The Healing properties of Water

I feel very grateful every day for the knowledge and wisdom passed down by people from the past and the present. I feel very grateful for Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, the mandiram of knowledge in Chennai-India which carries down tradition and wisdom of yogic texts and practices, through T.Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar.

Currently on Antaraṅga Sādhana we delve deeper into the natural forces.

KYM is a torch of light that guides you through literature and tradition, allows us to understand our connection with nature on both an intellectual and experiential level and this is what I am interested in.

For Indians, Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, Arabs, Water is praised as a deity, it is depicted in philosophy (interconnection of Tat and Tvam), science (quantum physics) but also rituals and myths (like Adiśesa or Afrodite and Nymphs).

There is a lot of magic there and a lot of energy!!!

Water is vital for life such as each of the other 4 elements (earth, fire, air, ether) called the Pancha Bhutas in Indian literature. Each of them is unique and represents from the finest, the subtlest manifestation of nature (ether) to the grossest (earth). They all evolve from the Supreme Brahman - the Supreme Self, the one that is all pervasive, the reality which can not be perceptible to our sense organs.

The nature of Water is that it is transparent (element of Sattva), it moves a lot (the element of Rajas) but also it takes a form wherever it stays and/or can be stagnated (the element of Tamas).

Life became sustainable only after the presence of water which carries the life force, Prana, there are so many wonderful metaphors, allegories and mythology that water symbolize and represent the process of creation.

At the physical level, we know that our own existence is constituted mostly by water even through the smallest molecules within our body. Dehydration or improper fluid consumption can lead to health issues, but when used correctly, water is a powerful purifier.

At a more spiritual level, water represents fertility, abundance, growth and is a healer; it is amrita - ambrosia (in Greek), the nectar of immortality ----- more info here : https://www.yogakinisis.com/post/amrita-~-ambrosia-the-nectar-of-immortality 

In nature, we have rain which is celebrated as a blessing, the delight of Gods. In Indian and also other traditions, there were many rituals to Gods and when the sprinkle of rain came it was considered as the acceptance of prayers hence the earth celebrated.

Rivers also are considered very potent, sacred and glorified in a high level across literature in the Vedas, people do pilgrimages over them; the river has 2 banks which mean that something can be crossed over. The water in the river flows, changes, it is forceful, adaptable to the natural forces, it doesn't get stagnated. Ganga river in the north India is personified as a female and is seen as a mother; that is, the one who embraces like a mother. The journey of the river makes it to the ocean and the natural cycle. According to the Upanishads, the journey of the river represents the journey of the Atma (the soul) since amongst rivers the quality, form, colour, characteristics might be very different and whatever its characteristics they have separate identities. The same rivers merge into the ocean, it is never the same river again, it loses its identity into the vastness of the ocean...such as we individual souls merge with the Universal soul, such as we are changing continuously and never become the same as before, there is an absence of attachment, the journey of the human soul.

The element that governs the region below the navel is Water; the reproductive organs, tailbone and lower abdomen; the apana region that is for elimination; the bija mantra is VAM.

-As you sit cmfortably at the banks of a beautiful river, feel that you wash away all concerns and fears. Let the river flows and carries whatever you want to let go of on the Exhalation.

-The waters are removing the blocks, the resistances, the fears, the anxiety...

-Then on the next INhalation, replenishing your prana, filling you up with energy.

Thinking about the present reality and as life flows in this part of the world where I live the most, in Greece, my mind becomes more sattvic when I see the water flows. It flows and cleanse the ashes from the burning flame. The element of fire predominates so more water is needed for balance.

As we continue on our journey, may the wisdom of water and the other elements guide us toward greater clarity, peace and spiritual fulfillment.