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!
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
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
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?
A friend just sent me this belated New Year greeting and I had to share as it is truly beautiful on all levels. I have often said that beauty raises our energy and this definitely does! (Beside that my grandparents were from Norway and it always touches me to see the land and hear the language spoken !) I do hope you will enjoy this as much as I did!
Image via Wikipedia
It is the year of the dragon…a symbol of courage and strength in Chinese mythology. Perhaps there is some universal archetypal energy afoot that can help us all develop more of those qualities in this new year!
Jungian Psychology, Mythology, classic fairy tales and myths from many cultures all suggest that w e are each on a hero/ine’s journey in our lives. These sources all speak of human drama, dilemmas and long journeys in search of truth, ‘treasure’, and freedom. They also speak quite clearly of the challenges along the way. Our lives may seem less adventuresome in contrast with these stories and legends. On closer inspection though, aren’t our lives filled with drama, intense emotion, seemingly impossible tests and spine tingling cliff hangers as we hang out in the ‘not knowing zone’? It does seem that just living life requires enormous courage!
Unusual or astounding situations aside, it seems that life can and often does require a great deal from us. One of the greatest myths about facing our challenges, in my opinion, is that we should have all we need to cope immediately, or that there is something wrong with us if we cannot rise to challenging circumstances with grit and grace NOW! A more accurate and compassionate view is that we have raw potential within and it is life’s difficulties that trigger the development of strength, courage, patience—or any other quality that we may have in short supply!
What images come to mind when you think of courage? Strength? Patience? Other virtues?
Do you find images of real or fictional heroes and heroines tumbling into mind?
If you do, use them to imagine having those same qualities rather than to berate yourself for being lacking.
Can you remember times in your own life when you’ve found an inner strength or drive that perhaps you never knew you had?
Use that memory to start a flow of positive energy and piggy back the new desired quality on it.
Your brain does not know the difference between real and imagined. Envisioning helps to build what you desire
Focusing on the development of positive qualities not only works to benefit mind-body-energetic health, it also combats stress!
Image by Denis Collette...!!! via Flickr
In recent years there has been a lot of talk in our culture about personal power, how to own it, how it manifests and how to develop it if you don’t feel you have it.
Personal power can have many different meanings depending on who is defining it.
From an energetic perspective personal power is about:
Healthy self esteem
Balanced sense of responsibility
Ability to set and maintain boundaries
Freedom from unhealthy guilt and shame
Self knowledge– having clarity about what you believe and value
Courage—you have the courage to express who you are and what you believe
Integrity—your beliefs, feelings, expression and actions are in alignment with each other
Expansion of personal power is most often gone about intellectually which can make you feel like Sisyphus rolling the rock up the mountain only to have to start again as it rolls back down out of your control. Engaging your energy system as an ally can be of enormous help to bring the issue of personal power from a desired quality to a comfortable reality.
Energy for change
The abilities to act, to adjust and to change are governed by the Solar Plexus chakra.
It is a major player in your capacity to change yourself and your situation in life.
The root is about physical energy and survival. The sacral chakra regulates emotional energy and survival. In the third chakra we begin to look at transformation and the potential to bring change and growth to ourselves and our world.
The element associated with the solar plexus is fire, a great metaphor as fire changes all it touches. Fire transforms matter into invisible elements like heat and gas. The solar plexus is where we transform energy from the lower and move it up into the higher chakras.
Signs of a healthy third chakra
When the energy of this chakra flows smoothly and is balanced there is inner confidence and vitality…a person has an awareness of their uniqueness and value…people respect their integrity and respond to their energy.
A healthy third chakras allows for spontaneity, openness and loving…. energy moves freely up into the heart chakra. With channels open to the lower chakras from the solar plexus there is a sense of being grounded and an ability to go with the flow.
A strong third chakra produces a sense of personal worth that helps to avoid excess and to respect boundaries. There is a capacity for enjoying a challenge without becoming a workaholic.
Imbalances in the Solar Plexus
The third energy center is located in the solar plexus between the bottom ribs and belly button. This chakra develops between 8 and 12 years old. The solar plexus governs the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and adrenal glands. The element of this center is fire. Physically imbalance here often includes digestive complaints, disturbances in blood sugar, and food intolerance. The solar plexus is responsible for helping to digest and transform our food; it performs a similar function for life experience.
Psychologically imbalances in the solar plexus can lead to a need to manipulate and control others. An excess of energy here results in insensitivity to others, burn out and perhaps intolerance to those with less energy. Other issues that arise with excessive energy here are: tendencies toward being judgmental, aggressive, and perfectionistic. Vanity and pride are also very real possibilities as are hatred and anger. These qualities may be openly expressed or they may be repressed.
A deficit of energy in the solar plexus results in emotional neediness and attention seeking, as well as difficulty putting ideas into action. There may also be a fear of rejection, indecisiveness, lack of confidence and a poor self image. It is not hard to see that this lack of energy can lead to depression.
When this center is weak as just described there is a tendency to be very vulnerable to the ideas, thoughts and opinions of others. A strong and balanced third chakra helps you to have a solid sense of your own power and worth. You are able to set goals based on your desires and act to manifest them in the world. You have leadership qualities and are an innovator without being over bearing or controlling with others. Your immunity is strong, you manage anger well, and though you have energy to take action in the world, you can also be peaceful and still.
For Solar Plexus Balancing Meditations:
Chakra Guided Meditations http://bit.ly/w1D4sN
Energy Aerobics http://bit.ly/wWnQ2J
Image by lrargerich via Flickr
Happy Sunday! Love this video as it is not just fun to watch but is also a great trigger to feel lighter, brighter feelings that generate happy flowing energy. It reminds me that the ordinary can become extraordinary if seen through creative eyes. What are some things you have done to turn “ordinary moments” into extraordinary?
Share the fun–leave your ideas in the comment box so we can all more ways to bring lighter, brighter energy to each day!
Video from KarmaTube
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