AUGUST MEDITATION, 2006.

Visualisation for chakra balancing  

This visualisation is based on the 7-chakra system, those parts of the subtle energy body where these ancient memories are stored. By clearing the chakras of past grief and memories, we can move on. The colours of the chakra flowers given here are from the Bihar School of Yoga, Mungir , India . (Swami Satyananda Saraswati, 1993). The visualisation is one I experienced spontaneously when teaching about chakras and have often used since. You can do this process lying in the yoga relaxation pose, savasana. Make sure you don’t fall asleep!

The colours of the chakra flowers are as follows. The root of the flower is at the spine and the flower opens to the front of the body (except *). However, the position of the flowers changes when you concentrate on them. In meditation, the chakras turn to face up to Heaven, to bring inspiration and the light into the physical body and into your everyday life.

Root, muladhara (at the base of the spine, the coccyx) – 4 dark red petals *(normally opens towards the earth)

Navel, swadisthana (below the navel) – 6 vermilion petals

Solar plexus, manipura (above the navel) – 10 bright yellow petals

Heart, anahata (at the centre of the chest, slightly to the right of the physical heart) - 12 blue petals

Throat, vishuddha, (in between the collar bones) – 16 purple petals

Brow, (or third eye), ajna - 2 silver-grey petals,

Crown, sahasrara, (crown of the head or slightly above) – 1000 bright red petals*(opens towards Heaven, although traditionally is said to embrace the head after enlightenment)

Chakra visualisation

Before you do this, take some time to remember the petals and colours of the chakras and where they are, or read it onto a tape or cd.

Take up the yoga relaxation position, savasana, and take some time to relax into it. Attune to your still, quiet and relaxed breath.

Take your attention to the base of the spine, the coccyx. Visualise a dark red lotus blossom with 4 petals. You are looking at it from above because the root is under the spine on the floor. In your mind’s eye, examine the petals for any withering or insects in the flower. They are a symbol of a block or disruption of the energy flow in the chakra. (Bees are OK; they represent the gathering of nectar, or amrit, a symbol of divine energy.) If you see anything like that, visualise the light of the sun shining into the flower. See any withered petals regenerating, insects flying away, until the flower is perfect again.

Move up to the position just below the navel. Visualise a vermilion (bright orange) lotus with 6 petals. As before, look deep into the flower with your mind’s eye and check it for withering, bruising, or insects. If there are any, bring the light into the flower.

Repeat this process with the solar plexus chakra, above the navel, seeing a bright yellow lotus with 10 petals.

Then go to the heart chakra and see a bright blue lotus with 12 petals

the throat chakra with 16 purple petals

the brow chakra with 2 silvery grey petals.

Then visualise the crown chakra, and visualise its 1000 (or many) petals opening to the light. The crown chakra should not be blocked but it may be closed, so open the petals. Visualise the light of the sun shining into it.

Then return through the chakras, from crown to base, closing all the petals as you go. Continue with the relaxation until you feel ready to get up. Roll onto your side and take some time to sit up slowly.

It is very important to close the chakras before taking up everyday activities, as if you don’t, you may become too sensitive.

© Kathleen Pepper 2006

Back to the top >