While working 40 plus hours I attended university fulltime
and went through a divorce from a 13 year relationship. I worked extremely hard
to obtain a B.Ed. degree with distinction and pay some tuition fees along the
way. As a way to minimize the stress I
did regular exercise such as parking several blocks from the University and
walking, riding my bike when I could, going to the University gym, taking yoga
classes and/or going for walks and jogs. I also had much needed monthly massages.
However, with all the busy-ness and chaos I still lost myself. I remember walking through the university halls
feeling numb, heavy, and gray. One time I paused as I was walking to class trying
to remember how I got there. I think back on it now and wonder how the heck did
I do that and what the heck was I thinking?!
The first time I heard the word, ‘chakra’ was from the
massage therapist. He gave me a brochure and suggested I read about them. I was
a little curious but didn’t have extra time at this point in my life. I’m
pretty sure I glanced at it briefly before tossing it out. During the following massage session
something very unusual happened. I was lying
on the table as he worked on my stomach.
It felt as though he was pressing on a hard rock. He told me to visualize throwing the rock
away. I imagined throwing it in a lake. I
repeated this action a few times, but every time I checked it was still in my
hand. I told him I couldn’t throw it
away because I would feel an empty spot without it. He asked me what I could put
in its place once it was gone. I told
him I was looking for something pink or something red, but I couldn’t find
something soft enough. He suggested I put some feathers there until I found that
perfect thing. I didn’t tell him but I thought that feathers were ridiculous.
They weren’t the right size or shape. I’m pretty sure I even scrunched my nose
at the idea. However, within a couple minutes I was surprised that the hard
rock in my stomach had changed to a moveable, plasticine-like substance.
As I paid for the session I was quiet, confused, and
contemplative. I wondered to myself why I said those things. I’ve had regular
massages for a few years and I’ve never said anything like that before. What did
the rock represent and why couldn’t I throw it away? Who says, “Something pink
or something red” in a massage session? What did those colours mean? What is
the perfect, soft something that is pink or red? I was very intrigued. He
suggested I learn about chakras to help understand what went on in the massage
session. I simply nodded, but was extremely
curious by this time and made a mental note to look them up as soon as I had
the chance!
After the session I drove by the weir on the way to work. I couldn’t take my eyes off of the sparkling
river. I felt the need to breathe in the surroundings and I just had to go
there. I had about 15 minutes before I had to be at work. I spent those
precious minutes mindfully watching the river flow, the birds fly by and the people
around me. I never felt more aware, grounded, and connected. It was incredible! As soon as I got the chance I did a Google
search about chakras. I discovered that
the stomach area he was working on included a ‘sacral chakra’ and was related
to the element of water. I thought it was pretty fascinating and coincidental
that I had the desire to go to the weir after my treatment and how amazing and fulfilled
I felt afterward.
I soon became consumed with learning everything there was to
know about chakras. I was researching about them every moment I possibly could.
Within a week or so I started following a simple 10-15 minute guided meditation
I found on the website http://www.eclecticenergies.com/chakras/open.php.
I would take out a little box that contained something I specifically chose to relate
to each chakra. Some items matched the
colour or element of the chakra which helped me visualize what I wanted them to
look like. I began each meditation by saying a prayer of thanks and guidance. Then I glanced at the item that related to the
chakra I was ‘cleansing’ and visualized it being pure and clean. Next I would include the hand mudra associated
with the chakra and quietly say the sound connected to it, just like the
website suggests. At the end of each session I visualized sealing up my bubble
or aurora as a protection against any negative energy. I then said a prayer of thanks to God and put
my special items away. The first several times were very methodical.
About a week later something amazing happened. It was 7:45 am
and I had finished meditating on my root, sacral, and solar plexus
chakras. I then took out a green jade
gemstone, my heart chakra item, and focused on making it a pure green. I checked
the paper from the website to make sure my hand placement and posture was correct.
I started making the sounds, “yaaaam, yaaaaam”, just like I had been doing. It still
felt meticulous and orderly until all of a sudden out of nowhere I began to cry.
It wasn’t like any cry I had before. It was the biggest bawl I had in a very
long time. It felt like the most cleansing cry of my life! I had the deepest,
longest exhale. It felt like forever
until I inhaled again. On the exhale I felt all the black, dark negative junk
empty my body. On what it felt like was
the longest inhale, a wave of bright light filled my entire body. It was such an incredible experience. I felt calm,
at peace, and I loved myself, the world, and everything in it. The grayness that had once surrounded me was
lifted and in its place was pure love and peace.
I am so thankful I learned about chakras. Since then I’ve
had many amazing experiences getting to know how my body and spirit are
connected. Whenever I’m feeling low or
lacking in life I refer back to my favourite nonfiction book about chakras; The Complete Guide to Chakras:
Vintage Edition: Unleash the Positive Power Within, by Ambika Wauters.
Every time I read it I learn so much more about myself and get great advice on what
to do when life gets complicated. If you are ever feeling disconnected, lacking
in life, and/or alone I would highly recommend you read the book, try following
the meditation from the website and/or include your own personal reflection on
your inner most self. Taking a few minutes each day to explore what feels right
to your body has such a positive impact.
It may take a few times to see results, but it is so worth it!
