Chakras

Chakra Definition. What is a chakra?
Wikipedia’s definition is: The chakras are thought to vitalise the physical body and to be associated with interactions of a physical, emotional and mental nature. They are considered loci of life energy, or prana, (also called shakti, or chi), which is thought to flow among them along pathways called nadis. The function of the chakras is to spin and draw in this Universal Life Force Energy to keep the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health of the body in balance. Chakras are energy centers located in the body with corresponding locations in your ethereal or astral body that act as conduits or connectors between you and Source. Each chakra is responsible for a different aspect of Source connection. In a nutshell, chakras are energy centers in the body.
Chakras 101: Location, color and function
There are 7 major chakras, but really there are many more, including some that reside outside of our physical and etheric bodies. But for now, we’ll just talk about the major 7. Here is a list of their location, color and function, starting at the bottom and working our way up.
Name: Root ChakraColor: Red
Location: Some people say the soles of the feet, others say it’s around the genitals. When you’re sitting in the Lotus position, that’s roughly the same place.
Function: This chakra represents the physical, root, survival, security, your base
Name: Sacral Chakra
Color: Orange
Location: The groin area, lower abdomen.
Function: Emotions, sexual energy, creativity
Name: Solar PlexusColor: Yellow
Location: The stomach or gut
Function: Personal power, control, freedom, mental energy
Name: Heart ChakraColor: Green
Location: Heart and lung area
Function: Love, compassion, empathy, healing
Name: Throat Chakra
Color: Blue
Location: Throat
Function: Communication, expression, speech
Name: Third Eye
Color: Indigo/purple
Location: Right between your eyebrows
Function: Intuition, psychic abilities, clairvoyance
Name: Crown chakra
Color: White or Violet
Location: Top of your head
Function: Consciousness, connection to the divine
Clogged Chakras
The way I like to think about chakras is that they are sockets. You can plug a loving tendril from Source into each one and let that divine energy fill you up. But sometimes chakras can get clogged, and when your chakras aren’t clear and spinning freely, you’re likely to have problems in the area where you’re clogged. For example, if your heart chakra is clogged, you probably feel very disconnected from other people. If your third eye is clogged, your intuition is probably not getting through. If your crown chakra is clogged, you probably feel disconnected from God (Source). If your solar plexus chakra is clogged, you probably feel scared or victimized. A clogged throat chakra can feel like you’re being suppressed or you’ve got something you want to say that you’re not saying.
Clogged chakras can cause physical problems related to the area where they function. For example, if someone is intimidating you, you might have digestive issues in your solar plexus (i.e. nervous stomach). If there is someone you really need to talk to but you just can’t bring yourself to do it, you may end up with a sore throat. Clogged intuition could result in a headache. And so on.
If you are empathic or psychic, you may be attracting other people’s emotions and issues to you like a magnet. Other people’s issues might stick to you because you don’t release them, and that can cause your chakras to get a little clogged as well. There is no earthly reason to carry around someone else’s burdens or pain. You’re just gumming up your own system.
Some people unconsciously (or even consciously) close their chakras because they are afraid of the connection they are feeling to themselves, other people, or the divine. This is what happened to me in my 20′s when I decided to turn off my psychic abilities so I could be normal. When I finally got back to opening them up, there was a lot of accumulated fear and gunk that needed to be cleaned out. It was quite a task, but I did it.
Cleansing the Chakras
So how do you clean up your chakras and get them spinning energetically? There are many ways to do it; everyone I speak to has their own method. There is no one right or wrong way, so I’ll share my method with you, but please find the method that works best for you. Experiment before you adopt one single method.
Sit quietly in a chair or lay down. I like to listen to meditation music but that’s not required. You could even light a candle. Knock yourself out. Locate your root chakra and imagine a red energy spinning clockwise in that location. (If you’re above your body and looking down and there is a pole running through your head and out your feet, spin it clockwise around this pole). Use the centrifugal force of the spin to remove and clear any dark spots or psychic gunk that has accumulated there. Just imagine it all spinning away. When that chakra is spinning with clear, red energy, you’re done. Move your awareness to the next chakra, the sacral chakra, and do the same thing. Spin it clockwise, imagining an orange light whirling around that imaginary pole running through your body. Clear it and move to the next chakra. Do this all the way to your crown chakra. At the end I like to pour white light all around my body, and sometimes I add golden light for protection, or green light for healing.
Cleansing your chakras should only take a few minutes. If you do this every day, you’ll notice less and less psychic gunk and you can get them clear really fast (30 seconds or so).
The Benefits of Clean Chakras
Why bother with all this chakra cleansing stuff right? I mean, I went through more than 30 years of my life without clearing a single chakra and I’m no worse off, right? Wrong. If you asked me when I was 30 how important the chakras are to good overall physical and psychic health I would have said they were fictitious energy centers in the body that new age people play around with for fun. Now I have to eat those words.
When my guides told me I had a choice to make (use my abilities to help people or be forever locked in my own fear), one of the first things I had to do was re-open my heart chakra. That was the key chakra for me, it might be different for you. I had closed off my connection to other people because it hurt me too much to watch people suffer and not be able to do anything about it. So my guides sent me a lovely gift: they opened my heart chakra so wide sometimes that it engulfed the entire planet, and they allowed me to feel the suffering and pain of all the people in the world. It shook me to my core. Feeling all that pain and suffering and hearing people’s souls crying out for help overwhelmed me and I started sobbing immediately. And my guides said to me, “If you could alleviate their suffering and help them, would you?” And I replied, “Yes, yes, if I can help them then I must.” And then they closed my heart chakra again. That glimpse was a catalyst for me. I asked a friend how to re-open my chakras and she told me the method I’ve shared with you. Clearing out my chakras the first time took a lot of time and energy. So many years of accumulated dust had taken their toll. But I did it. And that’s when my psychic abilities began manifesting. I developed clairvoyance, clairaudience, and claircognizance in short order.
Cleansing my chakras became a daily ritual. Before doing anything I clear out my own chakras and get them spinning fast and energetically. I plug into Source and bring in extra energy so I can reach the higher realms where angels and ascended masters reside. I’m also able to sense what’s going on in the chakras of the people I’m serving. I can see where they are closed up, clogged up, or out of balance. It’s become a very useful tool for me in diagnosing spiritual ailments. Believe me, I know how that sounds. But it works time and time again so I don’t question it anymore.

Summary

Chakras are a powerful connection between your body, your etheric body, and Source. Keeping them healthy and clear will bring you balance, good health, and stronger intuitive connections. Just one minute a day is all it takes. Take care of your chakras and allow them to help you reconnect with Source.

Sach Prem Kaur

Hindu Daily Prayers


Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi

MORNING PRAYER
Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi,
Karamuule Saraswati.
Karamadhye Tu Govinda,
Prabhaate Kara Darshanam.
The front part of the hands (the fingertips) are ascribed to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, the middle part (the palm proper) to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, and the root (the part of hand near the wrist) to Govinda (God).
Therefore, every morning, one should have a respectful look at one’s hand, which symbolizes honest labor.

The main Systems of Yoga from India

The Yoga Systems ara the following: Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, Mantra, Yantra, Laya and Kundalini, Tantric, Hatha, and Raja. Jnana Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge): Union by knowledge; this is the path of spiritual wisdom and knowledge, in which the intellect penetrates the veils of ignorance that prevent man from seeing his True Self (Atman). The disciplines of this path are those of study and meditation. Jnana Yoga is practical Philosophy/Metaphysics. It is both theory and practice. Jnana Yoga uses the intellect as a tool to understand that our true Self is behind and beyond our mind, and our empirical ego. It is a Quest for the Self by direct inquiry into "who we are." It is, however, a mistake to think that the Source could be found with the intellect alone. For the purpose of Self-discovery, Jnana Yoga probes the nature of the Self through the question: Who am I? Through persistent probing, fixing our attention on the source of our Being, we regain our real Self. We remember who we are. The inquiry, as the result of practising Jnana Yoga, leads us towards clear Awareness by removing our attention from that which we are not. Along with Bhakti Yoga (Devotion), Jnana is listed among the best approaches for becoming aware of the eternal Self (God). Shankara and Ramana Maharshi are the classic authorities concerning Jnana Yoga. Like Hatha and Raja Yogis, Jnana Yogis also acknowledge the relationship between breathing and thinking. They found that breathing slows automatically through concentration on the "I-AM."

Bhakti Yoga (Union through Devotion and Love): Union by love and devotion; the favorite Yoga of Indian masses. This is Yoga of strongly-focused love, devotion and worship, at its finest in love of the One. Its disciplines are those of rites and the singing of songs of praise. Bhakti Yoga is the Yoga of selfless love, compassion, humility, purity and the desire and serious intention to merge with God. It is nothing else than to follow the 'First Commandment': "to love God with all your heart, mind and soul."The following persons are known as outstanding examples of Bhakti Yogis:• Daya Mata,• Shree Maa, Anandamayi Ma (1896 - 1982), Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997),• Ma Yoga Shakti,• Mata Amritanandamayi (Ammachi)

Karma Yoga (Self-less work for our fellow neighbour). Union by action and service; this is the path of selfless action and service, without of the fruits of action. Karma is the total sum of all our actions (mental and physical), in this life and before. Karma Yoga is the yoga of Service or self-transcending Action, whereby the yogi directs all actions towards God. By serving God and humanity (without selfishness, egoism, and attachment) the heart becomes pure, the ego fades and, over time, or even over many lifetimes, one becomes increasingly in tune and unified with God. Enlightenment (Samadhi, nirvana, union with God) is naturally realized through Karma yoga.

Mantra Yoga (Union by voice and sound). The practice of Mantra Yoga influences consciousness through repeating certain syllables, words or phrases. A form of Mantra Yoga is the Transcendental Meditation, which is widely practiced in the West. Rhytmic repetition of mantras is called japa. Mantra Yoga Is the Yoga of repeating mantras. Mantras are words or prayers that are composed of psychically potent sound syllables that influence the human system. Repeating mantras with or without a counting device is known as japa or mantra yoga. Japa is a practice used by aspirants of all religions, Jews, Christians, Hindus, etc. as a powerful tool to control the mind. Silent japa (upanshu japa) is supposed to be more powerful than when said aloud. An easy way to exercise silent japa is to perform it aloud for a period of time so that the ears will hear the mantras and the brain will register it. The aspirant should keep on decreasing the volume of the sound, using bass sounds, and should gradually start doing the mantra yoga silently. The japa method is effective because the cerebral cortex will keep on repeating the mantras for a period of time even after the audible japa has stopped. Mantras can excite the emotions and give suggestions to the mind. Mantras affect both the one who chants them as the one who hears them. The word mantra comes from the Sanskrit "mantrana", which means advice or suggestion. In a sense, every word is a mantra. In our daily life we use words to get everything done, obtain everything we need. Each mantra or word is a sound pattern that suggests to the mind the meanings inherent in it, and the mind immediately responds. According to Ramana Maharshi, repetition of mantras (japa), with attention directed to the source of the sound, completely engages the mind. This is Tapas (penance). The source is not in the vocal chords alone, but also the idea of the sound is in the mind, whose source is self. Thus the practice of mantra repetition is more than a suggestion, a bit of advice or an idea. It is a means of getting in touch with our self. Mantras may be used for religious worship, for japa (repetition), for healing, to help spiritual evolution, for purification, for making offerings and in Mantra Yoga. Some mantras are only chants or expressions of nearness to the Divine. But some saints who were inspired by divine love and unshakable faith used these mantras in their own spiritual practice and their followers afterwards started using those mantras, calling them mahamantras or great mantras. Primarily it is faith which creates the effect of mantras. Melody, intonation, pronunciation, whether silently or aloud, all are important in the recitation of mantras. Moreover, the beat cycle in which mantras are recited is important, but it changes according to the state of consciousness of the one who is chanting. An increase in the speed of chanting increases the speed of mind, heartbeat and respiration. The beat cycle of the mantras affects the emotions. A fast speed sometimes creates a continuous vibration and when it is done in groups it creates a good effect, because the mind works in synchronization with the beat cycle and has no time to fantasize. Fast chanting of mantras exhausts the mind, heart and breath and relaxation comes after the chanting is over. Slowing the beat cycle of mantras also creates the same continuous vibration, but it slows down the speed of mind, heart and breath while the chanting is going on. It induces a hypnagogic state, but it is good only when the chanting of mantras is done individually. A medium-speed beat cycle is good for group and individual chanting of mantras. It does not disturb the heartbeat or breathing pattern and makes the mind more awake, alert and conscious. The place from which the sound emanates influences its' tonal quality. Deep tones are produced by the vocal chords in conjunction with the abdominal region, middletones in conjunction with the chest, heart and throat regions and high-pitched tones in conjunction with the upper region of the body. Indian classical music uses all three regions in a gradual order, but the middle region is used most and produces a greater emotional impact on the listeners. Following are one of the main mantras used in Mantra Yoga: OM, OM MANI PADME HUM, AUM AING HRING KLEENG CHAMUNDAYE VICHCHEY AUM.

Yantra Yoga: Union by vision and form; Yantra Yoga employs sight and form. The visualization may be with the inner eye. A yantra is a design with power to influence consciousness; it can be an objective picture, an inner visualization, or the design of a temple.

Laya and Kundalini Yoga: Union by arousal of latent psychic nerve-force. These combine many of the techniques of Hatha Yoga, especially prolonged breath suspension and a stable posture, with intense meditative concentration, so as to awaken the psychic nerve-force latent in the body, symbolized as serpent power (Kundalini), which is coiled below the base of the spine. The force is taken up the spine, passing through several power centers (chakras), until it reaches a chakra in the crown of the head, when intuitive enlightenment (Samadhi) is triggered. The disciplines are severe, best practiced with a teacher.

Tantric Yoga: Union by harnessing sexual energy; ‘tantric’ is applied to distinguish physiological systems. The control of the sexual energies has a prominent part, and the union of male and female has a ritualistic role. Tantric Yoga of all the yogas guards its teachings and techniques most closely.

Raja Yoga / Radja Yoga (Union by Mental Mastery). Raja Yoga means royal and is sometimes called the crown of Hatha Yoga. Raja adds concentration after body and mind are cleaned and trained to stay calm and attentive. Raja Yoga works upon the mind, refining and perfecting it, and through the mind upon the body. It’s the Yoga of consciousness, the highest form of Yoga. The improvement in our power of concentration, as a result of Raja Yoga, moves all of our attention towards the source of our Being in order to become that Being. Raja Yoga is a complete system, also refered to as Ashtanga Yoga because of the eight (ashta) limbs (anga) the system rests on. The Eight Limbs (Ashta-anga) are: 1. Restraints (yamas: harmlessness, truthfulness, non-stealing, control of senses); 2. Disciplines (niyamas: cleanliness, purification of body, mind and nervous system, study of metaphysical principles, contemplation on God); 3. Postures (asanas); 4. Control of breathing and life-currents (pranayama); 5. Turning the attention within (pratyahara); 6. Concentration (dharana); 7. Meditation (dhyana: prolonged periods of perfect concentration and contemplation); 8. Holy Trance (Samadhi)

Hatha Yoga (Union by bodily mastery, principally of breath): Central to all Hatha Yoga disciplines is the regulation of breath, the harmonizing of its positive (sun) and negative (moon) or male and female currents. Hatha Yoga is the most widely practiced in the West, and its best-known feature is posturing. Hatha has practical benefits to the health of the nervous system, glands, and vital organs. It’s a purifying preparation for Raja Yoga, which is work upon consciousness itself. Hatha Yoga is the most practical of yogas, works upon the body, purifying it, and through the body upon the mind. It’s the Yoga of physical well-being. Ha and tha, sun and moon, refer to the two opposite currents that regulate all processes in our body. There is nothing mysterious about it because anything in our universe exists because of a positive and negative charge. Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Kriya Yoga are specifically dealing with the intention of gaining control over the flow of these life-currents. Hatha Yoga is known for the asanas or postures. It is thought that by perfecting the body, creating a healthy physical condition, and raising Kundalini (dormant energy) upwards along the spine, the body becomes better prepared for yogic awakening. The first effects felt are usually improved health and strengthened nervous system. Some Hatha Yogis may even demonstrate control over internal organs, blood flow, and breathing. The ability of some Yogis to even stop the breathing and heart beat completely for a period of time has been demonstrated under laboratory settings. Traditional Hatha Yoga consists of: 1. Asanas (postures); 2. Shat Karmas (six cleansing techniques, also known as Shat Kriyas);3. Pranayama (control of breathing with retention); 4. Bandhas (locks) and Mudras (seals) for the regulation of Prana (life-force) and Kundalini; and 5. Samadhi (Union with God, realization of the Self, ecstasy, nirvana).

Tarjani Mudra and Cornuta


An interesting similarity in form and meaning: The Tarjani Mudra and the Corna gesture (Horns or Cornuta). They are used in both cultures or gesture systems as a symbol to ward of evil.



The Tarjani Mudra is to be made only with the index finger. And here is a source mentioning that the Tarjani-mudra is the same as the Abhaya-mudra.





EFT: Tapping for your life (Taping para tu Vida)

Tapping is a great way to recondition your mind and body to a new way of being. Allowing safety into your life will reduce stress on your body and bring more clarity. And tapping changes your vibration from one of lack and protection to that of well-being and opennes... so you can feel safe to create more abundance in your life. As you tap, make note of any specific memories or limiting beliefs that come up around safety. For example, you may remember being threatened by the school bully in 3rd grade. Or, you may sense a fear that 'bad things will happen' if you allow yourself to feel good. Releasing the intensity around those specific blocks can open up new doorways for you. If you don't know how to do this yourself yet, it's my specialty, and I'd love to help!). So Let's Do Some Tapping.

Karate Chop: Event though I don't feel safe right now, I am open to relaxing at least a little bit.Even though my muscles are tight, and I feel threatened, there is no immediate danger right there, right now. Even though I have a habit of feeling scared and I learned this pattern long ago, I would love to enjoy a more relaxed state of being.

Top of the Head: I don't feel safe.

Eyebrow: I have to be vigilant.

Side of the Eye: That's how I am.

Under the Eye: Isn't that how I'm supposed to be?

Under the Nose: My body is pretty tired.

Chin: It's hard to focus on what enjoy.

Collarbone: I just don't feel safe.

Under the Arm: That's how it is.

Top of the Head: But what if I could change just a bit?

Eyebrow: I'm afraid I can't let this go.

Side of the Eye: Would I still be safe?

Under the Nose: What am I afraid of anyway?

Chin: I'm so used to be fear.

Collarbone: I needed it back then.

Under the Arm: is it still useful now?

Top of the Head: What if I could change?

Eyebrow: I do have lot more power now.

Side of the Eye: What if I could relax and enjoy my life?

Under the Eye: That would feel sweet!

Under the Nose: I am safer that I was back then.

Chin: I give my body and my mind permission to relax.

Collarbone: I'm open to noticing how safe I really am...

Under the Arm:And feeling surprisingly calm and confident.

Top of the Head: I allow to myself to feel safe.

Take a deep slow breath. Slow breathing sends a signal to your primitive brain that all is well. Quick shallow breaths can make that part of your brain think you're under attack.
How did you feel as you said these statements? Just write down what you noticed so you can use those insights for future tapping exercise. As you continue tapping, you may find yourself surprisingly delighted with the challenges you manifest in your life! If you want more help with your issues around safe and abundance, contact me : nuria.sancho.fortuny@gmail.com for one distance session.

Meditation and Spirituality for All: Om

The practice of Yoga and other Energy techniques aims at enlightenment with different methods involving complex rituals like featured music, chanting words of power called mantras, symbolism, stylized gestures called mudras, mystic diagrams called mandalas, and counting your breaths. Many spiritual traditions teach their students concentration as the primary meditation practice. Just keep on focusing your mind on the mantra or the symbol or the visualization, they advise you will attain what is called absorption or samadhi: the sense of being a separate 'me' disappears, and only the object of your attention remains. As Herbert Benson explains the meditative repetition of a mantra, tends to calm the mind and relax de body. What is more important about the name of the symbols used in Reiki practices is not the dictionary definition of what they mean, but the actual sound or vibrations made when pronouncing them. We can consider the Sanskrit word om as an example. Just as the sound of the mantra 'om' is also the name of the symbol, 'Om' is also an evocative sound on its own without even visualizing the graphinc symbol. Likewise the mantra associated with each Reiki symbol can also evoque the Reiki Energy. Rememeber: the Mantra is the Repetition of Sacred Words. The names of the Reiki Symbols can also be considered a mantra and thus chanted to bring forth Reiki Energy. To begin with Meditation, you can develop the skill of focusing and concentrating your mind, to be calmed and like a prevention of agitation. As your concentration deepens,  thoughts and feelings naturally bubble up and evaporate, following the process of spontaneous release.