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RAMAKRISHNA ANANDA

Laya Yoga

What role do chakras play in higher consciousness?

In laya yoga one works directly with the chakras (energy centers) as a means of experiencing the harmony of body, mind and spirit. Yogis have found that the chakras are doorways to spiritual awareness. Through them you can unify your individual consciousness with Infinite Spirit everywhere.

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Chanting Om in the Chakras

The chakras can be stimulated by chanting the word Om while focusing the mind in each center. Chant Om twelve times in the tailbone center, then proceed upward to the centers in the sacrum, navel, heart, throat, third eye and crown. This practice is a beautiful way to stimulate your spiritual core and harmonize body, mind and spirit. (Caution:  The heart chakra is in the spine back of the heart. We are not meditating on the heart organ itself because it may interfere with its rhythm.)

Yogis often focus on a favorite chakra such as the heart, the third eye or the crown. Each center brings specific benefits and experiences. One practice to develop the chosen center is to focus there for ten to twenty minutes chanting Om. (Stop if you feel any discomfort or have a burning sensation.) When you finish, chant Om down through all the chakras and allow energy to fill your body.

  • There are five main chakras (energy centers) in the spine — from the tailbone area to the neck area – and two chakras in the head
  • There are two additional energy centers important to yogis: the medulla center at the top of the neck below the skull and the kurma nadi located in the chest near the thymus gland
  • Yogis find that these centers are doorways to higher consciousness and spiritual awareness
  • The chakras can be stimulated by chanting the word Om and focusing the mind in each center
  • Yogis often specialize in a favorite chakra such as the heart, the third eye or the crown
  • Chant Om and focus inside your chosen center for 10-20 minutes, allowing serenity, love or light to fill you

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