Sahasrara Chakra.

Sahasrara (Sanskrit: सहस्रार, IAST: Sahasrāra, English: "thousand-petaled") or crown chakra is the seventh primary chakra, according to Hindu tradition. The Sahasrara, or white lotus, is located either at or slightly above the top of the head. The Sahasrara is described as having 1,000 multi-colored petals, which are arranged in 20 layers, each layer with approximately 50 petals. The pericarp is golden and within it a circular moon region is inscribed with a luminous triangle, which can be either upward- or downward-pointing, imagine it like a chandelier on top of the head. The Sahasrara Chakra symbolises detachment from illusion; an essential element in obtaining higher consciousness of the truth that one is all and all is one. Often referred to as a thousand-petaled lotus, it is said to be the most subtle chakra in the system, relating to pure consciousness, and it is from this chakra that all the other chakras emanate. When a yogi is able to raise his/her kundalini, energy of consciousness, up to this point, the state of Nirvikalpa Samādhi is experienced. This stage is said to bring about rebirth or the siddhis - occult powers of transforming into the divine, and being able to do whatever one wishes. In some schemes of chakras, there are actually several chakras, which are all closely related, at the top of the head. Rising from Ajna, we have the Manas chakra on the forehead, which is closely associated with Ajna. Above Manas there are Bindu Visarga at the back of the head; Mahanada; Nirvana, which is located on the crown; Guru; and the Sahasrara proper, located above the crown. ahasrara is related to the crown of the head. It is sometimes related to the pineal gland and also to the pituitary gland. Its colour is whitish-lavender/golden. The element of the Sahasrāra Chakra is ĀDI TATTVA (aatma/soul) or ĪSHVARA TATTVA. It is the source of creation, the pure light and one reality – God. This Tattva is Ādi Anādi. Ādi means “without beginning”, Anādi means “without end” – therefore infinite. As soon as this Tattva unites with a quality (Guna) it is bound and therefore limited – just as pure water has no taste of its own, but is modified by and takes on the taste of whatever is added to it. In the Cosmos there are diverse manifestations of this one Tattva with various qualities and functions – such as fire, water, air and earth – but the basis is always the same, the pure essence. The deity is adi Shiva/Shakti (depending on the method) and the beeja mantra is “OM”. An inexhaustible stream of energy radiates from the Sahasrāra Chakra – MEDHĀ SHAKTI. It is one of the most influential and important forces in the body; mental power, intelligence and memory depend upon it. Medhā Shakti is “food” for the memory and all other functions of the brain. It is of great importance to preserve and strengthen the Medhā Shakti.

When your Sahasrara is in balance you will have a great intuitive knowledge, and will be very wise. You will be aware of your spiritual self and be selflessly devoted to the well-being of others because you see them as a part of you, rather than as separate. If your crown chakra is over-active you probably will not be able to control your encounters with other realms of existence. You may be considered “far out” there and will have trouble grounding yourself, making it hard for people to take you seriously. Because of an over-activity in this chakra, you may possess a god-complex and consider yourself better than others in the world around you. If under-activity or a blockage is happening in your crown chakra you will probably feel like you lack a purpose in life. You may think that it is all meaningless, and in this thinking, will develop a mental “disease”. You may feel unloved, or angry at God, and blame life circumstance on something that is outside of you. Co-ordination difficulties, clumsiness, or poor balance may result from an underactive crown chakra. New ideas or newer, positive out-looks on life will be hard for you grasp, if you except them at all. You will probably lack spiritual exploration and have no desire to discover your inner self. You may also be excessively afraid of dying. Physical Symptoms of an Imbalance in Sahasrara: Muscular disease, chronic exhaustion that has no medical explanation, sensitivity to light, certain sounds or environment (commonly found in autism).

To balance and clear sahasrara, energy healing techniques like Reiki and IET can help. To maintain the balance, yogasanas such as Shirshāsana (Headstand), Vrikshāsana (Tree), Khatu Pranam (Greetings to Khatu), Singing OM,  Kriyā Yoga and meditations can be practiced. Please do not practice yoga without consulting your doctor if you have any health issues. DO not go about activating any chakra/s without guidance from a guru who has achieved the awakening already, it may lead to serious hospitalization. Meditation on the beeja mantra is the best method to balance and clear this chakra. Crystals which can bring balance to this chakra are Amethyst, celestite, obsidian, selenite, blue sapphire, peacock ore, clear quartz, apophyllite quartz, spirit quartz, moldavite, danburite, goshenite, petalite, fuchsite, stilbite, sugilite, cacoxenite, cavansite, phenacite.

Try this meditation and see you feel:

Sources: Wikipedia.com, oneworldhealing.com, chakras.net, video: youtube.com image: indigourlaub.com

Swadhishtana, chakras contd...

The second chakra is Swadhishtana. Swa = self, Adhishtana = Dwelling/rule/abode and etc. Swa+Adhishtana = Swadhishtana, meaning, self's dwelling.

It is orange in colour and is represented by a six petaled white lotus. each petal signifying the 6 vrittis of our conscious:  affection, pitilessness, feeling of all -destructiveness, delusion, disdain and suspicion. Deities in texts differ as per system. Some of which i Know of are Varuna (rain god)/Subrahmanya/Vishnu/Rakini. Element is water. In body it is associated with the tongue and the sense of taste, genitalia, reproductive system, ovaries, testes and  hormones. Psychologically it governs the sense of enjoyment, how we relate to others? our creativity, self-awareness. The moola mantra of this chakra is "VAM".

This chakra is said to be the center of human creativity and self expression through creativity. which may include, art of any form, sexuality and the way a person interacts and relates to people is governed by this chakra. This is said to be one of the more conscious of chakras. This is where the sense of self, me, I and mine dwells. It works in very close association with Muladhara which is more a unconscious chakra. A person's way of treating other people and self depends highly on this chakra. When chakra highly active, he/she tends to use people of their enjoyment/gain/selfish reasons. Enjoyment is the key feeling of this chakra. The amount of enjoyment of any kind a person derives in their life emanates from balanced functioning of this chakra. Over indulgence or complete disconnectedness all are the result of imbalances in this chakra. Creativity of any kind; painting, music, dancing, reproduction, being eloquent, forming lasting relationships all are related to this chakra. In short, the proper balance of this chakra is a key for our happiness in life. Being creative and being able to express it positively through art, relationships or in any other form is highly elevating and enjoyable.

It is said that in meditation practice to self realization, this is the highly challenging chakra as this is where one has to overcome sexual desires. A person who masters this chakra and rises his/her awareness completely to this chakra is said to have siddhis of: freedom from enemies, the status of a lord among yogis, eloquence and clarity, loss of fear of water, awareness of astral entities, and the ability to taste anything desired for oneself or others. Awakening of any of the chakras must be done under the supervision of a guru who has already has this awakening. Trying to go about this path alone can result in serious hospitalization and in some cases death as well.

A person with an overactive Swadhishtana may be self centered, look at people and everything objectively, creative, overtly elated and to a certain degree possessive. A person with underactive Swadhishtana may have creative blockages, may not bond or gel with people well, depressed, bitter and etc. 

To balance the chakra, any kind of energy healing like Reiki and IET are very helpful. They gently help clear blockages and clear and align chakras. or one may meditate on this chakra with the beeja mantra LAM chanting out loud or within the mind with an intention just to clear and balance this chakra . Vibrations in the mantra help clear and balance it, or one may meditate on the colour orange or to the sound of flowing water. Or yogasanas such as seated pelvic circles (sitting in padmasana/lotus pose and doing torso circles clockwise and anticlockwise), badhakonasana (butterfly pose) and Bhujangasana (Cobra pose) help in balancing and clearing energies in this chakra. Yogasana must be practiced only after availing your doctor's consent if you have any health issues. Crystals like Carnaline, orange Calcite, fire Agate, orange Topaz, Sun stone, orange Chalcedony are great to use to clear and balance this chakra. 

Try the meditation on the below and see how you feel. 

Next Monday: Manipura Chakra.

Sources: Wikipedia, ashramayoga.com, chopra.com, sunnyray.com, chakracha.ru and youtube.