Sermon by Judith Liro 01.15.2012
In this Season of Healing we are looking for connection with Jesus and stories in the gospels and the chakras, those centers of energy in the human body that correspond to a fully energized and healthy human life. St. Hildegard’s Vision states that we are open to the wisdom of other sacred traditions. Our goal this season is to be rooted in the Christian tradition, open to this wisdom that has come from Hindu and other sources from the East. Looking at the gospels each Sunday we’ll notice connections to all the chakras. Does the energy of the story seem to fit with one or more of the chakras? Also each Sunday we’ll focus on one chakra as we move from the base of the spine to the top of the head. Today we are on the 2nd Chakra called the Sacral that is associated with sexuality and the intimacy of relationship. As we learn more about that chakra, we’ll explore Scripture and Tradition for connections. Our agenda has these two parts. It’s a big order, so the goal will be simply to make a beginning and see if it’s fruitful. We’ll also work with healing ourselves along the way, working with the chakras as we’re able.
When I read and listen deeply to John’s Gospel today, spiritual insight and wisdom seems to be one of the major themes. It becomes even clearer in the context of the entire first chapter, where we read about the recognition of Jesus as the Light of the world and John testifying to the Light. This is about spiritual vision that can recognize spiritual realities. The entire Gospel of John is about all who are spiritually able to recognize Jesus as the Light of the World. John couldn’t see at first until Jesus’ baptism when he recognized Jesus. In today’s reading when John identifies Jesus as ‘the Lamb of God’ to Andrew and another of John’s disciples, they begin to follow Jesus and to spend the rest of the day with him. Andrew gets Simon Peter his brother to “Come and see!” So far the one with spiritual vision has been John the Baptizer, but now Jesus’ acute spiritual vision is revealed; he is able to see inside hearts and souls. Jesus looks hard at Simon Peter and says, “I will call you ‘Rock’—Peter.” This is a spiritual naming that comes from Peter’s true self that Jesus is able to discern. The following day Jesus calls Philip to be his disciple and then Philip goes to get Nathaniel. Even at some distance Jesus has the spiritual vision to know that Philip has spoken to Nathaniel and to read Nathaniel’s character—“a true Israelite, a man without guile.” Nathaniel is amazed to be known in this way and ready to become a disciple based on Jesus’ clarity of vision, seeing not only from afar but down deep. To both John the Baptizer and Nathaniel manifestation of spiritual vision is a sign that Jesus is the Messiah. In Chapter 4 there is more of the same when the Samaritan woman at the well describes Jesus “Come and see someone who told me everything I have ever done! Could this be the Messiah?”
Since the 6th chakra, that energy center at the brow. includes deep intuition and wisdom, this is where I would place today’s gospel story. I also see more subtle signs of the 2nd chakra, so let’s learn about it and then come back to revisit the gospel.
The Song of Songs reading is a window on the sexual/sensual energy of the 2nd chakra. It’s very sensual with a walled garden, flowing fountains, blooming flowers, floral and spicy fragrance; images of the birds and the bees, tasting honeyed wine and choice fruits of sexual delight. There’s strong desire, the giving and receiving of intense and intimate pleasure. In The 7 Healing Chakras Brenda Davies writes, “As the root chakra is essentially about survival, stability and grounding, the sacral is about movement, flexibility and flow. The earthy energy of the root gives us a good base to stand on, from which we can start to reach out into the world.… We can begin to expand and grow and move beyond ourselves, flowing toward others and starting to commune with them…. Now we can start to look outward at our relationship with the world, embracing it on a personal level with friends and lovers, in family, in our social life and, in a broader sense, within a global community. Though the basic instincts of the base chakra ensured sex and the survival of the species, it’s here at the sacral that we begin to be able to feel sexual intimacy. We begin our personal transformation as we stimulate our creativity for the first time.”
Vanessa Stone of the Amala Foundation connects the Sacral chakra with our inner child, with playfulness and openness to exploring and learning quickly.
Davies describes the sacral chakra as about 3 inches below the navel, emitting a shining, translucent, iridescent bright light in all directions. It’s color is orange. It’s associated with the reproductive system especially in women, enlivening desire and capacity for pleasure. Its element is water and so it energizes and balances organs where there is movement of fluid: the renal system, the lymphatics and to some extent blood circulation. Blocks and trauma in the Sacral manifest in loss of pleasure, rigidity and stiffness in the lower back and legs as well as problems with flow of the organs. The sacral is also the center for nurturing and tenderness, caring for ourselves and others, enjoying the giving and receiving of sensual touch. Babies fail to thrive without touch and we all need skin to skin touching in appropriate form. The sense of taste is associated with the sacral. We all need attention and can learn appropriate versus inappropriate ways of receiving and giving it. While this is just a summary, it does give us a feel for the Sacral. While it includes sex and reproduction it is more—a warm intimacy that ranges from infancy to old age.
In the Judeo-Christian Tradition divine-human relationship includes this 2nd chakra energy. ‘YaDa’ the Hebrew word for knowing is the same word for both sexual intimacy and intimacy with God. In the reading from Samuel the boy hasn’t experienced this personal intimacy and is taught to listen and respond to the voice of God. Song of Songs was included in the Bible because it is about human-divine loving as well as human-human love. I haven’t done a complete word study but I notice a similar root with sacral and sacred and sacramental.
So can we see any signs of the Sacral in the gospel reading? I see signs of spiritual and emotional intimacy as Jesus calls disciples and forms a community. They are in a home where he is staying presumably sharing meals and beverages, a lively conversation with spiritual passion. If Jesus was one of John’s disciples and now has become the teacher, there must have been a lot to talk about. They probably share a passion for their spiritual heritage, for the scriptures. They may feel betrayed by the temple authorities in Jerusalem who have cut a deal with the Romans so there is the intimacy of sharing deeply of their hopes of liberation. Does this connect with the 2nd chakra or belong somewhere else on the spectrum. What do you think? I hope in the response time that you will make additions.
We’ll conclude with an exercise to practice flowing and moving. You can do this at home by playing music that reminds you of water, that is flowing and graceful. Take time to ponder places in your own life where you’d like to be more flowing and flexible.
Exercise from The 7 Healing Chakras by Brenda Davies, M.D.
Wear something comfortable and not restricting. Gently begin to move with the music. Just let your body move where it wishes as tension starts to be released. Allow your body to relax and become more flexible. Feel your natural grace start to emerge. Feel as though you are flowing with the water, moving gently. Maybe so far your feet have remained still on the ground. If so, perhaps you could gently begin to move them. Take your time. Flow. Move. Let go of any pain or tension. Breathe into it. Allow there to be harmony and gentle flow. Move. Be aware of the sensations in your body. You are fully aware. You are allowing your creativity to open as you gently sway. Release emotions as they arise. Just let them go. Gently, gently move with the music. Allow yourself to begin to get lost in the music. Allow the movement to create change in your life. Allow there to be a new rhythm to life. Flow. Be flexible. Flexible in your joints, flexible in your attitudes, flexible in your approach to life. Move. Flow. Become part of the music. Allow yourself to be. Enjoy. When the music ends, take your time to become still. Remain with your eyes closed for a few moments until you feel reoriented. Gently resume a relaxed pose. When you are ready and fully grounded back in the room, open your eyes. Gently stretch your joints while affirming that you are becoming more and more flexible.
