Living Energy Blog

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been writing about the chakras, their properties, characteristics and how they relate to our lives. This brings us to the last chakra, the crown and its role and purpose. Tomorrow there will be a mediation for the crown chakra on this blog.

As we have seen each of the chakras holds a form of consciousness. In the root we experience the densest materialization of energy, in the sacral we come to know the energy of emotion and so on as we move upward through progressively less dense expressions of energy until we reach the crown where we must begin asking questions about consciousness itself. It’s really miraculous to think about consciousness itself inquiring into its own nature and manifestations.

Psychologically crown energy helps us to perceive the underlying order and meaning of things through this chakra. Spiritually we experience (as opposed to believe) the deep knowing of all of creation as being as one through the crown.

Unconsciously the energy flowing through this chakra is the wisdom of the body—consciously it is the intellect, mind and belief systems. Ultimately this chakra is our link with consciousness beyond reason, beyond the senses and beyond material world limitations—it is the universal consciousness that holds awareness of Divinity.

 “To really turn our gaze of attention upon this miracle is to enter the endless unfolding petals of the lotus, and the true source of the Self.” Anodea Judith

 So we begin this inspection with a clear awareness about the two main types of consciousness contained in the crown chakra:

1. That which is focused on the information in our material reality and has to do with the concrete self. This consciousness relies on focused attention…active thought, reasoning, learning compiling information, data, belief systems. This is a lower function of the crown chakra as it stores  and correlates details into patterns and larger fields of meaning.

2. The      Transcendent type of consciousness is not focused. It is beyond the realm of everyday concerns and a focus on the external material world.  Transcendent consciousness is awareness beyond cognition. Rather than attention to detail and objects this consciousness floats and has an all  encompassing quality.

So we can see that the crown chakra is a place of convergence of the finite and the infinite. Here we expand beyond our personal self, beyond time into a state that holds bliss and joy. And here the divine consciousness enters and moves downward through our systems to enliven all the chakras and give us the capacity to maneuver in the external world.

The seventh chakra connects individual awareness with infinite consciousness. It is here that we can develop the ability to go beyond sequential time and move into higher consciousness where we can achieve Psycho-spiritual integration. Bliss, unconditional joy and the ability to experience the Universal field of energy and consciousness are all experiences of a highly developed Crown Chakra.

The Crown Chakra is located at the top of the head. It extends above the crown of the head upward toward an eighth chakra that sits about two feet above the 7th. The eighth chakra is the energy center of divine love, of spiritual compassion and selflessness.

Typically the Crown Chakra does not open more than 50% until we are 30-40 years old.

Physically the major function of this chakra is as an entry point for life force; it governs: the Pituitary gland and the Cerebral Cortex of the brain.

As with the other chakras we can have excessive or deficient energy in the crown.

 Excessive Energy
Over-intellectual; Spiritual addiction
Overwhelm (chronic confusion, frustration, Psychosis dissociation)

Deficient Energy
Need to be right; Failure to learn
Belief in limitations; spiritual skepticism

 When the Crown Chakra is undeveloped it is no larger or more filled with energy than the lower six chakras. When this chakra is fully awakened it has been said by those who can see it that it blazes with a brilliant light and has a complexity, power and beauty that are truly overwhelming.

Tomorrow look for a meditation specifically for the crown chakra.

Caring for others, be it an elderly parent, a relative, a child, or a friend, is one of the highest forms of human service.  However, altruism aside, caring for others often means that you put their needs before your own.  You set aside your desires and wishes for another day, a day when you’ll have the luxury of time to spend by yourself and on yourself. It is a day you dream about and yearn for.

In the meantime, you give and give and give. You begin to wear down and out.  Energy and enthusiasm wanes as you become physically exhausted and emotionally drained.  It may seem that the more you give, the more that is requested or required of you.  It becomes harder to keep up and maintain your pace.  Your nerves wear thin. You begin to do less and less for yourself. Periodically you wonder, “Where is there care for me?”  You may begin to ask: “What’s happened to me, to my life?” Worse yet, you may feel guilty for having those thoughts!

A continuous outflow of energy through giving without refueling or replenishing yourself cannot possibly end up anywhere but in fatigue and burnout. It is then that resentment can set in not to mention damage to your own health. You must stop and refuel in order to keep going.

Each of us can only give away what we have. Humans are adaptable and it may seem that we can give from nothing, or run along on empty for quite a time, but the truth is that the bill for such behavior will eventually come due. It may seem ironic that as a caregiver you need to put yourself first. However, it is truly the only way to assure a reserve of energy to care for others without creating problems for you! Regular self care and self nurture is essential to create the inner resources that allow for a constant and even flow of energy for both you and the ones you love.

The photograph ( by Rita Loyd www.NurturingArt.com) above depicts the energy of love but also spiritual and grounding energy flowing through the primary caregiver that nourishes and strengthens her and then flows through the one being cared for. This is truly the way that we all should be “hooked up”–if we focus on energizing and balancing ourselves, there is an easier flow toward others without all the stress and striving.

Note: For affirmations to work it is necessary to be fully present in the moment and connect deeply with feeling rather than staying in the intellect and wishing for change.

Today I will notice my feelings, let them inform me without judgment and make a conscious choice to release any stress, turmoil or negativity in the moment.

I can notice what drags me down, release it and make new choices where I can.

I will make it a goal to choose peace and calm more often than stress and conflict today.

Related articles

• Just a Little Reminder Not to Let Stress Get to You (too Cute) (momsfirstscreenn.wordpress.com)

Perspicacious (Photo credit: cosmorochester)

Are you intuitive? Can you visualize easily? Do you have a highly developed imagination? Or are you more inclined to be rational, have difficulty with inner vision and imagination?

These are all indications of how your third eye or brow chakra is functioning. It is the energy center responsible for the kind of intuition that comes through a kind of “inner vision”. So if your brow chakra is well developed, you may have found yourself envisioning the winner of the Super Bowl, or perhaps seeing in your mind’s eye the team who was celebrating, or perhaps even a scoreboard with the winning score on it!

Brow Chakra Properties

The brow chakra is the domain of physical sight, mystical awareness, intelligence, insight, and of wisdom.

Psychologically the brow houses judgment, intelligence, and sense of reality, rationality and wisdom.

The brow harmonizes these forces, and so has a lot to do with personality and the self one brings to the world.

Physical Location and Sphere of Influence
The brow chakra is located in the space between and a bit above the eyes.
This center is the last place where the three major energy channels—the right, left and middle (Ida, Pingala and Sushumna) come together. The right and left channels terminate here while the central channel continues on to the Crown Chakra, the energy center of higher awareness.

 The Brow center does not open more than 50% until the age of 30-40.

Physically the Brow Chakra governs the Pineal Gland; Brain; Neurological System; Pituitary; Eyes, Ears, Nose and the base of the skull.

The brow center can be thought of as command central for the five senses and the conscious and subconscious mind.  It also is the regulator of the other chakras and their energy channels.

Balance and the Brow Chakra
Physical signs of malfunction in the sixth chakra Are: headaches; poor visual perception; nightmares; hallucinations; dizziness; confusion; poor memory; insomnia; acute sinusitis

 Deficient Energy in this chakra leads to a lack of discipline and inner vision, poor memory, fear of success and an inability to understand subtle signals. The result of being unable to sense subtle signs is demonstrated through an unrealistic appraisal of situations and setting standards or expectations too high or too low.

Other signs of a malfunctioning brow center are poor intuition, excessive focus on rational thought, difficulty visualizing or imagining and poor dream recall.

Excessive Energy in the sixth chakra manifests as difficulty tuning into or trusting intuition. In addition there may be rigidity, self righteousness, and authoritarianism, arrogance, being overly intellectual or excessively rational.  An easy way to remember these types of imbalances is to think in terms of a heavy reliance on the head and no heart.

Reliance on the intellect without the balance of heart energy is generally a consequence of drawing too much energy upward from the lower chakras which damages the third eye. This chakra needs the balance, support and stability of the lower chakra energies. Without such support there can be obsessive fantasies, delusions, hallucinations, with dreams, images or memory split off from one’s conscious experience.

Health and Balance in the Brow Chakra

A healthy brow chakra encourages health of the lower chakras.

 When this chakra is in balance your worldview is one that is open and accepting without critical judgment—present moment awareness of the world within the framework of the five senses is then free to move beyond this level of consciousness into the realm of intuition and psychic experience

As mentioned previously, the left and right channels merge here—they are bound to present time, but the central channel extends beyond into the timeless where past, present and future are all available for learning, identifying patterns and planning.

A healthy flow of energy through the brow chakra allows you to focus your mind as needed while also allowing for disciplined imagination, the ability to accurately access intuition with healthy detachment from the material.

Tomorrow: a video meditiaton for balancing brow chakra energies 

Related articles

• Ajna The Brow Chakra (alphabody320.wordpress.com)

The Revolution is Love is not speaking about an idealistic or romanticized expression of love, but rather a whole new way of viewing yourself in the world…one that includes or even is founded on becoming your own best expression of the life force that is you and gifting others as a result.

Powerful thoughts for the way forward through 2012 and beyond…

“The fifth chakra is the center of choice and consequence, of spiritual karma.  Every choice we make, every thought and feeling we have, is an act of power that has biological, environmental, social, personal and global consequences.  We are everywhere our thoughts are and thus our personal responsibility includes our energy contributions. Anatomy of the Spirit, Caroline Myss,

Have ever wondered why teenagers are so compelled to be in contact with their peers on an almost constant basis? You are watching the development of the throat chakra in action! Whenever there is active development of a chakra’s energy within a person we see activity related to that chakra in the outer world. Teens are developing their throat chakra so they are very drawn to the expression of the issues regulated by this energy center. In particular they are interested in finding their voice, and exerting their will!   As we know from our own experience as well as from observation, discernment regarding these issues is typically not present! Those are a function of the sixth chakra which has not developed yet (it is next in line). So what we see at this stage is a constant flow of interaction —it is simply an itch that must be scratched!

The throat chakra is most often thought about in terms of communication, but it is so much more than that in actuality. It has to do with a sense of rhythm and timing, feeling that we have a choice as well as awareness and attunement to where that choice   originates, higher level creativity, self expression and listening.

All the chakras continue to develop throughout our lifetime– if we do not resist— with specific times when they are ‘ripe’ for growth from a higher level than the previous time. The throat center is up for more development in midlife as we seek to find a new or lost voice that is more deeply grounded in who we have become through our life experience. In midlife the spiritual imperative or task of this chakra, aligning our will with a higher will comes into view. The creative impulse of this chakra has to do with bringing through manifestations that carry the vibration of the Divine and integrating them with our humanity.

Sphere of influence of the Throat Chakra
The Throat Chakra is located in the front of the neck in the same area as the Adam’s Apple and the Pharyngeal Nerve Plexus.

Physically this chakra governs the Thyroid, Parathyroid, Trachea, Esophagus, Hypothalamus, Neck, Mouth, and Jaw. Physical problems in this energy center can manifest as trouble with any of those related structures, as well as with an inability to release or express, a block in the creative flow, or in stiffness of the neck and shoulders.

The main functions of the throat chakra are: communication, maturation of will, power of choice, metabolism, growth, and the regulation of calcium

The element of the throat chakra is akasha which means ether or limitless space or sky. Every chakra contains this element, but in combination with the other elements that are embodied within them. The throat chakra is pure ether and thus it is more clearly linked to pure consciousness.

The sense related to the throat chakra is hearing. Opening your throat chakra means not only hearing others and developing empathy; it also involves listening to yourself through attuning to your heart in silence. In doing so, you realize that silence can hold a great deal of information, wisdom and guidance. On the other hand commands to be silent can contribute to blockages in the throat.

 Tomorrow: Identifying Blocks and Balancing Your Throat Chakra

This quick video from HeartMath Institute clearly explains the link between the heart and emotions….and why you should care!

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• Science & Spirituality: The Science of Forgiveness (mikefriesen05.wordpress.com)

Image via Wikipedia

Affirmations are a common technique used to try to create change.  Before using them however, there are some things to consider in order for your efforts to be successful.

Words and language can be powerful. If we look more deeply though, we find that it is actually the feelings that are evoked by words that hold the power… that and the intent behind the words. For instance, have you ever had a conversation with someone who professes one thing verbally, but you feel another in your heart or gut?  This is a good example that demonstrates that it is not the words themselves that hold so much power as it is the motives and inner intention of the person speaking.

In addition to that matter there is also the issue that words can have unintended effects based on the association or interpretation we make. Words may also inadvertently trigger difficult memories and unresolved issues –we may or may not be aware of the full extent or effect of this in any given conversation. So there are several things to consider when looking to words, language and affirmations as vehicles for change.  Self awareness, honesty and a willingness to receive information from your inner being is the key to being able to use language effectively for your own health and healing, as well as for that of our relationships.

Points to remember when using affirmations:
Affirmations can be effective when words are used as a first step to create feeling
The resonance of emotion is necessary to register within your system to create change
A common block in the use of affirmations is unconscious belief
Unconscious beliefs trump conscious intent every time
Remain open to receive information that needs to be released so you may be successful

 If you are not aware of it, beware of it!
What is held in the unconscious hurts you far more than what is in your awareness.

Using Affirmations
Take a few minutes before you get out of bed in the morning to let your intention and desire settle deep within you. Use an index card and carry the affirmation(s) with you, keep it handy and repeat throughout the day. Even better schedule a couple 10 minute meditations throughout the day: relax, breathe, let go of stressful thoughts and feelings and “install” your new emotion (energy in motion).

Examples of Heartfelt Affirmations

1. I deserve love because I AM.
2. Resting in my heart with a quiet mind allows me to know all I need to know.
3. I choose today to receive the higher energies of Love to heal and strengthen me.
4. I forgive myself for mistakes. True forgiveness opens the way to health, healing and freedom.
5. My heart registers pain as well as love and happiness. I choose to release pain making more room for love and happiness.
6. Developing the energy of my heart helps to deepen my awareness and experience of life in a remarkable way. I relax and remain open to the possibilities.

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• Using Inspirational Affirmations as a Tool (todayspositivethought.wordpress.com)

Image via Wikipedia

Location, Development and Imbalances of the Heart Chakra

The heart chakra is located in the center of the chest at the site of the Pulmonary & Cardiac Nerve Plexus. The simplest way to locate your heart center is to become aware of the breastbone and then imagine a circle 4-5 inches in diameter in that space.

This energy center develops between 12 – 15 Yrs. of age. Physically the heart chakra governs the Heart &Circulatory Systems, the Thymus gland—a major player in immunity, the Ribs, Breasts, Lungs, Shoulders, Hands, Arms and Diaphragm

Imbalances in the heart chakra physically manifest as conditions such as: Asthma, Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Lung or Breast problems or upper back pain.

As with the other chakras, there can be under or over activity in the heart that eventually manifests in psychological or physical problems. An overly active heart chakra makes it hard to be present fully on the earth and a person can become isolated, lonely and fearful of being hurt. Under-active energy in the heart can create a sense of heaviness, a lack of joy and result in codependent behavior. Codependency is displayed in possessive, jealous, clingy and selfish behavior. Imbalances in the heart chakra result in a lack of emotional fulfillment, self consciousness, difficulty finding your true passion in life and in the extreme — antisocial behavior.

Questions for Healing the Heart

Do you think you have an overabundance of heart chakra energy? A deficit? Balanced?

What are the challenges you face when trying to release negative emotions?

What do you need to make this easier? (Cannot include wanting the outer world to change!)

If you energy was balanced here how would your relationships change?

Having an open, healing heart requires you to objectively explore and release core wounds and pains.  It includes learning what true forgiveness means…for others, but for yourself as well. These steps toward healing are what allow you to progress toward the qualities of unconditional love and compassion.

 When you open your heart, there is a sense of oneness and connectedness, a sense if unity with all there is.  In addition, you also deepen your sense of personal power, security, confidence and trust.

Meditations for working with Heart Chakra energy:

Practice Heart Centered Gratitude http://bit.ly/Arl0CX

Guided Chakra Meditations  http://bit.ly/w1D4sN

Related articles

• Stress and Your Heart: What’s Love got to Do With it? (livingenergyworks.com)
• Chakras & Sound Notes (chakralivingroom.wordpress.com)

Image via Wikipedia

“You are not here to love the world; you are here to be love in the world.”

                        Grace Johnston

There are so many different types of love. If you stop for a moment and think about all the various kinds of love you have felt in your life, you may find that you alternately bring your energy level up only to have it crash as the next memory comes rolling in! Of course the good news here is that if we are conscious we can use this dynamic to our benefit. By choosing to dwell on times when you were truly deeply loving from the strongest place within, you can not only raise your energy level, but also help yourself grow in the capacity to hold higher vibrations of healthy love. And it feels so good that perhaps you will decide to feel it more often with the result that you will bring a more consistently loving state to yourself and those around you.

It has been said that the very fabric of the universe is love…that the basic vibration of the cosmos is unconditional love. As part of the cosmos we have that essence within us. The problem is that most of us are disconnected from it. But just because we cannot always feel it does not mean it is not there. We can reconnect to the flow of love within ourselves through our heart chakra. Flowing energy regularly through this very important center can expand your heart energy and open you to love.

Next time: Stress and Your Heart!! What’s Love Got to Do With It? 

Related articles

• Bill Ballard – Is This Love From The Head Or The Heart? – 20 January 2012 (aquariuschannelings.com)
• Chakras & Sound Notes (chakralivingroomaz.com)