Practical Meditation 1

After practicing and teaching meditation for many years I decided to print out all my notes one day. Holding the papers in my hands I realized just how much information I had gathered over the years. Some of the meditations and guided visualizations that I had accumulated were taken from other teachers of mine, books or friends. However, most were written and developed by myself. I felt it necessary to reach out to more people and to share the information I had with who ever wanted it. It seemed a shame to just keep it stored on my computer.

I have decided to publish my work, and in so doing I have a lot of developing and editing to do. After stumbling on Squidoo I realized that this is the perfect platform for that all to happen.

So, all in good time... My plan is to upload chapters as I edit them for your enjoyment, growth, healing and success. With each session (Chapter) I introduce you to a new (or not so new) concept, something to think about and consider. Each Guided Visualization is then relevant to that specific concept. You require no experience in meditation to work through this on your own, just simply read it and see where it takes you. If you are able to record the "Meditations/Visualizations" then feel free to record them as written. This allows you to really relax and not have to think about what to do or what comes next. If you are unable to record them then simply read through them a few times, and once you begin trust that you will remember everything and just allow the meditation to happen. Have faith in the process.

There are many different forms of meditation. This is not about a specific type, brand or technique. For each session simply sit quietly, undisturbed and in a comfortable position. Read and work through the section you are dealing with and complete any questions or tasks. Then relax and complete the Guided Visualisation. This should usually take less than an hour.

And please feel free to drop me line or write in my "visitors comments" page should you have anything to share.

Love and Light
- Jessica -

We begin with the human energy system - namely 'Auras and Chakras'. Here you will gain insight as to what the aura is, what chakras are; their colours, properties, functions and their relation to us as beings. At the end follows my favourite meditation: Colours of the Rainbow.

The Aura

Every physical body; be it human, animal, plant or object has an individual aura, a body made up of energy and light, which permeates and surrounds the physical body. The aura is different from person to person through form, structure, content and colour, and those who are clairvoyant or who have trained their subtle sensitivity can sense and see the aura and the colours that constitute this energy field (see diagram here).

Some of the colours stay constant while others may change according to the individual's mood, mental and emotional state as well as their beliefs. The appearance of the aura is not accidental; it is created by the soul's structure and its current state of development.

All energy based healing methods need to include a cleansing of these subtle channels allowing the life energy to flow again. Meditation and Visualization are just two tools used by many strands of healing and are wonderful, non invasive ways of taking control of and responsibility for your own personal healing.

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The Chakras

The aura consists of different strata, bodies and chakras. Here we concentrate on the chakras as they are the direct connection between The Body and The Soul.

The word Chakra comes from the Sanskrit word Chakrum, meaning 'wheel'. Our chakras are literally 'wheels of Light' interpenetrating with, affecting and affected by the physical body, and much of the colour in the aura is supplied by the chakras (A chakra is also sometimes referred to as an 'energy vortex'). Most chakras are linked to parts of the glandular system and are sometimes described as subtle glands. These subtle links are known as channels and it is only when these channels are energized and free of blockages that our entire system; body, mind and soul, can function in unison. Should there be an imbalance of energy in the aura or the chakras the body starts to suffer and one experiences dis-ease. Once the body is run down it takes not just time to restore it to full health, but conscious living and a positive lifestyle.

Many Eastern traditions describe a sevenfold major chakra system in every aura, at the same time acknowledging there to be varying numbers of minor chakras throughout the body. Minor chakras that relate to Reiki are the Feet and Hands. As you can see in Diagram 2. each chakra has a positive and negative. Energy from the outside flows in through the chakras from positive to negative, thereby creating a constant flow, a constant taking in and releasing, an exchange of energy and information with the Universe. The more clogged up our system becomes the harder it is for the energy to flow freely. Once areas become blocked the system is at risk of becoming off balance and this is when dis-ease and ill health start creeping in.

Often when we feel sick, tired or run down it is simply our body saying: Stop! Just for a bit! Just rest!!!

The seven major chakras are from the head down: Crown, Brow, Throat, Heart, Solar Plexus, Sacral and Root (see diagram 1. and 2.) Different cultures, religions and beliefs may have different names for the chakras, but these are the commonly known names and I'll be using them throughout. (The Sacral is sometimes referred to as the Hara or Spleen, the Brow is also known as The Third Eye, etc.)

Each chakra has petals and a stem. The stems of the Crown and Root chakra are open and are contained within the central column (see diagram 2.), a subtle column that runs from the Crown to the perineum (the area mid-way between the anus and the genitals). The petals of the other chakras open into the auric field in front of the body while the stems project into the auric field at the back. The stems of these chakras act as valves, and though they normally stay closed they have the ability to allow unwanted energy or reaction to pass through, thereby acting as a type of elimination system. The petals are flexible, opening and closing, vibrating and turning according to the different life situations encountered. A healthy chakra is a flexible chakra. Dis-ease shows that the chakra energies have become blocked and inflexible. Working with your chakras, bringing them into harmony with each other and supplying them with energy, can thus aid healing on all levels; mental, emotional, physical and spiritual.

Each of the seven chakras represents a certain area of life. We feel healthy and harmonious when all seven chakras are working together and have a constant, free flowing supply of energy. The aim of all chakra work is to align and balance our chakras with each other. The petals should always be open to a certain degree but you will find that some may be over active, showing a need for the chakra to be closed down a little, or under active, showing a need for the chakra to be opened. A properly functioning chakra turns in a clockwise direction, drawing energy for the outside world into the body, and then releases waist or excess through the back of the body via the stems. Although working with the chakras is very easy the results can be life changing.

Step by step you can learn to open, balance and energies your own chakras. But this takes time and dedication. Chakra work is a process, and once you have achieved a balance you will need to continue caring for and working with your chakras as this balance can be disrupted at any time. As every day is different and brings new experiences and challenges into our lives, so our energy system changes. Listen to your body. You might just be amazed at how much it has to tell you.

The root chakra connects us with the Earth (ground) and the physical world. The crown chakra connects us with the higher self and the universe around us. Any progress towards spirituality and enlightment should recognize the need to "ground", and include a safe connection or attachment to the material plane. Without this safe connection it is difficult for the energies of the higher levels to be processed in everyday life. And this is a crucial task for man! The further we are on our path to Enlightment and living consciously, the more the crown chakra opens. We need to ensure that the channels and chakras are open and ready to receive, process and release.

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1. Root Chakra
Location - Perineum, this is the area mid-way between the anus and the genitals. The petals face downwards between the legs; the stem faces upwards into the central subtle column and is naturally and healthily slightly open.

Represents - will to live, rooted-ness, incarnation, the ground with both feet firmly in life, acceptance, self preservation, concept, family, species.
Colours - Red, brown, mauve.

Element - Earth.

Sense - Smell.

Body - Physical.

Crystals - Garnet, Agate, Smokey & Rose Quartz, Bloodstone, Ruby, Onyx, Tiger's Eye.

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2. Sacral Chakra
Location - Approximately 2 fingers below the navel.

Represents - Security, sensuality, sense of others, sexuality, feeling myself, lust, fun, proximity, relationship, creativity, sincerity, empowerment, life issues.

Colours - Orange, amber, gold.

Element - Water.

Sense - Taste.

Body - Etheric.

Crystals - Citrine, amber, moonstone, jasper, aventurine, topaz.

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3. Solar Plexus:
Location - Just below the sternum, extending down to the navel.

Represents - Logic, opinion, reason, feeling to others, fear, karma, separation, assimilation, psychic-intuition.

Colours - Yellow, gold, rose.

Element - Fire.

Sense - Sight.

Body - Astral.

Crystals - Yellow Citrine, apatite, Rose, Quartz, Malachite, Iron Pyrites, topaz.

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4. Heart Chakra:
Location - On the same level as the physical heart but in the centre of the body.

Represents: Compassion, love, give and take, tenderness, Love of others, detachment,
quality, openness, acceptance.

Colours - Spring green, Rose, Rose amethyst.

Element - Air.

Sense - Touch.

Body - Feeling.

Crystals - Emeralds, Green Calcite, Jade, Rose and Watermelon Turmaline, Amber, Azurite.

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5. Throat Chakra:
Location - The neck, petals at the front, stem to the back.

Represents - Communication, Expression, Responsibility, Universal Truth, Individuality.

Colours - Turquoise, Light Blue, Silver.

Element - Ether.

Sense - Hearing.

Body - Mental.

Crystals - Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, Aquamarine, Turquoise, Sapphire, Silver.

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6. Brow Chakra:
Location - Just above and between the eyes, with the stem at the back of the head.

Represents - Intuition in the spiritual area, Spirit, Ideas, Completeness, Insight, Command, Self-Realization.

Colours - Dark Blue, Indigo, Purple.

Element - Radium.

Body - Higher Mental.

Crystals - Amethyst, Purple Apetite, Pearl, Blue and White Fluorite, Sapphire, Calcite, Azurite.

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7. Crown Chakra:
Location - At the top of the head with the petals facing upwards, the stem goes down into the subtle central column.

Represents - Soul, Release, Incoming Will, Cosmic (Universal) Consciousness, Unity, Self-Knowledge.

Colours - Violet, White, Gold

Element - Magnetum

Body - Soul, Causal

Crystals - White Turmaline, Diamond, Snowy Quartz, White Jade, Celestite

Guided Visualization - Colours of the Rainbow

This is how I reach my inner peace: A technique I use to calm myself and help me find a peaceful place to meditate and relax. Once you have done this meditation a few times you can simply use each colour as a trigger. You will be able to reach a quiet space within very quickly. Simply calm yourself, breath, and slowly run through the colours, Red to Violet, in you mind, allowing time for your Higher Self to remember and act on each trigger.

Sit quietly for a while and bring your attention to your breathing... In and out... In and out... In and out...

After a few moments deepen your breathing: Breathe into your lungs, noting how your ribs expand. Once your lungs are full breath into your stomach, notice how your stomach expands. Hold this breath for a while then breathe out, pushing in your stomach, then your lungs, and for the last bit of air really push it out, making a "haaaaa" sound. Hold for a count and repeat four more times.

Let your breathing return to normal.

Now bring to mind the colour Red... Relax your eyes... Relax the muscles around your eyes... Relax your face... your scalp... your neck... And relax. See the colour Red. Now relax your shoulders... Your arms and elbows... Relax your wrists and hands. Just relax... You are surrounded by the colour Red. Remember to breath. Now relax your chest... Relax your stomach... Relax... Relax your upper back... Your spine, feel the relaxation spreading to your lower back and you hips. You are relaxed... Relax your thighs... Your knees... Relax your calves and shins... You are relaxed... Relax you ankles and you feet. Just relax. You are completely surrounded by the colour Red... Your entire body is relaxed... And breathe... In... and out.

Now bring to mind the colour Orange... You are surrounded by the colour Orange... Feel the colour penetrating your body, spreading in and around you. Now relax your emotions... What ever it is that you are feeling right now, just let it go. You are calm. You are collected. You are relaxed. You are surrounded by the colour Orange.

Now bring to mind the colour Yellow... Beautiful, warm, sun Yellow. You feel this colour surrounding you, enveloping you... And you are relaxed.... Now calm your mind... Let your thoughts simply pass on by.. Notice how your mind is calming down, thoughts pass by as if on the wings of the wind... Your mind is settled... Both sides of your brain are connected to each other. They function as one. They work together... And you are surrounded by Yellow... Your mind is free and relaxed. You are relaxed.

Now bring to mind the colour Green... Notice how the colour is all around you... All you see is the colour Green... And you are relaxed... Your emotions are relaxed%u2026.breathe into your Heart... with each breath you feel how relaxed you are... Feel how warm your Heart is... There is pure Love inside your Heart. Feel how your Heart is relaxing... With each beat you are more and more relaxed... You let go of the Love, releasing it to the Universe. Your Heart is relaxed, you are relaxed, and the Love spreads from inside of you... connecting to the Green Light surrounding you... Connecting you to the Universe. And you are relaxed.

Now bring to mind the colour Turquoise. A soft, translucent Turquoise. The colour is all around you... Relax your throat... Relax your neck and your jaw... Know that everything that you need to communicate to the World is right there... You have the ability to speak your Hearts truth... And you speak from the Heart... You are relaxed and surrounded by the colour Turquoise... You are at peace...

Now bring to mind the colour Dark Blue%... Like the deep blue ocean on a dark night... You see this colour all around you.... You feel the colour touching your brow... Your Third Eye... Your mind is free and calm... You are relaxed... You feel how your brown is connected to the dark blue that surrounds you... The colour penetrates you... Moving in and around you... You are connected to the Universe... Everything you need to know is out there and this is your connection... You trust in this connection... Know that it is always there...

Now bring to mind the colour Violet. Like an Ultra Violet light shining down on you... Penetrating you... Moving in and around you... The colour relaxes you... You feel safe... And you are Calm... You see the colour Violet like a ray of light, shining from the sky down onto the top of your head, your Crown. The light spirals down and you can see through it... This is Divine Light, cleansing you as it passes through you... It washes away all blockages... It revitalizes your cells... The colour Violet washes over you, through you... and you are relaxed...

Now open your eyes and reconnect with the world around you, and have a happy day!!