Visuddha Chakra

The fifth chakra is called Visuddha which means "pure" in Sanskrit. It extends from the base of the neck by the third cervical vertebra, just below the medula oblongata to a point in the throat by the Adam's apple. Once it is activated, a person becomes conscious of their mental body. We are told in some Yogic texts that it represents the intellectual body or vijnanamaya kosa. In average humanity the throat center is beginning to make itself felt with the head and heart centers still asleep."

By activating the fifth chakra, a person becomes aware that as human beings we exist on the subtle worlds and physical world simultaneously. The throat chakra controls a person's ability to express him/herself fully and creatively. It transmits the intent of a soul. Yogic texts tell us that it controls Udana Vayuwhich is the form of Prana which permits vocal expression. But Udana Vaya controls more than just speaking. It controls the entire area of the throat, neck and face. And because of this facial expression, gestures and even the amount of personal space a person demands is dependent on Udana Vayu. Once Prana can flow through the spine past the throat chakra, a person can stand firm in the face of opposition. He/ she can say no. It is because of the throat chakra's unique ability to transmute other forms of human energy into unconditional joy that this becomes possible.

The throat chakra can be likened to a watershed. Heavier frequencies of energy, including anger, pain and fear, moving through it from the lower chakras are automatically transmuted into unconditional joy. All forms of energy from the lower four chakras (the quality or quantity of energy does not matter) can be processed and transmuted by the fifth chakra in this way.

It is by awakening the throat chakra that a person transcends fear. Once fear is transmuted, the I AM can
emerge and a person can express him/herself completely in all situations.

Visuddha Meditation

In the Visuddha meditation, you will get in touch with the joy that is a manifestation of the transforming quality of the fifth chakra. To begin the Visuddha meditation, find a comfortable position with your back straight. Close your eyes and begin breathing deeply through your nose without separation between inhalation and exhalation, and feel yourself relaxing. Take your time and become conscious of your body by following your breath for about five minutes. After about five minutes, bring your attention to it. Then bring your breath to your fifth chakra. On each inhalation feel the energy centered in your throat chakra growing stronger.

You will feel it as a heat and intensity. Visualize the energy there as a ball of blue light. Experience and visualize it growing stronger and brighter for about two or three minutes.

Feel your consciousness move downward until it is centered in the ball of energy. Then become the ball of energy and feel yourself radiating outward from that center through your body and into the outer environment. Feel yourself in your fearless character. . . noble and full of courage; experiencing the integrity of choosing yourself at every moment. Feel an inner affirmation coming through you--an affirmation which says "yes" to life at every moment. The more you are centered in your throat, the more triumphant you will feel. Without diminishing anyone else, your life will be victorious at every moment.

If you wish, you can mentally repeat the affirmation, " At last I am free" over and over to yourself. As you experience your victory on all levels of causation simultaneously, you will feel streams of energy shooting up your spine. As they pass your throat chakra, they will become currents of unconditional joy. Accept your victory. By doing so, you will be fulfilling your Dharma by being yourself completely at every moment.

Take at least ten minutes for this part of the meditation. After about ten minutes or when you are satisfied, take a deep breath through your nose and as you exhale mentally repeat "Every time I come to this level of consciousness, I learn to use more of my mind in more creative ways." Then let your breath return to normal, release the ball of energy by your fifth chakra and any imagery associated with it and relax. After a few moments, count mentally from one to five and when you reach the number five, open your eyes. You will feel wide awake, perfectly relaxed and better than you did before.