Anāhata, the heart chakra

The Sanskrit word “chakra” means wheel or disc, and refers to the subtle energy centers of our body.

Anāhata the heart chakra is located in the center of the chest, halfway between the lower 3 chakras and the upper 3 chakras.

It is the fourth of the seven main chakras, and the point of balance between the body and the soul, between the material and the spiritual.

Depiction of Anāhata

The Hindu tradition represents Anāhata by a blue or green lotus with 12 petals, with in its center, a yantra formed of two intertwined triangles: the triangle points upwards which represents the male principle Shiva, and the triangle points downwards which represents the female Shakti principle.

The masculine and feminine principles come together to generate balance and harmony.

Center of Love and Sensibility

This chakra, capable of releasing a benevolent energy of healing love, both towards oneself and towards others, is the source of the positive feelings of compassion, patience, peace, happiness and joy.

It is through the heart chakra that we connect with others, so it is the center of our relationships with others.

“Anāhata” means “unstruck sound” in Sanskrit. It is the sound which produces itself, which does not need anything to exist. Indeed a heartbeat exists by itself!

Seat of consciousness and creativity

The 4th chakra is the seat of the “I” and the ego, but also of the divine self (Atma), and of self-awareness in relation to others.

It is the most important energy center of the body. It integrates the emotions produced by the first three chakras and manages the more stable feelings integrated in the upper three chakras.

Anāhata is the junction point between telluric and celestial energies. This chakra is an integral part of the processes of transformation and regeneration. It activates the power of the imagination and therefore the ability to create.

Place a green or pink colored stone on your heart chakra for a few minutes to activate it!

Connections for Anāhata

The organs associated with Anāhata are the heart, lungs, hands and skin. Its element is air, which represents freedom, lightness, voluptuousness and infinity. His sense of touch, his animal the black antelope. Its mantra is Yam and its note is Fa.

How to Activate the Heart Chakra

When Anāhata is closed, we are selfish, cold, demanding. When it is overly open, we are overly expansive, or possessive, overwhelmed with desire, jealousy, sadness, and dependent in our relationships with others.

When Anāhata is well balanced, we are kind to others, and forgive easily. We feel understanding for all that is. We accept our true nature. It is an essential prerequisite to flourish and evolve in a positive way.

To activate Anāhata, you can for example:

  • Surround yourself with green and/or pink
  • spend as much time outdoors as possible
  • pay more attention to your breathing
  • let go of your problems
  • practice selfless giving to loved ones or complete strangers
  • Meditate by focusing on your heart chakra
  • chant the mantra Yam, out loud or in your head
  • The 4th chakra is activated by physical contact and hugs, whether with people or animals.
  • The incense and essential oils recommended for opening Anāhata are: lemon verbena, basil, peppermint, ylang ylang, rose, neroli, bergamot, geranium, lemon balm, eucalyptus radiata…
  • Pink or green colored stones are also effective: aventurine, amazonite, agate, jade, pink quartz.
  • In yoga, the postures of the cobra, the fish and the camel open the rib cage and are excellent for activating Anāhata.

The beginnings of Arasia-Shop

Thailand

It all started in 2005, when during my first trip to Asia, I fell in love with Thailand!

Bangkok by night

This country is also known as “the land of smiles” and it was not a metaphor at the time. Victim of its tourist success, things have changed somewhat since…

I was seduced by the beauty and diversity of the landscapes and by the warm welcome of the inhabitants. From there was born my passion for Asian culture, the finesse of its craftsmanship, the kindness and spiritual wisdom of its inhabitants, as well as its incredible culinary richness, its spicy and tasty dishes…

So I naturally wanted to create Arasia to share all my discoveries with you!

Cambodia

After several months in Thailand with Jérôme, the co-creator of Arasia, we continued our adventure in Cambodia.

After an incredible journey in a dilapidated coach, we visited the sumptuous ruins of Angkor. Then we continued to the capital Phnom Penh, then the seaside resort Sihanoukville. Finally we discovered “Rabbit Island”, a quiet island without any civilization, road or means of communication near the Vietnamese border.

Cambodia is a very poor country, with a very violent history, which has deeply affected us.

Indonesia

During our second Asian trip in 2008 we landed in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. We suffered an impressive cyclone following which the city was largely flooded for several days. Everything stopped, there was no longer any means of communication and it was almost impossible to leave the city.

Once things were back to normal, we headed to Bali, “The Island of the Gods”. I had my second crush, for this island full of charm, traditions and spirituality!

Malaysia and India

We visited modern Kuala Lumpur, then crossed northern Malaysia by bus to the Thai border. From there we flew to South India with Chennai, Pondicherry and Auroville, then Mabalipuram, Cochin and Goa.

I discovered India, a fascinating and refined country, with millions of Gods and facets!

It is quite naturally that we came up with the idea of setting up a website offering articles from these countries! Now Jérôme has left Arasia and I continue to manage the shop with as much pleasure as at the beginning!

It’s a job that suits me very well and that gives me many opportunities: to meet interesting people, to travel, to visit places outside the tourist circuits, and to combine business with pleasure 🙂

Flower of Life

What is the Flower of Life?

The flower of life is the graphic expression of a concentration of physical laws but also of metaphysical laws.
This mandala, geometric, sacred and harmonious pattern, leads us to a reflection on the logical construction of our universe and on the interdependence of all things.
It is sacred, venerated, respected by all the traditions of the world, and its symbolic energy is powerful.
It generates a beautiful and stable shape wave. A wave of life and positive expansion that harmonizes thoughts, the environment and energizes water and food! Its regenerating vibratory power is extraordinary.

People have pondered this

Nassim Haramein is an internationally recognized physicist and cosmologist. He discovers for the first time at the Temple of Osiris in Egypt the 2D representation of the flower of life. He will later discover another representation of it in Beijing in China, in the forbidden city, another sacred site. A 3D sphere, located under the paw of the “Fu-Dog”, the “Guardian Lion” considered as the guardian of knowledge.
Leonardo da Vinci, mathematician, studies the shape of the flower of life and its mathematical properties.
It was also made popular by Drunvalo Melchizedek through his two books on “The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life”. In it, he recounts in detail the techniques necessary to create the energy field of the evolved man.

You can download this flower of life, to print it and use it in your environment, to purify your water, your minerals, your plants, to slip under your pillow, etc…

A universal symbolic power

The flower of life has been found in Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Ireland, England, Israel, India, Japan, China, Germany, Spain, Switzerland..

It contains many mathematical or symbolic representations:

The 5 Platonic solids representing the 5 elements,
Metatron’s Cube
The 7 planets (the center: the Earth + the 6 centers of the second level of circles, which form the seed of life),
The 12 signs of the zodiac (the 12 centers of the 3rd level of circles),
and some of its secrets have so far remained unrevealed.

Due to its many properties, the flower of life naturally releases very powerful vibrational waves. It can be used to energize water, food, and to purify and recharge minerals.

It is also an ideal medium for meditation, because the more we contemplate it, the more our mind can grasp the mystery of divine design.

See the flower of life items and jewelry in your Arasia store

The tree of life, a mythical symbol

Thich Nhat Hanh

Zen Buddhist monk, poet and author of many books (more than 130, including Vietnam: a lotus in a sea of fire; There is neither death nor fear; The Fullness of the moment, living in full consciousness; Peace in itself, peace on the move.), Thich Nhat Hanh is a tireless peace activist who traveled the world and founded many religious and social institutions.

He is affectionately nicknamed Thay, which means “teacher” in Vietnamese.

Thich Nhat Hanh in 2007 in Vietnam

Youth and ordination

Born in French Indochina (now Vietnam) in 1926, Thich Nhat Hanh has been a Zen Buddhist monk since 1942, when he was 16 years old.

In his youth, he befriended a French soldier who wondered about the usefulness of war. Thich Naht Han was against the Vietnam War and did not want to take sides.

Vietnam War and exile

In 1961, he went to study at Princeton University in the USA, in 1963 he returned to his country and founded a non-violent resistance movement to war.

Accused of communist propaganda, he was forced into exile from 1967. He obtained the right of asylum in France.

Also in 1967, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King, but the prize was not awarded that year.

Martin Luther King born in Georgia (USA) in 1929 and assassinated in 1968
is a nonviolent activist for the civil rights movement

Plum village in France

In 1982, he settled in the southwest of France, and founded Plum village, the largest Buddhist monastery in the West.

In this Buddhist community, which has 200 resident members and welcomes 10,000 visitors a year, many practices are taught: the art of mindful living, meditation, inner smiling and conscious breathing.

End of life of Thich Nhat Hanh

In 2005 he returned to Vietnam, to the temple of Tu Hieu in Huê, where he had begun his career as a monk, and he died there in 2022 at the age of 95.

Some quotes from Thay, Thich Nhat Hanh

“The miracle is not walking on water, it is walking green Earth in the present moment and appreciating the beauty and peace that is available now.”

“It is very important to know how to listen with compassion. To listen with compassion is to listen with the will to relieve the other of his suffering, without judging him or seeking argument.

“Meditation is not escaping from society, but coming back to ourselves and seeing what is happening. Once you see, you have to act. With mindfulness, we know what to do and what not to do to help.”

“Christians are my brothers. I don’t want to make them new Buddhists. I want to help them deepen their own tradition. »

The law of attraction, or how to attract all your desires to you!

The law of attraction is one of the fundamental laws of the universe. It works in all areas of our lives: money, health, relationships, work, etc.

How does this law work, and how can we apply it in our daily lives to benefit from its magical benefits?

It’s actually very simple: our thoughts and emotions emit electromagnetic waves. We attract what we think about, just like a magnet. We are the creators of our lives.

Our thoughts manifest in our life to become our reality.


In practice :

The first thing is to sincerely believe that this law exists. Then manifest gratitude and abundant joy for and toward the universe. Because it is still extraordinary to be alive and to be able to feel so much happiness! Our luck to be who we are and to have everything we have is extraordinary. We must be aware of this.
Then think about what you really want in your life. Put it in writing, in the present, and in the positive as if you had already obtained it. (“I’m buying a new wardrobe”, “I’m fulfilled”, “I’m healthy”, and no negative phrases like “I don’t want to get sick”).
Do not doubt your choices… Relax, stop worrying, and let go!
Then each day visualize that you already have everything you aspire to. Create a mental image, it is the language that the universe captures best.
Little by little, if we really know what we want, and by concentrating as much as possible on the positive side of things, we profoundly transform our way of thinking and therefore the reality of our life.
Joy and abundance, as well as all their extraordinary effects, will then replace the limiting beliefs (eg, I cannot afford to buy this or that; my health does not allow me to practice this or that sport, etc. ), and old negative patterns in our lives.
In the film “The Secret”, several specialists from various backgrounds express themselves and develop around the law of attraction. This secret has been well known to certain groups for hundreds or even thousands of years, but it has often been well hidden. Nowadays we are witnessing the emergence of more and more “connected” human beings, more spiritual and who seek to raise their vibratory rate: The “secret” is now accessible to a greater number of individuals!

Minerals and Chakras

One of the approaches on minerals consists in linking them, according to their colors, to one or more chakras. By placing a mineral of corresponding color on each chakra, you contribute to the opening of the chakras!

The ARASIA shop offers you minerals, in the form of rolled stones, or jewelry. But also advice to take advantage of their virtues on physical, mental and spiritual well-being on a daily basis.

The chakras are, according to traditional Indian medicine, the energy centers of information and consciousness in our bodies. They each correspond to specific functions.

The first chakra (minerals of black or red colors)

Red jasper, and red or black colored stones (black tourmaline, bull’s and falcon’s eye, etc.) are linked to the 1st chakra. It is the root chakra, the one that connects us to the Earth.

They are anchor stones, very useful to help us “keep our feet on the ground”! They help us become aware of our inner strength and feel secure in life.

The second chakra (minerals of orange color)

Carnelian, amber, and orange colored stones are connected to the 2nd chakra. It is the sacral chakra, which is the center of the emotions. These stones bring us creativity and vitality.

The third chakra (minerals of yellow color)

Yellow calcite, tiger eye, citrine, and yellow colored stones are connected to the 3rd chakra, that of the solar plexus.

These stones increase motivation and self-confidence.

The fourth chakra (minerals of green or pink colors)

Rose quartz, unakite and aventurine are connected to the 4th chakra, the heart chakra. They bring us love, compassion, openness of heart.


The fifth chakra (minerals of light blue or blue-green color)

Chalcedony and stones of light blue or blue-green color are connected to the 5th chakra. It is the throat chakra that is the center of communication.

These stones help us express ourselves, listen to others, and clarify and organize our thoughts.


The sixth chakra (minerals of dark blue color)

Sodalite, lapis lazuli and dark blue, indigo and violet colored stones are connected to the 6th chakra), that of intuition and the 3rd eye.

These stones bring us clairvoyance, balance and capacity for imagination.

The 7th chakra (minerals of purple, white or gold colors)

Amethyst, and the stones of white, gold and violet colors, are connected to the 7th chakra, the crown chakra which connects us to the divine.

These stones push us to gain height over the little hassles of daily life, to put things into perspective, to calm our emotions. They open us to cosmic consciousness, spirituality and the divine.

Litho-therapy or how to use your stones?

A very effective way to benefit from the virtues of minerals is to put them, for a few minutes, directly on the corresponding chakra.

Lie down comfortably and arrange one or more minerals of corresponding color on your chakras. This is the basis of litho-therapy (alternative medicine using the energy of stones to heal).

During a litho-therapy treatment, it is important to have an anchor stone, black tourmaline for example. Place it at the level of the base chakra (at the level of the pubis, or between the 2 feet), in order to remain well connected to the earth.

It is also advisable to purify and recharge your minerals correctly before a litho-therapy session.

Litho-therapy is not an exact science. It is advisable to let your intuition speak to find out what suits you best.

The benefits of traditional Thai massage

Traditional Thai massage, or Nuad Bo Rarn, restores balance and energy to the body, and provides many benefits.

In Thailand, thai massage is an integral part of everyday life. They are practiced mainly as a preventive measure, because their regular practice allows you to stay in good health.

Traditional Thai massage is a true alternative medicine that has its roots in the ancestral traditions of Ayurvedic medicine.

In Thailand it is called Nuad Bo Rarn or Nuad Boran. Nuad means “pressure” and boran means “old”.

Of Indian origin, its practice spread to Thailand at the same time as Buddhism, around the 5th century BC.

The Nuad Boran is practiced on the ground on a futon, dressed in loose and comfortable clothes, and without oil or lotion.

The masseur uses his thumbs, elbows, knees, feet to exert pressure on the whole body, as well as stretching and postures.

It is an invigorating massage that works the whole body, and its health benefits are numerous.

In addition to softening the joints and relaxing the muscles, Thai massage helps detoxify the body, in parallel with the 3 other elements of traditional Thai medicine: nutrition, herbal medicine and meditation.

It frees the mind from accumulated stress, relieves tension and stiffness in the body, it is beneficial for blood and lymphatic circulation and it improves the quality of sleep.

You will leave your session completely relaxed and regenerated.

Be careful, however, because there are contraindications, for example for pregnant women, and certain serious illnesses. If in doubt, seek the advice of a doctor.

To give or receive a Thai massage, you should wear loose and comfortable clothes, such as Thai pants and a Thai shirt.

You will find some on my online store, also discover our massage and self-massage accessories!

The Powers of Minerals

The powers of minerals are many and varied, find here some of their daily benefits.

Stones to help you relax

Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Rock Crystal: the combined energies of these 3 stones bring love and comfort, softness, serenity and appeasement.

Different stones have calming and soothing properties, such as rock crystal, amethyst, rose quartz, aventurine, etc. These stones fight stress and facilitate sleep. They are also effective in relieving headaches of nervous origin.

Stones to increase your joie de vivre

Some stones bring vitality and good energy, such as tiger’s eye and carnelian. They help us see the world around us in a positive light. They are a valuable support in case of depression, sadness or fatigue. Avoid keeping them close while sleeping.

Tiger’s Eye is the symbol of self-affirmation. It is a stone of protection that endows its wearer with powerful and radiant energy.

Stones to develop creativity

Rock crystal, brecciated jasper, rose quartz and aventurine stones stimulate creative energy. They are very helpful in clearing the mind, relieving stress, and speaking in public. These stones also sublimate the sexual energy. They promote tenderness and empathy, and help remove emotional blockages.

Stones to promote clairvoyance and Spiritual openness

Stones such as lapis lazuli, sodalite, rock crystal, amethyst, etc. promote meditation, the opening of the 3rd eye and the connection with the spiritual worlds. They increase the ability to see and understand beyond the material world.

stones for protection

Indispensable in lithotherapy, they can protect you and your home from the harmful effects of various unhealthy influences: whether negative entities, spells, electromagnetic waves, wifi, bluetooth, as well as bad energy vibrations, whether they emanate from yourself or others…

Some protective stones act by absorbing bad energies, like a sponge, such as black tourmaline, labradorite, obsidian… While others act like a protective shield, repelling the bad vibrations, this is the case of tiger’s eye.

Among the stones of protection, you will find turquoise, jasper, lepidolite, hematite, bull’s eye, onyx…

To each person, and to each moment, corresponds a stone…

Each stone has its own power, an energy of its own and depends on its variety (quartz, jasper, agate, others…), its color (connected to one of the 7 main chakras),…

How to choose your stone or stone bracelet?

Aum, the original vibration

Aum (or Om) is a Sanskrit syllable. It is found in several religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, or Brahmanism.

This sound is considered to be the divine primitive vibration of the Universe which represents all existence. The original sound from which the Universe would have structured.

The AUM syllable therefore represents the totality of what exists, as well as the Hindu trinity:

 The letter A represents the beginning, the birth, and the creator god Brahma.
 The letter U represents continuation, life, and the god Vishnu
 And the letter M represents the end, death, and the destructive god Shiva.

The pronunciation of Aum is sometimes described as follows: first A emerges from the back of the throat, towards the palate, then U rolls on the tongue and M ends on the lips.

A symbolizes wakefulness, U, dream, M, sleep. Awakening corresponds to the fourth step: silence, departure and rebirth of Being.

This is the first syllable of the famous Aum Mani Padme Hum mantra.

See our Om or Aum items in your Arasia store

Thai proverbs, full of wisdom!

At Arasia, we have the soul of the traveler, and one of our favorite countries is of course Thailand, which seduced us with its refinement and omnipresent spirituality, whether in its cities or its countryside!

Discover our Thai proverbs full of wisdom!

Discover our selection of popular Thai proverbs, which often evoke the rural and animal world, because Thailand has traditionally been an agricultural and rice-producing country.

The bond between man and animal, each taking care of the other!

“The rice that is in your attic is your enemy because it arouses the jealousy of those who do not have it”

There is no point in amassing too much wealth, better to share it with your neighbors! If everyone is happy, it will make the world a better place!
“The hen sees the snake’s legs, the snake sees the hen’s teats”

Everything is relative and depends on our point of view: always keep an open mind!
“When the water drops, the ants eat the fish; when the water rises, the fish eat the ants “

Events can cause situations to change, or even reverse themselves completely, never taking anything for granted!
“If a dog bites you, don’t bite the dog”

Take a step back from the events, do not react on a whim, and take the time to think it will be beneficial to you!
“Draw a tiger to scare the cow”

Be smart and don’t hesitate to bluff your opponent!
“It’s hard to get the cane out of the elephant’s mouth”

And now my favorite Thai proverb:
“There is no other happiness than peace”

Let go of what is no more. Let go of what isn’t yet. Observe deeply what is going on in the present moment, but don’t get attached to it. It’s the most wonderful way to live. Buddha

“Stick a gold leaf on the back of a Buddha statue”

This popular Thai expression refers to Buddhist culture: It designates a person who likes to do good, humbly and in all discretion.

Awaken your consciousness, gently, and keep your feet on the Earth, enjoying the present moment, this is the secret of authentic spirituality!

He who sows silence reaps peace.

He who is under the sky, how can he fear the rain?

The fruits do not fall far from the tree.

Hope rises higher than the mountains.

Don’t wake the sleeping tiger.

Who helps his body, helps his mind and calms his mind.

The professor is like a boat waiting for passengers to take them across the river.

Breaking your leg today can save your life the next day.

In youth one must seek knowledge; in old age, a master.

Life is so short, you have to move slowly.

And you, what is your favorite proverb? Do not hesitate to comment on this article !