How to open and Balance Sahasrar Chakra

In this post, I will write about different ways to open and balance sahasrar chakra.

By tratak

Tratak is ideal meditation technique to stimulate and balance sahasrar chakra and pineal gland. Tratak is practise of gazing at candle flame or flame of ghee lamp. When you gaze at flame, light emitted from flame is taken by eyes and generate energy. The energy that has entered through eyes increases energy in pineal gland and improves its functions, the pineal gland is located deep and back of head, and feeds on light and heat energy. The practice of tratak develops the faculties of greater intuition and that past, present and future all begin to appear with equal clarity.

Practice

-Light a candle or ghee lamp.
-Sit in front of it in upright position on chair or cross legged on floor.
-Keep the flame about 2-16 inches from your face and at eye level.
-Take few deep breathes.
-Focus your eyes on the flame
-Keep your gaze without blinking for as long as you can.
-Gaze gently at the flame but not on candle or lamp itself.
-Let your vision stay with the flame.
-When tears flow, close your eyes and continue to see flame with closed eyes.
-When flame is diminished from your mind’s eye, slowly open your eyes and relax.
Regular and persistent practise of tratak brings greater awareness of visual realm, relaxed mind, enhances brain function, deeper knowledge of self and universe or leading to the path of enlightment.

By asanas

Seated head stand is easy and good posture to activate this chakra.
-Sit on your heels on the floor.
-Bring your hands behind and interlace them.
-Now lift your buttocks off your heels, and roll head forward while lifting your arms up.
-Bring your crown of head, area of sahasrar chakra touching the floor.
-Hold this posture and breathe normally. When you want to release roll back to forehead slowly and come back to sitting on your heels.
-Let your arms come down and sit in cross-legged position and relax.

Sahasrar (crown) chakra

In this post, I will write about sahasrar (crown) chakra.

Introduction

The sahasrar is Sanskrit word meaning ‘thousand fold’. It is the seventh and the last chakra of human energy system. It is the most subtle chakra of energy system. It is also known as crown chakra due to its location on the body.

Location

The sahasrar chakra is located at the crown of head, beneath the fontanelle or a little above it. It is located above brahmrandra, the cave of brahm. The brahmarandra is a hole on the crown of the head, which bursts open when yogi separates himself from physical body at the time of death.

Structure

Sahasrar chakra is solid soft ball of energy rotating anti-clockwise. It has violet or while colour in its clear state. There are thousands of nerves emanating from here. Scientifically examining the transverse section of the human brain, you can see that all these petal like structures of the brain with striking resemblance to thousands of petals of lotus flower. The lotus flower has 960 outer petals and 12 inner petals. There are different opinions about exact number of petals. The number 1000 is not literally meant, instead it implies nature of this chakra. It is quite sufficient to know that innumerable nadis procede from this centre.

The endocrine gland associated with it is pineal gland. The pineal gland is responsible for the production of certain hormones, including melatonin, which regulates sleep and awakening cycle. The body organs associated with it are brain, pineal gland and nervous system. It covers limbic area of brain. It encompasses the crown of the head, where all chakras of the subtle system are integrated. All other chakras emanate from here and have intimate connection with this centre.  Its element is thought. It is related to pure consciousness or supreme consciousness, god. It is sit of parabindu (supreme dot). Seed mantra to activate this chakra is aum or silence.

Working

The sahasrar chakra is the upper most energy centre of our subtle system. When rising kundalini pierces this centre, it awakens all the nerves thus enlightening every nerve centre and the person becomes an enlighted soul. This is the place where feminine energy unites with masculine energy. This is the place where jeevatma and paramatma unites, Individual consciousness unites with universal consciousness and union of shiv and shakti. The shakti is situated at the muladhar and shiva in the sahasrar. The union of shiva and shakti occurs when the stream of energy in the two main nadis, ida and pingla unites and rise through sushumna nadi.

This chakra symbolises the highest state of enlightment and facilitating our spiritual development. Enlightment come in pieces. It happens little by little every day. This chakra is associated with the highest functioning state of mind. All activites of mind such as feelings, emotions and desires are dissolved. The yogi is in the state of sat-chit-ananda, truth-being-bliss, the original or pure state of soul. It is the last milestone.

This chakra is our link to the universal or infinite consciousness, God. It is connection to the source. It acts as a operating system for the rest of the chakras. Here we are tuned to the universal wavelength of the vibration. Your ability to feel vibration will increase. This vibration will help you to make right decisions, to feel conditions of others, to feel nature, to heal oneself and others, solve problems and more. This chakra is said to be the ultimate and the epicenter of the soul. As no other light comes close to the brilliance of the sun, same way the energy and radiance of all other chakras pale in the radiance and energy of this chakra. On this chakra, exists an important power, medhashakti. The medhashakti is a hormone that influences brain function such as memory, concentration and intelligence. Certain yoga practises can activate and strengthen medhashakti.

The element of this chakri is aditattva or ishvartattva. It is a source of creation, the pure light and one reality God. The divinity of this chakra is in the form of pure superconsciousness, the supreme spirit tattva. This element is adi-anadi, meaning without beginning and without end, therefore infinite. The enrgy of this chakra helps us to experience the divine, to open to higher or divine power. The yogi enjoys the supreme bliss, paramananda. One attains the super conscious state and the highest knowledge and unites with supreme power.

This chakra is called the door to pure consciousness or door to liberation. Immortality is achieved within this chakra. Our human awareness is united to the divine. The awakening of this chakra means revelation of divine splendor and attainment of super consciousness. When this chakra is opened and balanced, the brain power of human body is intensifies to great level and has the capacity to remove all the darkness of ignorance from the mind and soul and take the soul with connection to almighty supreme soul God. With this awakened chakra, one is liberated from all the karmas and achieves moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth and death. The illusion of individual self is dissolved. The person who has this chakra opened and balanced is feeling one with universe, open minded, intelligent, and thoughtful, understand and learn information more easily.

The physical symptoms of this dysfunctional chakra are chronic exhaustion, sensitivity to light and sound, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, nervous system disorders, insomnia, headache etc. Emotional symptoms are sense of fear, major depression. Spiritual symptoms are narrowing of religious beliefs, religious fanatism, excess earthly attachments, feeling like there is no God etc.

Overactive ajna chakra causes over intellectualisation, spiritual addiction, confusion, dissociation from body etc.

Meditation on this chakra brings about some occult powers transforming one into divine being, able to do whatever one desires. Meditation and other yogic techniques provide some opportunities to clear and cleanse the chakra enabling more strands of kundalini energies to rise.

This chakra can be activated and balanced by certain yogic practises such as meditation, concentration, visualization, aum chanting, silence etc. Certain yoga asanas such as head stands are helpful to open this chakra. Meditation is best suited yoga practise to open and balance this chakra. All the various forms of meditation, including concentration and insight practises allow the mind to become more present, clear and insightful.

Ginger roots and its health benefits

Introduction

It is underground rhizome of the ginger plant. Its botanical name is zingiber officinale. Its flesh can be white, brown or red depending upon its variety. It is covered with brownish skin. It resembles light brown knotted root. It has thin grass like dark green leaves and small yellow flowers. It is native of South East Asia. It is grown all over the world but main commercial producers are India, Fiji, Jamaica, and Indonesia. The fresh or dried ginger and its powder is available in market

Chemical composition

It has vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, insoluble and soluble fiber, carbohydrates and more.  It has minerals such as potassium, manganese, copper and magnesium. It contains vitamins B5 and B6, which are good for optimum health. Potassium is important compound of cells and body fluids, and helps control B.P. and heart rate. It contains potent ant-inflammatory compound called gingerols. Its taste is aromatic, pungent and hot.

Health benefits

Gastrointestinal relief

It is very effective in preventing motion sickness, flatulence and reduces all symptoms associated with it, such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting and cold sweating. It helps to settle stomach. It has anti-inflammatory, carmonative, antiflatulant, and anti-microbial properties. It gives effective relief from nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Its anti-inflammatory action has been shown to be very useful in reducing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy even of severe form. Unlike anti vomiting drugs which can cause birth defects, ginger is completely safe and only a small dose is required.

Arthritis

Its anti-inflammatory compounds called gingeroles is believed to reduce pain levels and inflammation and improves mobility in arthritis problems. Regular consumption of ginger by people with arthritis related problems such as aging knees significantly reduces pain and swelling.

Common cold and flu

It is used as warmer in a cold day by putting into tea or milk. It may help by relieving symptoms of cold and flu. It is used as a tea herb by blending with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and nutmeg. It plays dual role both as herbal remedy and spice. It makes popular herbal drinks by adding lemon juice and honey to relieve cold coughs and sore throat. It is natural decongestant, as well as anti histamine making it perfect remedy for common cold.

Heart health

It promotes heart health by inhibiting cholesterol production in liver and strengthens heart. It decreases activity of clotting agent PAF which creates clot possibly resulting in heart attack or stroke.

Cancer

The gingerole, main active ingredient of ginger, may inhibit the growth of human colorectal cancer cells. Its extract has shown anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effect on ovarian cancer cells. It has very high level of anti-oxidant, higher than many berries making it an excellent defender against cell damage and associated disease caused by free radicals. Anti-oxidant activities thought to explain its possible anti-cancer effects. It has the ability to decrease cancer cell proliferation and suppress mechanism that initiates cancer cell activation, Study shows that it has ability to defeat several types of cancer cells including some most aggressive and difficult to treat lung, ovarian, colon, breast and prostate cancers.

Diabetes

Various studies show that it can prevent and treat diabetes, along with related ability to reduce blood sugar, cholesterol. It reduces incidence of diabetic nephropathy, the kidney damage.

Anti-fungal

It has ability to treat most difficult to treat and drug resistant fungal infection.

Migraine relief

Study shows that it may provide migraine relief due to its ability to stop prostaglandins from causing pain and inflammation in blood vessels.

Other uses

It has special place in Indian traditional medicines and Chinese medicines for its unique phytochemical which are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties. It promotes health sweating. A good sweat may assist detoxification. Studies have found that this sweat contains potential germ fighting agent which may help fighting infection. It is so concentrated with active substances that you don’t have to use much to get its benefits.

It is used in treatment of menstrual cramps as a herbal remedy. As a herbal remedy it has history going back thousand years. In addition to its numerous health benefits, in India, it is liberally used in daily life. It enhances flavour of savory dishes, curries, sweet dishes, cookies and ginger breads, Ginger candy is sold in Asian markets in hard and soft chew form. It makes tasty refreshing cold drink by adding into sugarcane juice with lemon,

Side effects

As it works as blood thinner, if you are on blood thinning medicine or clotting disorder or have gall bladder problem, don’t take medicinal dose of it. Excessive use may cause gastro intestinal upset.

How to open and balance ajna chakra

In this post, I will write about different ways to open and balance ajna chakra.

By meditation

Any form of meditation opens and balances ajna chakra.
-Sit upright on chair or cross-legged on floor.
-Close your eyes.
-Breathe normally.
-Take your consciousness at the place of ajna chakra.
-Continue for 5-6 minutes.
-When you want to release, open your eyes and relax.

By visualising flame

Visualising small candle flame at ajna chakra activates and balances this chakra.

By asanas

The following 2 postures are good to open this chakra.

1. Yoga mudra – 1

• Sit in lotus pose on floor.
  
• Take your arms behind you and interlace them.
  
• Bend forward from your back until your forehead, the area of ajna chakra, resting on floor.
  
• Hold on this posture and continue to breathe normally.
  
• When you want to release, lift your forehead, and release lotus pose, and come into sitting position and relax.

2. Yoga mudra -2

• Sit on your heels, bring your hands behind you and interlace them.
  
• Squeeze your shoulder blades and open your chest.
  
• Bend from your hips forward until your forehead, the area of ajna chakra, is resting on floor.
  
• Hold this posture and breathe normally.
  
• When you want to release come back to sitting position, release the pose and relax.

Ajna Chakra (Third Eye Chakra)

In this post, I will write about Ajna chakra (third eye chakra) of the human energy system.

Introduction

The ‘ajna’ or ‘agnya’ is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘command’ or ‘summoning’. So ‘ajna chakra’ means ‘command centre’ or ‘perception centre’. It is the sixth primary chakra of human energy system. It is also known as third eye chakra or brow chakra due to its location in the body. It is also called trikurti, divine eye, divya chaksu or the eye of wisdom.

Location

It is positioned in brain, directly behind and a little above eye brow centre. Superficial activation point is the eye brow region in the position of third eye called bhrumadhya. It is at the sixth junction of the ida, pingla and sushumna crossing. It is at the end of the central channel, sushumna. The side channels, ida and pingla, then continue onwards towards the two nostrils and end there. It is located between and just above the two physical eyes.

Structure

It is a solid soft ball of energy of indigo blue colour in its clear state and rotating clockwise. It appears like 96 petal lotus flower. The seed mantra to activate this chakra is sound ‘aum’ pronounced  ‘om’, the supreme sound. The element associated with it is mind, soul, spirit, and subconciousness or by whatever name you call it. Endocrine gland connected with it is the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is considered the master gland of all endocrine glands. It is involved with regulations of endocrine system and hormone regulation system of the body. Physical body organs associated with it are brain, eyes, ears, nose and neurological system. Corresponding nerve plexus in physical body is cavernous plexus.

Working

Ajna chakra is centre of wisdom and knowledge. It is the centre of visualization and imagination, thinking and thoughts. It is the doorway through which one enters psychic or astral dimensions. It is the level at which mind to mind communication takes place. Through the power of this chakra you can receive guidance, command and tune into your higher self. It is being centre of mind. It represents higher level of awareness. This centre enables you to experience telepathy, astral travel, remote viewing and past lives.  Our two eyes sees physical world, but this third spiritual eye sees beyond that. At this chakra, there is third psychic knot called rudra granthi. This knot symbolizes attachment with psychic power or sidhis. This knot must be dissolved for rising kundalini energy to continue toward sahashrara chakra.

Here, individual ego merges with the cosmic ego. Here awareness expands to realise that nothing is separate, we are truly one. Here we have moved from the physical elements to the realms of light.

The consistent focus at the physical location of this energetic centre is extremely powerful. This is an important focal point for practising meditation, concentration and visualization. If the vision of light at this chakra is well developed, we can visualize rising of pran and its movement throughout the body. It is responsible for sixth sense. It is the centre for creative visualization and astral travel. Here, your intuitive power develops to its full potential. You get help to find your personal path through the jungle of human life.

Through this ajna chakra, we can master our mind. When we are disconnected from this chakra, we feel confused and depressed and our mind feels out of control. The impulses which emanate from ajna chakra activate and stimulate the brain.  It raises vibrations and it is the point where the individual mind meets spiritual consciousness. Here we can have clear perception of reality, so we can fully understand our purpose of life. It is our connection to the wisdom the universe has to offer.

When this chakra is opened and balanced, it opens doors to the subconsciousness. Negativity can be eliminated and positive higher elements are attained. A person with open ajna chakra has greater awareness of auras, chakras and can connect with super conscious guidance easier than others. Because of his abilities to visualize, enables him to foresight intuition and clairvoyance. By this opened chakra, one sees energy patterns and it is not limited by distance or time. By focusing on this chakra, you can see things happening on the other side of the world. Visual images are received though this opened chakra. When it is opened and balanced, you are wise and alert as a watchful owl. You receive guidance from super consciousness. The ida and pingla are time bound up to fifth chakra, so a person is also time bound. But as ida and pingla end here, he moves to the subconscious. He is now in the non dual consciousness.

Where all other lower chakras are associated with physical elements, this chakra attunes with mind energies, so its effect is more subtle and influences our state of consciousness and level of consciousness. It is recommended in ancient scriptures of yogas such as Hathyoga Pradipika that we should first work with ajna chakra so that we have the wisdom and control to be able to deal with experiences which may arise from the arousal of other lower chakras.

When this chakra is closed, he has problem with visualization and any type of imagination. When this chakra is underactive, it causes one to be doubtful, forgetful and afraid of success. When this chakra is overactive and excessively abuzz with energy, we experience headache, nightmares, hallucination, difficulty in concentrating and impatience. Physical symptoms of dysfunctional ajna chakra are brain tumor, strokes, blindness, deafness etc. Mental and emotional symptoms are fear of truth, confusion, panic etc.

This chakra is activated and fed by visualization exercise, prayer, meditation and listening to yourself. Different yoga practices said to activate this centre are tratak (steady flame glazing), shambhavi mudra (gazing at space in between eyebrows). Anulom vilom pranayama (alternate nostril breathing) really works to open this chakra. Visualizing yellow flame at the place of ajna chakra is said to be very effective to activate this chakra. This practice establishes communication between individual mind and divine mind. Certain yoga asanas, such as head stand helps to open this chakra.

The meditation upon this chakra, gives some occult powers to quickly enter another’s body at will, to become omniscient. One who meditates on this chakra destroys karmas of all past lives and becomes a liberated soul. Yogi consciously put their pran here at the time of death.

Cinnamon and its health benefits

In this post, I will write about the spice, cinnamon and its health benefits.

Introduction

Cinnamon is obtained from the inner bark of several trees. It is harvested by growing the trees for two years, then the inner bark taken out and used. Outer woody portion is discarded.

Cinnamon is cultivated mainly in Shri Lanka, Madagascar and Seychelles. In Chinese medicines and in Indian Ayur Vedic system of medicine, it is long considered as a super power used to treat cold, indigestion and cramps.

It is also believed to improve energy, vitality and blood circulation. It is used both as a spice and medicine, since ancient times. It is used in food preparations. Principally, it is used in cooking as a condiment and flavouring material. It is also used in pickles, sauces as flavour and preservative. It is one of the oldest spices known.

Chemical composition

Cinnamon is high in nutrients. It is a great source of manganese, iron, calcium and fiber. Its flavour is due to the aromatic oil it contains. It has sweet and pungent taste. The pungent taste comes from cinnamon aldehyde.

Health benefits

Diabetes

Several scientific studies carried out shows that it significantly helps with type 2 diabetes by increasing amount of insulin production, and by improving their ability to respond to insulin, thus normalizing blood sugar. It not only stimulates insulin receptors but also inhibit an enzyme that inactivates them. Study on people with type 2 diabetes shows that consuming as little as 1gm (1/4 teaspoon) cinnamon powder per day is found to reduce blood sugar. The cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabeteswill reduces risk of problems associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease

Studies have shown that ½ teaspoon full of cinnamon powder can lower triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol, thus improving cardiovascular health.

Arthritis

Half teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon honey, taken every day morning on empty stomach have significant relief of pain after one week and can walk without pain in one month.

Take one part honey, two part lukewarm water and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder and make a paste by mixing them. Massage it on the itching part slowly. Pain will recede with 15 minutes.

Yeast infection

It has shown amazing ability to stop drug resistant yeast infection.

Cancer prevention

Study published by researchers shows that it reduced proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

Antioxidant

It is more powerful antioxidant compared to other antioxidant spices. It prevents oxidation more effectively than all other spices. 

Hair loss

Make paste of hot olive oil and one tablespoon honey and one teaspoon cinnamon powder. Apply on scalp before bath. Keep it for 15 minutes than wash hair.

Bladder infection

Take two tablespoon cinnamon powder, one teaspoon honey and put them in a glass of lukewarm water. Mix and drink it. It will destroy germs causing the infection of bladder.

Toothache

Make paste of ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder and one teaspoon honey. Apply it on aching tooth. Apply daily three times until the tooth stops aching.

Heart disease

Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder. Apply on bread in place of jam. It will reduce cholesterol and will strengthen heart.

Skin infection

Apply honey and cinnamon in equal parts to cure infection of eczima, ringworms and all types of skin infection.

Brain health

By just smelling its wonderful odour of this sweet spice, boosts brain activity and its cognitive function and memory.

Other uses

• It has anti-clotting effect on blood.
  
• It is an excellent source of fiber and good source of calcium and trace mineral manganese to protect colon health and heart health.
  
• Traditionally it is used as warming remedy and provides relief on onset of cold or flu especially when mixed in tea with fresh ginger.
  
• It has been found effective natural remedy for eliminating headache and migraine relief.
  
• When added to food and pickles, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a good food preservative.
  
• It gives an enchanting aroma and flavour when chewed.

Side effects

It has been found toxic in large doses. Large amount of cinnamon may increase liver problems. If you are on diabetes medication, you should pay close attention to blood sugar level. It may fall too low.

How to activate and open vishuddhi (throat) chakra

In this post, I will write about different ways of activating and opening vishuddhi chakra.

1. By yogic exercises

Yogic exercise such as jalandhar bandh [throat lock] and khechari mudra helps to open vishuddhi chakra.

2. By yogic asanas

Yogic asanas such as matsyasana [fish pose] is good to open vishuddhi chakra.

• Lie flat on your back with your legs outstretched and feet together.
  
• Slide your arms under your back, palms facing down and your buttocks resting on your hands, elbows facing down and together as possible.
  
• Push down on your elbows and lift your chest off the floors, head to bend backwards so crown of head lightly touching floor. It will form an arch of your back, chest and neck,
  
• Hold posture as you breathe from opened chest and throat.
  
• When you are ready to release the posture, release slowly, put your arms on your side and relax.

3. By om chanting

Systematically chanting om with low and soft voice is a very good activity to open this chakra. It also raises vibration tone of the whole body and helps to concentrate and calm the mind.

4. By refining exercises

Refining exercise no.6 in the set of refining exercises is very good to activate, open and to balance this chakra.

• Take deep breath through the nose, close the mouth and block both nostril with the finger and thumb.
  
• Press the chin tightly in pit of throat
  
• Put other hand on the head
  
• Now swallow the saliva 5 times in this pose as an act of drinking water.
  
• Release posture and unblock nostril.

This exercise activates all 5 sense organs. It cleans sinuses and cures throat and thyroid problems. It enhances functions of pituitary gland, the master gland, which regulates the release of hormones from other glands. This exercise dissolves the granthi [knot] of pain which forms at vishuddhi chakra. By doing this exercise for long time, slowly we regain the capacity to absorb pain in life and create higher energies from pain for our evolution. Balanced and proper working of this chakra takes care of all overpowering weaknesses.