Food and Consciousness In Ayurveda, foods are categorized by the degree they enhance or hinder physical energy and spiritual development Read this wonderful excerpt on the subject...

Focusing on the chakras can help us to tune up on a spiritual level within.

Over the last half of this session we have began the exploration of the chakras.
I would suggest working with one chakra for at least a week before you switch to the next one.

For each of the chakras I describe:

1. Name
2. Location—where one focuses attention to energize the area
3. Color—visualizing the color in the area tonifies the energy
4. Seed sound—called Bija mantras are sound frequencies when used they call forth the divine energy that exists within us in the chakras. Helping us to
   heal these areas and bring a new sense of power and clarity.
5. Element—Helping one see the transformation of energy from the 1st charka to the 7th.
6. Predominate sense, Sense organ, Work organ
7. Sacred Truth Attributes—that direct us in our life and how we can acknowledge this force.

Chakras we have covered in class:   1^st  |  2^nd  |   3^rd  |  4^th  |  5^th |  6^th |  7^th

For additional information on Chakras

1^st Chakra

Name: Muladhara (Foundation)
Location: Perineum, below the genitals
Color: Red
Seed sound: LAM
Element: Earth
Predominate sense: Smell
Sense organ: Nose
Work organ: Anus
Sacred Truth Attributes: We All are One

That which gives us a connection to our tribal base. Connecting us to our family, friends, community, and country. Laws that rule connect us all. We desire safety and security and the key is to attain it and not be obsessed with it. Our country at this time has become obsessed with the issue of security. Our cosmic consciousness is stuck in the arena of the first chakra. This could be seen as a result of the global connecting that has occurred over the past 50 years between countries and cultures, sending some souls into a panic. The more we see each other as one and realize that we are all the same in spirit, the more we are asked to love one another. This is a frightening concept for some.
We All are One

2^nd Chakra

Name: Svadhishthana (Dwelling Place of the Self)
Location: Genital region
Color: Orange
Seed sound: VAM-when chanted in the presence of water it enhances the production and circulation of fluids in the body
Element: Water
Predominate sense: Taste
Sense organ: Tongue
Work organ: Genitals
Sacred Truth Attributes: Honor One Another

The Center of Ethical energy within us. How we use this energy in connection with sex, money and power.

3^rd Chakra

Name: Manipura (City of Jewels)
Location: Navel region
Color: Yellow
Seed sound: RAM
Predominate sense: Fire
Sense organ: Sight
Work organ: Eyes
Work organ: Feet and legs
Sacred Truth Attributes: Honor Oneself.

Meditation on the Third chakra can bring an end to indigestion, constipation, and all problems of the intestinal area. Fantasies are converted into practical devices through the help of the organizational power of this chakra.
Meditation: Focus your attention on the breath and release the navel area on the inhalation and gently contract the area on exhalation. Try to maintain an even flow of breath i.e. Inhale 4 counts, Exhale 4 counts. You can visualize that your breath is gently stoking an internal fire that purifies the ego and enhances the organs within.

4^th Chakra

Name: Anahata (Unstruck)
Location: Region of the Heart
Color: Green
Seed sound: YAM
Predominate sense: Touch
Sense organ: Skin
Work organ: Hands
Sacred Truth Attributes: Love is Divine Power

This chakra represents our ability to "let go and Let God".

"Accepting our personal emotional challenges as extensions of a Divine plan, which has as its intent our conscious evolution. By releasing our emotional pain, by letting go of our need to know why things have happened as they have, we reach a state of tranquility. In order to achieve inner peace, however, we have to embrace the healing energies of forgiveness and release our lesser need for human, self-determined justice."
(Carloyn Myss, from " Anatomy of the Spirit")

Meditation: Guide your breath into the region of your Heart, feeling the area soften and expand with each inhalation. Again breathe evenly and slowly as is comfortable for you.
Visualize the heart being filled with a beautiful green light and in the center place a small image of yourself, as you are sitting at this moment, in the center of your chest. You are surrounded by divine light.

Repeat the following mentally:

May I be filled with lovingkindness.
May I be safe from inner and outer dangers
May I be well in body and mind.
May I be at ease and happy.

Use one or all of the phrases for inner healing and strength. Once have worked on this for a while and feel you can cultivate inner lovingkindness for yourself then you can bring in others to your heart to share the love.

5^th Chakra

Name: Vissuddha (Pure)
Location: Throat
Color: Blue
Seed sound: HAM
Predominate sense: Hearing
Sense organ: Ears
Work organ: Vocal cords
Sacred Truth Attributes: Surrender Personal Will to Divine Will.

Meditation on the Throat chakra brings calmness, serenity, purity, a melodious voice, the command of speech and mantras and the ability to compose poetry. To do so let your attention rest upon the hollow space of the throat. Using the ujjayi breath we can hear the breath flowing through the throat and expanding the heart area. Helping the mind to settle in the heart, calming the whole being. Hearing the sound of our natural mantra SO HAM, which means "I AM THAT". On the inhalation you can hear your breath make the SO sound and on the exhalation you can hear the HAM. Let your mind gently rest on the sound and the flow of the breathe, cycling from the throat to the heart. Pulling in the abdomen on the exhalation will help you clear the breath completely and also center and ground you. Continue for 5-10 minutes or more. Feeling whole and complete in the moment.

6th Chakra

Name: Agna (Command)
Location: point between the eyebrows, pineal plexus, medulla plexus
Color: violet
Seed Sound: AUM Predominate sense: none
Sacred Truth Attributes: Seek Only the Truth

Determines insight and right brain activities. Focusing on this chakra feel that you are seeing the world form this view point. You are sitting in the cave your third eye seeing the full moon shining on you. You are absorbing the moon's light. While basking in this light you can request wisdom and insight. Remember you have your own special gift to give in life and your path is unique to you.

7th Chakra: Live in the Present Moment

Name: Sahasrara - crown, thousand petaled, Void
Location: at indentation on top of head. Regulates pineal gland.
Color: gold
Seed Sound: All pure sounds
Predominate sense: none
Sense organ: none
Work organ: none
Sacred Truth Attributes: Surrender Personal Will to Divine Will.

This chakra determines one's connection with divine universe and peace of mind. As you meditate bring your awareness to this area and allow the energy of God to enter into your mind, body, and spirit, and breathe that energy into your being.

Links: I have also found some excellent websites that go along with the work we have been doing:

• SanatanSociety.org: Classical Yogic description–check out the sounds for the chakras;
• Carolyn Myss' work on Chakras
  • Daily Chakra Mediations—Good for daily meditations
  • Understanding Your Sacred Truths—For more descriptions of each Chakra.