A lot of people practice meditation to become more mindful of their surroundings, or as a way to find peace in their everyday lives.
What many don’t know is that these benefits are only the beginning of what meditation can truly offer. But did you know that your meditation practice can also help you dig deeper and redirect your energy?
The more popular practice of meditation would usually involve finding a quiet corner, being still and relaxed while doing some breathing exercises.
While this can already bring dramatic changes to a person’s life, it is only barely scratching the surface.
Apart from achieving peace and becoming more focused, meditation can also improve one’s mental and physical health.
This can be done with what many people refer to as ‘chakra meditation.’ It is said that chakra meditation can reveal both your physical and spiritual pains.
And through the continued practice of chakra meditation, you will be able to cure yourself of those pains.
But what is it exactly and how does it work? Read on below to find out.
What Is Chakra Meditation?
Chakra meditations for beginners may sound like a very complex idea, especially with so many new ideas, foreign words, and steps involved in the practice.
But actually, chakra meditation is rather simple to understand.
In ancient Sanskrit, the word ‘chakra’ means wheel or vortex. It is widely used in Ayurveda and in yoga practice as well. In meditation terms, chakra refers to energy that flows throughout the body.
There are actually hundreds of chakras flowing through your body as we speak but chakra meditation mainly focuses on seven of those chakras.
If you look at an illustrated depiction of these 7 chakras, you’ll find that they are located in the center of our bodies – much like how our spine is positioned. It starts somewhere at the base of our spine up until the crown of our heads.
The main goal of chakra meditation is to have all those 7 main chakras aligned.
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And when all 7 chakras are aligned, one can gain spiritual balance and enlightenment at the end of their practice.
Almost all of us currently have blocked chakra channels but through chakra meditation, we may be able to unblock them and achieve spiritual balance.
The first step to learning chakra meditations for beginners is to know more about the 7 main chakras.
Read on below to learn more about them.
Chakra Meditations for Beginners: About the 7 Main Chakras
In order to benefit from chakra meditation, it is important to learn about the functions of each main chakra.
Beginners of chakra meditation may find these information overwhelming, but it is a good idea to go through this practice step-by-step.
Chakras of Matter
The order of chakras starts from the bottom all the way to the top. The first 3 chakras represent the chakras of matter; these are energy that is more linked to our physical nature.
Muladhara or The Root Chakra
The first chakra of the 7 main chakras is the Muladhara, also known as the Root Chakra.
It is located at the base of your spine, close to your tailbone, until just below the belly button. It is often represented by the color red.
The Root Chakra symbolizes security, survival, and connection. It is named the Root Chakra simply because it is the energy that keeps us grounded in this earth.
It is also found at the base of the spine which also represents the foundation of our spiritual self.
In other words, the Root Chakra covers all we need to be secure – basic needs, a sense of survival and a human connection.
Meanwhile, a blocked Root Chakra could mean that you often feel disconnected with the physical world. You are often lost in your thoughts or always daydreaming.
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Svadhisthana or The Sacral Chakra
The Sacral Chakra or Svadhisthana can be found right at the belly button up until the center. It is represented by the color orange.
This chakra represents our physical pleasures and sensuality. It also brings out our creativity and inspiration. It also represents your ability to enjoy sex.
Having a blocked Sacral Chakra often means that you find it difficult to indulge in something pleasurable. Whether it is because of your guilt or any other negative feeling which may keep you from enjoying abundance.
Meanwhile, having an overactive Sacral Chakra usually results to obsession, addiction and even obesity.
Manipura or The Solar Plexus
Located at the center of your belly button up until your breastbone, the Manipura or The Solar Plexus represents your personal power.
Some people may refer to this as the Warrior Chakra, this is where you often get your confidence and intuition as if you are a warrior in battle.
Your personal power does not only draw confidence, it is also the source of your identity and intuition.
Have you ever had one of those moments when you’ve made a suggestion simply based on your “gut feeling?” Chances are that is your Manipura energy playing its part.
The Manipura Chakra is the last Chakra of Matter and is also represented by the color yellow.
The Chakra That Connects Matter and Spirit
Anahata or The Heart
Found right at the center of the chakra line is the Anahata, or also appropriately named as The Heart chakra. It is also represented by the color green.
As the name suggests, the Anahata is located over your heart, branching out to your breastbone up until the base of your throat.
It is the only chakra energy among the 7 that connects both matter and spirit; it is the source of kindness, compassion and our capacity to love.
Many people often think that having an overactive heart chakra may not be a very big problem, as opposed to those with an underactive one.
However, it is good to note that too much heart may lead us to choose our emotions over logical reason.
By having an overactive heart chakra, you might be compelled to make unhealthy choices in life.
Alternatively, an underactive heart chakra limits you from truly making a connection with others due to your inability to feel or give love.
Read Also: 5 Best Heart Chakra Singing Bowls
Chakras of Spirit
The last three chakras are categorized as the Chakras of Spirit. It is said that these are often the most difficult chakras to unblock, especially with chakra meditation for beginners.
This is because it is linked deeply to our spiritual selves; a level of spiritual awareness may be required to tackle with these chakras.
Visuhada or The Throat
The first chakra of spirit is called the Visuhada or The Throat chakra; it is represented by the color blue.
Its center is located right between the collarbone and it branches out up until the center of your heart and also just between your eyes.
The throat chakra represents our inner voice and our own personal truths. It gives us the ability to communicate and express ourselves to others clearly.
A person with an underactive throat chakra may feel that their thoughts or ideas are often ignored.
Alternatively, an overactive throat chakra may cause a person to only focus on their own opinions, blocking out the ideas and thoughts of the people around them.
Chakra Ajna or The Third Eye
The 6th chakra is called the Chakra Ajna or The Third Eye. It is located between the eyebrows and it radiates its energy up until your mouth and also up until the top of your head. This chakra is represented by the color indigo.
When one thinks of The Third Eye, ideas of an otherworldly dimension often comes to mind – and this is exactly what the Chakra Ajna offers. Being able to access this energy means that one is also able to see beyond the material world.
A person who has an unblocked The Third Eye has a strong connection between the physical and spiritual. They are more mindful of their surroundings and their own actions as well.
It is often said that a person whose Third Eye is overactive may experience paranormal encounters more often than usual – they become too exposed to the spiritual world that they may find it difficult to focus on the physical.
Sahasrara or The Crown
The last chakra is called the Sahaswara or The Crown. The word ‘Sahaswara’ means thousand petaled loti; it is considered as the highest form of energy as it represents spiritual enlightenment.
It’s located at the top of your head and it radiates downward until the eyes. It also radiates outward, connecting your energy with the universe.
The Crown chakra represents our connection to our higher selves and to the divine as well. It is usually represented by the colors violet or white.
How to do Chakra Meditations for Beginners
Now that you’ve become more familiar with the 7 main chakras, you may be wondering how you can use meditation to unblock or even align your chakras.
A lot of people often think that chakra meditation is difficult. But the truth is, as long as you have some pointers to keep in mind before the meditation practice, the process will become a lot easier to digest.
Below are some of the key pointers to keep in mind before beginning your chakra meditation process.
How to Know if Your Chakra is Blocked
Knowing whether or not your chakra is blocked is often one of the most common problems of chakra meditation for beginners.
After all, if you have not been fully aware of your spiritual self, it is very difficult to notice a blocked chakra.
It is good to remember that a blocked chakra will usually manifest itself through physical pain. If you often struggle with a dry and painful throat, it could mean that you have a blocked throat chakra.
Take note of where the pain is coming from and identify which chakra is closest to that location. You’ll be surprised to find out how deeply linked your spiritual and physical body is.
It is a Step-by-Step Process
Just as the 7 chakras are aligned consecutively, chakra meditation practice also follows this order.
Although there may be practices to help you focus on one single chakra, it is recommended to follow a meditation practice that covers all 7 chakras.
After all, the ultimate goal of chakra meditation is to achieve spiritual balance. By including all 7 chakras into practice, you are able to equally work on all areas during a single session.
Step-by-Step Chakra Meditations for Beginners
Step 1. To begin your meditation practice, you must first position yourself in a spot where you can feel comfortable and relaxed. It is recommended to sit in a lotus position, but if you are just beginning, simply sit in a way you are comfortable in with your back straight.
Step 2. Focus on each part of your body and try to release any kind of tension you might feel. Allow your body to relax for a while as you close your eyes.
Step 3. The next step is to do some breathing exercises. Allow the air to fill up your lungs as you try to make your breaths deep and steady as well. And as you exhale, imagine bringing out the toxins from your body.
Step 4. Imagine a perfectly functioning body as you continue your breathing exercises. Next, with every inhale, try to imagine a life-giving energy filling up your body through every breath.
Step 5. The next step is to work on each chakra from bottom to top. Identify the main location of each chakra and spend time focusing on each one. Allow the life-giving energy to heal or energize your chakra. Once you feel revitalized, move up to the next chakra.
Step 6. As you reach towards the end, you may feel your energy and aura begin to radiate brightly. Spend a few moments feeling that positive energy throughout your body.
Step 7. Slowly open your eyes and remain in the sitting position as you allow your body to feel that energy physically this time. Spend time in the same spot for about 15 minutes.
Conclusion
Chakra meditation is often perceived to be a higher form of meditation; that only those who are experienced can move forward with the practice.
Although chakra meditations for beginners will definitely have its problems, it shouldn’t limit you from giving it a try. This practice is more than just an exercise to gain spiritual awareness, it is also a chance for self-discovery.
As we have come to learn, chakra meditation can also reveal our spiritual troubles through physical pain.
If you have been experiencing some physical discomfort or illness, you may want to try chakra meditation as another healing tool.
At the same time, you can also learn how to reach your full potential through chakra meditation. You’d be surprised at the spiritual abundance the universe has to offer you.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.