Part 1 Inner Energy, Overview

Transcription

1 Creative Commons. Energy of Life Within Reach, by cclickrsden Inner Energy Guide Part Inner Energy, Overview What is Inner Energy? Where Did it Come From? Did you know that we all have a subtle energy system inside us? Called Inner Energy (or Kundalini), it nurtures and protects your mind, body and soul. You were born with your Inner Energy system. In fact, the word Sah actually means, Born with. At the time of your birth, the Inner Energy passed through your brain to create a vast, intricate system of energy channels and centers throughout your central nervous system. This system the subtle energy system has governed your physical, cognitive and emotional well-being ever since. How Does Inner Energy Flow? How is it Awakened? Inner Energy flows throughout your body using the three main vertical energy channels, or nadis. Along the way, it flows through your seven principal energy centers, also known as chakras. The seven chakras are located at the sites of your main nerve plexuses. Each nerve plexus is a network of interlaced nerves. Your residual energy settles into the triangular-shaped sacrum bone at the base of your spine. This bone is located slightly above the first chakra. There, the residual energy lays dormant, waiting to be awakened. Once your residual energy has been awakened, a few strands of Inner Energy rise up through your spinal column. They pass through each of the remaining six chakras. As this happens, you will typically feel vibrations or a tingling sensation at the top of your head (the fontanelle area) and in your hands. This experience of energy awakening is known as Enlightenment or Self-Realization. It is the same sensation you experienced in your first Sah Meditation class or program. As you practice the simple Sah Meditation techniques, you will learn to raise this powerful Inner Energy on an ongoing basis. As a result, you will enjoy better health, better focus, and a deeper understanding of the universe and your place within it. While every element in nature emits vibrations, it is only through the awakening of your Inner Energy that you can develop the sensitivity to feel those vibrations. Cool (not cold) vibrations indicate balance. Hot, tingling vibrations indicate an imbalance. Your Inner Energy, or Kundalini, is a primordial energy the source of all energy. It is pure and cannot be corrupted or destroyed. It is a living energy that knows how to act. It obeys its own laws, rising upward against the force of gravity, like fire. And like fire, it purifies, consumes and cleanses imperfections. When you feel heat in your hands during, you are generally feeling all that is negative leaving your body. Continued on backside»

2 Creative Commons. Energy of Life Within Reach, by cclickrsden Inner Energy Guide Inner Energy, Overview What is a Chakra? How Does it Impact my Life? Each chakra (wheel in Sanskrit) is a fulcrum or point of support. They are located within the energy channels of your body. Your Inner Energy flows through the chakras. It energizes, nurtures and balances them. To visualize how energy flow works, imagine your subtle energy system as a flute with seven holes. Each hole represents a chakra. The air blown through the flute represents your Inner Energy. If the flute s holes are unobstructed, the flute can produce melodious, harmonious music. When your chakras are clear and free of obstructions, your Inner Energy flows through your body smoothly, achieving a harmonious balance. The chakras cannot be seen, just as electricity cannot be seen. However, you verify that electricity exists every time you turn on an electrical appliance. In much the same way, you verify the existence of your chakras when you turn them on through. You will experience the sensation of energy flowing through them, as well as the impact of this energy flow on each chakra s corresponding nerve plexuses and associated organs. You can literally feel the energy flowing through each chakra and even detect specific blockages in the path of the energy flow. Each of your chakras, or energy centers, is associated with specific functions and qualities. For example, the third chakra, Nabhi, is located in the solar plexus or central stomach area. This chakra governs the functioning of your internal organs and nerve networks in that area. It is associated with the states of contentment and satisfaction. Because you ve always had all the energy centers within you, you ve always had the potential to be content. In exploring your chakras, you ll find that most physical or psychological difficulties you ve experienced can be traced to an imbalance, or catch, in a specific chakra. A catch is a blockage, obstruction or impairment of a chakra. A catch prevents your Inner Energy from passing through that blocked chakra to rise to a higher level. As a result, the obstructed chakra does not function efficiently. This inefficiency manifests in your life as a physical, cognitive or emotional problem. Once you ve used your Inner Energy to heal and balance an impaired chakra, the problem disappears. The newly repaired chakra s associated qualities are enhanced and strengthened. This will help protect you from future problems. The stronger your energy centers are, the stronger the associated qualities are within you. The more you develop and strengthen those qualities within you, the stronger your energy centers will become. The good news is that is a valuable, and powerful, self-discovery tool. In fact, once your Inner Energy has been awakened, Sah techniques will help you diagnose problems within your own Inner Energy system. The special sensitivity, or vibratory awareness, you will gain through awakening your Inner Energy will serve as a reliable gauge of your true inner state.

3 Creative Commons. Sun Ray, by Erich Ferdinand Inner Energy Guide Part Energy Channels What is an Energy Channel? Inner Energy travels throughout your body by way of three energy channels, or nadis. The three nadis are the left channel, the right channel and the center channel. All three work perfectly together to integrate and balance your Inner Energy. Each also plays a specific role in maintaining your emotions, moods and physical health. The Role of the Left Channel Your left energy channel (called Ida nadi in Sanskrit), also known as the moon channel, begins at the Mooladhara chakra and travels up the left side of your body, terminating in the superego area on the right side of your mind-brain. The superego is the storehouse of all your memories, habits and conditionings. Your superego is also the area of your brain that encourages moral behavior. In most of us, it has to wage war on our more selfish, pleasure seeking urges in the process. Joy is an essential quality associated with the left energy channel. Ideally, it is felt as the innocent joy of a child. Remember when you were a young child and you d wake up happy every morning? The joy carried by the left energy channel feels just like that. As adults, we long for this joy, though we don t often find it. It may become blocked or bruised by some of our life experiences. However, it still lives within us and can be awakened through. If you have a problem with your left energy channel, you may experience emotional extremes. This includes moods that shift rapidly from elation to depression and back again. You may also experience lethargy and extreme passivity. Most of us have suffered the occasional couch potato day. Remember the lack of energy and desire you felt as you sat around, doing nothing at all? That feeling may have been caused by a problem with your left energy channel. In summary, your left energy channel influences your emotions, feelings and desires. It is also connected to your memories and past experiences. As long as your emotions stay at normal levels, you ll do just fine. However, if you re feeling extremes of emotion such as depression, gloominess and brooding, then it s time to do something about it. All you need to start clearing your left channel is. Sah Meditation techniques are easy, safe and the renewed feelings of joy and energy you ll experience can be positively addictive. The Role of the Right Channel Your right energy channel (Pingala nadi), also called the sun channel, begins at your Swadisthan chakra and travels up the right side of your body, terminating in the ego area of the brain. The ego is the area of your brain that gives you a sense of individualism and self, as distinct from others. It is the ego that allows you to relate to yourself as me or I. Action and planning are essential qualities associated with the right energy channel. Continued on backside»

4 Creative Commons. Sun Ray, by Erich Ferdinand Inner Energy Guide Energy Channels They drive your mental and physical activities. However, the demand for energy on the right side can sometimes be so great that the left side is weakened. When this occurs, your desire for joy may evaporate, and you find yourself grouchy and irritable. You may even feel like yelling at everyone or flying off the handle when the slightest thing goes wrong. Unfortunately, you have likely encountered many stressed out, irritated and agitated people. This is because it can be difficult to maintain a balance of emotion and action when our workplaces and schools are stressful, aggressive environments. It can also be difficult to maintain a peaceful, nurturing home where these imbalances can be corrected. As a result, the negativity, stress and aggression continue to build. Fortunately, awareness is the first step to correcting imbalance. Meditation, and accessing your Inner Energy to restore harmony, will allow you to do so. In summary, your right energy channel influences your ability to plan and take action for the future. It also plays a role in negative emotions such as anger, irritability and stress. Your right channel thinks in terms of I, mine, and myself. Overdo any of these and you may become unpleasant to be around. However, your will tell you when your right channel energy is too high and when it s time to cool down and rebalance. The Role of the Central Channel Your central energy channel (Sushumna nadi), also called the middle path, travels from the sacrum bone at the base of your spine (where your Inner Energy resides) straight up your spine towards the Sahasrara chakra. Your central energy channel is the channel that aids your spiritual growth. In fact, we d say that you ve been drawn to Sah Meditation because of the strength of your central channel. The central energy channel can be used to help you evolve continuously into an improved personality with an increased focus on the subtler aspects of life. Your entire subtle energy system is integrated in the Sahasrara chakra. As such, it is the most important chakra for spiritual growth and. It is also the chakra in which your Inner Energy has the greatest ability to maximize its potential to help you. Clearing obstructions in the central energy channel is a critical component of Sah Meditation. When you are constantly in balance, your central channel remains clear. This paves the way for your Inner Energy, or Kundalini, to rise smoothly to the Sahasrara chakra. When this happens, your own Inner Energy unites with the Divine Energy of the universe. Proper functioning of the central energy channel is crucial to maintaining energy balance. In a way, it represents the very essence of Inner Energy balance and the primary goal of. It may sound complex, but understanding your energy channels is quite simple if you think of them in the following way. You ll want to use your left and right energy channels to balance your emotions, desires and actions as you live and enjoy your life. At the same time, you ll want to spend time on the central energy channel so you can continuously improve yourself as a spiritual personality. Keeping all three channels balanced and clear will give you the power to manage your life, and all its challenges, with ease. You ll also experience and enjoy all of life s pleasures in a balanced and more meaningful way.

5 Innocence and Wisdom (Mooladhara) Location. The Mooladhara chakra is located in the pelvic plexus at the base of your spine. The vibrations of this root energy center can be felt on the base of your palm. Qualities. Your Mooladhara chakra forms the foundation of your entire subtle energy system. It represents eternal and indestructible qualities within you. These qualities only manifest to their fullest potential when your Inner Energy has been awakened. This chakra is represented by a coral red color. It is closely aligned with the earth element. Mooladhara chakra qualities include: Innocence Purity Simplicity Childlike joy Inner wisdom Dignity Balance Purpose and direction Connection to Earth Harmony with nature The fundamental quality of the Mooladhara chakra is innocence. Innocence is the basis of righteous (dharmic) character. Your innocence can never be destroyed, but it may be covered (or masked) by your ego and conditionings, just as the sun may be covered by clouds. Negative societal influences can also muddy the pure innocence and wisdom that is part of your Mooladhara chakra. The good news is that can restore them. When you rebalance your Mooladhara, you can renew your energy and priorities. Experience and Benefits. A balanced Mooladhara will help you maintain and increase your inner wisdom. You ll be able to quickly distinguish right from wrong. The wisdom of this chakra will enable you to avoid action (or inaction) that is harmful to yourself or others. A balanced Mooladhara chakra will also lead to improved memory, attention and focus. You ll be able to manage your intellectual energy and make decisions quickly while maintaining emotional balance and stability. Additionally, the innocence of this chakra will enable you to view other people and situations without prejudice or bias. Your actions will be pure as a result. Tapping into your Mooladhara will give you the ability and authority to raise your own Continued on backside»

6 Innocence and Wisdom (Mooladhara Chakra) Left hand, palm up Right hand, palm up Inner Energy as well as that of others who also wish to experience the benefits of Inner Energy awakening. You will become better able to distinguish false information. You will not fall prey to those who would cheat you or take you for a ride. Your Mooladhara chakra plays a role in helping you remain in harmony with nature. It also helps you to avoid unnatural or unhealthy lifestyles (those that may be considered perverse or against nature ). Mooladhara allows you to respect your innocence and purity, as well as that of others. It is through the Mooladhara energy center that birth and creation continue their course. When you experience a disruption of your Mooladhara chakra, many illnesses may result. Because it governs sexuality and the reproductive system, balancing this chakra will guard against a misuse of sexuality or sexual perversions. Mooladhara also governs your excretory system. When the chakra is balanced, your body will be free of diarrhea or constipation. Left channel problems, such as depression or lethargy, can also be prevented by balancing the Mooladhara chakra. Right channel problems, such as aggressive behavior, excessive thinking, excessive planning and overindulging may also be eliminated. Self-Assessment. If your Mooladhara chakra is out of balance, you may experience a poor sense of direction, poor memory, or a poor sense of balance (gravity). Other symptoms of disruption in this chakra include excretory problems, sexual disorders and reproductive difficulties. How to Balance. Fortunately, it is quite simple to balance your Mooladhara chakra. To begin, you should sit directly on the earth as often as possible. While enjoying a peaceful moment outdoors, you may clear your left Mooladhara by resting on the ground in a cross-legged fashion. Place both hands on the ground beside your hips, palms facing downward. If you are unable to spend time outside, there is another option. Soaking your feet in a bowl of warm salted water is also helpful in balancing the Mooladhara chakra.

7 Creativity (Swadisthan) Creative Commons. Warm Fire, by Clearly Ambiguous Location. Your Swadisthan chakra is located in the aortic plexus above your sacrum bone. This chakra controls the functioning of your liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas, and female reproductive organs (if you are a woman). The vibrations of your Swadisthan chakra can be felt in your thumbs. Qualities. The Swadisthan chakra is represented by the color yellow. It is aligned with the purifying element of fire. Swadisthan chakra qualities include: Creativity Appreciation of beauty Inspiration Idea generation Undistracted attention Keen intellectual perception Pure knowledge Spiritual knowledge The fundamental quality of the Swadisthan is creativity. It is through this chakra that your creative energy is generated. The Swadisthan also governs attention, inspiration and pure knowledge. When you open yourself to the qualities of the Swadisthan chakra, you will discover that the beauty and power of creation is reflected within you. You already contain a limitless amount of creativity and knowledge. Practicing Sah Meditation will teach you to tap into it. Experience and Benefits. The most important physiological function of your Swadisthan chakra is the breaking down of fat particles within your abdomen to replace your brain s gray and white matter the stuff of thinking. Excessive thinking and planning is very common in today s world. Ultimately, the right side of your Swadisthan chakra can become exhausted by all that thought. When this happens, you may find that your creativity falters and your work becomes lifeless. You may no longer experience spontaneity and joy. This happens because your Swadisthan chakra is neglecting other organs that it should be taking care of in order to replenish the brain matter you have lost through an excess of thought. For example, your liver has to work harder to produce fat cells to meet your body s demand. Because the liver is the seat of attention, you lose focus and pure thought is compromised. It is important to recognize the difference between attention (which is a quality of the Swadisthan chakra) and thought (which is Continued on backside»

8 Creative Commons. Warm Fire, by Clearly Ambiguous Creativity (Swadisthan) Left hand, palm up Right hand, palm up detrimental to it). Attention means close observation or listening. It is pure focus upon an object without thought. Attention is concentration, observation and witnessing. For example, you might direct your attention to a flower, appreciating its beauty and its fragrance, without actually thinking about it. You would observe it and marvel at it without questions running through your mind such as, What is the name of this flower? or I wonder if this is an annual or a perennial? A balanced liver sustains and nourishes your ability to be attentive by filtering out impurities, distractions and external clutter. The peace and stillness that helps you to meditate effectively comes from this purified attention. When your Swadisthan chakra is balanced, excessive thinking is prevented. You will be able to maintain a peaceful mind free from worries, doubts, confusion and distraction. The creative work you do while in this balanced state will be spiritually enhanced. It will have heart. Self-Assessment. If your Swadisthan chakra is unbalanced, you may find that you have difficulty meditating and a general lack of creativity. You may also experience insomnia and irritability. Other symptoms of an unbalanced Swadisthan include illnesses such as diabetes, blood-related cancers, allergies and heart disease. How to Balance. Fortunately, provides a simple means for balancing this chakra. To clear your Swadisthan chakra, you should soak your feet daily in normal temperature water. If you wish to focus on clearing your right Swadisthan chakra, soak your feet in a bowl of salted, cold (even iced) water during. You may also place an ice pack on the right Swadisthan position. This is located just above the place where your torso connects to your right leg. To clear your left Swadisthan chakra, soak your feet in a bowl of salted, hot water during. If you experience persistent problems with the balance of this chakra, try using a candle flame to clear it. Just hold the candle in your right hand a few inches in front of your left Swadisthan chakra. The left Swadisthan chakra is located just above the place where your torso connects to your left leg.

9 sah Creative Commons. Ocean, by Chris Luczkow 3 Generosity, Evolution, Contentment (Nabhi) Location. Your Nabhi chakra is located within your spinal column. It can be found parallel to your navel. It is closely associated with your solar plexus. The vibrations of your Nabhi chakra can be felt in your middle fingers. The function of your abdominal organs (stomach, liver, kidneys, and bowels) is regulated by the Nabhi and Swadisthan chakras along with the Void. These three subtle centers work as an integrated unit in ensuring a harmonious physiologic environment in your body. Another key quality of the Nabhi chakra is contentment (or satisfaction). It is through your Nabhi chakra that you may establish an ideal balance between all areas of your life (including family, work and spiritual). At the same time, energizing this chakra enables you to be nurturing and righteous. It imparts the qualities of caring, nurturing and affection to wives and mothers that help them take care of their families. feel energy within The Nabhi chakra isthe represented by the feel the energy within color green. It is aligned with the essential Experience and Benefits. the energy within elementfeel of water. Nabhi chakra qualities are: most important physiological function feel the energythe within Generosity Nabhi chakra is regulating many feel the energyofof your within Nurturing your internal organs. The left Nabhi feel(orthe energyregulates within Contentment satisfaction) the pancreas and spleen. Your feel the energycenter within Peace Nabhi regulates your stomach and feel the energyintestines. within Joy feel the energy Your right Nabhi regulates your within Balance liver and gall bladder. Qualities. The Nabhi chakra imparts several fundamental qualities, including generosity and the capacity to evolve. It is through your Nabhi chakra that you experience a desire to grow, improve and achieve your goals. It influences every seeking action within your life, from the fundamental quest for food and water to your quest for peace and spirituality. Because of this chakra, you have the capacity to evolve progressively to a higher stage of life. Righteousness (or dharma) Honesty Pure attention Dignity Evolution (or the achievement of goals) Your liver s role in cannot be overemphasized. It s vital to achieving a state of perfect thoughtless awareness and attention. Continued on backside»

10 Creative Commons. Ocean, by Chris Luczkow Generosity, Evolution, Contentment (Nabhi) A strong Nabhi chakra means that once your financial needs are fulfilled, you will start focusing on your spiritual prosperity. Self-Assessment. Left hand, palm up Right hand, palm up Because we tend to live stressful lives, our livers are prone to overheating and exhaustion. Practicing Sah Meditation will help you balance and protect this essential organ. The Nabhi chakra also plays an important role in proper digestion and metabolism. Over indulgence in food affects your Nabhi chakra. Good, nutritional food eaten at regular intervals helps keep the Nabhi chakra balanced. The Nabhi chakra is essential to your family life as well. As you energize and balance it through, you may find yourself with renewed strength to face familial responsibilities. You may even find yourself enjoying duties you used to avoid. Achieving prosperity is a necessary step in your evolution. Your Nabhi chakra is at the core of your financial welfare. It will help you fulfill your essential needs and desires. You have been born with all the intellectual and physical talents necessary to allow you to earn the money that will fulfill those needs. If your left Nabhi becomes blocked or imbalanced, you may notice an increase in difficulties involving your family and household. You may also experience concerns about money. If you have a blockage of your center Nabhi, you may experience minor problems or imbalance with your digestion or metabolism. When there is an imbalance of the right Nabhi, you may find yourself prone to worry and anxiety. You may also feel stingy and lack generosity. Fortunately, the simple Sah Meditation exercise will help you balance and restore the energy of this vital chakra. How to Balance. Balancing your right Nabhi chakra is quite simple. Just hold your right hand, palm facing inward, a few inches in front of the location of your Nabhi chakra. When you feel the energy flowing through your hand, rotate it in a clockwise direction around the chakra. Repeat several times. You can also balance your right Nabhi by placing an ice pack on your right side, over your liver. To balance your left Nabhi chakra, soak your feet in a tub of warm water as you perform your usual.

11 Void (Ocean of Illusion) Creative Commons. Ocean, by Chris Luczkow 3a Location. The Void is the region located within your abdominal cavity. It contains your Nabhi chakra. You may feel the vibrations of the Void within an area formed by concentric circles around the center of your palm. Qualities. The Void is represented by the color green. It is aligned with the elements of sky and saltwater. It is symbolic of the ocean within each of us. Void qualities include: Balance Righteousness (or dharma) Sense of personal dignity Self-discipline Self-guidance Decisiveness Patience Thirst for truth and knowledge The guru principle (or the ability to guide yourself and others in spiritual evolution) The Void, along with your Nabhi and Swadisthan chakras, represents an integrated spiritual group. Together, these three elements dictate the course of your evolution, from your creation to your ultimate awareness of spirituality and your journey thereon. An essential quality of the Void is the guru principle. This quality enables you to become a guru, or teacher, offering guidance to others. This doesn t mean that you become a famous TV personality or self-help speaker. Nor does it mean that people will line up around the block for your advice. What it does mean is that you can possess a cool, pleasant and friendly personality. You ll know the right thing to do (at least most of the time), and the people in your life will appreciate it. The Void is so named because it represents the ocean of unenlightened awareness (or void) within an individual s knowledge. Each individual may require the guidance of a true master or truthful spiritual teachings in order to realize his or her true spiritual nature. When you learn the truth of the spirit, your Void, or the gap in your central channel, is filled. This event occurs as you receive your Inner Energy awakening and awareness. Experience and Benefits. At the physiological level, the Void s main function is to oversee the functioning of the abdominal organs (along with the Nabhi and Swadisthan chakras). Your liver nourishes the awareness and power of attention, both of which lie within the Void region as well. Every natural element has basic qualities Continued on backside»

12 3a Creative Commons. Ocean, by Chris Luczkow Void (Ocean of Illusion) Left hand, palm up Right hand, palm up that sustain it. For example, we say that gold cannot be tarnished. That is the sustaining quality of gold. In the same way, each of us has basic qualities that are responsible for our sustenance and balance. These qualities make up the code by which we lead our lives. For example, the Ten Commandments in the Bible. This aspect of human sustenance is represented by the Void. When your Inner Energy first rises, it flows across your Void region, bridging the gap within your central channel in the ascent to the Sahasrara chakra. The result is establishment of righteousness, or dharma, within you. You essentially become more virtuous. Again, this does not mean that you ll become a saint who never does anything wrong. It does mean that you ll be able to discern the right thing to do in nearly every situation. Your virtue will keep you honest (at least most of the time), and will help you keep everyone around you honest as well. Over time, any negative energy inside you will be eliminated. This is the essence of the guru principle. Your personality becomes balanced and magnetic. People begin to see you as a person they can count on for sensible advice. Your character and temperament are no longer easily influenced by the latest opinions or expectations. You will find yourself rocksolid and steady, even if false information is floating around. Your guru principle makes you unafraid to stand up and do the right thing. Self-Assessment. Any time you find yourself swayed somewhat in life (lying, the impulse to steal, impure thoughts, or committing adultery, for example.), it is a sign that your Void is likely affected. You need to strengthen your chakras and steady your guru principle. We all have moments of weakness. However, once your Inner Energy is awakened, you are able to triumph over them. Denouncing God or spirituality, or following the teachings of false gurus (the ones that never lead you to real spiritual knowledge but are busy trying to take your money) can also cause an imbalance within your Void. Other causes of problems with the Void may include excessive alcohol usage and materialistic tendencies. How to Balance. You can balance the Void by soaking your feet in salt water. Salt water is a powerful symbol of the guru principle. Use of this symbol will make your more effective at cleansing you of negative energies.

13 Heart (Anahat) Qualities. Location. The Anahat chakra is located within your spinal column. It may be found at the level of the center of your chest, behind your sternum bone. Associated with your cardiac plexus, the vibrations of the Anahat chakra may be felt in your little fingers. The Anahat chakra is represented by the color red. It is aligned with the essential element of air. Anahat chakra qualities include: Unconditional love Unconditional compassion Gracious behavior Truth Joy Confidence Absence of fear and sense of security in life Positive paternal and maternal relationships The fundamental quality of the Anahat chakra is unconditional love. It is through energizing the heart chakra that you are able to become confident, self-assured, morally responsible and emotionally well balanced. When you open yourself to the qualities of the Anahat chakra, you will experience the pure joy of existence. You also discover your purpose and place in the world. Experience and Benefits. The most important physiological function of your Anahat chakra is the regulation of your heart and lungs. These organs control the health of your circulatory and respiratory systems, making proper function absolutely essential. The Anahat chakra also controls the breasts and thymus gland. The thymus gland is a small gland located behind the top of your breastbone. It is essential in the functioning of your immune system. Sometimes, we confuse love and compassion with less desirable feelings of possession and selfishness. Because the Sah Meditation exercise fills your heart with the energy of Enlightenment, you are able to tell the difference. You will find yourself more aware of the needs of others. You will be able to love purely and without selfishness. As with many of the other chakras, the stresses of daily life can lead to blockage and imbalance. Excessive thinking, excessive planning, insecurity and anxiety can all contribute to an imbalance of your Anahat chakra. Continued on backside»

14 Heart (Anahat) Left hand, palm up Right hand, palm up How to Balance. If you need to balance your Anahat chakra, breathe deeply and slowly for several seconds. You will feel yourself relax as you inhale and exhale. Take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds. Exhale slowly and smoothly. Repeat the process several times. However, when you energize this chakra through, you will regain balance. You will feel confident and secure-immune to negative influences. When the heart chakra is strong, you are free to fully appreciate the joy of life. If you have experienced negative maternal or paternal relationships, a strong Anahat chakra can even help you mend them. You ll learn to set boundaries for your own behavior and respect the boundaries of others. All of your relationships will improve as a result. For your right, center and left Anahat chakras, the following method may also be used to bring balance. Place your right hand a few inches away from your heart chakra, palm facing inward. As you feel energy flowing through your hand, rotate it around the chakra in a clockwise direction. Repeat the rotation several times. You can balance your left Anahat chakra specifically by placing your right hand on your heart while meditating. Speak these words several times: I am one with my spirit. Feel these words within your heart. Self-Assessment. If your Anahat chakra is blocked or unbalanced, you may experience symptoms such as heart palpitations, asthma and a weakened immune system. In the most severe of cases, heart attack, breast cancer and lung diseases may occur. However, it is unlikely that you ve reached such a state. Balancing this chakra is simple and will help you prevent these serious diseases as well as less serious symptoms.

15 Community and Relationships (Vishuddhi) Location. Your Vishuddhi chakra is located in the neck region of your spinal column. The vibrations of your Vishuddhi chakra can be felt in your index fingers. Your left index finger is associated with the left Vishuddhi, while your right index finger is associated with the right Vishuddhi. Qualities. The Vishuddhi chakra is represented by a light shade of blue. It is aligned with the purifying element of ether. Vishuddhi chakra qualities include: Positive relationships Effective communication Politeness Diplomacy Sense of community Pleasant personality The fundamental qualities imparted by your Vishuddhi chakra include effective communication and a sense of community. When your Vishuddhi is balanced and energized, you feel in harmony with the rest of humanity. It is through the Vishuddhi chakra that you receive the ability to be diplomatic, polite and pleasant. The Vishuddhi chakra also gives you the ability to accept shortcomings and challenges without feelings of guilt. Experience and Benefits. The Vishuddhi chakra governs your neck, throat, arms, face, ears, mouth and teeth. It also controls your communication skills. When your Vishuddhi chakra is balanced, you have a balanced perspective on events in your life. Challenges can be faced with tranquility. You feel optimistic even in overwhelming situations. The Vishuddhi chakra allows you to recognize that external events exist outside you. As a result, you are able to witness them calmly. A balanced Vishuddhi is essential to your growth as a spiritual being. It is also essential to the growth of positive and healthy relationships with others. Diplomacy and respect are both enhanced by the strength of this energy center. Practice of the simple Sah Meditation exercise enables you to energize and protect both the left and right sides of your Vishuddhi chakra. You can also energize this chakra when you speak from the heart and praise rather than criticize. Continued on backside»

16 Community and Relationships (Vishuddhi) How to Balance. If you want to balance your Vishuddhi chakra, place your right hand a few inches in front of its location. Your palm should be facing inward. Left hand, palm up Self-Assessment. Right hand, palm up If your Vishuddhi chakra is not balanced, you may experience a lack of self-respect and feelings of guilt. You may also experience periods of overreaction and aggressive communication. Excessive talking or shouting can sometimes cause a block in the right Vishuddhi chakra. Pain or infection in your ears or teeth may indicate a Vishuddhi chakra blockage. Feelings of guilt may present themselves as sore or tense shoulders and neck. This can indicate an imbalance in your left Vishuddhi. Reoccurring colds, sinus and bronchial infections may indicate an imbalance of your right Vishuddhi. Improper or illicit relationships may also cause imbalances in the Vishuddhi chakra. Once you feel energy flowing through your hand, rotate it around the chakra in a clockwise direction. Repeat this rotation several times. To clear your left Vishuddhi, hold a candle flame a few inches away from the intersection of your neck and left shoulder. Move the flame gently and slowly in a clockwise circle around the chakra.

17 Forgiveness (Agnya) 6 Creative Commons. Sun reflecting off Mediterranean by hoyasmeg Location. The Agnya chakra is located in your brain. It is situated within the junction of your optic nerve fibers in the center of your forehead. The vibrations of the Agnya chakra can be felt in your ring fingers. Qualities. The color silver represents the Agnya chakra. This energy center is aligned with the essential element of air. Agnya chakra qualities include: Forgiveness Compassion Humility Thoughtless awareness Ego and superego The primary quality of Agnya is forgiveness. It is through this chakra that you learn to forgive yourself and others for human shortcomings. The Agnya chakra is also referred to as the third eye. When energized, this chakra allows you to achieve the thoughtless awareness, or mental silence, that is so essential to rejuvenating. The Agnya chakra is the gateway to your Sahasrara chakra, which symbolizes the purest spiritual realm. Sah Meditation is the simplest way to purify your mind and intentions. It allows your Inner Energy to pass through the Agnya chakra and into the Sahasrara. The experience is quite miraculous, relieving and joyous as you find yourself connected to the higher power that created the universe. Experience and Benefits. Your Agnya chakra controls your sight, hearing and thoughts. It also controls your pituitary gland. This essential gland, also known as the master gland, regulates all the other endocrine glands and influences your growth, physiological maturation, metabolism and sleep. Many of us spend long hours on the computer as part of our jobs. We also spend a great deal of time in front of the television. Too much visual stimulation can weaken the Agnya chakra. Thankfully, practicing the simple Sah Meditation exercise can alleviate this problem. Your left Agnya is connected to the superego portion of your brain, which retains your memories, experiences, habits and emotions. Continued on backside»

18 6 Creative Commons. Sun reflecting off Mediterranean by hoyasmeg Forgiveness (Agnya) Forgiveness is about acceptance and healing. It frees you from the negative bonds of anger, hatred and resentment. In forgiving, you can expect to experience a tremendous sense of peace and relief. Left hand, palm up Right hand, palm up Your right Agnya is connected to the ego portion of your brain, which focuses on the future through thinking, planning and action. Your ego and superego intersect within the Agnya chakra. If your left Agnya is overactive, your superego may swell up like a balloon. All that focus on the past may lead to the development of a highly emotional temperament and self-harming thoughts or behaviors. Similarly, if your right Agnya is overactive, your ego will balloon up with all of the excess thinking and planning. This may lead to agitation, frequent loss of temper and even aggressive behavior towards others. Fortunately, filling the Agnya chakra with Inner Energy is a very effective way to balance and deflate any balloons. The mental silence that comes from instills humility in all of us. Through humility, we develop the power of forgiveness. Self-Assessment. If your Agnya chakra is blocked, you may experience an inability to forgive yourself or others. You may also find yourself dwelling on the past or consumed with self-pity. Egoism and aggressiveness are other signs of an Agnya imbalance, as well as an obsession with pornography or distracting sexual fantasies. Worrying, excessive thinking and excessive planning may also indicate a blockage of the Agnya chakra. How to Balance. To balance your Agnya chakra, practice your exercise in a natural setting. Try meditating outdoors while looking at the sky. You may also place your right hand on your forehead, then lower your head slightly and say, I forgive everyone, including myself. Try to express your forgiveness from your heart. The best way to keep your Agnya chakra balanced is to avoid excessive thinking and planning. Live in the present and enjoy every second!

19 Integration (Sahasrara) Creative Commons. Lotus Flower, by brokinhrt Location. Your Sahasrara chakra is located within your brain s limbic system. You may feel the vibrations of the Sahasrara chakra in the center of your palm. Qualities. It is through the Sahasrara chakra that you are able to connect to the power that created you. Through this, you may discover the meaning of your life. It represents your ultimate destination the realization of heaven on earth. Sahasrara chakra qualities include: A sense of oneness with the universe (also known as integration ) Thoughtless awareness or mental silence Doubtless awareness or awareness of the divine energy Each of your six main chakras (from Mooladhara through Agnya) has roots within your brain. When you practice the Sah Meditation exercise, Inner Energy rises. It passes through each of the six chakras and settles in the limbic region of your brain. This process is also known as Spiritual Enlightenment. The Sahasrara chakra is represented in the hollow space within the limbic area. One thousand nerves surround this space. When the Inner Energy enters your Sahasrara chakra through, all these nerves fire in unison. The Inner Energy then manifests through the top of your head and unites with the Divine Energy of the universe. Experience and Benefits. As the Inner Energy pierces through the top of your head (also known as the fontanel area), it unites your individual consciousness (atma) to the universal consciousness (paramatma). This may be felt as a powerful pulsating sensation in the crown of your head. A melting sensation and cooler vibrations often follow these powerful pulsations. As a result of this experience, you will have obtained a new dimension of awareness that will allow you to better perceive truth. You will have everything you need to distinguish good from bad, right from wrong and truth from falsehood. Once you have achieved the connection of your Inner Energy, or Kundalini, to the Divine Energy of the universe, you will no longer be consumed with the past or the future. You experience true inner joy unlike any you have experienced before. At this point, your human awareness has been united with the divine and your physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual selves have become one. Continued on backside»

20 Creative Commons. Lotus Flower, by brokinhrt Integration (Sahasrara) All that is required is an open mind and a willingness to continue practicing your. Eventually, you will achieve and experience the connection of your Inner Energy to the Divine Energy fairly regularly. Left hand, palm up You can now act in perfect harmony. You will no longer feel confusion or contradiction. You will experience complete inner calm and perfect joy. You will intuitively know what response or action is morally correct. Prior to achieving the connection of your Inner Energy, you may have had to accept that God exists on faith alone. But afterward, you will move into a state of doubtless awareness, where you are both aware of and feel sure about the existence of the divine. As you continue to meditate, this doubtless awareness will become even stronger. Self-Assessment. Right hand, palm up If your Sahasrara chakra is blocked or imbalanced, you may have difficulty feeling the vibrations in general. You may also experience doubts as to spiritual reality or the existence of the divine. Fortunately, the more you practice the Sah Meditation exercise, the clearer all your chakras (or energy centers) will become. This will eventually lead to balance within the Sahasrara. How to Balance. You can work towards balancing your Sahasrara chakra by placing your right hand firmly on the crown of your head. Rotate your hand slowly in a clockwise direction while saying, Let me experience the state of. If you are unable to feel the vibrations initially, do not let that be a cause of doubt. Many people practicing Sah Meditation require longer amounts of time before they are able to experience vibrations or credibly confirm their own connection of the Inner Energy. Just be patient with yourself and keep at it. You ll get there too. This is an important step in keeping your Sahasrara chakra open and free from obstructions.