This first photo above is very special. It’s a sacred map of the 31 planes mapped in Buddhism that one can astrally travel in meditation and is considered to have been a visual aid for monks focusing their minds in meditation. This artefact is called Sakwala Chakraya, also known as The Star Gate of Sri Lanka. Watch more
It is possibly one of the most hidden mysteries of human civilisation and is also considered the oldest map of our infinite universe. The energy (or kundalini Shakti) whilst in sitting meditation was very strong here at this ancient rock carving.
The site of the Sakwala Chakraya on the bund of Tisavewa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
Our guide was a wise master of meditation, and his kundalini began shaking his body here whilst we were meditating on the site. This photo is taken close by to many mini cave monasteries where ascetics would come to practice in silence. Ancient ruins, including monastic cave and educational grounds are everywhere in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura where people came to study Buddhism. This was the first kingdom of Sri Lanka, dating to the 4th century BC. It was during the peak of this kingdom that Buddhism became the established religion in the country.
Visiting surrounding stupas, there are two notable ways to sit in Buddhist meditation practice. If possible, sit extremely close to the ground with no padding. Choose cross-legged or both legs folded and placed to one side. No props or aids are used. Possibly a simple dried grass mat in monasteries or some cloth. I have only recently learned to awaken the kundalini by generating heat and pressure around the sit bones. It is also commonaly taught to remain slightly uncomfortable during sitting so that attention in meditation is not lost in sloth, torpor or sleepiness.
Ruwanweli Seya is considered a remarkable feat of Ancient civil engineering, preserving Buddha’s relics.
Some of the wise elders do bring portable chairs to the temples, so fear not if ground dwelling is not your preferred method. However, once the kundalini is awakened, it tends to clear the practitioner of all ailments that prevent one from deep-seated practice. Remarkable stories abound in many traditions about this truism. Spontaneous chi awakenings in QiGong is one such example.
Ruwanwelisaya stupa – Archaeologists and researchers delve into the purpose of this stupa, questioning whether it was designed by Arhants or enlightened beings.
Sri Lanka is the cultural home of Theravada Buddhism where these images are taken. Theravada Buddhism is a tradition that I have studied most extensively in Australia and Myanmar. Exploring Sri Lanka provides a distinctive glimpse into ancient civilisations and traditional Buddhist meditation practices.
Note the meditative seated positions at the temple that surrounds Sri Jaya Maha Bodhi. A Bodhi tree thatnstands as the most revered site in Sri Lanka, acknowledged not only by Buddhists but globally, as it holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest recorded living tree.
May your meditation be explorative into the true nature of existence and the universe.
With Metta,
Celia Roberts
If you would like to contact Celia to learn more about the meditation teacher training journey, please do visit our Meditation Teacher Training Page or find us on Facebook or Instagram or contact Celia directly.