I just started exploring chakras and mediation but I haven't had much time to practice. However I woke up from a very intense dream. It made me see a lot of things differently and how I judged people. Just as I opened my eyes, I had a ripple-like feeling that started at my sternum and spread out across my chest. It felt like a huge weight was physically being lifted off my chest. It lasted for a minute but then went away as fast as it happened. I was just wondering if that was my heart chakra opening and if not what it possibly could be. Any comments would help me or suggestions on how to open my chakras and what it should feel like. Thanks!
If I didn't know any better, I'd say your soul is gravitating to the LOVE! And the true love, the love without judgment or hatred or greed, the love people only dream of..and few have ever felt. I envy you!
So it's like this. One isn't a brain in a space in their head only. The brain has a network of nerves throughout the flesh. Also, there is a most subtle correspondence in the flow of the mind (which includes feelings and the impressions of physical expreriences.) This energetic field has some major centers, which exist, so to speak, at some common centers like feet, sex, gut, heart, throat, forehead, head. You are naturally functioning through these very interrelated things. Physical, energetic net and centers and so on. Awareness could be thought of as 'light' and pure awareness grows in experience through the methods of remaining still for the most part as based in stilling the winds or pranas, and so on. It's quite possible that during moments of true relaxation the pranas, or winds, may still and when they still they come together and that is the strong focus of awareness which yields stimulation which may be used to guide the mind through various centers. The solar plexus center is usually the one which needs most work as it pertains the the intellect and so it is very trying, and yet, it's the basic center of the body and therefore the center which merges lower nature and higher which all must be worked through. And integrated. But some light there sounds good. Don't stress it. It'll be alright. Later practices will need to include some light yoga and breathing and relaxation techniques. Some study of basic yoga and tantra will be of benefit to you.
Thank you for that insightfulness, I am most grateful. I'm reading "The Tao of Natural Breathing" right now and it is really helpful. I just hope to achieve this weightlessness through my meditation. I know it's a slow process but is there any tips or websites you can give me to refer to? Also, what is it supposed to feel like when you open up your chakras? I always second-guess myself thinking that I'm not doing it right.
I'm no expert, but I wouldn't second-guess. Just take what comes and don't strive to duplicate it or put too much weight on it. The only work I do with my chakras for now is what I call running energy. I lie down and relax for a few moments. Then I'll picture energy (usually start with orange) coming into my first chakra and it opening up to about the size of a dinner plate. I picture the energy running around the open chakra, cleansing as it goes, then taking all the gunk/bad energy and running down my grounding cord into the earth. (I always start every meditation by picturing a strong, healthy, solid gold grounding cord from the base of my spine down to the center of the earth. I'll often visualize my hands stroking the cord, making it thick and strong.) After I get the first chakra going, I move up to the next one. I keep going until I get to the crown. Then I'll picture the energy shooting out of the top of my head and doing a loop to shoot back down into my body and thence to the grounding cord. I'll add in the hands and feet chakras, too. Then I'll picture my whole body radiating a huge amount of glowing orange light. Once I get this going I can then change colors at will. I'll run some light brown or earth energy and some light green for raising my awareness/consciousness. When I am fully open and all of the chakras are full of energy, I'll hear a louder ringing in my ears and I can feel the energy coursing through me. My legs and muscles will twitch and jerk. When I'm done, I'll slowly close each chakra to the size of a silver dollar in the reverse order that I opened them. I will then mentally ground out any extra energy. If I feel too energized when I'm done, I'll go outside and stand on the ground with my shoes off and ground myself that way. Search the internet for meditation techniques. There are tons of free ones out there. Meditationiseasy.com is one of my favorites as the author incorporates many different methods. From what I understand, experiences differ from individual to individual. Also, experiences differ from one session to another. It sounds like it is best to not hold on to any one experience so that you'll be open to whatever happens. Pretty much everyone does say to stick with one method for a length of time and that you will come to know when it is time to move on.
Wow, it sounds like you have been practicing a long time. It seems you have it down pat. I hope to get there someday. I just find it so hard to find enough time to meditation etc. I think I need to not work ever again lol.
Actually, I used to meditate some and do yoga when I was in my twenties. Family, work, and my own idiocy caused me to put it aside for many years. I just started again a little over a month ago. Fortunately I kept all my books and have time to look at all the stuff on the internet. You'll find that most people say that consistency is more important than the amount of time. So it is better to meditate twice for a few minutes every day than say once a week for two hours. I like to think of it kind of like you are showing someone how much you care about them. If you only contact them once in a while, they will not feel as good as if you were to contact them a couple of times every day. I don't know how effective it is, but I set a timer during the day when I'm at work and stop every half hour to take three breaths. I try to clear my mind and not think of anything during those three breaths. Obviously, I can't always stop or do this exactly when the timer goes off, so I'll just keep it in mind for as long as it takes to finish what I'm doing, then take the breaths. It's a kind of mini-meditation. It seems to work for me. Another thing I do is breath more deeply whenever I think about it. Taking full breaths is way more beneficial than the way we normally breath. Whenever I get in the car, I say a mantra while I'm driving while controlling my breath. Whenever I walk somewhere, I chant a mantra in time to my footsteps. (Om Mani Padme Hum is the one I use.) Lastly, (for today anyway) check out the sbagen stuff (do a internet search for it). You'll find the player software along with some files to listen to with headphones. Don't worry too much about the technical side of things for now if you're not into that kind of stuff. Just play the alpha and/or theta sounds. These will help you subconsciously learn to get your brainwaves into a meditative state quickly. This will help you maximize what little time you have available. Keep in mind that this is actually your life's work and is more important, beneficial, and better for the rest of humanity & the planet than anything else you could do. Look for whatever opportunities your experiences give you. It's all about shutting off the endless stream of thoughts popping into your mind. You can do that any time that you are not actively involved in problem solving or planning. Get used to just being an observer to your activities. Get used to being in touch with your feelings (emotions as well as bodily sensations) and engage with them instead of your thoughts. It will take a while, but don't give up. Just stick with it in whatever way you can. You'll love yourself for it!
The Heart Chakra is located at the center of the chest and is the focus for love and understanding. Feelings that stem from this love such as forgiveness, compassion, balance and harmony radiate from this point. This Chakra also nurtures the rarified feeling of unconditional or divine love, love that goes beyond the physical. Color: Green Gems: Emerald, Malachite
