Chakra : a daily point of reflection

As promised in my previous post...

The seven main chakras are associated with physical characteristics, traits, animals, solar systems, mantras, seed sounds, a specific number of vibrations, elements and other symbols.

Different sources can vary, but it is clear that those chakras are situated near some of the organs which govern our bodily systems, especially when it comes to our endocrine system (which releases or inhibits our hormones, our responses and works closely with our nervous system, emotions and physical health).

When our systems are out of balance it stands to reason that we perceive physical and emotional symptoms. When they are working without obstruction, we feel more balanced, healthy and in tune with others, with life and with ourselves.

If you practise yoga, you may well have attended a class where the practice focuses on āsana (poses) which work with specific chakras (through movement, pressure, stimulation or relaxation). Similarly, you may have encountered mantras or chants which work with the individual chakras or aim to enable the free-flowing of energy through them. We’ve all experience music or sounds through their beats or rhythms which we’ve felt deep down, or higher pitches and vibrations which resonate higher up our physical bodies. Colours can also resonate with us – some simply appealing to us more than others, and few would want to dispute the impact of a rainbow, where we see the natural beauty of all colours together, blending harmoniously within nature.

We may believe it’s better not to depend upon material possessions and symbols or to get caught up in the plethora of modern gadgets and accoutrements that we’re told we really need to have (or buy). With the explosion of social media and its associated sales-pitches and funnels, it’s no wonder that our minds are racing all the time and that we feel as though we’re left wanting if we don’t succumb to acquiring the latest bag, yoga mat, chakra bracelet, water bottle, online course with The five secrets or best ways for you to ... etc. In fact, we feel deprived or fearful of missing out on all of this ‘essential’ knowledge if we don’t click on the links. Often, however, we have everything we need around us and within us – we just need to take a moment to realise and remember that on a regular basis.

The last thing I want to do is to add to your list of things to acquire, purchase or ‘to-do’, but when my interest in chakras and meditation was first piqued, I found that looking into the information around these was something to focus my mind, it felt healthy, it felt nourishing, it felt intriguing. It can be hard to set aside time each day to nourish our spirits with yoga or meditation. We can, however, find ways to give ourselves a daily reminder to reflect at some point, to notice something that might matter, to give some attention to our bodies. It may not be what we think of as full-blown meditation, but it can be reflective, mindful and immersive. 

How you might use these:

Each day I took a card with me to work to occasionally remind me of my focus (area, function, emotion, body system etc.), or I wore an item of clothing in that colour to remind me each time I noticed it. The habit of taking a card with me each day, if nothing else meant that I afforded a few moments of thought each day to something I felt mattered.

The cards below can be printed and cut out, folded over back-to-back into double-sided wallet cards. I’m ashamed to say that when I first made them, I laminated them too which (whilst making them more durable, simply added to the unnecessary plastic on the planet). So, you might prefer to have them on a shelf at home and change the card at the front of the pack as a daily reminder or focus. You don’t need to buy yourself an expensive or purpose-made display stand either – two straight twigs bound together at each end will give you a simple stand that will allow you to poke the cards between the sticks just fine!

Alternatively, download the image instead (from below) and use it as your home-screen so that you see it on your phone, tablet or computer, and save on paper and ink…

The chakra symbols are crudely created with my fingers dipped in paint, but I hope they bring you some pleasure or something positive to reflect upon.

Dan