Seven Days for Seven Chakras

This is an exercise in personal exploration. The teachings of many cultures and spiritual traditions speak of energy centers in the body that correspond to different functions of the body, mind, emotions, and spirit. There appears to be an intuitive wisdom to these teachings and, regardless of your beliefs or traditions, this exercise can lead to personally meaningful and useful insights.

The Journey begins with basic mindful meditation, though you can begin with any meditative practice that brings you focus and peace of mind. For seven days, you will meditate on one chakra, beginning with the Base Chakra, and work your way up sequentially. The location of each chakra is given and it is here that your attention will be focused during your meditations. Also, some common associations held for each chakra are provided. Do not worry about apparent inconsistencies here or about trying to gain insight into these at any time. If something comes to you that seems to fit with these associations, that’s wonderful. If not, that’s wonderful too.

A number of other aids are provided for each chakra, drawn largely Yogic and Tantric traditions. You don’t have to use any of these, but you may find one or more helpful. For each chakra you will find a mantra, or meditative sound, and a colour. If you use mantras in your meditation, it might be useful to try these. If you are very visual, you might find it helpful to have something of the associated colours nearby each day. There are also herbs associated with some that can be kept nearby or used as incense. Finally, for those who practice yoga, there is a yoga pose provided for each that may help open the chakra and can be used before or during your meditation.

The Journey

As in all meditation, it is important to select a time and place for undisturbed quietude. Some find that stretching or yoga practice before meditation is an excellent aid to mindfulness. Begin by assuming a good seated meditation posture and take in several full breaths in the yogic tradition. This is to relax your body and calm your mind. Next, as you take your next full breath, imagine that you are drawing life energy up form the Earth through your perineum, the first Chakra. Imagine this energy swirling around the area, filling it, cleansing it, releasing it.

On your breath out, imagine all tension and blocking in that area to be expelled. You may repeat this with the first chakra until you sense it is clear or until you are at least familiar with how it feels. On the next breath, breathe in life energy through your perineum and bring it up to the second chakra. Let it swirl around and fill the second chakra and then breathe out, expelling tension.

Repeat this, moving up the chakras in sequence. The purpose is to deepen your relaxation (this makes a very good meditation in itself) and increase your awareness of the chakras and of how they feel to you. Are they free? Blocked? Tense? Loose? Hot? Cool? Just be aware. You can move up the sequence once, or repeat it until you feel ready to move on.

Now, focus on the chakra of the day and allow your self to be aware of it. You may choose to breathe into that chakra as in the first phase, or simply take a more passive approach to the exploration. Be aware of any images, memories, or other associations that come to your mind as you do this. After spending time at this, ask the chakra if there is anything that it needs to say to you at this time. Be open to the messages you may receive and feel free to ask further questions that seem relevant.

Finally, end the exploration by breathing life force up through first chakra and out through the last chakra. Repeat this for a moment or two.

You may want to keep a log of the thoughts, feelings, and images that appear to you during this work. Even if they don’t now, they may make sense to you at a later time. After you have moved through the seven chakras, which will take a week or more, sit back and reflect on all that you have experienced.

Day One: The Base {Muladhar} Chakra:

Location: The Base of the Pelvis. The perineum (between anus and genitals), pointing downward.
Associations: Connections with the Earth, physical survival, feelings of safety and security vs. fear.
Physical: Lower back and spine, legs, hips, feet, and blood circulation.
Mantra: "Lam"
Colour: Red or Black
Herb: Cedar
Yoga Pose: The Bridge.
Element: Earth

Day Two: The Sacral {Svadhisthana} Chakra:

Location: Body center About 1" below your navel and about 2" inside your body.
Associations: Sexuality, sensuality, pleasure, passion, socialization, emotional attachment, physical creativity. Feelings of anger, resentment, frustration, desire. Helps balance the mind, body, and emotions.
Physical: Genital organs, bladder, lower intestines, and bowel.
Mantra: "Vam"
Colour: Orange
Yoga Pose: The Cobra.
Element: Water

Day Three: The Solar {Manipura} Chakra:

Location: The Solar Plexus where the ribs join below your chest, about 2" inside your body.
Associations: The seat of emotional living and personal / interpersonal power. Emotional sensitivity, feelings of anger and hostility. Wisdom, strength, courage, and authenticity. The will to succeed and achievement orientation. The subconscious.
Physical: Upper digestive track, upper back and spine.
Mantra: "Ram"
Colour: Yellow
Herb: Carnation, cinnamon, and marigold.
Yoga Pose: The Bow.
Element: Fire

Day Four: The Heart {Anahata} Chakra:

Location: The heart.
Associations: The main center of control for our body. How we express emotions toward ourselves and others. The emotions of love, harmony, self esteem, compassion, and peace.
Physical: Heart and lungs.
Mantra: "Yam"
Colour: Green
Herb: Lavender, jasmine, orris root, yarrow, marjoram, and meadowsweet.
Yoga Pose: The Camel.
Element: Air

Day Five: The Throat {Visuddha} Chakra:

Location: In the middle of the throat.
Associations: Clear, truthful communication. Judgment. Non physical creativity. Youthfulness and longevity.
Physical: Mouth, teeth, tongue, jaw, throat, and thyroid.
Mantra: "Ham"
Colour: Light Blue
Herb: Frankincense and benzoin.
Yoga Pose: The Fish
Element: Akasha

Day Six: The "Third Eye" {Ajna} Chakra:

Location: The "Third Eye," sometimes called the "Spirit Eye." Middle of your forehead.
Associations: Mental clarity, intuition, spiritual pondering, inner or personal visions, powers of discernment, spiritual knowledge and wisdom, our sixth sense of awareness.
Physical: The pituitary glands; brain, peripheral nervous system, eyes, the senses of sight, smell, taste, and touch; the skull.
Mantra: "Om"
Color: Indigo / Royal Purple.
Herb: Mugwort, star anise, acacia, and saffron.
Yoga Pose: Seated Yoga Mudra
Element: Beyond Elements

Day Seven: The Crown {Sahasrara} Chakra:

Location: The Crown of your head, pointing upward.
Associations: Transcendence and freedom. Creation of miracles. Healing. Connection with the Divine. Connection with the higher self and with the life force energy. Belief, unconditional love and beauty. Destiny. Balance between interior and exterior of our being.
Physical: Brain stem and pain centers.
Mantra: None. Silence.
Color: Shimmering White or Violet
Herb: Frankincense and benzoin.
Yoga Pose: Seated Meditation

Copyright © 2002  Phoenix Life-Coaching.

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