Thank you!

One year

two months

three days

some hours

ago

I was diagnosed with a relapse of a Hodgkin’s lymphoma I had 2 years before.

It was a very hard news to take, the cancer was widely spread and we were unsure of what the treatment needed to be. After several tests the doctors decided the best was to kill the cancer from the roots, I had to had many very strong chemo’s and a bone marrow transplant.

My life had to start a long pause and many of my plans needed to be postponed, but luckily, just postponed.

When I knew about all this I decided to take it in a positive way (I know it sounds crazy) but I am sure all in this life happens for a reason and that every challenge is an opportunity to be a better person, to grow and to realize how good life can be.

I decided to share my life challenge through this blog, and, as I was isolated in a hospital room to let know my friends and family how good I was, how my cancer was disappearing and a bit of what was going on.

This blog little by little started to be something very important in my everyday life. Not only for sharing but also for liberating myself of thoughts and feelings, to learn about me and my cancer, about the treatments. Last but not least, it was very important to use all the free time I had while waiting for my body to kill the cancer and to recover, to build my immune system and to be ready for being out in the world again.

I left the hospital a sunny day in february 2011. I was happy but very very scared, my body was still very weak and sensible. I had to go directly home and be in my room, isolated now in my house. It was good to be out and little by little see more friends and interact with the nature and world. (You can read about this in my last post)

My life started to have more activities not related to the hospital and a bit of adventure outside of my health headquarters (my room) every now and then.

May was a very important month. I leaved my room and started wondering in the house, I received more and more visits and I started going out to not so crowded places, to breathe without my mask. During the third week of may in a doctors appointment I was allowed to leave the country for the summer (I had to do blood tests every month and some other medical stuff while I was abroad).

June first I boarded a plane that brought me to Toronto, Canada. The city where my today husband lives and where we spend a wonderful summer. I was able to be with him on his master’s graduation day. We traveled to the cottage, visited his friends in Ottawa, we had a wonderful time. Finally not just through Skype or during his short, but sooo important visits, though the toughest times.

The months passed, I had to go to Mexico for doctor’s appointments every two months and I would just come back to my new home. We signed a lease to our apartment with one of his closest friends, our rommie on September 15th. My life started taking shape again; after months of being sick and weak, but always certain of the power of love and the good energy, always sure that my life was not even close to an end. Sure about the fact that I had lots more to do and to experience and that cancer was just another challenge I had to overcome.

In Canada I was little by little building up my new life and knowing I was going to be here for a long time (forever?) I started trading in a local yoga studio front desk hours in exchange for classes, it felt good. I would also start having some activities and getting to know better my hood and Canada. Thanksgiving was a very special and new holiday. All my family but Uri my brother would come to spend it in Canada. It was a great week where my parents stayed at Alex’s parents home and Ade at our apartment.

We had good family trips and dinners that would be started and followed by several toasts. Great times, indeed, great times.

After my October appointment I came back to Canada with my beloved Goyo. It was a mixed feeling when we left and we had to say good bye to our Mexican family, specially, knowing Goyo was going to be very missed in Mexico City, Ade, my brother is his (and my) most close person in the world and he would let him come to be my company in Canada. I know, in the bottom in my heart this was very hard for both Goyo and Ade, but that they did it because they both love me. Goyo’s trip was fine, he arrived to Canada in a happy mood and we both enjoyed a lot our first walk around the hood with Alex, now, the tree of us together, enjoying our Torontonian Life, being a family.

I went back to Mexico at the end of November, hoping not to go back for a while since Alex and me really wanted to start my Immigration process in Canada and the only way to do so is to be in the country. I had several appointments and several vaccinations, on the last one, my doctor said I could not come back for a while; I could stay in Canada, do the tests there and just start the immigration. I was very, very happy; I could now really start a life (that I had already started) up there.

Christmas was a specially happy and hard time. It was awesome to be experiencing my first Canadian holidays and spending them with my love and his family…even though I was missing my other home and all what was going on there like Uri’s and Helena’s visit, the very typical Acapulco New Year eve, family and friends diners. Anyways we had a great time over the holidays and I was very sure 2012 was just coming full of new awesome things to experience.

The year started in a wonderful way-playing hockey (with my birthday present hockey skates) at the SaltBox (Alex’s parents little cabin in the country, near Toronto). In our way back, on January 15th, just in the intersection of the 401 and 407 Alex proposed.

Pure happiness, pure love.

Other exciting things also started with the year. I got an internship in an awesome organization called Operation Groundswell. They organize backpacking trips to developing countries, backpacking trips with a purpose behind. They take action and work for a better world. Yeah right? It is just like me. I thought so too when I applied ☺ At OG I met the first other person besides me that has been at the Gibbons experience, must be the place for me. After few weeks I just felt very happy of being part of that team and started building friendships….

Since then the months have passed really fast. Wedding preparations, new internship loving the job and wanting to spend more time there, doctors appointments, getting ready for visits, Visa letters, dress fittings, dog walks, life, just a wonderful life.

I’m not gonna say Canada is only happiness, sometimes, many times, Goyo and I miss Mexico a lot. Our mom and dad, Ade, our home, but certainly we are being strong and knowing now this is our home. I missed my mom and friends specially through all the wedding stuff. Trying on a dress without Ade and mom around is never the same. Luckily I also realized I have other people with me, around. This don’t mean that they are replaced, just that I am not alone.

Much stress has been around too, why in the world I though we could get married in just 2 months! Well, because the sooner the better for my immigration process. And actually the wedding was awesome! Much people missed but awesome! And hopefully, as soon as I can get out of Canada we will have a Mexican celebration as well.

I shall end this blog post now. And, I shall say this will be the last blog post in this blog I will write. I can’t end this blog without thanking all the people that contributed in the great work of keeping me alive.

There were many ways of doing so:

from the daily nourishment of my heart,

to the blood and platelets donations,

long days and nights in the hospital,

phone calls, skype calls and emails,

good energy vibrations send from all over the world.

I truly believe I am today someone carrying the good energy of many many people and that is as well as a great joy, a great responsibility I am willing to take and to be proud of.

I will share my story, I will always send good energy to the people but mostly, I will live my life, happy to have it and aware of my great second chance.

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

All my blessings to you and all your beloved ones.

* living * loving * laughing * learning *

Kari

...so far ...so good! (I missed coffee)

It's been a while since I write in this blog. There is a reason; I was tired. emotionally tired and I had just the right amount of energy to be good and keep it up.

I am good.

I kept it up, as i had mentioned before with a LOT of help of my friends, with ENERGY coming from all over, with a BIG CONFIDENCE on the universe and it's plans for me and FULL of LOVE.

what else life's about? nothing.

I look back and that is the answer, there is nothing else I could ask in my life but the blessing of waking up everyday being sure all what I said before was part of me and with the luck its reinforcement by diverse demonstrations.

Day +9 to +10 were full of news, full of excitement every time the doctors came and gave me the latest tests on my blood white + red cell counts ... on my platelets ... THE BONE MARROW IS WORKING and that what at the end really counts.

Sometimes i was just worn out, no red blood cells means no energy and I didn't thought it was so true until one day I could barely stand up and move to my bed, lesson: every time you are eating protein + iron be aware, you are giving real fuel to your body :)

Some other moments I just felt great of knowing the count was going up, little by little but surely growing and soon it would be enough to start the next adventure.

To be true, I just felt alive and happy.Second truth, I never thought the next adventure was just about to start.

The 24th of February 2011 in the evening the crew of doctors came in my room, leaded by Dr Hurtado my Hematologist, they left the door open. Yeah! I freaked out! no virus in my room please! but they are the doctors, they know what they do. It is a remarkable moment, I was skypeing with Alex, my mom was sitting in the sofa, all covered as it was supposed to be. Anita my nurse was there, all covered and surprised. The doctor told me, stand up, we are leaving to room #24. Alex in the screen, me open mouthed just could say No! I am not ready! how is the blood cell count? two days ago I had NO IMMUNE SYSTEM!!! I think we could do this tomorrow! he answered, you are ready, put on two surgical masks on and lets go, you have more than enough white cells to move to the next room. No visits yet, everyone with masks but you are moving. My mom reacted as I did, she said that maybe we needed some more days in the isolated room .. that how sure was to take me out. The Dr. Smiled and said, we are ready, I know. Alex walked with me and mom out of the room. I was smiling a lot even if no one coud see due to my masks. everyone who saw me seemed happy and let me tell you, EVERYONE WAS WATCHING ME!

I was something in-between happy and nervous, very happy but not really getting the situation, I was OUT! just 10 days after the trasplant.The following day/night were just happy. I felt tired, I felt weird of having new nurses and people coming in. I felt insecure, unprotected, very vulnerable. I trusted though, breath deep and think on what Alex reminds

me always, they know what they are doing.

one of my highlights this day was that I drank COFFEE, damn, COFFEE IS GOOD! I missed you coffee!

Next surprise/adventure arrived the 27th february, the day that full of vulnerability & joy I left the hospital at around 2pm with my mom, my dad, my beloved brother Ade by my side; Uri in Copenhagen and Alex in Toronto thinking about it, they were the only ones so far i could let know (everything happened in a matter of minutes!), anyhow and anyways, I am sure many people was happy of that in that moment and feeling a vibrant energy of someone that is feeling the sunlight directly in her skin again ... breathing fresh air ... being out and alive.

I got home full of questions of how to live far from my nurses, the hospital, my robots and my spaceship.

Goyo was happy to see me, even if it was from afar. I was so happy to see him. Oh my god, I looove that dog, I missed him so much. we were both so happy. I can't wait until we are running again.

My room was empty almost. so clean.

I did quickly put out my photos.

I was hungry, I ate a salad. A simple one, delicious and so fresh, I needed fresh food. Ohhh I did missed salads so much! life out is good!!!

PROCEED WITH PRECAUTION, SAFETY FIRST and last but not least PUT A MASK BEFORE ENTERING THE HOUSE were some of the life mottos that proceded the next months in my life. little by little there was less cautions to take, blood is getting stronger.

Masks around me did disappeared one day. They were not necessary all the time! Yey!! (I have to tell you all, still today, the 25th of july 2011 I do carry a Mask in my purse, if anything you know ;) )

March-April and May were the most challenging months. I didn't know patience was gonna take that new meaning after this 3 months. I will write about it in my next blog post. I just tell you as a preview that it wouldn't have been possible to got through them without my family, Gregorio outside of my window making me company day and night. Alex, his love, his visit and our daily skype sessions, the Morley Family and their support, Ale, Den and Paula, their unconditional friendship and patience, their weekly visits ... as well as all my friends that were always, always as we say in Mexico: "Al Pie del Cañon".

there is nothing as powerful as MOM's LOVE

"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it."

-- Mark Twain

...or maybe she didn't enjoyed all of it, still, she has been by my side, always, I am pretty sure since the moment she imagined one day she would have kids.

I do not understand many things, as the one of being a mom, I have never been but I do feel the unconditional love and presence. She has a one and only way of being here, and walking this rough path by my side.

Today, february 22, is her birthday and even if I told her she should go out and enjoy the day, she said the best way to spend it was in isolation with me. she was there, 23 hours. SHe just went out for one hour to eat lunch with dad and Uri, who came to the hospital and be together all. Ade had to stay home, he got a cold :(

Day +8! Mom's Birthday

36 Neutophils – minimum standard 3000 – Minimum not to be in risk 500

35,000 platelets – minimum standard 150,000 – Minimum not to be in risk 90,000

9.6% Hemoglobin – Minimum standard 12% - Minimum not to be in risk 10%

It is really good to have mom here all day long. It makes everything easier and I am relaxed.

It's so far the most difficult day. I just have energy to sleep and some skype with Alex....and even that makes me tired. I am really hoping the bone marrow starts working soon again, it will be awesome because it is not so nice to feel this way, even though I am happy because this means the process is being as expected, I don't think I can get less neutrophils or platelets, 36 is equal to 0 in medical terms...so, next step is to produce, right?

I want to share this that my mom sent me by email. I think is true we need to appreciate what we have and also be conscious about it. How many times a day do you thank your body just for being there at your service?

I think this kind of messages get to one when it is needed, I don't normally open my mom forwarded ppt's..this time I did...

¿Don't you think it would be good to make an inventory of the goods that you have recieved in order to live with more joy and optimism?

Why mourn when I walk, if others laugh and have no feet?

Why to live thinking on the 10% of the things that make us suffer, and not remember 90% of the things that are happen as they should and make us smile?

In your body there are 800 billion cells working continuously and on your behalf and in perfect harmony.

Your brain has 13 billion neurons working so wisely in your favor that if you would like to replace the most perfect computer, it would occupy the space of a building seventy stories high.

You have a heart that is a wonder of nature. Pumping hour afterhour, 36 million beats a year, year after year, awake or asleep,pushing blood through 100 thousand miles of veins and arteries, leading ... Over 2 million liters of blood per year.

Your lungs are the best filters in the world. Over 600 million of alveolus purify the air we receive and rid your body of harmful waste.

In your eyes, God has placed 100 million receivers that let you enjoy the magic of color, light, and the sympathy of the people and the majesty of nature.

You are a human being and we are the only animal that can talk to calm the angry, cheer up the downcast, encourage the coward and say ... I love you.

In your ears there are 24 billion filaments that vibrate with the wind,the laughter of children, the music of an orchestra, the trepidation of sparkling waters and listening to the kind words of those estimates.

You can move! you are not a tree tied up to a small piece of land.

You can walk,run, dance and play sports. To do this you have 500muscles, 200 bones and 7,000 nerve synchronized to obey you and take you anywhere.

Your blood is a wonderful treasure. There are flowing through your body just 4 liters but containing 22 million blood cells, and in every cell there are a lot molecules, each molecule has an atom that ranges over 10 million times per second.

2 million of your cells die every day and are replaced by 2 million more in a resurrection that has continued since the day you were born.

In your brain there are 4 million pain-sensitive structures; 500,000 tactile sensors and 200,000 temperature sensors ...

Now, ask yourself... Don't you think your life is super valuable?

The sad thing is that we spend much time thinking about what

we need and we rarely pause a remember and thank so much good that we have...

Not just about your body, it applies also a the gifts you have, the family that has touched you, friends of which you are fortunate in having, enjoying the comforts you got and even the opportunities that life has presented to you. Do not see only what you need, appreciate what you already have!

Do accounts of your assets, and your joys too. Do not waste your time counting your mistakes.

Collect cheerful and optimistic thoughts, and do not forget to remove from your mind those nasty crows called "pessimistic thoughts" and "sad memories. "

why?

because life is good and we should enjoy it being happy!

Healing is an Expression of Love

It’s day +seven and my body is tired. No wonder! My body is fighting to keep on working in a good way, without infections of fever while my immune system is almost none existent.

From now on I will be sharing through here how many neutrophils and platelets I have and be sure I will post whenever my bone marrow starts working for real.

DAY +7

55 Neutophils – minimum standard 3000 – Minimum not to be in risk 500

46,000 platelets – minimum standard 150,000 – Minimum not to be in risk 90,000

8% Hemoglobin – Minimum standard 12% - Minimum not to be in risk 10%

It’s not nice not to be able to be yourself, meaning I normally have an enormous amount of energy and I like doing a LOT of things, now I need to understand I get tired from walking 5 steps…I actually feel tired of being tired. I need to understand that my hemoglobin, what gives the energy is really really low and I have to rest.

Anyways, somehow I remembered there are seven chakras that flow through the human energetic system and today is my day +seven … perfect combination!!!

So, what is a chakra?

Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel, or vortex, and it refers to each of the seven energy centers of which our consciousness, our energy system, is composed.

These chakras, or energy centers, function as pumps or valves, regulating the flow of energy through our energy system. The functioning of the chakras reflects decisions we make concerning how we choose to respond to conditions in our life. We open and close these valves when we decide what to think, and what to feel, and through which perceptual filter we choose to experience the world around us.

The chakras are not physical. They interact with the physical body through two major vehicles, the endocrine system and the nervous system. Each of the seven chakras is associated with one of the seven endocrine glands, and also with a group of nerves called a plexus. Thus, each chakra can be associated with particular parts of the body and particular functions within the body controlled by that plexus or that endocrine gland associated with that chakra.

All of your senses, all of your perceptions, all of your possible states of awareness, everything it is possible for you to experience, can be divided into seven categories. Each category can be associated with a particular chakra. Thus, the chakras represent not only particular parts of your physical body, but also particular parts of your consciousness.

I believe everything is possible.

I believe that anything can be healed.

It's just a question of how to do it.

Understanding the chakras allows you to understand the relationship between your consciousness and your body, and to thus see your body as a map of your consciousness. It gives you a better understanding of yourself and those around you.

You Are A Being of Energy

Your consciousness, your experience of Being, who you really are, is energy. We can call it "Life Energy" for now. This energy does not just live in your brain; it fills your entire body. Your consciousness is connected to every cell in your body.

We are going to examine the map of consciousness that the chakras provide, in order to understand the language of the symptoms that are associated with each chakra.

Each of the chakras is energy vibrating at a certain frequency, in a logical and orderly sequence of seven vibrations. As we move up the scale, the elements become more and more subtle, moving through the five physical elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether, to the spiritual elements of inner sound and inner light. The heaviest element is on the bottom, the lightest on the top. It is a logical and orderly sequence.

The colors of the spectrum also represent a series of seven vibrations in a logical and orderly sequence, as do the notes of the musical scale. Thus, we can put the heaviest vibrations or the longest wavelength on the bottom and the lightest on the top, and a particular color can be used to represent a chakra in its clear state, as can a particular musical note. Music played in a certain key vibrates a particular chakra, and we feel a particular way when we hear that music. Our relationship with a certain color says something about our relationship with the part of our consciousness that the color represents.

Using The Map

When there is tension in a particular part of the body, this represents a tension in a particular part of the consciousness, about a particular part of the person's life. Being aware of these associations helps one to see the importance of resolving the tense issues in their life.

If it were only a question of doing what is necessary for the person to be happy, that would be reason enough to motivate the person to want to change something that doesn't work for them, but here, we see that it is also a matter of health. The issues that are unresolved in a person's life are, in fact, hazardous to their health.

When we see the correspondences between the consciousness and the body, we see the degree to which we each create our reality. In fact, those words begin to take on a new meaning. We see how everything begins in our consciousness and we are able to look around us at other aspects of our lives in the same way.

When we see how the body carries out the messages and deepest wishes of the Being within the body, we can realize that the process can go in more than one direction. If our consciousness is directing how we develop symptoms, it can also direct how we release these same symptoms.

If our consciousness can make our body ill, our consciousness can make our body well.

The logical conclusion of this process is that anything can be healed.

Sahasrara: The Crown Chakra

Sahasrara, which means 1000 petalled lotus, is generally considered to be the chakra of pure consciousness, within which there is neither object nor subject. When the female kundalini Shakti energy rises to this point, it unites with the male Shiva energy, and a state of liberating samadhi is attained. Symbolized by a lotus with one thousand multi-coloured petals, it is located either at the crown of the head, or above the crown of the head. Sahasrara is represented by the colour white and it involves such issues as inner wisdom and the death of the body.

Its role may be envisioned somewhat similarly to that of the pituitary gland, which secretes hormones to communicate to the rest of the endocrine system and also connects to the central nervous system via the hypothalamus. According to author Gary Osborn, the thalamus is thought to have a key role in the physical basis of consciousness and is the 'Bridal Chamber' mentioned in the Gnostic scriptures. Sahasrara's inner aspect deals with the release of karma, physical action with meditation, mental action with universal consciousness and unity, and emotional action with "beingness".

In Tibetan buddhism, the point at the crown of the head is represented by a white circle, with 32 downward pointing petals. It is of primary importance in the performance of phowa, or consciousness projection after death, in order to obtain rebirth in a Pure Land. Within this chakra is contained the White drop, or Bodhicitta, which is the essence of masculine energy.

Ajna: The Brow Chakra

Anja is symbolised by a lotus with two petals, and corresponds to the colors violet, indigo or deep blue. It is at this point that the 2 side nadis Ida and Pingala are said to terminate and merge with the central channel Sushumna, signifying the end of duality. The seed syllable for this chakra is the syllable OM, and the presiding deity is Ardhanarishvara, who is a half male, half female Shiva/Shakti. The Shakti goddess of Ajna is called Hakini.

Ajna (along with Bindu), is known as the third eye chakra and is linked to the pineal gland which may inform a model of its envisioning. The pineal gland is a light sensitive gland that produces the hormone melatonin which regulates sleep and waking up. Ajna's key issues involve balancing the higher & lower selves and trusting inner guidance. Ajna's inner aspect relates to the access of intuition. Mentally, Ajna deals with visual consciousness. Emotionally, Ajna deals with clarity on an intuitive level. (Note: some opine that the pineal and pituitary glands should be exchanged in their relationship to the Crown and Brow chakras, based on the description in Arthur Avalon's book on kundalini called Serpent Power or empirical research.)

In Tibetan Bddhism, this point is actually the end of the central channel, since the central channel rises up from the sexual organ to the crown of the head,, and then curves over the head and down to the third eye. While the central channel finishes here, the two side channel continue down to the two nostrils.

Vishuddha: The Throat Chakra

Vishuddha depicted as a silver crescent within a white circle, with 16 light or pale blue, or turquoise petals. The seed mantra is Ham, and the residing deity is Panchavaktra shiva, with 5 heads and 4 arms, and the Shakti is Shakini.

Vishuddha may be understood as relating to communication and growth through expression. This chakra is paralleled to the thyroid, a gland that is also in the throat and which produces thyroid hormone, responsible for growth and maturation. Physically, Vishuddha governs communication, emotionally it governs independence, mentally it governs fluent thought, and spiritually, it governs a sense of security. In Tibetan buddhism, this chakra is red, with 16 upward pointing petals. It plays an important role in Dream Yoga, the art of lucid dreaming.

NEXT CHAKRA IS IMPORTANT FOR ME BECAUSE AFTER SOME READING I THINK I NEED TO WORK ON IT....

Anahata: The Heart Chakra

Anahata or Anahata-puri, or padma-sundara is symbolised by a circular flower with twelve vermillion, or green petals. (See also heartmind). Within it is a yantra of 2 intersecting triangles, forming a star of David, symbolising a union of the male and female. The seed mantra is Yam, the presiding deity is Ishana Rudra Shiva, and the Shakti is Kakini.

Anahata is related to the thymus, located in the chest. The thymus is an element of the immune system as well as being part of the endocrine system. It is the site of maturation of the T cells responsible for fending off disease and may be adversely affected by stress. Anahata is related to the colours green or pink. Key issues involving Anahata involve complex emotions, compassion, tenderness, unconditional love, equilibrium, rejection and well-being. Physically Anahata governs circulation, emotionally it governs unconditional love for the self and others, mentally it governs passion, and spiritually it governs devotion.

In Tibetan buddhism, this centre is extremely important, as being the home of the indestructible red/white drop, which carries our consciousness to our next lives. It is described as being white, circular, with 8 downward pointing petals, and the seed syllable Hum inside. During mantra recitation in the lower tantras, a flame is imagined inside of the heart, from which the mantra rings out. Within the higher tantras, this chakra is very important for realising the Clear Light.

Manipura: The Solar Plexus Chakra

Manipura or manipuraka is symbolised by a downward pointing triangle with ten petals. The seed syllable is Ram, and the presiding deity is Braddha Rudra, with Lakini as the Shakti.

Manipura is related to the metabolic and digestive systems. Manipura is believed to correspond to Islets of Langerhans which are groups of cells in the pancreas, as well as the outer adrenal glands and the adrenal cortex. These play a valuable role in digestion, the conversion of food matter into energy for the body. The colour that corresponds to Manipura is yellow. Key issues governed by Manipura are issues of personal power, fear, anxiety, opinion-formation, introversion, and transition from simple or base emotions to complex. Physically, Manipura governs digestion, mentally it governs personal power, emotionally it governs expansiveness, and spiritually, all matters of growth.

In Tibetan buddhism, this wheel is represented as a triangle with 64 upward pointing petals. It is the home of the Red drop, or red bodhicitta, which is the essence of feminine energy (as opposed to the Shakta system, where the kundalini energy resides in Muladhara). It contains the seed syllable short-Ah, which is of primary importance in the Tummo inner fire meditation, which is the system by which the

energy of the red drop is raised to the white drop in the crown.

Swadhisthana: The Sacral Chakra

Swadhisthana, Svadisthana or adhishthana is symbolized by a white lotus within which is a crescent moon, with six vermillion, or orange petals. The seed mantra is Vam, and the presiding deity is Bramha, with the Shakti being Rakini ( or Chakini ). The animal associated is the crocodile of Varuna.

The Sacral Chakra is located in the sacrum (hence the name) and is considered to correspond to the testes or the ovaries that produce the various sex hormones involved in the reproductive cycle. Swadisthana is also considered to be related to, more generally, the genitourinary system and the adrenals. The key issues involving Swadisthana are relationships, violence, addictions, basic emotional needs, and pleasure. Physically, Swadisthana governs reproduction, mentally it governs creativity, emotionally it governs joy, and spiritually it governs enthusiasm.

In Tibetan buddhism, this is known as the Secret Place wheel.

Muladhara: The Base Chakra

Muladhara or root chakra is represented as a yellow square, with 4 red petals. The seed syllable is Lam, the deity is Ganesh, and the Shakti is Dakini. The associated animal is the elephant Ganesha. This chakra is where the 3 channels are merged, then separate and begin their upward movement. Inside of this chakra is wrapped up the goddess kundalini three times around a black lingam. It is the seat of the red bindu, the female drop (which in Tibetan vajrayana is located at the navel chakra).

Muladhara is related to instinct, security, survival and also to basic human potentiality. This center is located in the perineum, which is the region between the genital and the anus. Although no endocrine organ is placed here, it is said to relate to the gonads and the adrenal medulla, responsible for the fight or flight response when survival is under threat. There is a muscle located in this region that controls ejaculation in the sexual act of the human male. A parallel is charted between the sperm cell and the ovum where the genetic code lies coiled and the kundalini. Muladhara is symbolized by a lotus with four petals and the colour red. Key issues involve sexuality, lust and obsession. Physically, Muladhara governs sexuality, mentally it governs stability, emotionally it governs sensuality, and spiritually it governs a sense of security.

There is no chakra that exists in this position within Tibetan buddhism. Instead, below the secret place wheel, there are 2 other wheels, the jewel wheel, which is located in the middle of the sex organ, and the wheel located at the tip of the sex organ. These wheels are extremely important for the generation of great bliss, and

are involved with tantric consort practices

.

Healing is an expression of love

thanks to many internet sites that helped me gathering all this info, especially:

http://www.healer.ch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra#cite_note-27

http://www.threeheartscompany.com/chakra.html