About the Vishuddhi Chakra

The Vishuddhi Chakra is located in the vicinity of the Larynx – and is therefore also known as the Throat Chakra. It is a centre of physical and spiritual purification. A story from the Purānas clearly illustrates the immense purificatory power of the Vishuddhi Chakra:

The Devas (gods) and Āsuras (demons) wanted to raise the treasure Amrita (the nectar of immortality), which was hidden in the depths of the ocean, to the surface. They used Mount Mandara as the stirring stick and the world serpent, Vāsuki, as the rope. The gods held the tail of the snake and the demons held its head. In this way they were able to churn the ocean of the world with their combined power. Numerous treasures and precious objects emerged from the ocean and, finally, the longed-for Amrita rose to the surface in a golden vessel.

But the serpent they had used to churn the oceans spat out a deadly poison that was capable of destroying the whole earth. Quickly the Devas caught it in a bowl so it was not able to do any harm. But as they had absolutely no idea what to do with it or how they could permanently “dispose” of it, they turned to Lord Shiva for help.

Lord Shiva is the most gracious of all the gods, and will never refuse a request from anyone. He took the bowl of poison and drank it down to the very last drop. However, in the process he did not swallow the poison but held it in the Vishuddhi Chakra and purified it by means of Ujjāyī Prānāyāma and Jālandhara Bandha . In this way he rid the world of a deadly peril. Through the poison his throat was coloured dark blue, and since that day he has borne the nickname Nīlakantha (the blue-throated one).

There is a deep symbolism in this story. Our own negative thoughts and qualities are the demons; the Devas, however, are our good qualities – understanding, compassion, mercy, love, devotion and wisdom. Both qualities exist within us, just as the nectar of divine wisdom and immortality and the poison of ignorance and earthly mortality exist simultaneously in the world. The ocean of the world propels us in two directions – one towards the Devas, therefore towards goodness and light, and the other towards the destructive powers, the Āsuras. The serpent (Kundalinī) represents both the lifetime that is at our disposal and the power (Shakti) that brings the hidden treasure up from the depths of our inner being.

Nowadays numerous poisons are endangering the world. The destructive influence of humans on this planet increases daily through exhaust fumes, waste, radioactivity, poisonous chemicals and much more. We urgently need the help of Lord Shiva to neutralise these poisons. This means that we humans should become conscious of our divine origin and protect and purify the environment with our “Shiva consciousness”.

If we would like to live in a healthier way, nature must first recover – fields, meadows, forests, rivers, lakes and oceans. This is why Yogis value highly living a healthy lifestyle in harmony with nature and following a vegetarian diet. To live as a vegetarian is an ethical principle, a question of responsibility for all living beings. In the Bible it also says: “Thou shall not kill”; and this commandment does not exempt animals!

With the help of the Vishuddhi Chakra we can rid ourselves of the toxic substances that are absorbed from the environment, as well as mental impurities. An important and life-supporting function of the Chakra is the purification and detoxification of harmful substances that accumulate in the body and primarily come from the food we eat and the air we breathe. This detoxification is brought about by Udāna Prāna, which has its seat in the throat. Udāna Prāna enables us to swallow. The food that is broken down by saliva is purified of toxic substances by this Prāna and is then passed on to the digestive system. An active Vishuddhi Chakra united with a strong Udāna Prāna contributes substantially to the preservation of health.

It is not just the external world that is extremely polluted, but also the psyche and consciousness of many people. For as long as the pernicious, toxic qualities of discord, rivalry, envy and resentment eat away at our mind, the light of God consciousness cannot shine through.

Just as Lord Shiva neither spat the poison out, nor swallowed it, we should not swallow our problems as we harm ourselves through this; but we should also not spit them out as this can cause another type of damage. Like Lord Shiva, who purified the poison in his throat, we can also resolve our problems with the help of the Vishuddhi Chakra.

The Vishuddhi Chakra is a place of purification and balancing. The breath that flows through the throat, and therefore through this Chakra, plays a big role in this. The Yoga technique of Prānāyāma (conscious guidance and regulation of the breath) exerts a strong influence on the Vishuddhi Chakra, at both the physical and astral levels. Through the power of the breath (Prāna Shakti) in the Vishuddhi Chakra harmful residues are removed from the body on a physical level, and in the mental sphere the thoughts emotions, consciousness and subconscious are purified and harmonised.

We gain conscious access to the different levels of consciousness in Self-Inquiry meditation . In the process of self-investigation we come across numerous jewels and pearls within our consciousness, but also old residual issues and insidious poisons.

Remaining with the simile of poison, until we have mastered the Vishuddhi Chakra we have only two possibilities – to either spit out or to swallow the mental poison that penetrates from outside or rises from within.

We spit out hurtful words, mean thoughts and bad behaviour, and swallow bad treatment, insults, doubts and complexes. Both infect our consciousness and subconscious. Numerous psychic disturbances are a result of things we have swallowed. We undergo our first formative experiences in the womb. There are many things we must digest in the course of our life, many things “to swallow”. In childhood we are unable to express many emotions due to fear or helplessness. Much of that which still causes us difficulty today has been bottled up within us from this time. How are we able to cope with the disappointments and insults that we have experienced in the past, particularly in childhood?

Here are three things to think about which may help you with this:

• Trust that every experience in life has its sense and goodness.
• Visualise your situation in those days. You felt yourself dependent, unable to control situations and not free.
• Make yourself aware that you are now grown-up and free, and the situation of those days no longer has validity.

Through such intellectual analysis and realisations we are in a position to rid ourselves of many complexes and fears from the past.

People whose Vishuddhi Chakra is blocked are often blind to their own mistakes and try to lay the blame and responsibility for their unhappiness and misfortune with others.

To blame others for events that plague us is a fundamental mistake. Nothing can strike us that is not found in our Karma; and was therefore caused by us. A bad influence can never harm us unless an allied vibration is resonating within us at the same time. Exactly those qualities that we condemn in others we find also in ourselves. In fact, nothing “bad” in itself exists. It is always concerned with projections that arise from within us.

The sage and poet, Srī Kabīrdās, said:

“I set out to look for a bad person and could not find one anywhere. Then I looked into my own heart and saw no-one worse than myself.”

To recapitulate: Our unconscious is located in the Mūlādhāra Chakra; the subconscious lies in the Svādhishthāna Chakra: the consciousness begins to rise from the Manipūra Chakra; it unfolds in the Anāhata Chakra in order to express and manifest itself in the Vishuddhi Chakra.

In the Anāhata Chakra the consciousness can be compared with a Lotus blossom that has risen above the surface of the water. Just as waves appear on the surface of water when it begins to move, energy manifests as rising “waves of emotion” when it begins to flow. While the Lotus blossom is still beneath the surface of the water it is only slightly affected by the movement of the waves; this means that whilst our energy is oscillating between the Mūlādhāra Chakra and the Anāhata Chakra it is more subconscious than conscious and the waves of our emotions are still not all that violent. Emotions can only expand and grow when there is space, and they find this space in the Anāhata Chakra and the Vishuddhi Chakra.

When the Anāhata Chakra unfolds it is like the melting of a glacier – the consciousness is inundated with emotions. But when the Vishuddhi Chakra begins to loosen up, it is like a breach in a dyke and leads to an emotional flood of immense force. And through this the opportunity is given to finally lay bare the roots of our problems and remove them.

Patanjali said:

“Problems can only be resolved when one discovers the true cause.”

If one merely cuts a weed and doesn’t pull its roots out, it will immediately grow again. When we raise our problems into the Vishuddhi Chakra we then have the option to encapsulate them and either push them back into the subconscious again or free ourselves from them forever. The final inner healing is only possible through realisation and knowledge (Gyāna).

In the Vishuddhi Chakra we are challenged to reflect on our situation in life and to put the following questions to ourselves: “What do I want to realise? What obstacles need to be overcome to realise this? What problems are confronting me and how can I resolve them?” Through meditation we attain clarity about ourself and our innermost desires and motives. We often prevent the resolution of our problems through our own prejudice and our own fixed or one-sided thinking patterns. Through MANANA (reflection) and meditation we can find possibilities for the resolution of issues that we were unable to discover before.

However, before you dive into the Vishuddhi Chakra, examine yourself honestly as to whether you are really ready to look in the mirror of your own reality.

Many people meditate merely out of curiosity or because they would like to have certain experiences. But if these experiences do not meet their expectations they become uncertain and apprehensive, and sometimes even abandon the practice completely. That is why clarity and confidence in the Master, as well as discipline, are important pillars of support on the spiritual path. We need a “shoulder” that we can lean on in order to rest and gather fresh strength. The most reliable and safest refuge is the ISHTADEVATA, our personally revered divinity, who never abandons us, never disowns us and constantly supports us with never-ending love and patience.

Therefore, do not be afraid and risk the journey of discovery into your own self. Do not shy away from the sediment that appears with a little “stirring” of your psyche. You are that which you would like to experience – you are that which you would like to realise – you are that which you would like to know. You are everything – but you are constantly running away from yourself. Do not allow yourself to be put off by obstacles, or deceive yourself – raise everything from within to the light of consciousness; both nectar and poison. Purify the harmful substances in the Vishuddhi Chakra and realise your beautiful inner powers. Make your life in this world a light in the darkness.

AMRIT, the “nectar of immortality”, has a special relationship with the Vishuddhi Chakra, which in turn is closely connected to the Bindu Chakra . A hormone is produced in the Bindu Chakra that is known as “Amrit” because it supports the preservation of our health, vitality and youthfulness.

But this precious nectar generally drips unused into the Manipūra Chakra where it burns unused in the digestive fire. Through certain Yoga techniques it is possible to catch it in the Vishuddhi Chakra so that it can be distributed like a homeopathic medicine via the tongue and throat and be utilised by the whole body.

The element of the Vishuddhi Chakra is ĀKĀSHA (space). Space opens the possibility for expansion and distribution.

The Vishuddhi Chakra is the seat of the astral body that is able to leave the physical body from the Vishuddhi Chakra. Each of us has made astral journeys. Each night when we dream, a completely spontaneous separation of the astral body from the physical body occurs . But, there is always a fine band of consciousness existing between the astral and physical bodies. This consciousness sees both the dream and the sleeping body and draws the astral body back into the material world in the fraction of a second if there is any external disturbance. How does this happen so quickly? Through Yoga Shakti! It allows us to travel in other spheres of consciousness and brings us back again no matter how far away we are. Many Yogis can astral travel consciously in meditation. But this requires many years of practice, self-control and discipline.

During shocking experiences or psychic illness an occasional unconscious and uncontrolled short-term escape of the astral body can occur. This can trigger identity problems, feelings of anxiety and nervous over-excitement. In such cases it can be helpful to place the hand protectively over the throat, and feel how the physical and astral bodies again come closer to one another.

In India there is an ancient tradition that is still maintained. The dying are laid on the ground to establish the connection with mother earth, and in this way make the detachment of the astral body easier. This makes it possible for the passing away to be a peaceful parting without death throes .

The central symbol of the Vishuddhi Chakra is a peaceful white ELEPHANT. In India the white elephant is regarded as a symbol for luck, wealth, power, wisdom, purity and clarity. Ganesha , the God with the elephant head, is highly respected and worshipped. Ganesha brings happiness, wisdom and prosperity. He protects every new beginning and removes obstacles and difficulties. That is why Lord Ganesha is worshipped first at the start of any venture, be it a religious ceremony, construction of a house, wedding celebration or a stage production.

Words are developed in three stages:

• ABDOMEN
• THROAT
• LIPS

The seat of sound is in the Manipūra Chakra; therefore the origin of speech is in the fire element. Through the energy of fire, sound manifests in the space of the Vishuddhi Chakra, and is articulated as words with the help of the lips (Vaikharī).

The larynx, however, controls words, not the lips or the tongue. This means that if the words are already lying on the tongue then it is too late for them to be controlled. As previously said, the origin of words is in the abdomen, and everything that we have “pushed down” lies there. Therefore we should welcome the emotions that surface, but should be capable of controlling the rising emotions in the throat, which means in the Vishuddhi Chakra, and there are various Yoga exercises and purification techniques for this.

Every thought, every emotion, should be filtered and purified by consciousness and clarity. In the lower Chakras we are led predominantly by our emotions; the real dawning of consciousness begins first in the Vishuddhi Chakra. In this Chakra we begin to articulate our emotions and desires and, at the same time, also learn how to control them.

A saint once said:

“Do not break the ribbon of love because of a triviality. For once torn it is never again one – a knot always remains.”

Such knots, divisions, scars and wounds are endemic within our modern society, in which traditional family and partner relationships are breading down at a growing rate. How can we avoid such wounding? When we forgive, understand and give. Understanding and giving are the two wings of a bird that allows it to fly high into the sky. Understand the feelings, the pain and the life of all living things. Give forgiveness, freedom, clarity, justice, love, devotion, warmth, protection, help and good thoughts.

When we have experienced something that we are inwardly unable to handle, the experience continues to ferment in the subconscious. Until our wisdom is fully developed we are unable to rid ourselves of it. Physical symptoms of a blocked Vishuddhi Chakra are an unnatural reddening of the face, an itchy rash, frequent colds (particularly sore throat and hoarseness), abdominal cramp and digestive problems. Or the Shakti (energy) of the suppressed emotions can express itself explosively at the first opportunity in an outburst of rage or tears.

However, we can learn to manage without “explosions” when we develop patience. The process of maturation in the Vishuddhi Chakra governs the aptitude for patience. Through Prānāyāma and Āsanas that have an effect on the Vishuddhi Chakra we can quieten the thoughts and emotions and bring them into harmony. In this way we protect ourselves from rash actions and prevent our words being like knives or arrows and injuring others.

Mahāprabhujī said:

“The truth should always be spoken with love and not with ‘knives’, because physical wounds that are caused by a knife heal again, whereas those caused by words are very difficult to heal and often remain lifelong (in the subconscious).”

Patanjali said that wise men formulate their words clearly and fully before speaking, and in this way are able to consider the effect of their words. The ability to be aware of words in their place of genesis – the Manipūra Chakra – is very valuable. Words possess a strong power regardless of whether the effect they create is intentional or not. We can seriously harm others and ourselves through words. Therefore, we should speak fewer rather than too many words, and weigh them up in the heart and the Vishuddhi Chakra before we speak. With friends it is easy to find pleasant, beautiful words, but to treat those we do not count as friends with love and friendship is a great virtue and an art. A very effective Sādhana for learning control over words is silence (MAUNA).

All exercises that have an effect on the Vishuddhi Chakra also have a beneficial influence on the voice and speech. Through them our words gain in wisdom and beauty. That is why work on this Chakra is particularly recommended for writers, poets, journalists, teachers, politicians, actors and singers.

VĀK SIDDHI, which bestows a remarkable influential power upon words, is hidden in the Vishuddhi Chakra. With the activation of the Vishuddhi Chakra and practising of the Hatha Yoga technique of TRĀTAKA (concentration on a point), one’s words and glances are given an effective and persuasive power. If someone has developed this special ability then people love to listen to them, and their words become reality.

The colour of the Vishuddhi Chakra is VIOLET, the colour of wisdom and spirituality.

The Lotus blossom in the Vishuddhi Chakra has 16 petals. These represent the sixteen Siddhis (supernatural powers) that a person can acquire through practising Yoga. Altogether there are 24 Siddhis , which include the ability to raise the dead to life. A Divine Incarnation is endowed with these powers from birth . However, these are never used arbitrarily, but always in harmony with the Divine Will. Siddhis can be a great obstacle on the spiritual path if ego and pride develop because of them. Yogis who make a show of their Siddhis very soon lose their yogic power.

The number 16 also refers to the sixteen days it takes for the half-moon to grow into the full moon as another symbol of the Vishuddhi Chakra is the HALF MOON. As already mentioned in earlier chapters the moon denotes emotions, change and the female principle. In the Bhagavad Gita (15/13) the moon is described as “the giver of nectar” as it gives nourishment to vegetation.

The Lotus in the Vishuddhi Chakra carries the Bīja Mantra HAM – I am. SO HAM means “That am I”. In the Anāhata Chakra we frequently indulge in beautiful emotions, whereas in the Vishuddhi Chakra we begin to become conscious of who we really are. It is here that the real journey towards Self-Realisation and Self-knowledge starts.

The Vishuddhi Chakra is the gate through which we are able to raise our consciousness to a higher level. It is the border between the physical and astral levels, between consciousness and superconsciousness. When we cross it the ascent to the realm of wisdom and clarity of consciousness opens up before us.

The Qualities and Symbols of the Vishuddhi Chakra

Exercises for the Vishuddhi Chakra

Exercises that have a Specific Effect on the Vishuddhi Chakra:

Ujjāyī Prānāyāma

Concentrate on the throat. Inhale and exhale deeply through the nose for 5-10 minutes. At the same time slightly contract the throat so that the breath sounds like that in deep sleep. Direct your attention completely to the sound of the breath in the throat. This way of breathing quietens the mind and balances the emotions.

Ujjāyī Prānāyāma detoxifies the body and helps with problems of the digestive tract (eg gastritis). It can also be used as first aid with food poisoning. With regular practice of Ujjāyī Prānāyāma and through its effect on the Thyroid Gland, a person becomes healthy and is noticeably rejuvenated. This breathing exercise is also very helpful for depression.

The effect of Ujjāyī Prānāyāma can be strengthened by Jālandhara Bandha and Khecharī Mudrā.

Jālandhara Bandha

Exhale, then place the hands on the knees, tilt the body forward slightly and press the chin down onto the Sternum. Hold this position for as long as is comfortable, and when the impulse to inhale occurs release the Bandha by raising the head.

Through Jālandhara Bandha the blood supply to the throat is blocked. This is why an increased flow of fresh blood occurs in this region when it is released.

Khecharī Mudrā

In this Mudrā the tongue is rolled back and placed on the soft palate (if possible). This prevents the throat drying out too much when practising Ujjāyī Prānāyāma. This Mudrā also has an effect on the Āgyā Chakra, and with its assistance the nectar from the Bindu Chakra can be “caught”. (See the Chapters on the Āgyā Chakra and Bindu Chakra)

Asanas that have an activating influence on the Vishuddhi Chakra

• SARVĀNGĀSANA Shoulderstand
• MATSYĀSANA Fish
• BHUJANGĀSANA Cobra
• USHTRĀSANA Camel
• SETU ĀSANA Bridge

Āsanas that have a balancing and harmonising effect on the Vishuddhi Chakra

• SHĪRSHĀSANA Headstand
• VIPARĪTKARANĪ MUDRĀ Half Shoulderstand
• HALĀSANA Plough
• YOGA MUDRĀ Forward Bend sitting on Heels
• SHASHANKĀSANA Hare
• KHATU PRANĀM Greetings to Khatu

Meditations with Specific Influence on the Vishuddhi Chakra

Meditation 1

• Sit comfortably and erect, and relax your body. (If you are unable to sit comfortably on the floor then sit in a chair.) Close your eyes. Feel yourself happy, relaxed and free.
• Inhale and exhale deeply a few times, and through this deepen the relaxation more and more.
• Do not concentrate; remain without imagination. Be conscious only of yourself, and say to yourself: “I want to relax completely”.
• Relax the jaw, the lips, eyelids, forehead and cheeks. Try to relax your face muscles completely.
• Relax the shoulders, arms and hands.
• Relax the back muscles, abdominal muscles, legs and feet.
• Relax the whole body from the toes to the head, and from the head to the toes.
• Now direct your attention to the centre of the chest, the Anāhata Chakra. Remain completely relaxed.
• Analyse your thoughts without condemning anything. Be totally conscious of your thoughts; observe their coming and going; push nothing away and hold onto nothing.
• Relax the whole body – relax – relax.
• Now direct your consciousness to the process of breathing. Feel the breath flowing in and out. Allow your breath to flow freely.
• Now place the index and middle fingers of the right hand at the base of the throat between the collarbones. With this do not exert any pressure (If the arm becomes tired you can change hands).
• Relax the head and the neck. Do not look upward behind your closed eyes rather look slightly down as if you were reading a book. Remain completely quiet, without expectations. Merely observe, and let come what comes. -Breathe a little deeper than normal and observe your breathing. Feel the warmth of your fingers and the whole body.
• Now immerse yourself in your inner space and visualise your present life up until now as if it were a film running. Be honest and follow mentally the course of events. Each image, each recollection should arouse exactly the same feeling as when you actually experienced the situation.
• This exercise arouses painful, but also beautiful, feelings within us. Allow it to be as it is and simply observe everything.
• Go back as far as you can remember. Generally the negative experiences rise first into the consciousness. Continue on unwaveringly. Remember, feel and experience the pain, disappointments and fears of that time again with full consciousness. From what have you suffered? Today, yesterday, the day before yesterday, last week, over the last month. You can either go backwards from the present time into the past, or progress from your childhood up to the present day. Many insignificant events pass through the mind, but suddenly there is a point at which you falter. Stay there with full awareness and dive deeper. Experience the events again clearly.
• Feel that you are not alone. God and your Master are there and hold your hand. Do not be afraid, you are protected and accompanied.
• Go deeply within and experience that from which you have suffered.
• After you have performed this exercise for about 15 minutes, place your hands on your knees, bend forward slightly and press the chin against the sternum (Jālandhara Bandha).
• Feel the breath flowing through your throat.
• Return your consciousness to the experience you have been dealing with.
• With the inhalation imagine that you received that which you needed at that time (care, comfort, help, love …….)
• With the exhalation release everything that caused you pain at that time.
• Exhale the dark and painful memories and inhale light, happiness and liberating feelings.
• Release the painful experiences, because to give freedom means to attain freedom.
• Perform this exercise for about 15 minutes.
• Then slowly raise the head and remain sitting relaxed.
• Let the practice continue to have an effect and observe your inner world. The time has passed, but the feelings and injuries from earlier times are still always deep within you. Hold nothing back; look within yourself without fear. Try to understand your life. Why was I born? What should I achieve in this life? What is my life’s work, my Dharma? Through concentration on the Vishuddhi Chakra the answers to these questions open for you.

Meditation 2

• Sit in a comfortable, upright meditation pose.
• Perform Jālandhara Bandha (see above) and at the same time roll the tongue backwards so that it touches the soft part of the palate (Khecharī Mudrā). Breathe a little deeper than normal.
• Connect the inhalation with the Mantra SO and the exhalation with the Mantra HAM. SO HAM means “That am I, I am that”.
• If the position of the tongue becomes uncomfortable relax it for a while and then again assume Khecharī Mudrā.
• Continue to repeat the Mantra SO HAM. Your body remains completely relaxed.
• Now ask yourself inwardly what desires and illusions remain unfulfilled in your life. What injuries and disappointments do you permanently carry within you? Do the feelings of loneliness and sorrow exist within you? What do you want? What are you seeking?
• On the other hand be aware of what joy, beauty, peace, happiness, harmony, balance, warmth and security exist within your inner Self.
• Have you found what you are looking for? Do you know where you belong?
• Analyse yourself; be an observer of your inner world. Allow everything to come. By the power of your breath in the Vishuddhi Chakra and the Mantra you purify all thoughts and emotions.
• After about 10 minutes release Jālandhara Bandha and relax the Vishuddhi Chakra.
• Leave your eyes closed. Relax your abdomen, shoulders, arms and jaw and dive anew into the inner field of your life.
• Discover your inner reality. Do not run away or evade the issue. How long have you been trying to escape from your inner truth?
• Be clear, honest and open with yourself. There is certainly a solution to anything unpleasant you push aside. And, for sure, there is also a possibility that beautiful and happy feelings can unfold within you and you can transfer these to others.
• Inhale and exhale deeply.
• Sing OM three times and the Peace Mantra – SHĀNTIH – SHĀNTIH – SHĀNTIH.
• Rub the palms of your hands together, place your hands on your face and warm your eyes and face muscles.
• Open your eyes, fold your hands in front of your chest and bend forward until your forehead touches the floor.

Meditation 3

• Sit in a comfortable meditation position. Close your eyes and slowly withdraw from the outer world.
• Do not concentrate or have any expectations. Relax. Feel you are protected, safe and well.
• Now direct your attention to your body. Be conscious of your mental and physical presence in the room. Remain “here” and simply be an observer. Do not allow yourself to be carried away by your thoughts.
• Feel your whole body from the toes to the top of the head, and from the head to the toes. Be aware of the motionlessness of your body. Relax.
• Now direct your attention to the process of breathing. Allow the breath to flow completely naturally. Be aware of each inhalation and exhalation. Feel the breath flowing through the nose and the throat.
• Feel happy that you are able to breathe freely. Visualise the breath as a fine thread of light – a thread of divine energy. a ray of light that leads you to your source. In the breath flows the energy of the Divine Mother who nourishes your soul. Through your breath you are constantly connected to God on the physical level. You inhale fresh energy and vitality and exhale used energy and toxic substances.
• Expand your consciousness into infinity. See your inner space filled with rays or sparks of light. These rays and sparks of cosmic energy (Prāna Shakti) are constantly drawn into your heart centre.
• Your breath is now slightly deeper than normal. You inhale and exhale rays of light. You are the centre through which the light of life flows without interruption.
• Your inner world exists in the space of your heart (Hridayākāsha). Here is the world of your feelings, here your past and present consciousness meet in order to prepare the path for the future.
• How do you wish your future to be? Where do you want to go? What have you done towards this up until now?
• Now allow your consciousness to rise from the Anāhata Chakra to the Vishuddhi Chakra. Place the index, middle and ring fingers softly between the collarbones, where the throat begins. Bend your head forward slightly and feel how the energy, the light, streams into the Vishuddhi Charka and continues to flow into infinity.
• Your inner space is infinite. You begin to free yourself. This disengagement can be experienced as pleasant, but also as unpleasant and painful. Sometimes we experience it as beneficial, but sometimes as loss and painful renunciation. Why does renunciation often make us unhappy? Because we are unable to let go. It is our attachment that creates the unhappiness and pain. However, where beautiful and positive feelings of love, devotion and clarity prevail, there flows bliss – Ānanda.
• In your inner space experience the purification of the Vishuddhi Chakra. Lie your whole palm on your chest. Visualise your hand radiating divine power and love. It protects you and gives you inner warmth. The radiation of your hand has an activating influence on the Vishuddhi Chakra and at the same time quietens the emotions in the Anāhata Chakra. Do not allow yourself to be swept away by the emotions, but experience them with full consciousness. Feel the touch and warmth of your hand and allow the energy to flow into you.
• Be honest with yourself and examine the problems that are now confronting you. Try to gain clarity about it, about what disturbs you, and about what you are able to change in your life. Do not run away, but stay in your inner space. Everything that happens is within you – and the solution for your problems you will also find within yourself.
• Continue this exercise for about 15 minutes.
• Feel yourself totally free and pure. Inhale and exhale purity and feel how the entire atmosphere around you is purified.
• Now come slowly into contact with the outer world again. Inhale and exhale deeply once, and move your body.
• Then sit on your heels and come into Shashankāsana, inhaling as you stretch your arms above your head and exhaling as you bend the body forward until the arms and head touch the floor. Continue to breathe normally and remain in this position for as long as is comfortable for you. This Āsana calms the mind and helps clarify the thoughts.