How to Purify the Chakras
Chakra means wheel. A chakra is a doorway through which we perceive reality. Our ability to see into the various dimensions of reality is reflected in the energetic ease or dis-ease found in our relationships. The disease of feeling disconnected from oneself and others is pervasive in our time.
The practices of yoga clear our vision and heal the disease of disconnect. Vision is not just physical seeing but rather total awareness, full consciousness involving all of the five senses and beyond.
To purify is to cleanse of misperception. The yogi attains clear vision by overcoming avidya or ignorance, which is a case of mistaken identity. Through purification of perception, the radiant truth of the Cosmic Self is revealed. This is referred to as Samadhi or Yoga.
How do we evolve from disease to cosmic harmony? Our present condition is a result of our past actions or karmas. To purify our present condition demands a purification of our karmas: thoughts, words and deeds. All karmas are vibratory in nature. They are sounds. A thought is a sound, a word spoken silently or out loud is sound, a physical action is sound expressed, its effect permeating into the relative atmosphere of existence. All action speaks to every aspect of created manifestation causing an altering of life itself.
The ancient purifying system of yoga includes mantra and asana, the practice of which provides practical methods for purifying our relationships with others and ourselves. Our bodies are made of our past actions (karmas). Each chakra corresponds to particular relationships we have had with others, as well as our own physical organs, nervous system, senses and body parts. Every asana provides an opportunity to access and heal karmic relationships. Chanting mantra while in a particular asana can provide the means to resolve past karmas, thus lifting avidya to reveal the truth about ourselves and others. The purification of our relationships brings about a healing of the disease of disconnect and the reestablishment of a sound body and sound mind able to embody, radiate and communicate peace and joy to all.
Manipura Chakra:
- Translation: Jewel in the City
- Bija Mantra: RAM
- Color: Yellow
- Element: Fire
- Sense: Sight/Eyes
- Organs: Stomach / Liver / Spleen / Pancreas / Intestines
- Spine: Lumbar
- Outer body: Solar Plexus
- Asana: Twists
- Key Word: Confidence
- Relationship: Others (forgive yourself for hurting others)
This is a great opportunity to reflect upon the food we have eaten and the other animal beings we may have harmed in the false hope of feeling stronger or healthier by contributing to their enslavement, harm or death. Acknowledge your selfishness and ask others for forgiveness, and also forgive yourself for causing these other beings harm. Vow to do your best not to cause others harm in the future. The need to hurt others comes from a lack of self-esteem and a disconnection from life itself. This manifests as fear and plays out in our own fear of death, insecurity and lack of true self-confidence – all of which stems from the unenlightened mind conditioned by avidya.
Spiritual Exercises:
Option #1: While assuming various twisting asanas (ardha matsyendrasana, parivritta parsvakonasana, paschasana, etc.*), go to the Karmic root of the imbalance and disconnect associated with this chakra. To do this, focus on other beings in your life who you may have hurt and ask for their forgiveness. As you inhale, silently say, “Please forgive me for my selfishness and the pain I have caused you…” and on the exhale silently say, “…due to my own ignorance of who I really am and who you really are.”
Option # 2: Inhale while silently saying, “Please forgive me…” and exhale, silently naming that being.
Option #3: Inhale silently saying, “I give up the love of power…” and on the exhale, “…for the power of love.” Progress into a deeper contemplation and karmic purification incorporating breath and sound by chanting the Bija mantra, RAM, silently on the inhale and exhale, or out loud on the exhale while remaining in the asana.
* For a more complete list of twisting asanas, see Appendix I, page 250-251, of the Jivamukti Yoga book.
