"The goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim
at, and which men desire when they lead the life of continence … is Om. This syllable Om is indeed Brahman. Whosoever
knows this syllable obtains all that he desires. This is the best support; this is the highest support. Whosoever knows this
support is adored in the world of Brahma." ~ Katha Upanishad I
Om or Aum is of paramount importance in Hinduism. This symbol (as
seen in the image on the right) is a sacred syllable representing Brahman, the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism — omnipotent,
omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence. Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible; so a symbol becomes mandatory
to help us realize the Unknowable. Om, therefore, represents both the unmanifest (nirguna) and manifest (saguna) aspects of
God. That is why it is called pranava, to mean that it pervades life and runs through our prana or breath.
Om in
Daily Life
Although Om symbolizes the most profound concepts of Hindu belief, it is in use daily. The Hindus begin
their day or any work or a journey by uttering Om. The sacred symbol is often found at the head of letters, at the beginning
of examination papers and so on. Many Hindus, as an expression of spiritual perfection, wear the sign of Om as a pendant.
This symbol is enshrined in every Hindu temple premise or in some form or another on family shrines. It is interesting
to note that a newly born child is ushered into the world with this holy sign. After birth, the child is ritually cleansed
and the sacred syllable Om is written on its tongue with honey. Thus right at the time of birth the syllable Om is initiated
into the life of a Hindu and ever remains with him as the symbol of piety.
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What
Are Chakras
The seventh Crown chakra is located on the top of the head upward. Its color is Violet.
This chakra is also known as (“Sahasrara”) meaning “Thousandfold” It is represented by a thousand petaled lotus. The seventh chakra is the crown of the
whole chakra system. It symbolizes the highest level of spirituality and enlightenment one can attain. It is the passage way
that carries us across the bridge that connects us to the eternal infinite presence of the Holy Spirit. The crown chakra is
the seat of the soul of Divine wisdom. It is a state of consciousness that is in direct communication with the mind of
the Spirit. It is the rapture, the bliss of a transcended state of awareness where all answers are revealed and poured into
the eternal consciousness of the soul. It is a state where knowledge is but a child unto the Knower.
The
brow chakra is the sixth chakra with a Sanskrit name of (“Ajna”) a meaning of “beyond wisdom.” Its
color is Indigo. Located just above and between the eyes it is also referred to as the “third eye”. A passage
from “The Chakra Handbook 1999” Shalila Sharamon and Bodo J. Baginski
states: “Conscious perception of being takes place through the sixth chakra. It is the seat of our higher
mental powers, our intellectual capacity to distinguish, our memory and our will. On the physical plane it is the highest
center of command of the central nervous system. It is here that we can manifest matter and dematerialize it. We are able
to create new realities at the physical level and dissolve old ones… This process takes place automatically and without
conscious action on our part”.When the sixth chakra is healthy and balanced
one might experience a “Knowing of things” lucid dreams, heighten spiritual connection, and the ability to hear
and communicate with spiritual guides and being from the angelic realm while meditating. The sixth chakra is the liberator
of past action and karma.
The fifth chakra Sanskrit word (“Vishudda”) means “purity”. Its color
is Blue. The fifth chakra is the first chakra that exists mainly on the spiritual plane. It is a bridge that links the lower
chakras that concentrates more on the earthly plane with those spiritual chakras of higher vibrations and frequencies. Vishudda
is governed by higher communication. The fifth chakra is located in the throat, vocal expression, sound,
communication, hearing, listening, chanting, and singing. Are ways in which we outwardly express our beliefs, inner visions
and truth. A block in Vishudda causes communication problems, self-hatred, and reclusiveness. When Vishudda is open and connected
to the heart chakras, the energy that is expressed is pure love and light. One cannot help but to sing,
dance or chant a song that vibrates with a frequency that penetrates the heavenly cosmos.
The fourth chakra
is Green with a secondary color of pink and is known as the heart chakra, located at the center of the breast plate, our hearts
center, above the fifth thoracic vertebrae.Sanskrit name is (“Anahata”) meaning “unstuck”
or “stillness”. The fourth chakra is where the healer emanates from and holds all that they wish to heal. When
the fourth chakra is balanced and healthy one will experience joy, love, and compassion for all things. Experiencing
and exhorting feelings of shyness, unkindness, jealousy, loneliness and an inability to forgive or lack of empathy, are all
indication of an out of balance chakra. If one wishes to vibrate more lovingly it would do them good to
meditate from the Anahata chakra.
The third chakra whos color
is Yellow known also as the solor plexus chakra, ("Manipura") located at the navel, above the thoracic vertebrae.
When this chakra is healthy and fully functioning one might expreiacne a feeling of personal empowerment, and the clarty to
direct ones will accordingly. Located at http://healing.about.com/cs/chakras/a/chakra3.htm it states that The personality that develops during puberty is housed in this chakra....otherwise
known as the "EGO". Anyone experiencing dysfunction of the third chakra is having difficulty obtaining or maintaining
his/her own "personal power". This intuitive chakra is where we get our "gut instincts" that signal us
to do or not to do something. Strong self-esteem is required for developing intuitive skills.
Sacral chakra is the second chakra. The Sacral Chakra color is Orange ("Svadhisthan")is located three
inches below the navel, also called the hara in. Japan or Dan Tien in Chinese. It is in charge of the reproductive system, related organs are the ovaries
and testicles. Helmut G Sieczka states that open energy flows in the second chakra invites vitality and sexual energy, a harmonious
sex life, well-balanced physical constitution, feelings of connection and security toward oneself and others, a rich
emotional life and a developed sense of empathy. An emotional state such a depression is a energy blocker in relation
to this chakra and causes it to shut down completely. When this Chakra is healthy it aids in creativity.
First chakra, the root, its color is Red ("Muladhara") location is at the base of the spine at
the coaxial. Working with this chakra can produce power, and control over greed, lust and passions which are
pure human attachments and are not a part of the true spiritual body, mind and Spirit. The root chakra is earth-bound
and physical. Its energies move thoughout our subtle system. It is our connection to the physical and earthly world. When
this energy is healthy it brings clarity, awareness and understanding. It is also helpful in manifesting into the physical,
creative ideas and desires.
What
Is Meditation?
Meditation is a disciplined way of life and should be thought of in the same capacity as we do food,
drinking water and vital ways of life. Meditation is a dedicated practice where the individual purposefully moves the mind
beyond the realm of thought into complete conscious awareness of body, mind and spirit. Meditation derives
from numerous sacred practices, and has been in existence since antiquity. It is also practiced outside religious traditions.
There are as many forms of meditation as there are goals of the individual practicing meditation. It is both Spiritual
and Non Spiritual practiced with an intent for a higher state of consciousness with a desire to fully understand one's
life purpose or to reach enlightenment.
Meditation is often thought of as a form of communication
between disciple and Spirit. The practice of meditation is a way of receiving Spiritual guidance and an understanding
of living more compassionate and loving toward all things.