March 12 Class Summary -Root Chakra-

We have a treat tonight. Sunset has prepared some information for us, and Alite is going to lead the meditationat the end.. so other than running the macros, I have it easy Last week I started discussing the chakras and how they relate to the metaphysics of the corresponding bodies and dimensions. We only covered the first 3 but after that the dimensions start becoming less easy to discuss as they become more formless and timeless as you go on.

So based on the new information that Sunset has been working on, we have decided to start over at the first chakra, and cover one chakra per week in much more detail. This will give us time to assimilate and discuss. I think you will agree after you see what we have prepared, that trying to move faster would be too much.

Sunsetxxxxxxxxxx: The interpretations or my thoughts are from reading the book Wheels of Light by Anodea Judith. Which I would highlyrecommend...amazing text.

Jamesxxxxx: I have 4 books on chakras but from what I have seen, that one is better than any of the ones I have.

Are there any general questions on meditation before we beginthe presentation? I don't want to lose sight of why we have gathered, no matter how interesting some of these related topics can be. In the yoga tradition, a gathering of meditators is calledS atsang. It is an energy sharing.. a kind of interactive meditation. We listen, and speak, from the center... as a group there is a special energy that comes from this.

Sunsetxxxxxxxxxx: James..I think that meditation is a very powerful tool to becoming aware of your chakras and how open or closed they are.

Jamesxxxxx: Yes, I agree Sun, and one of the things I like about this information is how it relates to that.

And on that note, I would like to begin with the first chakra..my font color will change when I am sharing that which Sunset has provided..

Root Chakra:

Here goes... The first chakra lies at the bottom of the spine near the sacral bone, or perinium. The name of this chakra in sanskrit is Muladahara, meaning root support. The element associated with this Chakra is our Earth, which provides for all of our temporal needs. This root chakra represents our need to be grounded, and the manifestation of our physical body, and is associated with the functioning of our legs, feet, bones, large intenstine, and teeth, which provide strength, support, and nourishment from the Earth. This chakra is associated with the color Red, which symbolized the heat, energy, and life force at the core of the Earth, radiating out to the surface to provide for all life forms, and is also associated with the sense of smell. The stones associated with the chakra are Lodestone,ruby, garnet and bloodstone, all representative of the deep and nourishing color of red. When this chakra is open, you trust that the earth will sustain and support your needs. Providing and inner state of stillness, security, and stability in your life. When this chakra is closed or over activated, it is representative of your bodys fight or flight response, fear, and anxiety. Situations that might cause over activitiy would be issues such as the loss of a job, inadequate housing, food, clothing, and being overcome with illness. These situations usually do not allow you to focus or concentrate on other things until they are alleviated. Progression to other chakra levels is inhibited untilsufficiently stablized. Self nurturance is important for this chakra, providing your body with proper nourishment, sleep and exercise allow this chakra to be open, grounded and centered to provide you with optimal support. The seed sound is Lam.

Jamesxxxxx:What I found interesting was how having this chakra open or closed affects how we relate to the world.

Alitexxxxxx: Yes. It is our basic foundation of how grounded we are in the world around us.

Sunsetxxxxxxxxxx: Yes...and how comfortable we are in our own bodies

Jamesxxxxx: This reminds me of something I studied in psychology about a hiarchy of needs.

Sunsetxxxxxxxxxx: Maslow's Hierarchy.

(Special Note from Alite****** for more information on Maslow's Hierarchy please see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs )

Sunsetxxxxxxxxxx: One thing this book brought out was our right to be here..and the deserving of being nurtured by the earth...

Jamesxxxxx: Until you are stable with you need for food and shelter, you can't be thinking about art, music, or spiritual needs. I think having appropriate financial support is also representative of this chakra.

Jamesxxxxx: Sunset, were there any techniques for working on each chakra in the book?

Sunsetxxxxxxxxxx: Yes. It talked about food choices, proteins being representative of this chakra... and that the ingestion of good foods stabilizes this chakra.

Jamesxxxxx: So this really is dealt with on a physical level.

Sunsetxxxxxxxxxx: Yes. There is a grounding visualization technique I can share which consists of standing or sitting in a chair with feet comfortably apart,and tapping the toes and feeling your feet against the earth...and imagining that your feet have roots..like a tree..going deep into the ground sinking deep into the earth to the very core of heat and color representative of this chakra and above your head a single ray of red light falling first on your head and enveloping your body to cradle you against the earth which closely paralells what gravity does to stabalize us. It talks about yoga postures. Laying flat on your back..and bringing on knee up to your chest..and that brings your spine in contact with the earth..grounding your chakra and also.. a bridge pose...laying flat on your back against the ground..pushing the legs up so your pelvis is in the sky your feet stay pushed against the ground also a half and full locust Laying flat on your belly against the ground raising one leg up..or both doing an elephant stance, jumping, jogging and any activity which puts you in contact with the earth helps ground you. It also talks about sleep, resting, eating, and massage. Those are all ways to nurture your first chakra.

(Special note from Alite******: The name of the book again is Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith. A recommended book for better understanding the Chakra System.)

Jamesxxxxx: Does anyone else have anything they would like to share on the first chakra?

Flowxxxx: I'm wondering.. would that grounding exercise have the same effect in a house as well as on the ground? Or upstairs as well as downstairs?

Jamesxxxxx: I have a chart I wanted to share that Alite found, that is an good summary of all the chakras. Your Information Source for Chakras (Keyword to: http://www.chakraenergy.com/chart.html)

Sunsetxxxxxxxxxx: I think it's the act of doing the exercise that is the grounding part. It's design is to remind you of how comfortable or how stable you feel in your environment. One thing this book perpetuates is that the base chakras are just as important as the higher ones. If you don't have a good grounding or good foundation, you can have discontinuity. It reminds me of the christian teaching of building your house on a rock ..instead of on the sand.

Jamesxxxxx: It would make it hard to progress with the higher ones.

Sunsetxxxxxxxxxx: The next chakra correlates to water which is quite interesting.

Alitexxxxxxx: I am looking forward to learning more on that one next week Sunset!

Jamesxxxxx: Its almost time to wrap up our topic for the evening. Tonight Alite is going to lead our closing meditation.

Sunsetxxxxxxxxxx: Well they each build upon the other james, they are all an integral part of each other..spinning in rhythm.

Jamesxxxxx: Any final thoughts before we meditate?

Alitewithin: Is everyone ready? Group Meditation begins....


Group Meditation:

Let us focus on calm and peaceful thoughts with our breaths and begin. Sitting aligned. Feet flat on the floor. Hands gently on yourlap. Relax your forehead. Feel the tensions as they disappear.

Relax your face. Feel a gentle tingle of warmth as the face muscles become calm. Relax your neck and shoulders. Calm. All tension moves downward through your body as you remove it.

Breathe calmness into you. Breathe out all tension. The flow of warmth moves downward and your chest relaxes. The easy flow of your breath fills you with a perfect calm as the tensions are released from you.

Relax your arms, hands and fingers. The calm flows downward and your legs relax. The warm tingle of calm flows down to your feet and your toes and all tensions disappear totally from your body.

You feel the calm stillness flowing through you with each breath you feel more relaxed more at peace.

Breath gently as you visualize yourself sitting not in your chair but on a golden sandy beach. The warmth of the sand embraces you as you breath.

The golden beach fills you with peace and tranquility.

Feel the warmth and inner strength that flows upward through your base and naval gently flowing into your solar plexis as you sit there. Breathing in the energy.

Feel the safe calm feeling it brings to you. Allow it to embrace you gently.

In front of you the calm blue sea flows gently. Touching your feet softly with each breath. Bringing with it the touch of inner peace and confidence that flows upward soothingly through your heart to the quiet peace of your throat. Breath in the calm.

Enjoy the warm embrace of it gently surrounding you. Allow your entire being to embrace this feeling so wonderful so calm.

Feel the calm clear wind breathing with your breath as it touches you and becomes one with your breath. Feel the harmony and balance as it flows through your brow to your crown.

Close your eyes and cherish it, praise the gentle peaceful embrace you share for three breaths. Four breaths. Five breaths.

Now allow the visualization to end as slowly or quicky as you wish. Allow the calm to remain within you.

May peace and calm always be yours to hold. Thank you for meditating with me again!


End Discussion:

Jamesxxxxx: If anyone wishes to be on the mailing list, please email me. Summaries of our sessions can be found at our site: MeditationPaths (Keyword to: http://meditationpaths.blogspot.com/)

Alitexxxxxx: Also join us next week for the lesson on the Sacral Chakra.

Jamesxxxxx: Are there any meditation questions?

Alitexxxxxx: I think James it would be a nice thing if others are alsointerested in leading a meditation to let you know of their interest. This way the lessons we have covered could be put into action! A very good group effort!