3.30 Samyama on the navel

3.30 Meditative integration (samyama) on the navel results in knowledge of the body.

This sutra begins a sequence of sutras listing some areas of the human body as focal points for samyama. Given the importance of the umbilical cord during pregnancy as a major conduit for blood, oxygen, and nutrients from the mother to the embryo, it seems to make sense that the navel can be used as a focal point to learn about the body. Although the navel does not seem to have much of a physiological function for humans after birth, it is often located at or very near your center of gravity. Is it possible that meditating on your navel can offer insight into your own body? You may also use the center of your body as a focal point to try to understand what your true center is at the physical, mental, and emotional level.
In recent years, researchers have found a complex system of neurons in the gastrointestinal tract called the Enteric Nervous System. The Enteric Nervous System seems to play an essential role in health, and it may also be an important factor in several diseases and neurological conditions.
Is it possible that ancient yogis had already found these critical connections between the systems in the abdominal area and the rest of the body?
Could it be that the common idea of gut feeling may be related to all of this?
What can you discover if you meditate with the navel as your focal point?

As usual, one more way of exploring the meaning of this sutra is by chanting it.
You can choose to chant it in its traditional form with some of the words coming together:

3.30 nābhicakre kāyavyūhajñānam
नाभिचक्रे कायव्यूहज्ञानम् ॥३०॥

Another option is to chant each word in the sutra individually:

• nābhi
• cakre
• kaya
• vyūha
• jñānam

If you prefer, you may listen to the podcast:

This is an excerpt from the book Unravel the thread: Applying the ancient wisdom of yoga to live a happy life

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