What’s this episode about?
How meditation is like morning. Plus how to practice a chakra kriya.
What's "chakra kriya"?
A specific meditation practice. I describe the steps of the technique in the episode.
Can you tell me more now?
Okey dokey! Here’s one key bit:
The practice references the 7 chakras of the tantric subtle body. I keep the emphasis on the location of each chakra rather than any meaning or influence it might have over your person 😉 We use "bija mantras" to tune our attention to the locations. A bija mantra is a "seed" sound, and a chakra's bija mantra is said to be the hum of the vibration created by the energy lines meeting there.
Here's a quick summary:
#1 - Root Chakra / Muladhara = Root Place. Bija mantra = Lam
#2 - Sacral Chakra / Svadhisthana = Abode of the Self. Bija mantra = Vam
#3 - Naval Chakra / Manipura = City of Jewels. Bija mantra = Ram
#4 - Heart Chakra / Anahata = Unstruck Sound. Bija mantra = Yam
#5 - Throat Chakra / Vishuddha = Especially Pure. Bija mantra = Ham
#6 - Brain Chakra / Ajna = Perceiving. Bija mantra = K-sham
#7 - Crown Chakra / Sahasrara = Thousand Petalled Lotus. Bija mantra = Om
What can I do with that?
So many things. Or nothing!
Sometimes the point of our practice is just to sit and be with it (and, today at least, enjoy the morning coming into its own!).
That's how I use chakra kriya. I like the sounds, I like the movement along the spine, I like the extra time it gives me to tune in to myself on a physical level. The internal awareness you can develop using these kriyas falls under "interoception" or the ability to sense your inner workings (e.g., feeling your stomach rumble is an example of interoception).
Loosing touch with these inner workings can make life seem out of our control (more so than usuaL). I'll talk about this more in a future episode.
For now, why not try out the practice and see for yourself what it inspires? Could be heightened interoception, inspired creative thinking, or just a moment of peace in your day.
Listen here:
Listen to "Ep 145 - How meditation is like mornings" on Spreaker.
Ready to practice the meditation? Here it is:
Listen to "Ep 146 - Chakra Kriya Meditation Practice" on Spreaker.
I'd love to hear about your experience -- and help out with any questions you have.
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