Healing the Sacral Chakra

The sacral chakra is our center of deservedness, sensuality and pleasure. Stimulated by the vibrant color orange, it is where we find the pleasure in our passions and learn that we deserve to enjoy life. Crystals such as cleansing carnelian and brilliant fire agate serve this chakra well. Help this chakra to heal itself by taking time for yourself, to do the things you love and experience pleasure from activities and stillness alike. Healthful activities include yoga and pilates, and sensual endeavors such as bellydance or tantra. The sacral chakra loves moderation - indulge your senses enough to make your soul sing; however, too much indulgence will cause this chakra to stagnate and your energies to become clouded and distracted. Stimulate this chakra and you will encourage the kundalini to rise.

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, in through the nose and out through the mouth. If you prefer to breathe only through your nose or mouth, that’s okay too. 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 Svadhisthana blossom, or simply a pyramid of orange light below your belly, about one handspan beneath your navel. Enlarge the pyramid and intensify the color. Let your body relax and feel the warmth of the orange color envelope your body.

4) When your image of the chakra’s light is steady and strong, allow your mind to drift. “Svadisthana” means “my own sweet abode,” so imagine a place where you can be wholly yourself, where you can pursue the thoughts and actions that are healthy and good for you and which make you feel good. You have a right to feel and express your emotions healthfully and without apology. Know that your body is a manifestation of your spirit, and therefore perfect - love and nurture it. Remind yourself that you deserve to experience pleasure, that pleasure and enjoyment are right for you and help to make and keep you whole. Remember that the nature of the universe is oneness, and by allowing yourself to experience pleasure and enjoyment, you are transferring your joy automatically to the world around you.

5) When you have solidified your right to pleasure and enjoyment, and made a promise to allow yourself to enjoy life, withdraw from the scene you have created in your mind. Bring your attention once again to the orange pyramid low in your belly. Intensify the light and color, and wrap your body in the orange glow. Feel yourself blossom, welcoming enjoyment and passion into your life. When you feel you are finished, seal the chakra with a cho ku rei (sketched on 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 Sacral Chakra

I have a right to experience pleasure.
I do not need anyone’s permission to experience pleasure.
Enjoyment and passion are good for me.
I love and enjoy my body.
I have healthy boundaries for myself.
I have healthy boundaries where others are concerned.
I am open to simply experiencing the present.
I find pleasure and abundance everywhere.
My body is sacred and I take steps daily to nourish it.
I am open to touch and connection.
I am comfortable expressing my emotions.
I know how to care for myself.
I am at peace with myself and my feelings.

Healing the Root Chakra

The root chakra is our center of security and safety, where our basest needs (food, shelter) are met. It is where we harbor our sense of duty and our relationships to family and community. As its color is red, crystals to use in aiding this meditation include garnet, ruby, and red jasper. Hematite is also good for use on a dysfunctional root chakra, as it has a powerful grounding energy. Foods to stimulate this chakra include meats, tomatoes, and hearty ethnic fare such as pasta, curry or paella.

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, in through the nose and out through the mouth. If you prefer to breathe only through your nose or mouth, that’s okay too. 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 Muladhara blossom or simply a red cube at the base of your spine, near your tailbone. Intensify the color and enlarge the cube in your vision. Feel the chakra, the weight of your body pulling you into the floor.

4) When your image of the chakra’s light is steady and strong, picture yourself in an environment you find secure and calming (a place in nature, or a favorite room in your home). Picture yourself looking at photographs of loved ones and familiar places. Let the sense of belonging and purpose wash over you. Remind yourself that you are safe no matter where you are; have faith in the fact that you are entitled simply to be. Feel as one with the universe. Give thanks for the challenged you have faced, for they have built your character and helped you find the strength to ensure and grow.

5) When you feel calm and connected, withdraw from the scene, and bring your attention once again to the red cube at the base of your spine. Intensify the cube’s light, and expand it to envelop your entire body, your home, your community, and finally the world. When all of creation is together in that warm red glow, seal the chakra with a cho ku rei (sketched on 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 Root Chakra

I feel deeply rooted to the earth.
I have everything I need.
I feel connected to and care for my body.
I have a right to be here.
I stand up for what I believe in.
I am stable, secure and self-sufficient.
I nurture my body with all the best - healthy food, clean water, exercise, play and adequate rest.
I am grateful for the challenges that have helped me to grow.
I trust in the inherent goodness of life and the people around me.
I make choices that are healthy and good for me.
I trust and believe in myself.
I love life.

*Note: It is recommended that when meditating on opening the chakras, one works from root to crown in order - particularly if this is the first time working with the chakra system, or the first time after a long lapse in meditative study. Some time should be spent on each chakra (I usually take about a week). Repeat the affirmations morning and evening, and complete the guided meditation several times in a week. Feel free to get to know your chakra - use the crystals associated with healing for that particular energy center, eat the foods that will stimulate and open the blossom. Keep an eye out for next week’s post on the Sacral Chakra…

Crystal Healing

Crystal healing and Reiki can go hand in hand - the energies which resonate from certain stones help to heal corresponding chakras in the body. Visit my wife's page to view some lovely handcrafted jewelry designed with health and spirituality in mind:



https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stardustsage-Designs/147656582087668

~Cleansing Prayer~

I cleanse myself of all selfishness, resentment, critical feeling for my fellow beings, self-condemnation, and misinterpretation of my life experiences.

I bathe myself in generosity, appreciation, praise and gratitude for my fellow beings, self acceptance and enlightened understanding of my life experiences.

(This prayer is great to recite before shower or bath, or before a Reiki session!)

Quotes II

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.

-Dalai Lama 

"Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand." -Mother Theresa

Inspiration and Education - images to enlighten and encourage

The following images include basic information on Reiki, its function and benefits, and the principles practitioners follow. It also offers basic information on the Chakra system, a staple of Eastern medicine and something which has been discussed in earlier posts.

Reiki Box

A helpful focus for distance healings is the Reiki box. It can be ornate or more simple, just choose a box that speaks to you of being secret and safe - for this box will be holding important things! For magickal practitioners, you can place in the box things that will help you think of distance magick, such as white feathers (representative of Hermes, the messenger god) or healing (such as crystals, herbs, or even statuettes or images of gods such as Imhotep or Asclepius). Place inside the box, on one sheet of paper or many small slips, the names of individuals near or far who require Reiki’s healing energy. Seat yourself, meditate for a moment on these individuals. Then, charge the box - perform a Reiki session on it as you would on a person, using Reiki symbols such as Cho Ku Rei and taking your time. After that, you may add names at any time, if you know someone who is in need of healing. “Recharge” the box every 2-3 weeks or so by performing another Reiki session on its contents. This is also a good way to meditate on the fluid nature and interconnectivity of Reiki - it really is “universal life energy.”