The First Chakra

6 months later~

The morning sun cast a golden hue over Gurukul as the soothing conch sound echoed through the air, signaling the start of a new day. Every morning since we arrived in the Gurukul, we have been welcomed by this same tune. Today, though, however, it carried a weight of finality that hung in the air like morning mist.

As the sound of the conch faded, I joined my fellow intermediate disciples in the open courtyard, where Guru awaited us. It was a bittersweet gathering, for today marked the beginning of a new phase in our training. The disciples and I settled into our usual meditation positions. As I concentrated the surrounding energy felt much more vibrant.

Guru, ever with his serene countenance addressed us. "Today, my dear disciples, you set out on a solitary journey, a journey to unlock the first chakra center within you. Something that very few people can boast about in this world. Each one of you possess a unique energy that must be harnessed individually before they can intertwine and flourish. That is why you will leave Gurukul and train on different grounds to achieve this. You are only to return when you accomplish this task and so it might be some time before we meet each other again. Remember your teachings, they will be your guide. Always stay grounded, my children."

"The first step in opening your chakra centers," the guru began, "is to acknowledge and address the issues and traumas that may be blocking them. Each chakra corresponds to specific aspects of your life, and to open them, you must confront and release the inner turmoil and poison that hinders your growth. The poison has been in your system for very long and as such it will be very difficult to cleanse it. Do not expect a swift resolution."

We nodded in understanding. Guru continued, "Remember, the energies within you are as diverse as the elements in nature themselves. They may react in both wondrous and unpredictable ways. So understand your own power first and only then will you be able to embrace the challenges and discoveries that lie ahead."

With the meditation ended, the Guru talked to each of the disciples separately giving them advice and encouragement, at last, it was my turn and the Guru placed a hand on my shoulder. "Trust in your abilities and the lessons you have learned. Self-doubt will be your greatest enemy, beware of that."

'Like the time with the log, uncertainty and indecision are my poisons.'

Guru spoke during the silence, his voice sounding like a calm breeze. "You have grown immensely during your time here, my child. Your dedication and perseverance have brought you to this point."

I bowed my head respectfully. "Thank you, Guru. Your guidance has been invaluable to me. I could not have accomplished what I have if you hadn't extended your helping hand to me. I shall forever be grateful."

With those words, we dispersed to gather our belongings, knowing that we would not see each other for some time. My heart was heavy as I bid farewell to my fellow disciples, exchanging hugs and words of encouragement.

'Frankly, I wish we could have taken this task together, I did not want to be alone. not after the incident with Alex even if I had gotten much better now compared to then.'

The current assignment was one that could potentially impair us if any accidents were to happen. If things go south then rather than a liberating experience the past traumas would further weigh us down. With a final nod to my fellow disciples, I made my way down from the Gurukul perched on the colossal tree and began my journey to my designated training ground. As I walked away from the courtyard, I couldn't help but feel a sense of both excitement and trepidation. The first chakra center was a significant milestone in our training, and the thought of unlocking it and gaining access to it motivated me.

'Opening the chakras grants an immense amount of chi after all. Our output would be at least triple the current amount.'

---

It took me a long time to go to my training facility alone. I walked through thick forests, through gurgling brooks, and up steep slopes, all the while taking in the knowledge of nature. The sounds of the forest were my only companions, and the rustling leaves hid many whispers and secrets only the wilderness could know.

I followed Guru's instructions, wading through the lush forest surrounding Gurukul, a place where each tree seemed to whisper ancient secrets. I climbed to the peak of a mountain some distance nearby, where a platform had been built for meditation. It was a place of serene beauty, with a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.

Finally, after days of travel, I arrived at the designated training ground—a remote valley nestled between towering mountains. It was a place of serene beauty, where the elements seemed to converge in perfect harmony.

As I settled into my new surroundings, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The valley was vibrant and teeming with life with many and varying flora and fauna. The energy of the earth and the forest pulsed beneath my feet, I could feel the energy moving in a cycle as if the planet itself was doing some controlled breathing exercises of its own. Perhaps our own method was inspired by the Earth. '

Though I must say It is a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the Gurukul, and I should cherish this chance to have a more intimate and stronger connection with nature.'

Kaito's meditation spot [https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1151356427802263637/1151446664310173767/The_nexus_spot.png]

'Seems like another nexus spot, hmm but this one is not as potent as the one before but the energy is invigorating nonetheless.'

The rustling leaves, the distant call of birds, and the gentle swaying of the tree created a symphony of nature around us. It was a perfect setting for the opening of my first chakra center.

I spent my days in meditation and rigorous training, channeling my chi, regulating my breathing, going through the cycles of inhaling and exhaling, and focusing on the task at hand. The solitude was both a challenge and a gift, allowing me to delve into the inner depths of my being without distraction. I was sure I could open my first chakra here. Gathering my chi, I started looking within myself as I recalled the teachings.

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'Every creature has both a physical body and a spiritual body. The spiritual body is a byproduct of the body and is not to be confused with the soul. The spiritual body forms due to the consciousness of the body. The spiritual body can even be referred to as the consciousness-given shape. The blocks in our mind, are directly related to the physical body, and so the blockages of the spiritual body result in blockages in the physical body and vice versa.

The spiritual body exists in the spiritual plane. The spiritual plane is filled to the brim with 'prana' and is also the plane from which prana is extracted and utilized as chi in the physical plane. 'Prana' is the rawest and purest form of energy. It is so dense that ordinarily, no one can use it, but our spiritual body processes prana to a less dense form of energy that can be utilized. This less dense form of energy is then referred to by various names such as mana/chi/qi/oj. The spiritual body has prana flowing through it while the physical body has chi.'

The chakras are present in the spiritual body and unblocking the chakras requires untying the knots that block them. The chakras are to be unlocked in an order, the first being the root chakra. It is also known as Muladhara and is associated with issues of safety and survival. To unblock it I need to confront my past and make peace with it but at the very first step itself, it was as if an invisible barrier stood in my way.

'I had thought unlocking chakras would be all zen and peaceful. Right? Nope. It's more like revisiting every traumatic memory, and hoping not to lose your sanity in the process.'

Memories from my past began to resurface. I revisited those moments when I had lost my sense of security, acknowledging the fear and insecurity I had carried with me. I recalled a childhood incident where I had felt vulnerable and unsafe.

It was the day when we went to the zoo when I was ten and I got lost. My heart raced with panic. I couldn't see my parents anywhere, and the world seemed to blur into a chaotic mess. Five agonizing minutes dragged by until, at last, I spotted their familiar faces among the crowd, they had not yet realized I was gone, still, relief washed over me like a warm, comforting wave.

I was then brought to a scene all too familiar, the dream that I have had many times since coming to this new world. The fear of losing control over my body, the fear of pitch-black darkness engulfing me, the fear of falling through a void, the fear of losing my sense of direction. Finally, the fear of the eldritch eye that seemed to gaze at me with pure wickedness.

The pain and fear that accompanied those memories seemed unbearable as if I had gone back in time to experience them all over again. I found myself resisting the process. And so I was in a slump, I attempted to meditate to calm my thoughts but I was unsuccessful. I was too agitated. Time had healed my wounds but revisiting them felt as if a new wound was made where the previous wound had healed up.

---

One evening, as I sat by a crackling campfire, I couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had brought me here. The solitude was an experience in itself, but it also stirred a longing for companionship. I was once again reminded of those cold times, the months following Alex's disappearance, the loneliness, the sadness, and the insincere condolences. The memories assailed me like a tidal wave. Much time was spent in my inner turmoil and outwardly all I did was stare at the campfire set up before me.

As I continued gazing into the flickering flames, I felt a presence nearby. Turning my head, I was surprised to see Guru standing at the edge of the campfire's glow.

Guru smiled warmly. "I hope I'm not intruding, my child."

I shook my head. "Not at all, Guru. Your presence is always welcome."

He settled down by the fire, and we sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the flames dance. Then, he spoke softly. "Your training here is a solitary journey, but that does not mean you are alone. The energy of Gurukul and the wisdom of your fellow disciples are with you, even in this remote place."

I nodded in understanding. "I feel their presence in my heart, Guru. They have been a pillar of support for me. That is a given and it always will."

He leaned closer to the fire. "You have grown, my child, not only in your abilities but also in your understanding. That is a valuable lesson in itself. I can no longer see the child who was afraid of the outside world, afraid of the people living in it, afraid of losing someone. Though you are still afraid, that in itself is a good thing, be afraid Kaito but never let fear control you, for bravery comes from acknowledging and overcoming your fears, and for that, you have to be first afraid."

He smiled warmly. "Remember that your fellow disciples and I will always be with you in spirit. We are bound by the energies of this place, the journey we have undertaken together, and the memories that we have made and shared."

"Close your eyes. Look beyond and see the forest and not just the trees. Expand your horizon. Feel the earth, the roots, the lives that are connected to one another. Tell me do you think you are alone?"

With those words, we closed our eyes and the guru led me to a deep meditation. I could feel the surrounding energy flowing through me, connecting me to the environment, through the roots that interconnected the forest, arranged like webs underground. I could feel the forest, this sacred place, and some of my fellow disciples. I could feel them meditating, expanding themselves to the forest just like me. It was a silent greeting.

"I am not alone." It was then that a realization hit me that one can never truly be alone for we are connected one way or the other. All it took was a little perspective.

After the brief meditation, as we continued to talk by the campfire, Guru shared stories of his own training and the challenges he had faced. He spoke at lengths about how he was an unruly brat who would never settle down, his own guru constantly exasperated by his mischiefs. Frankly, his story seemed quite unreal to me. I could not imagine the guru before me who could be called a role model for serenity, poise, and nobility could even be such a mischievous brat. However, it was also the fact that I could not even fathom the Guru's age and since it felt rude to ask about it, I never did, nor did anyone else at the Gurukul. But I had a gut feeling that he had been alive for a very long time and since change is the law of nature, he could have changed quite a lot in such a long span of time.

As the night deepened, Guru rose to his feet. "Continue your training with diligence, my child. Unlocking the first chakra center is a significant step on your journey, and I shall await your news of success."

"I apologize in advance for making you wait but I'll make it worth the wait Guru."

With a final nod, he disappeared into the darkness, leaving me with the crackling campfire and the quiet of the valley. The solitude no longer felt daunting, and I felt like those were just the words I needed to hear. I once again felt the presence of my fellow disciples of the gurukul through the vast network of roots. I felt a sense of comfort and security. I was not alone.

'I will be successful and make them proud just as they will make me proud of their success.'

In the following days, I continued my training with newfound determination, pushing past the barriers of fear and anxiety that had held me back. Slowly but surely I felt the wounds healing as I replayed my memories again and again, each time getting more used to it and acknowledging it as something that happened in the past. I confronted my past, making peace with my memories, and slowly, I felt the knots in my root chakra begin to loosen.

It wasn't a sudden burst of enlightenment or a dramatic revelation. No glowing lights or heavenly voices. Just me, the forest, and the quiet persistence of my own efforts.

---

2 weeks later~

One sunny morning, as I sat in meditation, focusing on the center at the base of my spine, I felt a shift—a subtle, almost imperceptible change in my energy. It was as if something deep within me had clicked into place.

'Finally, open sesame.'

And then, just as I thought it couldn't get any more ordinary, I heard it—a faint, unmistakable "ding." Not a celestial bell or a mystical chime, mind you, but a simple, everyday "ding" like the one you'd hear when your microwave finishes heating your leftovers.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the sheer absurdity of it all. Opening a chakra, a profound spiritual milestone, and it was marked by a kitchen appliance sound effect. The universe had an odd sense of humor, it seemed.