Aapo va idam sarvam visvaa bhutaanyaapah
pranaa vaa aapah pasava aapo annamaapo
amrtamaapas samraadaapo viradaapas svaraadaapas
chandasyaapo jyotiisyaapo yajusyaapas satyamaapas
sarva devataa apo
bhur bhuva suuva raapa Om.
–Mahanarayana Upanishad 4.29
This means, “The whole universe is made up of water. All beings are made up of water. The vital airs are the effects of water; cows are also the effect of water; food comes from water; nectar, too, comes from water; all the kingdoms, cosmos, Vedic metres, all are made of water; water is truth and all the deities are water; all the worlds are made up of water.”
Water is one of the PanchMahabhuta or the 5 elements of which all living and non-living is created. The Vedas praise water as the source of everything in the universe.
“Aapo Devah”–God is in the Form of Water
Water is pure by nature and it has the capacity to purify everything. It is the most important element for life second only to Air. There is no substitute for water. Water covers three-fourths of the surface of the Earth. The human body is 75% water, while the brain alone comprises of 85% water. The blood, consisting of 92% water, carries oxygen and essential nutrients to capillaries where they are released into a water-based fluid that surrounds the cells called lymph. From the lymphatic fluid nutrients are transferred to the cells and toxins are removed, keeping the entire system nourished and cleansed. In addition, water serves as a lubricant that cushions joints and protects tissues and organs, including the spinal cord. Water also regulates body temperature, aids digestion, works to keep the muscles and skin toned, and assists in weight loss. Water is so essential, that without it we could live for only a few days. Water, that magical substance from which all life springs forth, is essential to the very existence of every life form on earth.
Spiritually, water is associated with emotions. Emotions are just like water. They “rise up” within us, often unbidden, take no account of reason or thought and, without control, can lead us into trauma and confusion. Watch the movement of water as it cascades, crystal and clear over the rocks of a waterfall, then compare it with the limpid stillness of a glade side pool, and how both these things may be expressed within your own nature. Imagine what would happen if a dam broke its walls, or the rivers dried up and the monsoon never came.
Our body consists of 7 energy centres called ‘Chakras’. Of these, the Swadishthan Chakra (Sacral Chakra, located four fingers below the navel) is related to water element, and to emotions and sexuality. It connects us to others through feeling, desire, sensation, and movement. Ideally this chakra brings us fluidity and grace, depth of feeling, sexual fulfilment, and the ability to accept change. It holds the energy of creativity and dreams which is the realm of Water. When this chakra in the body is balanced, the water element in your body is also in a state of balance making you flourish with the qualities of sensitivity, intuition, gentleness, creativity, an ability to adapt and a strong sense of self.
When this chakra is imbalanced, the water element is also thrown out of balance making you over-emotional, blocked creativity and unwilling to adapt to change. There comes in a feeling of being unsettled and stuck, feeling as if you have no choice. One can feel water-logged emotionally. One may become self-absorbed, fearful and distrustful of other’s emotions, wanting desperately to be liked, yet unable to believe we are worthy of being loved.
Some of the signs that the sacral chakra is blocked or imbalanced are:
- Female reproductive/organ problems
- Water retention
- Emotions that you had from child hood or as a child that have not been healed
- Unable to finish projects or things that you started
- Stress
It is a well known fact that water is good for health. It cannot be emphasized enough that drinking at least 1.5 litres of water everyday can keep you away from many health issues besides making your skin glow and hair shine. Many imbalances in life and body can be healed by balancing the water element in the environment (using Vastu or Feng Shui) and body.
Balancing Water Element
Water element can be balanced in the following ways:
Balancing Sacral Chakra
-One can balance the Sacral chakra by healing it using healing techniques like Reiki, Pranic Healing etc.
-Visualize a bright Orange coloured ball of swirling energy in the lower abdomen (four fingers below the navel) as Orange is the colour associated with Sacral Chakra.
-Use crystals such as Carnelian and Fire Opal as they vibrate well with this chakra and balance and energize it.
-Involve yourself in creatively fulfilling tasks
-Express yourself through words, music, dance, calligraphy, cooking or by any other means. When Sacral chakra is blocked, it leads to blocked expression as well hampering our relationships both at home and at work.
Crystals and Essential Oils
-Keep Aquamarine crystal near you. It looks like frozen water and helps reduce water retention as well. Blue Aventurine, Azurite and Chrysocolla are also beneficial for balancing this element.
– Some essential oils that support emotions are patchouli, ylang ylang, jasmine, neroli, rose and sandalwood
-Essential oils like frankincense, geranium, jasmine, melissa, rose and ylang ylang alleviate lack of self worth and mistrust
Using Charged Water
Water has a very good memory. Its molecular structure holds information in the form of vibrations. Dr. Masaru Emoto has described that water carries and transmits emotions in his book “The Healing Power of Water.” Indian Philosophy (Vedas, Upanishads etc) talk about the effect of actions called Karmas. They describe three kinds of Karma – thought, word and action. An act of thinking (positively or negatively) also creates Karma and therefore affects the course of life. Dr. Masaru Emoto is scientifically proving the effect of thoughts especially on the structure of water. These pictures show water in its molecular form affected by different kinds of emotions and thought patterns.
Using charged water for day to day activities proves extremely beneficial for a healthy body, mind and soul. Moreover, charging water is a very simple and easy technique and its benefits are tremendous. There are many ways to charge water:
Use of Magnets
Magnetized water is energy-building, activating, cleansing and detoxifying. Magnetized water has been known to cure bladder problems, menstrual problems, builds natural resistance power and even gives relief in joint pains. Water can be magnetized using strong magnets. They should be kept in contact with glass containing water for 12 to 24 hrs. Such water remains charged for 3-4 days and should be consumed half a glass at a time. Consult a good book or a magnet therapist for detailed instructions.
Using Life Force Energy
Those possessing knowledge of healing sciences like Reiki, Pranic Healing or any other sort of healing can charge the water by giving it healing for 3 to 5 minutes.
Mantras
Water responds to vibrations as you have seen earlier. Chanting Mantras produces positive vibrations which charge the water kept near you while chanting with healing properties. If you have been chanting a mantra on a regular basis, it will produce a deeper healing effect on the water. One can chant different mantras for different purposes. Some of the popular mantras are Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, Narayan Mantra, Gayatri Mantra, Durga Mantras etc.
A simple and pure intention
of positivity to cleanse, purify and charge the water also works wonders in case the above methods cannot be carried out. Our thoughts produce the most powerful vibrations which affect our body and the environment. Therefore, it is imperative that one should hold only positive and loving thoughts.
Water has long been used in many cultures for cleansing, purification and healing. We are very well aware of the purifying properties of the water of the Holy Ganga. The water in many rivers around the world hold such healing and purifying properties because they come from sources which are either full of herbs or the geography of a particular place naturally charges the water magnetically.
Let’s respect this gift of water from the Universe by holding it with reverence and not wasting it. Any act of wastage of water is a disregard for its purity besides a kind of crime against humanity. It is a well known fact that only 5 to 7% of water is fresh water. Only 2-3% of it is available for drinking purposes. A huge population around the world suffers due to lack of water because of human and sometimes natural reasons like draught. It has been said that the next world war will not be for oil but for water. Let us respect this bounty of nature and use it judiciously to spread positivity instead of wars. Water is truly an elixir of life.
