Healing the Crown Chakra

The crown chakra, or Sahasrara, is located at the crown of the head (some drawings depict it hovering just above the skull). The crown chakra is our center of spiritual connection and communication, our link to the Source. It is the conduit through which we receive divine energy, wisdom, and knowledge. Dysfunction in the crown chakra will lead to feelings of disconnection, loneliness, sometimes abandonment. The color associated with this chakra is purple or violet, though it is often associated with white light as well. Clear quartz is an excellent crystal to stimulate this chakra; amethyst or clear kunzite are also good choices. A healthy crown chakra regulates the functions of all other chakras, and will allow a person to feel happy, content and even enlightened. The vibrations of this chakra are best served by fasting, or doing a cleanse or detox with things such as ginger and green tea. Activities that influence this chakra are meditation, worship (f one adheres to a particular religious dogma), yoga, and lucid dreaming. 

Guided Meditation

1) Begin in a sitting position, with your spine as straight as is comfortable and your legs folded beneath you (or, in a chair, with feet flat on the ground).

2) Take several deep breaths. Use the breaths to relax your muscles and your mind. Keep your belly soft. Let your hands rest palm-up on your knees in the posture of “calm abiding.” Close your eyes and let your mind drift. 

3) Picture the crown chakra, as a violet, thousand-petaled blossom on the top of your head. Feel the violet color intensify. Then picture a beam of white light, shining down from above your head, and entering your body through the blossom. The white light is healing and powerful. Let yourself be filled up with it. Imagine all pain, discomfort, illness and negativity as black clots in the body. Let the white light fill you up and flush the blackness out, let it burn away all negative energy until you are a shining vessel overflowing with light. Let your body bask in this light.

4) Become aware of the following truths: This is divinity. This is you. Recognize that you are directly connected to the source. You have no need of mediation or self-doubt. Recognize the divinity within yourself. This feeling goes beyond freedom - you are the universe, imagining itself. All things are possible because with your thoughts and words, you alter the world around it. Your reality is in your own hands. Constraints are illusions, let them go. You are a spiritual being living a physical experience, and you are capable of transcendence.

5) Rest quietly in this new knowledge, letting the light continue to fill you and move through you. 

6) When you are ready, bring your attention once again to the violet blossom on the top of your head. Allow the petals to fold inward, like a flower which has had its fill of sunlight. Feel the violet color soften and bathe your body in its glow. When this image is clear and complete, seal the chakra with a cho ku rei (drawn in the air with a fingertip or mentally) and, continuing to breathe deeply, come out of the meditation. You will need a few minutes to become grounded once again. Enjoy this time.

Affirmations for the Crown Chakra

I am one with the Source (higher power, universal energy).

I accept myself as I am, with love and gratitude.

I gratefully accept the blessings the universe has in store for me.

I release all limitations and constraints, for they are false.

I have within myself all the creative force of the cosmos. 

I am radiant with love and uniqueness of character. 

My mind is open and eager to accept new information.

I endeavor in thought, word and deed to elevate my consciousness. 

Healing the Third Eye

The brow chakra, or Ajna, is more commonly known as the third eye. It is located directly between and slightly above the physical eyes, and affects both inner and outer vision as well as the head and brain, including the pineal gland. The third eye affects our intuition, our instincts, and our world view - someone suffering a dysfunction in the brow chakra may find that the way they see the world is bleak and unpleasant, or have a negative view of others or, often, themselves. People with a closed third eye do not trust their instincts and frequently second-guess themselves. Someone with a healthy third eye will be able to feel the flow of their intuition and rely on it, and may even be in tune with guidance from their higher selves or psychic vision. Activities to inspire a healthy third eye include meditation, scrying or divination, and binaural beat therapy. Crystals to stimulate it include sodalite, lapis lazuli and sapphire. While a diet rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and DHA can stimulate brain function (including the function of the pineal gland), the best way to encourage positive function of the higher chakras is with occasional fasting.

Guided Meditation

1) Begin in a sitting position, with your spine as straight as is comfortable and your legs folded beneath you (or, in a chair, with feet flat on the ground).

2) Take several deep breaths. Use the breaths to relax your muscles and your mind. Keep your belly soft. Let your hands rest palm-up on your knees in the posture of “calm abiding.” Close your eyes and let your mind drift.

3) Picture the Ajna blossom, or merely a star of indigo light, at the location of the third eye on your forehead. Feel its warmth, the soothing sensation of its light as its healing power makes itself known. Continue breathing slowly and deeply, and see the glow increase and intensify with each breath. Let your body relax.

4) Picture yourself beneath a large, open night sky. As your eyes adjust to the glittering vault of stars above you, take notice of them, of the patterns and pictures they form. These constellations, these patterns and images are for you. They are created by your subconscious, a message from your higher self. Gaze patiently, and read what the stars and glimmering cosmos are trying to tell you. If any particular message or image proves too difficult to grasp at this time, let it go and move on - the meaning will become clear when it is necessary, and when you are ready to hear it. Even if nothing at all is learned from this exercise, that’s okay - these are your stars, your heavens; and you are free to visit this place as often as you like and learn from them whenever you need to. When you have gained the knowledge you seek, or feel peace in the knowledge that you shall when you are ready, you may exit the scene. Calmly bring your awareness into your body once again.

5) When you are satisfied, and feel that your chakra has taught you all you need to know for the day, relax and let your mind drift. When you are ready, bring your attention once again to the glowing indigo blossom at your third eye. Feel its light envelop you, the glow spreading outward, bathing everything within your mind’s eye in the light of knowledge. When this image is clear and complete, seal the chakra with a cho ku rei (drawn in the air with a fingertip or mentally) and, continuing to breathe deeply, come out of the meditation. You will need a few minutes to become grounded once again. Enjoy this time.

Affirmations for the Third Eye

I think the very best of myself at all times.

I am open to receive wisdom and guidance from my higher self.

I believe the world is a beautiful place.

I believe that my fellow beings are inherently good and precious.

I believe that I am inherently good and precious.

I open myself to new energy, new people, places and experiences.

I trust that my highest good and greatest joy are unfolding.

I let go of the negativity from my past.

I am full of clarity and unlimited vision.

I trust myself to inspire and create my highest good.

I trust in the knowledge and experience that the Universe has in store for me.

I believe that I am unstoppable.

Healing the Throat Chakra

The throat chakra, or “Vishudda,” affects the throat, mouth, teeth, jaw and ears. It governs our ability to express ourselves, to speak our truth and also to hear the truth and positivity in the words of others. Someone with a healthy throat chakra will be able to articulate their thoughts, emotions, needs and desires clearly. If there is dysfunction in this chakra, difficulty communicating is sure to follow. Associated with paler shades of blue, this chakra responds well to the resonances of crystals such as aquamarine and blue lace agate. A diet to encourage its healthy function will include herbal teas such as chamomile, and will feature dairy and refined sugar only sparingly. Because this chakra is the focus of voice and communication, stimulate it by practicing chanting, singing; or, alternately, thoughtful silence and reflection or journal-keeping.

Guided Meditation

1) Begin in a sitting position, with your spine as straight as is comfortable and your legs folded beneath you (or, in a chair, with feet flat on the ground).

2) Take several deep breaths. Use the breaths to relax your muscles and your mind. Keep your belly soft. Let your hands rest palm-up on your knees in the posture of “calm abiding.” Close your eyes and let your mind drift.

3) Picture the Vishuddha blossom, or merely a spiral of pale blue light, at the base of your throat near the pulse point. Feel its warmth, the soothing sensation of its light as its healing power makes itself known. Continue breathing slowly and deeply, and see the glow increase and intensify with each breath. Let your body relax.

4) Picture yourself on an open shore. The sun glints off the waves, the ocean’s thunder calmed in late afternoon, a quiet susurration. Here, you are at ease. Here, you are free to be entirely yourself. Converse with your inner being. Are there truths you have been denying? Are there questions you wish to have answered? Use the crystalline glow of your throat chakra, so like the open blue sky above, to bring these thoughts and words to light. Use your voice and fear nothing. Speak with honesty and integrity, and allow only the same to be spoken to you. Use your voice to spread positivity, and you will receive only positivity in return. When you are at peace here, when your inner voice is strong and clear, leave the shore - taking with you the confidence and clarity that you will henceforth use to communicate in everyday life.

5) When you are satisfied, and feel that your chakra has taught you all you need to know for the day, relax and let your mind drift. When you are ready, bring your attention once again to the glowing
blue blossom at your neck. Feel its light envelop you, and then the room, and finally the community around you - surrounding yourself and others in the light of clarity and understanding. When this image is clear and complete, seal the chakra with a cho ku rei (drawn in the air with a fingertip or mentally) and, continuing to breathe deeply, come out of the meditation. You will need a few minutes to become grounded once again. Enjoy this time.

Affirmations for the Throat Chakra

I live in my truth, I communicate my truth.

Communication is vital to my well-being.

I share my experiences openly.

I express my needs and desires clearly and without shame.

I listen to the truth of others.

I communicate openly with those who are open with me.

I listen to myself and trust my inner voice.

I develop my integrity by telling the truth.

My spirit rests in peace and silence.

I share my feelings easily.

I communicate what is true for me, without projecting my truth onto others.