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I am occasionally asked, as a buddhist, why I observe Ash Wednesday and Lent. I was raised catholic and as a child, Lent was that annoying time where I’d have to give up chocolate or ice cream. I did not understand the deeper message until I was older.
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As a buddhist, Lent has become a time of quiet contemplation. It is now a reminder of the impermanence of all things. There is beauty in impermanence. It allows us to better appreciate the moments, the present. It allows us to spark our awareness that all things pass away, that our moments are magical, our experience ripe with the whole spectrum of human emotion.
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During lent I take time to pray and meditate each day with an intention of compassion for this planet. This year Pope Francis has appealed “to everyone, believers and nonbelievers alike” to make March 2, Ash Wednesday, “a day of prayer and fasting for peace.”
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Will you join me in a day of fasting and hold the hope of peace & the end of suffering for so many on this tiny little planet we ALL call home?

Chakra is the Sanskrit word for “wheel.” These “wheels” are the energy centers of the body. They are spinning vortexes of energy situated in a column along the body from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. There are seven major chakras and each corresponds to various glands of the endocrine system and governs the energy of certain organs. Each chakra is associated with one of the seven colors of the rainbow and seven specific musical tones (harmonic resonance). They are the embodiment of spiritual energy on the physical plane.

Energy created from emotional responses to physical stimuli run along the chakras and “feed” our cells tissues and organs. Like our unseen breath, which nourishes the body with life giving oxygen, the unseen energy we create can nourish us or deplete us.

Try this:

The next time you experience a strong emotion, take careful note of how your physical body responds.  Does your heart rate go up? Do you feel warmth in your arms, face, or other areas of the body?

This is the emotional energy manifesting as physical sensation. Prolonged emotional responses such as anxiety will manifest physically as ulcers, headaches etc.  This is why it is important to be aware of your body’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual states.

Having balanced, unblocked chakras, assists in keeping the rest of the body in balance. Based upon the location in the body, the chakras relate to certain states of consciousness, emotional function and philosophical constructs. Lower chakras govern the more practical, physical aspects of our lives like survival, stability, trust; while the upper chakras govern spiritual aspects, symbols, and concepts. Together, they provide the body-mind, physical-spiritual connection.

The 7 Major Chakras

Chakra 1
English Name: Root or Base Chakra Color: Red
Element: Earth
Sanskrit Name: Muladhara Vibrational Tone: “C”

The root chakra is located at the base of the spine. This chakra, situated at the perineum, opens downwards towards the earth, connecting the body to the physical environment. It is associated with security, mental stability, courage, and survival. This chakra serves to ground us to the world. Energy from the earth is drawn up though the minor chakras on the soles of the feet.

Physical health problems related to the root chakra are ones affecting feet, ankles, knees though which the earth energy flows.  It also governs the spinal column, small intestine, colon, testes, and ovaries.

The main functions of the root chakra are to give us confidence in ourselves and our place in the world.

If you feel ungrounded- take off your shoes and stand with direct contact with the earth, grass sand, etc. close your eyes and feel the earth energy flow up to reconnect you to your place in the world.

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Chakra 2
English Name: Sacral Color: Orange
Element: Water
Sanskrit Name: Svadisthana Vibrational Tone: “D”

The sacral chakra is located just below the navel. This chakra is associated with our life sustaining energy, the unconscious, and creativity.  It is the seat of wonder and child like fascination. Known as the emotional chakra, it governs giving & receiving, sexual energy, and change.

Physical health problems related to the sacral chakra are connected to the adrenal glands and how we react to stress. Dysfunction in this chakra frequently manifest as urinary tract issues. Emotional issues related to this chakra generally concern the ability to receive love.  When unblocked this chakra enables us to experience unconditional love.

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Chakra 3
English Name: Solar Plexus Color: Yellow
Element: Fire
Sanskrit Name: Manipura Vibrational Tone: “E”

The solar plexus chakra is located at the level of the physical solar plexus and is the spot where you feel “butterflies in the stomach”.  It can be thought of as a little sun in your body. It draws energy from the sun to disperse throughout your system. It is the hub of your energy. This is where we feel power and anxiety. 

The solar plexus chakra is mainly related to digestions and stress (Ulcers).  It is the solar plexus chakra where we physically feel the imbalance quickly (nervous upset stomach, etc.) This chakra also governs the pancreas. One way to strengthen the solar plexus chakra is though stress reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation and/or Reiki.

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Chakra 4
English Name: Heart Color: Green
Element: Air
Sanskrit Name: Anahata Vibrational Tone: “F”

The heart chakra is situated at the center of the system, balancing the upper and lower chakras. It is universally thought of as the place where love originates and is associated with devotion, passion, bliss and the acceptance of the self and others.

This chakra is related to the circulatory system and how we handle stress.   Anger and frustration are components of heart disease.  By learning to release and let go of things we hold in our heart, we can begin to heal and bring balance to this chakra.

The Heart chakra is the chakra of unconditional love.   It is only when we can truly love ourselves can we then unconditionally love another.  Dysfunction of this chakra leads to the inability to have any kind of lasting meaningful relationships (not necessarily romantic.)  When balanced, the energy associated with the heart chakra brings a love of all creation without any judgment.

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Chakra 5
English Name: Throat Color: Blue
Element: Ether (or sound)
Sanskrit Name: Vishuddha Vibrational Tone: “F”

The throat chakra is located at the center of the throat between the collarbone and larynx.  It is associated with communication.  The throat chakra governs speech, artistic expression and promotes increased consciousness on all expression whether physical, emotional, mental or spiritual.  It is our connection between the heart and head- between logic and feeling- body and spirit. Our voices can be used in many ways, and how we speak can be an indication of energy blockages in the throat chakra.

Physical issues are related to the ear, nose, and throat, as well as respiratory problems. The Throat chakra governs the thyroid gland. Symptoms such as congestion, sore throat, or plugged ears can indicate blocked energy.

Blockages may lead to withdrawing from other people, which can in turn, lead to depression. People having difficulty expressing their inner feeling may benefit from find a non-judgmental listener.  Talking out problems can remove blockages.

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Chakra 6
English Name: Third Eye Color: Indigo
Element: Ether (or light)
Sanskrit Name: Anja Vibrational Tone: “A”

The third eye chakra is located in the center of your forehead just above the eyebrows.  This chakra governs insight, imagination, intuition and inner wisdom. The third eye chakra is associated with the mind and meditation.  It is though this chakra that we are able to let the mind chatter ease in to silence and allow ourselves to sit in the silence of who we truly are behind the ego.

Physical problems related to the third eye chakra are symptoms of the eyes and head such as migraines. This chakra governs the pineal gland which is responsible for serotonin and melanin production. These hormones regulate sleep.  The pineal gland is light responsive and a lack of light reduces the amount of serotonin produced which can result in seasonal affective disorder.  The colors and light energy of nature can help to balance this chakra.

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Chakra 7
English Name: Crown Color: Violet/Gold/White
Element: n/a
Sanskrit Name: Sahasrara Vibrational Tone: “Aum”

The crown chakra is directly opposite the base chakra and is situated at the crown of the head.  It opens upward towards the heavens and connects us to the universe.  The crown chakra governs inspiration, idealism, and connects us to everything that transcends our earthly state. It is through this chakra, which should always remain open,  that we draw down universal energy.

Headaches can be caused by dysfunction of this chakra, usually due to denial of feeling.  Bottling up anger, resentment, and obsession (also linked to the heart chakra) can result in high blood pressure and tension headaches.

The Sanskrit name, Sahasrara means “a thousand petals”.   The chakras are represented by lotus flowers because the lotus flower begins its journey in the mud, grows through the water to reach the light and blossom into its true beauty. This is a reflection of our journey of growth through life to reach the spiritual light represented by the sun.

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If you would like to book a chakra balancing session, please contact me for availability.

Namaste