MEDITATION ON CHAKRAS I
Introduction
The word chakra means “spinning wheel” in sanskrit. The 7 main chakras or energetic centers, are located along the spine until the top of the head. They open in the front of the body. On a physiological level, the closest correspondence are the main nervous plexuses in the spine. On a more subtle level, each center has specific functions linked to the expression of one or several aspects of a human being. One of a Yogi’s aims is to liberate the potential contained in each center and to dissolve any blockages likely to prevent the free circulation of prana in the body. When a center is purified and unlocked, the qualities and capacities inherent to this center can then progressively manifest, allowing the practitioner to widen his perspective for evolution. In meditation, chakras are excellent objects of concentration, first because the level of innervation of the corresponding nervous plexuses make them quite easily perceptible by our consciousness, and also because each one of them is an open door to the depth of our inner reality and can bring along a treasure of knowledge and experience to the Yogi that can penetrate them. For more details on chakras, please refer to the article Energetic centers.
Technique
- Sitting in meditation posture, back straight, neck in line with the spine, eyes closed, hands together or on the knees.
- Bring your awareness in Muladhara, at the base of the spine, and observe sensations for 5 seconds.
- Move your awareness to the center just above, Swadisthana, and observe sensations for 5 seconds..
- Move to Manipura, the solar plexus.
- Anahata, center of the chest.
- Vishudda, in the throat.
- Ajna, between the eye brows.
- Sahasrara, top of the head.
- Then do the same going down.
- Repeat the operation 5 times, subtracting one second each time (1st time: 5 sec. in each center, 2nd time: 4 sec. in each center… 5th time: 1 sec. in each center)
- The shorter the time spent in a center, the more difficult it gets because you may not obtain an instant response of the nervous system, in terms of sensations.
When the 5 times are finished, put your awareness in the heart center and open up cultivating a feeling of love and oneness with the Whole.
Benefits
- Increases power of concentration.
- Sharpen sensory perceptions.
- Reduces frequency and amplitude of brain waves.
- Regulate heart rate.
- Relaxes the brain and the nerves.
- Increases considerably resistance to stress.
- Relaxes the entire organism in depth.
- Regulates sleep cycles.
- Increases energetic potential.
- Develop capacity to move the prana inside the body.
- Generates joy and deep inner peace.
