Chakras and Meditation

Throat Heart
Crown Chakra Brow Chakra
Chakra Chakra
Solar Plexus Orange
Root Chakra Meditation
Chakra Chakra

The word Chakra has a Sanskrit

origin meaning Vortex or Wheel.
The chakras refer to each of the
seven energy centers of the body
pertaining to consciousness and the energy
system. The chakras are not physical. They are
similar to Auras and are aspects of consciousness.
The chakras are denser than auras but less denser
than the physical body. The chakras work similarly
like a pump or valve regulating the flow of energy
through our energy system. The auras interact with
the two main systems of our body-
• The Endocrine system
• The Nervous system
Each chakra is associated with each Endocrine
gland and also with a plexus meaning a group of
nerve cells. So, each chakra is associated with a
particular body part and particular functions within
the body is controlled by a particular plexus or that
endocrine gland associated with that chakra.
Whatever you perceive, experience and the
possible states of awareness is divided into 7
categories. Each category is related to a particular
chakra. Thus chakras represent our consciousness
apart from our physical body. An effort to
comprehend the chakras enables one to
understand the relation between consciousness
and the body. The chakras are divided into 7
categories. Each chakra has specific
characteristics. Let us study each chakra in detail:

Crown Chakra
Crown Chakra is also known as the Sahasrara
Chakra. It is the center of cosmic consciousness.
This chakra is the "I AM" center. This chakra is
located at the top of the head. The color of the
chakra is violet. The chakra is associated with the
top of the head, the brain, and the whole of nervous
system. The Endocrine gland associated with the
chakra is Pineal gland. The various senses
associated with the chakra are- sense of empathy,
unity, experiencing another human being's
experience as if you are the same person. The
Crown chakra shows those consciousness which
relate to perceptions of unity and separation. This
chakra shows our relationship with Our father in
Heaven. The element related to this chakra is the
inner light also known as the white light
metaphysically, is believed to be the creator of the
physical universe.

Brow Chakra
Brow Chakra is also known as the third eye. This is
the consciousness or awareness center. It is
located at the center of the forehead. The chakra is
associated with the forehead and temples and with
the carotid plexus. The color of the chakra is indigo.
The endocrine gland associated with the chakra is
Pituitary Gland. The senses attached to the chakra
are- the extra sensory perceptions. All the inner
senses which corresponding to the outer senses.
The element of this chakra is the inner sound, the
sound one hears from within irrespective of the
outer world.

Throat Chakra
Throat chakra is also known as the Visuddha
chakra. This chakra is located at the base of the
throat. The chakra controls the throat, neck, the
arms and the hands. It is associated with the
cervical plexus. The color of the chakra is sky blue.
The sense associated with the chakra is the sense
of hearing. The gland associated is the thyroid
gland. This chakra is related to listening to one's
intuition which guides one's activities and also
helps in goals realization. This chakra is
metaphysically related to creativity, creation and
fulfillment of one's goal. The element related to this
chakra is Ether, which is a crossover between the
physical and the spiritual world. It represents the
man's relationship with his space.

Heart Chakra
This chakra is also known as the Anahata chakra
also known as the living love center. The chakra is
located at the center of the chest. The heart and the
blood circulatory system, the cardiac plexus, the
lungs and the chest area is associated with this
chakra. The color of the chakra is emerald green.
The endocrine gland related to the chakra is the
Thymus gland controlling the immune system. The
sense of touch is associated with the chakra. A
tension in the heart chakra indicates the problem
like-difficulty in breathing. The element related is
air.

Solar Plexus Chakra

This chakra is known as the Manipura chakra or the
Power center. The chakra is situated in the solar
plexus. The muscular system, the solar plexus, the
skin as a system, the large intestine, liver, stomach
are the organs related to the chakra. The eyes, the
face is also related with the chakra. The color of the
chakra is yellow. The endocrine gland associated is
the pancreas. The sense associated with the
chakra is the sense of sight. The consciousness
associated with the chakra include perceptions like-
power, control, freedom. The mental body is also
associated with the chakra. The sun and the fire are
the elements of the chakra.

Orange Chakra
Orange chakra is also known as the Hara chakra,
Spleen chakra or the Svadhisthana chakra. The
chakra is located at the center of the abdomen. The
sexual organs, reproductive system, lumbar plexus
are associated with the chakra. The chakra is
orange in color. Gonads is the endocrine gland
associated with the chakra. Sense of taste, appetite
is associated with the chakra. Consciousness
concerned with food and sex is associated with the
chakra. Water is the element of the chakra.

Root Chakra
This chakra is known as the Muladhara chakra. The
chakra is the security center. The chakra is located
at the point between the anus and the sex organs.
The skeleton system, Lymph system, the prostate
gland in men, the sacral plexus, the bladder and
elimination system, and the lower extremities (legs -
feet, ankles, etc.) and the nose are the organs
associated with the chakra. The color of the chakra
is red in color. The endocrine gland associated with
the chakra is the adrenal gland. The root chakra
reflects one's association with mother Earth. The
sense of smell is associated with the chakra.
Terror, or a threat to survival, insecurity and tension
indicate disturbances in the root chakra. Earth is
the element of the chakra.

Meditation
Meditation has become an alternative method of
healing. Meditation is not just meant for yoga
masters who sit on mountains in the Himalayas.
Meditation is very useful for coping with stress,
anxiety and many medical problems. Meditation is
very useful in balancing a person's physical, mental
and emotional states. It is a very simple process but
is very beneficial. Meditation is the outcome of a
union of diverse people and cultures. Meditation
has deep rooted connections with world's great
religions. It has been found that all religions
practice mediation. The main purpose of meditation
is to remove suffering and to heal. Though
meditation has a rich tradition yet it has only been
three decades that science has come up with the
clinical effects of meditation on health. It has been
found that medical practitioners who are not
satisfied with the side effect of drug treatment for
stress related disorders often find a solution in
meditation. Today both physicians and patients are
enjoying the benefits of regular mediation.

There are two major types of meditation, like :

Concentrative Meditation : This kind of
meditation focuses on one particular object. It may
be breath, an image, or a mantra. This kind of
meditation enables the mind to come to a stand still
and thus allowing greater awareness. The simplest
way to practice concentrative meditation is to
quietly concentrate on a breath or object. It has
been found that one's breath is directly correlated
to one's state of mind. This can be explained by the
fact that when a person is agitated or tensed his
breath would be rapid, uneven and shallow. On the
contrary when the mind is focused, calm and
composed then the breath is deep, slow and
regular. As one focuses on the breathing as in the
inhalation and exhalation, the mind becomes
attuned to the rhythm as a result the breathing
becomes deeper and slower. Thus the mind
becomes calm and tranquil.

Mindfulness Meditation : Mindfulness

meditation is not to be confused with concentration.
In this form of meditation, the person who meditates
assumes the role of an impartial observer. Contrary
to concentration where the practitioner focuses all
attention on a single object/concept, in mindfulness
meditation, all experience/aspects of experience
are welcome. The aim of mindfulness meditation is
not to be focused, but to be aware of the present
moment. It also involves attentiveness with regard
to the breathing process so as to be rooted to the
present moment. All ideas, thoughts, feelings,
images etc. which arise in the mind are
encouraged. In other words, if the mind wanders, it
is allowed to wander. All thoughts are welcome.
They are not judged, evaluated or discriminated.
The practitioners of mindfulness meditation simply
sit and observe the mind. This form of meditation
can be applied to all areas of life. Mindfulness
meditation is all about embracing the present
moment in any place, at any given point of time,
during any activity.