::Abdomen, the center of the Universe

by Diego Marquete

Lanna medicine and Siamese medicine, which combined local knowledge with other knowledge of Arabic and Greek origin, teach that everything in the universe is made up of 42 fundamental parts and call the union of these parts Mahàsrot, which in the ancient Thai language means “The Great Channel or Flow of Life.”

Mahàsrot is the force that integrates these 42 components and grants life, creating movements that define humanity and the universe. Without Mahàsrot, everything would be merely dead matter, devoid of function or energy. Mahàsrot is present in the universe and in the constitution of every being inhabited by this universe.

The 42 defined components are divided into four elements: fire, wind, earth, and water. Each element has a number of components, determined by a numerology intimate to Buddhist spirituality. Fire is composed of four (4) types; wind is composed of six (6); water is composed of twelve (12) liquids; and earth is composed of twenty (20) solids.

This conjunction forms everything in the universe, including humanity. Based on these theories, the first text, in poem form, of traditional Thai medicine, written by Phraya Witchnabudhi, states: "Every body is a universe, and the center of the universe is Sumeru!"

      But what is Sumeru? Sumeru is the name used in Thailand for Mount Meru, considered by numerous spiritual movements to be the energetic center of the Universe. In the human body, this center is the abdomen. The abdomen holds all energetic and spiritual charge and serves as the axis for physical balance. Accessing the abdomen is approaching the origin of the Universe, which is each individual, and treating from there.

Illustrations in Thai medical texts define points on the abdomen used to treat numerous problems, from common ones like physical pain to more serious ones like lower limb paralysis. Points used for emotional and energetic issues are indicated for balancing the four elements. The main ones are around the navel, the gateway to the body's main concentration of energy. In Thai medical mysticism, the navel concentrates the energy of life. Assessing the navel is assessing the harmony of the four elements.