. Embrace the calling of your soul, and tap in to your ability to create.
Tips to Keep the Second Chakra Balanced:
1. Cultivate trust. Feeling balanced in the second chakra means trusting and having faith that the universe is supporting you and all your endeavors. On the days when you feel a bit fearful, challenge yourself to trust even more.
2. Work with fear. Not against it. Not for it. And don’t give in to it either. Explore your fears and their causes, and let them breathe. Then counter anything that comes up with rational thoughts.
3. Feel. Let emotions flow, don’t stuff them down or try to ignore them. Try not to fear emotions either. Feel them and let them go, knowing that emotions are just energy in motion.
4. Keep your boundaries. It is possible to set healthy boundaries with others in a positive, energizing way for all parties. Keeping your boundaries means knowing where you begin and others end, that is—owning what’s yours, and not taking on what’s not yours.
5. Engage in creative projects. The sacral chakra loves all things creative and artistic: music, poetry, painting, creative writing, architecture, or DIY crafts. Make creativity a regular practice—or even a career!
References
Eden, Donna. (1998). Energy Medicine. London, England: Penguin Books, Ltd.
Myss, Caroline. (1996). Anatomy of the Spirit. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press.
About the author:
Kelly Lydick received her M.A. in Writing and Consciousness from the New College of California, San Francisco (now at CIIS). Her writing has appeared in Guernica, Drunken Boat, Switched-on Gutenberg, Mission at Tenth, Thema, Tarpaulin Sky, and True Blue Spirit magazines, as well as on the home page of ElephantJournal.com. Her work has also been featured on NPR’s The Writers’ Block. She is the author of the experimental work, Mastering the Dream.
Kelly holds certifications as a Meditation Facilitator, Reiki Master, Crystal Reiki Master, Past Life Healer, and Gateway Dreaming™ Coach. She teaches writing and metaphysical workshops, and offers private consultations through her company Waking the Dream. You can learn more about her work at www.kellylydick.com.
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