In a previous blog post I shared that managing my inner energy dramatically impacted my meditation. When we learn to experience our energy body and energy centers (chakras) our meditation practice becomes very powerful. There is a lot shared about chakras and energy on the internet, but much of it is founded only in ideas and not experience. We may read about chakras and learn about the colors, mantra, crystals, and all that jazz… but that does not give us a tangible understanding of our energy centers. Only experience can bring true understanding. I am writing this blog to help you have an experience of your energy and your energy centers. In this post we will talk about the
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The “mula” means root and “dhara” is to support. This chakra is the foundation of our human existence. It provides stability for everything else to stand on. Without a good understanding and management of this center we feel highly insecure and unstable in all our activities.
Svadhisthana – sacral chakra
This is the energy center of creativity. It is also highly connected to pleasure and pain. Through this energy center the richness of life comes to us. When it is not functioning well we have trouble mastering our creative energy and understanding our own identity in the world.
Manipura – navel chakra
The center of vital energy. This chakra gives us the dynamic power for our daily lives. It also is related to personal control, confidence, and self-worth. When this energy center is not working well we feel as though we have no control in our lives and become domineering.
Anahata – heart chakra.
The emotional energy center. The Anahata is the chakra that enables emotional experience. This is the chakra that allows us to transform and uplift our emotions. But it is also bogged down by the emotional baggage of life.
Vishuddha – throat chakra.
The energy center of communication. This energy center allows us to connect to the wisdom inside us. Its main function is to allow us to listen deeply to the whispers of the inner self. It also allows us to express our energies through our voice.
Ajna – brow chakra.
Also called the third eye. This energy center is responsible for intuition, perception, and mind. It is the command center is a highly influential over the other chakras. Awakening and working with this energy center gives us incredible mastery over ourselves.
Sahasrar – crown chakra.
The energy center of Divine consciousness. Through this energy center we begin accessing and uniting with the infinite Self. When this chakra begins opening up we experience that inner connection and unity with the all.
These seven chakras are so much more than just associated with colors and crystals. They are the axis of our spiritual existence. When we learn to work with the chakras we are taking a deliberate role in our spiritual growth.
You can learn a bit more about the chakras from my Intro to Chakras video lecture. This is the lesson that I gave my coaching group.
Understanding Chakras & Meditation
I struggled with meditation for such a long time. It was tedious and unrewarding. I would do it because I knew it was “good” and that I needed to practice – but not because it was exciting or interesting.
When I opened the door of experiencing the chakras… that was it. There was a complete transformation in my meditation.
It was like the phoenix rising from the ashes. Suddenly meditation became an incredible exploration of these energy centers.
You can experience the same, but only after you learn to work with the energy and can have some sensation or awareness of the chakras within you. That is why we are having this conversation and you feel inspired to read this blog post.
In reading my words you are connecting with my consciousness and my energy. This will help awaken the possibility of feeling the depth of the chakras in your meditation practice.
Working with the chakras in meditation took me to a whole new level in my yoga practice and in my life. I want the same for you.
Experiencing The Chakras
You know that seed is germinating out of sight and you anticipate seeing it for the first time. Certainly in the perfect time the you see that shoot breaking through the soil and coming into the light.
It is the same in working with the chakras. Reading these words, learning about the chakras, and then setting out towards the goal… Those are the planting of the seeds.
Then you must work in your meditation. Learn to use your breathing and to focus your mind on the chakra points. That is the watering of the seed.
Even though you may “see” the chakras working. It is there, germinating out of sight. You may even have some small experience or an inner assurance that there is progress. (Or perhaps you have me as a coach to help you see the progress!)
In the right time you will have an experience of the chakras. It will come into the light of your conscious mind. You will feel something at the chakra point or there will be some awakening that signals it is opening up. This is the seedling sprouting and coming up out of the soil.
Then you can go about nurturing the experience and looking after it. Just as you would take care of the seedling, looking after it and waiting for the fruit. So to you will have to continuously take care of the chakra… working on it. And in the right time your effort will bear even greater fruit.
This process of awakening the chakras, experiencing the energy and working with it… this is Yoga.
I have experienced this for each of my chakras and I continue to practice. Each day is a great discovery in experiencing the energies within me. Even more amazing – I have many students who have started this journey and already are experiencing those energy centers within.
The Truth About Chakra Meditation
This is true for anything worth having in this world and it is true for the fruits of Yoga.
And you can have it. You can experience the chakras and the energy that is within you. You can learn to meditate deeply and to move the energy within you.
For a long time I questioned the path and wondered if it was worth it. Now that question is banished from my mind. When the experiences of your own inner energy come to you that is the evidence.
That is the assurance of your spiritual path.
What Can You Do To Experience This?
I constantly tell my students this. I don’t want anyone to be a parrot. Don’t simply learn the knowledge to be able to repeat it. It is not enough to be able to speak the right words.
Each person must strive to understand what it means on a personal level. To see how it is operating in them and if there is any truth in it.
And if you are sincere go after the experience of it, not just the mental knowing. Stay with your practice and try to go deep into it. Work with your coach, teacher, or guide. Or work on your own being steady in your inner investigation.
That is the path forward.
For me it followed this cycle:
So now that you know there is more to discover here is what to do. You can follow these general guidelines to push you towards the experience.
- Pick a chakra or a kosha. Contemplate it. Direct your mind towards it. Cultivate a curiosity – “I want to experience this in me.”
- Practice your postures, breathing, or meditation with this goal in mind.
- Observe the experiences as you practice with this intention.
- Process the experience, try to understand what it means and how it affects you.
- Try to keep that awareness and new understanding in daily life. How can what you experienced inform your daily living?
- Go deeper, new knowledge will come to you, repeat to create that depth.
Let me know how it goes! Feel free to leave me a comment on your experience with the process. Or if you have any questions.
Next in this meditation series
For me, that was the next big step with my meditation after learning about energy. I look forward to sharing it with you.
Hi i have a question about the chakra that i pick,
do you need to do it in a praticular order?
i mean if i strongly contemplate myself, right now in my life i want to become more active about my carrer and my financial side
to become having more income and balance with my money
but, also i feel wanting to become more sexual and good with women and cultivate new and productive friendships
what chakra to pick first to work on? can i pick 2 and just focus a day on 1 and day on the other? what is the best route to go?
right now im meditating each day on other chakras but i feel i need to go more in depth in 1-2 of them.
Namaskar Leon! Thanks very much for your question. It is a good one...
It is admirable that you have done some self-reflection and you can acknowledge what you want for yourself in life.
But this is where having someone experienced in Yoga can make a huge difference... so I am glad you took the time to send this question.
In this case you definitely want to spend some time working on the Manipura... the navel chakra!
Learning to harness the power at the Manipura will give you greater confidence and vital energy. That will help you to make strides in your career.
It will also help you to feel more secure and provide an empowering place for you to explore your relationships.
Having more vital energy from your Manipura will mean you can work harder, better, and enthusiastically. It will also bring your sexual energy into balance.
For now focus on the Manipura... how will you know you are having results? Your life will begin changing right before your eyes.
Would love to continue the conversation feel free to comment again or email me.
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Ved Valmiki
Learning to live consciously!
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