About Chakra Meditation

The word Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning disk or wheel. On the body, chakras are vortices that receive and transmit life-force energy. Traditionally, chakras are thought to rotate clockwise at a specific vibration. A damaged or blocked chakra may rotate too fast, counter clockwise or not at all. Chakra meditation is a means of tapping into the life-force energy to maintain balance or release any blocks on the chakras.

There are seven chakras and their positions correspond to points along the spine. --The Root, or Earth chakra, is located at the base of the spine and governs physical health and security. This chakra is essential to achieving emotional and spiritual grounding. --The Sacral, or genital chakra, is located in the lower abdomen and governs creativity, passion, sexuality and pleasure. This chakra is essential to enacting creative awakenings. --The Solar Plexis, or power chakra, is located at the "V" of the rib cage and governs force of will, power, authority, self control and discipline. This chakra is essential for focusing internal energy to affect external change. --The Heart chakra is in the center of the chest and governs love, understanding, forgiveness, compassion, balance and harmony. This chakra is essential to experiencing unconditional and divine love. --The Throat Chakra is in the neck and governs communication, truth, honesty and mindful speech. This chakra is essential to "speaking one's truth." --The Brow chakra, or Third Eye, is in the forehead and governs intuition, insight, imagination and clairvoyance. This chakra is essential to attaining divine wisdom, self-realization and inner peace. --The Crown Chakra is in the top of the head and governs the mind, inspiration, spirit and consciousness. This chakra is essential to realizing oneness with the universe, divine wisdom and the higher self.

There is no set method of chakra meditation, but different practitioners have their own specific habits. In some practices, like yoga, the meditation begins with the Root chakra and, like a tree, grows upward to the Crown chakra. A yoga practitioner may also meditate while doing yoga poses (asanas) to open specific chakras. In other practices, the meditation may start at the Crown and work downward. Additionally, a meditation may focus on all chakras in one session or a practitioner may devote the entire session to one chakra. The meditation could take minutes or even hours. Ultimately, the focus and length of the meditation depends on the individual and the desired outcome.

Find a quiet place, free from distraction. If you prefer, play soothing music or relaxing sounds to help you focus. Wear clothes that will allow you to sit comfortably and practice a deep breathing exercise to help clear any nervous energy. Inhale through the nose, letting the diaphragm and then the lungs expand to full capacity. Hold the breath for one beat, purse your lips (as if whistling) and release the breath fully, through the mouth. Do this three times. You are now ready to begin meditating.

These meditations can be performed together, in one session, or individually. Root Chakra Meditation Focus your attention to the Root chakra at the base of the spine. Imagine roots growing from your spine, anchoring you to the Earth. Feel the Earth's energy flowing through, grounding and calming you. Sacral Chakra Meditation Focus on the Sacral chakra in the lower abdomen. Imagine each breath radiating warmth radiating from your abdomen and awakening sexual and creative energy. Solar Plexis Chakra Meditation Focus on the Solar plexis chakra in the "V" of the rib cage. Imagine each breath taking in the energy of the universe and filling your body with strength and vitality. Heart Chakra Meditation Focus on the Heart chakra in the middle of the chest. On ten breaths, imagine each exhale sending love and compassion out to the universe. On the next ten breaths, imagine each inhale filling your body with love and compassion from the universe. Throat Chakra Meditation Focus on the Throat chakra. With each breath, feel your throat opening, clearing the way for honest and powerful communication. "Third Eye" Meditation Focus on the Third Eye, in the middle of your forehead. With each breath, imagine that third eye opening, allowing your intuition and insight to awaken. Crown Meditation Focus on the Crown chakra at the top of your skull. With each breath, imagine a silver thread leaving the top of your head, reaching out into the universe and joining with others.

For some practitioners, the ultimate goal of chakra meditation is to awaken the Kundalini energy, housed in the Root chakra. This energy is perceived as a snake that, when awakened, travels through the chakras to the crown causing enlightenment and, some believe, physical changes in the body.