In our chaotic and frenetic world, finding some peace, quiet, and balance is … well … quite a balancing act. Day in and day out, we’re inundated with stress, responsibilities, demands, unforeseen events, things that cause anxiety — and we’re somehow supposed to “go with the flow” as though all of it will roll off us like water off a duck’s back. Ha!
One thing we know for sure is that everything that happens to us gets stored up in our hearts, minds, and bodies. These accumulated stressors can have a seriously negative effect on our health and mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as our relationships. When this is happening, our entire being is thrown out of whack. Basically, we’re out of balance.
Getting back in balance can cause stress in and of itself, so to get back in balance, we need to find a method that truly brings us into alignment without raising our blood pressure. One such way is through what is called “chakra balancing.”
The word chakra simply means “wheel.” In Indian spirituality, there are seven chakras — or focal points of energy — in the body each with their own qualities, colors, and spiritual significance. Here’s a breakdown of them.
- Root chakra – found at the base of the spine, its color is red. Its qualities relate to energy, stability, comfort, safety, and “I am.”
- Sacral chakra – located in the naval area, its color is orange. Its qualities relate to sensuality, sexuality, pleasure, sociality, and “I feel.”
- Solar plexus chakra – located at the bottom of the sternum, its color is yellow. Its qualities relate to strength, personality, power, determination, and “I do.”
- Heart chakra – located at the heart, its color is green. Its qualities relate to acceptance, love, compassion, sincerity, and “I love.”
- Throat chakra – positioned at the larynx, its color is light blue. Its qualities relate to communication, expression, creativity, inspiration, and “I talk.”
- Third eye chakra – located between the eyebrows and up a little, its color is indigo. Its qualities relate to intuition, lucidity, meditation, trust, and “I see.”
- Crown chakra – found at the top of the head, its color is purple. Its qualities relate to knowledge, consciousness, fulfillment, spirituality, and “I understand.”
So what does all this mean and is there any validity to any of it? Essentially, when we’re talking about inner balance, it’s looking at ourselves as a conduit of flowing energy. Just as with an electrical transfer station, if there is a break in the incoming and outgoing electrical conduits, problems will ensue. It’s the same with our bodies. For example, if you’re having trouble communicating effectively with people or you’re having trouble being creative, then that would mean you’re experiencing a blockage in your energetic flow, specifically in your throat chakra.
To remove the blockage, take some time to sit quietly and meditate. Envision the blockage in your throat chakra opening up like the lens of a camera, which will increase the flow of energy from your root chakra up through and out your crown chakra and vice versa. See everything in alignment, the energy flowing effortlessly through you.
This may seem a bit farfetched, but there’s certainly no harm in trying it out for a month to see what results you get. Let’s say you’re having trouble with a relationship. Sitting quietly and at a time when you won’t be disturbed or distracted, focus on your heart chakra.
How are you feeling about the relationship? How does your heart feel: sad, hurt, angry, cut off, dismissed, fatigued, or empty? Once you’ve determined how you’re feeling in your heart, then envision surrounding your heart with love, see it filling with the beautiful green color of nurturance, compassion, acceptance, and love. See yourself and the person you’re having a challenge with right in the middle of your heart. Don’t direct the outcome and don’t have any expectations about the other person. Just let yourself be surrounded by and filled with love.
Then, when you next communicate with that person, don’t hold onto past feelings about them and the situation you’re in. Instead, allow the nurturance, compassion, acceptance, and love you felt in your meditation to radiate from you. Amazingly, the other person will notice, whether consciously or not, and you may have a very different, connecting, and uplifting interaction.
The key in all of this is to let go of your feelings so that you can be in a neutral position to allow the energy to flow unimpeded through you. The second key is to not have any expectations except that you’re in the process of healing and balancing. This process is simple and easy. Give yourself some time with it and see how you grow, and things change in your life!
