This episode originally aired in 2025 and, as one of our most-loved conversations, we're sharing it again with you today. "Before you speak, ask yourself: “Is it honest? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it the right time? Does it improve the silence?” - Sathya Sai Baba Today, Erin and Sasha explore the 5th Chakra of speech, poetically named Vishuddha, meaning “purification of poison.” Vishuddha Chakra represents the Ether element, and the ability to turn poison into nectar - the process of purification. It is located in the throat, and is the seat of the power of the word. It brings Prana to the respiratory system. “The more silence behind your word, the greater the impact.” You may find, upon personal practice, that the simple elegance of Silence can be prescribed to most internal challenges. This chakra represents the quality of honest communication, turning ignorance into awareness, transmutation, choice, alchemy, infinity, receptivity, sensitivity, self-expression, “finding one’s voice,” the ability to speak from the heart, and the ability to listen from the heart. Used properly, Vishuddha makes our words nectar, not poison. All poison becomes nectar when Vishuddha is strong and stable, developed and activated. Our words create reality, and since they originate from thought, our thoughts create our reality. Therefore, words are not only descriptive, but creative. When Vishuddha is activated, everywhere you go, becomes better as a result of you being there. If too much noise is there, too much talking or too much thinking, Vishuddha cannot be stabilized, because the element it represents is Ether (spaciousness, emptiness). The bija mantra for Vishuddha is “Hum,” which means “I am.” Because on a micro-level, we are God: the creator, preserver, and destroyer. Which brings me to the story of Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean. Once upon a time, the devas (gods) and asuras (demons) were on a quest to retrieve Amrita, the sacred nectar of immortality. In doing so, they had to churn the ocean using Mount Mandara as the churning rod, and Vasuki (the serpent King) as their rope. As they churned in what appears to be the original tug of war, Divine gifts emerged, like Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and the celestial cow Kamadhenu. However, before the Amrita appeared, a deadly poison called Halahala surfaced, threatening to destroy all of existence. Terrified, the devas and asuras turned to Lord Shiva for help, and in an act of supreme selflessness, he took the poison to his mouth to prevent it from harming creation. But instead of swallowing it or spitting it out, he held it in his throat, where it turned his skin blue, earning him the name of Neelkantha (the Blue throated one). This moment of holding and transforming toxicity without allowing it to spread, is the symbolic origin of the Vishuddha Chakra. Just as Lord Shiva purified the deadly poison without letting it harm him, Vishuddha governs the purification of thought, word, and energy. Shiva’s restraint symbolizes conscious speech, wisdom, and the power of truth. The throat chakra teaches that life contains both poison (negativity, challenges) and nectar (divine wisdom). It is our ability to process, hold, and transmute energy that determines our spiritual growth. This chakra represents self-mastery, communication, and purification. Like Shiva, we must learn to hold challenges with grace, not letting toxicity consume us but instead transforming it into wisdom. When our Vishuddha Chakra is balanced, we speak with clarity, authenticity, and purpose, just as Shiva’s act saved creation. Send us Fan Mail This episode is brought to you by Ojas Oasis Ayurveda, Sasha's private clinical practice. Schedule a 30-minute strategy session here. For 10% off Kerala Ayurveda, use code OjasOasis. For 20% off GarryNSun, code OJASOASIS20. For 10% off Ora Cacao, code OjasOasis10. Support the show To learn more about working with us, please visit www.OjasOasis.com Connect with us @ojasoasis on Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube
