Healing

Reiki Symbols: Meanings, Purpose, and Practice

Published

2 years ago

October 8, 2019

Reiki symbols are both a visual and auditory focus, although in the Western tradition the main importance is given to the visual aspect. Thus, the Symbols not only increase the power of Reiki but also serve as the focus for our intentions.

In this article, I will share with you the basic Reiki symbols, their meaning, purpose, and the sacred energy that each of them expresses.

Symbols in Reiki

Reiki symbols have always been surrounded by mystery and have been recognized as Sacred Symbols of great power.

In the Reiki system, the symbols are taught starting with the Second level. These symbols have always been the subject of controversy among the various Reiki schools.

A turning point in the history of the Western Reiki school was the publication of Diane Stein’s book “Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art“. Teachers of the traditional Reiki school DO NOT recommend to read this book as it violated the Reiki traditions. Diane Stein published all the Reiki symbols in that book, and this is how they became public.

The fact is that the teachers of the Traditional Reiki school teach to keep the Reiki symbols in secret in view of their sacredness.

In addition, only a person who has never experienced the Power of Reiki Symbols is able to share these symbols with the uninitiated. Those people who really understand and feel the Reiki Symbols understand the huge responsibility of keeping the Reiki traditions that prevent them from sharing the Reiki Symbols and mantras to the uninitiated.

I am a representative of the Traditional Reiki school, so in this article, I will talk about Reiki symbols without naming them or showing them. I think that this article will be useful primarily to those who have already been initiated into the Second level of Reiki, but for the rest, it will be only introductory information.

The traditional Reiki school teaches the Symbols according to the Hawayo Takata method:

Stage 1: the students memorize the symbols;
Stage 2: the students practice drawing the symbols on paper;
Stage 3: the students destroy the paper with the symbols.

Now Reiki practitioners use many additional Symbols, but most practitioners use the four basic Reiki symbols.

Reiki students get introduced to the Three Reiki Symbols when they get attuned into the Second level of Reiki. And the fourth Reiki symbol they learn when they become Reiki Masters.

Originally, the symbols were not part of the Reiki system. Mikao Usui started using them when he began introducing Reiki to people unfamiliar with spiritual practices. In other words, he was using symbols to help people in spiritual development. Reiki symbols were supposed to be a focus for the mind, as well as mantras.

The Use Of Reiki Symbols

The Reiki symbols that Dr. Usui used in the initiation process have tremendous energy that can awaken certain areas of consciousness and teach us how to create the material out of the immaterial, whether it’s healing the body, building relationships, or coping with life situations.

Reiki practitioners should be well prepared before beginning to learn the art of Reiki symbols. Because the symbols are sacred, they are revealed to a practitioner only at the right time. To comprehend their true meaning is possible only after preparation. The practitioner should have a strong spiritual background and at least a couple of years of regular Reiki healing practice based on Reiki Level 1 before he/she gets introduced to the Reiki symbols.

The Reiki symbols are carriers of very powerful sacred energy and in various combinations are able to awaken creative intelligence. They help us to make a qualitative leap to another level of consciousness. The Symbols reveal the universal truth, and we gain deep knowledge when we start interacting with their energy.

Moreover, Reiki symbols contribute to the strengthening of the human energy body, which makes the process of awakening irreversible. They also help to accelerate karma, increase endurance, and eternal vigilance.

Traditional Reiki Symbols

When our thoughts are concentrated, we can put them into action. That’s what the Sacred symbols are for.

As already mentioned, the second level of Reiki opens access to the three Reiki Symbols. And the third Reiki level opens access to the fourth – Master symbol.

Each Symbol corresponds to a mantra, which is the sound vibration of the Symbol and some Masters also say that the mantras are basically the names of the symbols. By chanting the mantra, you focus on the intention, and the form turns into the essence.

So, the traditional Reiki symbols are:

1st symbol – CKR

This symbol activates the process, leads the energy in the right direction for achieving the desired result. The energy of this symbol moves in a spiraling direction from limitless potential through thought and essence. CKR symbol focuses on physical body healing.

2nd symbol – SHK

This symbol takes the practitioner to the mental and emotional energy levels. It focuses on the emotional body healing and works through our subconsciousness.

3rd symbol – HSZSN

This symbol creates a so-called “bridge” between us and the person and/or the situation in which we want to heal or harmonize. It focuses on the mental body healing and works through our consciousness.

Understanding the Reiki Symbols

Every Reiki practitioner should establish a connection with each Symbol and the aspect of Reiki energy that is embodied in them. Having an inner understanding of the vibrations accompanying the Reiki symbol’s mantras, we can completely abandon them and concentrate immediately on the manifestation of the energy associated with the particular symbol.

You should understand that it’s not easy. It may take years of meditation before you can achieve this. But with regular practice, you will achieve the desired results!

In most Reiki schools, the Masters teach the four basic symbols. However, there are many other symbols obtained through channeling by the creators of the new Reiki schools. In this article, I will share with you only those symbols that are traditionally used in Reiki, their characteristics, as well as the energy that is expressed through them.

Now let’s go deeper into the understanding of each of the four Reiki symbols.

Symbol 1: CKR

The shape of the First symbol (also known as CKR symbol) is at least partly found outside Japan. This symbol is also found in Indian and Celtic culture. Partially it’s expressed in the SO and CHA symbols of the SOLANCHA system.

In Japanese teachings, on which relied Mikao Usui, Symbol 1 is connected with Earth energy. And as we know, Earth energy is necessary for grounding. It is also associated with the Hara.

Connecting with this symbol while meditating on it will help you increase your energy level and straighten your Hara.

CKR symbol focuses energy on what you direct it to and amplify it.

Symbol 1, like all the others, can be used alone or in combination with others.

In order to activate the Symbol, it is necessary to say its mantra three times.

Mantra CKR

The mantra of this symbol translates as “power increase” or “placing all the powers of the universe here”.

Symbol 1 (CKR) Characteristics

Meaning: power, energy.

Purpose: directs energy towards desired results.

Tasks:

serves as a catalyst;
activates and enhances energy.

Possible Benefits:

the physical body healing;
gives other symbols extra energy;
concentrates energy on a particular goal;
energy protection;
purifies and energizes water and food;
cleanses and charges crystals and any other healing stones;
purifies and energizes any material objects.

So, Symbol 1 is used to increase power. When you visualize Symbol 1, your access to Reiki energy increases several times. CKR focuses energy on one point, calling for the Divine help in healing.

Symbol 2: SHK

In Western teachings, Symbol 2 is associated with physical and mental well-being. In the Japanese tradition, it is associated with harmony. I support both of these associations since SHK energy grants calmness of mind and emotional balance.

Unlike Symbol 1, Symbol 2 uses the energy of Heaven, which is also called “Light”. Working with this energy helps to develop intuition and psychic abilities because it is related to the mind. Moreover, Symbol 2 helps us to make contact with the energy of the Higher Self, or Spirit.

You can draw or visualize this Symbol when you need to better understand the situation. In traditional teaching, practitioners draw this symbol on their Third eye chakras during the Reiki healing sessions. In distance Reiki healing, it is recommended to focus on this symbol when the patient is experiencing psychological or emotional distress.

Symbol 2 has very subtle energy. Therefore, usually, it takes more time for a Reiki practitioner to feel it. However, regular meditations on this symbol will eventually help you to start feeling it and then you will discover its great power. Symbol 2 can be used in a combination with Symbol 1 to enhance emotional cleansing.

Mantra SHK

This mantra translates as “Earth and Heaven become one”. Or some Masters may translate it as “God and man become one”.

Symbol 2 Characteristics

Meaning: healing, harmony, happiness.

Symbol: embryonic state, the beginning of the external form.

Purpose: to bring harmony and healing.

Tasks:

calm and relax the mind;
open direct access to the subconscious levels.

Different Ways to Use the SHK Symbol:

elimination of emotional/energetical blocks;
emotional healing;
creating harmony;
energy cleansing.

Reiki energy penetrates where healing is needed at any level: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. When we use Symbol 2, we direct energy to the emotional level, and this is the key to effective healing. Painful emotions or trauma that are deeply hidden in our subconsciousness, come to the surface. Only after emotional relief, can we expect that healing from physical illness will occur. Anger, despair, rage, grief are the most common root factors that create disease.

Reiki Animal Healing with SHK Symbol

Pets cleanse houses and people from negative emotions. If the family is in crisis, the pet takes the hit and is not always able to cope with it. One way or another, your pet’s health is a reflection of your energy or the energy of the environment you live in.

Reiki practitioners use Symbol 2 to help relieve emotional pain in pets as well as in humans. When I use SHK in my healing sessions for pets, along with the healing, the emotional blocks of the owner of the pet get released. I often receive information about the root problem of the pet’s disease during the Reiki session. Usually, this information comes through the SHK symbol. And its always connected to the emotional problems of the owner of the pet.

Example of Reiki Animal Healing With the Help of SHK

I’ll share with you one example from my practice. I was healing a cat who accidentally damaged his back. This severe damage affected his paws so he couldn’t walk. When I was giving a healing session to the cat, the information about his owner came through the SHK symbol. The information was about his owner.

The owner’s daughter just a month ago moved out of the house and went to college. So the mother (the owner) was suffering a lot because she didn’t know how to live without her beloved daughter always being around. She was afraid of thinking about the future and moving forward. So, her cat took this emotional block on himself and he couldn’t move because of the fears of his “mom”.

After explaining this to my client she took the responsibility and started working on healing her emotional trauma along with Reiki healing sessions for her cat. In a couple of months of our “teamwork”, the cat was able to walk again!

How Does SHK Work?

Symbol 2 focuses energy on the emotional body and thus enhances its effect. This helps the patient to focus on the specific emotional blocks and quickly get rid of them.

Use the SHK symbol at the beginning of the healing session or when it’s necessary.

I noticed that sometimes Reiki practitioners (including myself) forget to use the SHK symbol. And this is totally ok! The thing about this symbol is that you should always trust your intuition whether you need to use it or not. If you remembered to use this symbol during your Reiki session – it’s great! But if you forgot about it, then there was no need to use it. When you’re performing intuitive healing, the intuition should lead the process.

SHK and Kundalini

Many Reiki practitioners use Symbol 2 as a tool for helping the Kundalini awakening. You may notice that this symbol makes Kundalini practices and meditations go much easier and smoother.

Symbol 3: HSZSN

Symbol 3 is composed of 5 Japanese hieroglyphs (Kanji) that can be read as a phrase.

In western Reiki schools, HSZSN is used for distant Reiki sessions. Japanese Reiki system uses this symbol as “a connection tool”. And it makes sense. For performing distant Reiki healing, we have to establish a real connection with the Universe and with the patient. From a certain point of view, when we send healing, we do not act as if we are separated from the patient. We become one with him/her so that he/ she can heal himself/herself.

Meaning: connection, unity, purpose.

SHK Mantra translates as “No past, no present, no future”. Some Masters use another translation – “The Buddha in me contacts the Buddha in you”. Or you may also hear another translation of this mantra – “God in me recognizes God in you’.

When we are using the SHK symbol we go beyond time and space. This is how we are able to send energy distantly and even to the past (for example, when we’re performing past trauma healing) or the future (for example, when we performing manifesting of the goals or harmonizing the situation).

Tasks:

establishing the connection with a person/event/situation beyond time and space;
creating unity between the beginning and the end;
building “a bridge” between “the Divine in me” and the Divine in another person or situation;
cleansing the space.

Different Ways to Use the HSZSN symbol:

distance Reiki healing;
cleansing the space, situation, relationship, yourself or others from negative energy;
distance mental Reiki healing;
self-healing.

The HSZSN Symbol Is a Portal to the Akashic Records

The symbol 3 is often used as a portal to the Akashic Records. By meditating on the 3rd symbol you can get access to the information about your karmic goals, lessons, agreements, and debts which can help you to establish your karmic healing.

Past-Present-Future Healing

When working with Symbol 3, the lines between the past, present, and future are blurred. This symbol shows you that your past, present, and future exist in the same time-lapse. So, the first step in working with this symbol is learning how to feel this.

When you keep working with the HSZSN symbol you will discover that now it’s much easier for you to receive information about the future through this symbol. Let me share with you one helpful trick on how to see the future timelines easier. You simply need to tap into the feeling of unity of the present and the future moment. And then draw the HSZSN symbol two times. The double HSZSN symbol will create a “gate” into future timelines.

Though you’ll be able to see future events, keep in mind that there is an unlimited quantity of possible timelines in the future. So, you never know which one you’ll be able to see. You may see the one that is the closest to the one you’re on right now. But keep in mind that if you change your behavior or make different choices then you may switch the timeline to another one. And it’s possible to see that timeline through the HSZSN symbol too.

Symbol 4: DKM

When a Reiki practitioner becomes a Reiki master, he/she gains access to the 4th Reiki symbol which is also called the Master symbol. This symbol also consists of hieroglyphs.

Symbol 4 is rooted in Buddhist traditions. It is found in the sacred text of Mikkyō – a part of Tendai Buddhism teaching followed by Mikao Usui. This symbol is also used in an esoteric Buddhist ritual in which the follower becomes one with the Buddha’s true nature and reveals his inner light. That is why Usui chose this symbol as the highest symbol of development in Reiki practice.

In the Western Reiki system, this symbol is associated with the mastery of spiritual practice. In Japanese tradition, it is associated with the acquisition of power.

The Purpose

The main purpose of the Master symbol is to establish a direct connection with one’s inner Master.

Your Inner Master is the part of you that has already reached enlightenment. This part is hidden from us, but we gain it through consistent spiritual practices.

The master symbol attracts the energy of the higher vibration, which enhances the healing result.

The DKM symbol can be used in combination with other Reiki symbols to strengthen them and purify the intent behind the Reiki practice. This Symbol sheds light on any situation; physical, mental or spiritual condition. In addition, it clears all obstacles in the way of solving problems, even the most profound ones.

Meditation on the DKM Symbol

When we are meditating on this Symbol it helps us develop self-awareness and promotes spiritual development.

One way to meditate on this symbol is to draw it in front of you and enter it as if it was a hologram. During meditation, it often takes some color, most often it becomes violet. You can intuitively visualize it in a specific color to enhance the energy.

The DKM Mantra

This mantra translates as “Great Enlightenment” or “Bright Shining Light”. There are many other translations of this mantra. However, all translations refer to “the Light”. Therefore, when pronouncing this mantra, we should visualize the Light.

Alignment With Reiki Symbols

Before you start using Reiki symbols in your healing practice, you should make sure you’re aligned with each of them. To achieve it you need to perform the alignment practice with each symbol. This practice will make you capable of using Reiki symbols effectively. Also, it will increase your visualization abilities, improve your healing power, harmonize your life, and balance your spiritual path.

Usually, the alignment practice is performed daily for at least 30 minutes for 21 days after initiation. However, I noticed that not all Reiki masters teach this practice. And many Reiki practitioners use Reiki symbols without being aligned with them. Some masters explained to me that it’s due to the fact that along with the attunment you get automatically aligned with the symbols. However, I cannot agree with this.

You see, Reiki attunement is the initiation into the Reiki system. And the alignment with the symbols is the result of your consistent spiritual practice. A Reiki Master doesn’t have the ability to align you with the symbols. This is your own responsibility and your path.

After I tell people about the alignment practice and they start consistently performing it, they see how much easier it is for them to feel the Symbols’ energy and how much more effective their Reiki healing sessions are. Therefore, if for some reason your Reiki Master didn’t introduce you to the alignment practice, you can do it now. I’m sure very soon you will see amazing difference in your Reiki practice.

The Alignment Practice (Meditation)

Here are quick instructions on how to perform the alignment practice. But keep in mind, that this practice is designed only for those Reiki practitioners that have already received the Level 2 (and up) Reiki attunement.

Take a sitting posture for meditation. Make sure that your arms and legs are not crossed. Take a couple of deep breaths until you feel that your body completely relaxed.
Invite the Reiki Energy with the intention of aligning with the Sacred Reiki Symbols.
Raise your hand in front of you with the palm open and directed away from you. Draw in the air in front of you Symbol 1 (CKR) and say its mantra 3 times. Alternatively, you can draw the symbol in the air in front of you with your index finger or with your index and middle fingers folded together. Visualize the Symbol where you drew it. Now enclose it between your palms.
Close your eyes and continue holding the CKR symbol between your palms. Keep saying the CKR mantra for at least 10 minutes (preferably aloud, but if not possible, then whisper or say it mentally).
Raise your hands with the CKR symbol between them above your head and place the symbol in your Crown chakra. Visualize the CKR symbol entering your Crown chakra, spreading throughout your body and merging with it.

Perform the same actions for aligning with other symbols.

The Bottom Line

There are lots of misleading information about Reiki symbols all over the Internet. You can also see lots of books about the symbols and their interpretation. Obviously, this article is just a summarized guide to Reiki symbols but doesn’t include the full information about them. How can you recognize the true information about Reiki symbols? I always follow one simple rule – if the book or Internet article includes the pictures or names of the symbols, then I can’t fully trust the information in it. The main rule about Reiki symbols is that their images and mantras should be kept secret and if the author doesn’t follow this rule, then he/she probably doesn’t really understand the sacredness of the information he/she shares.

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Katya Ki

Katya Ki is the Founder of SOLANCHA Magazine, a Metaphysical Expert, a Reiki Master, and Human Rights Attorney. She has been studying Eastern metaphysics, cosmology, and esotericism for almost 20 years now. And she's still discovering new knowledge, which is hidden in ancient teachings. During her pilgrimage to the monastery of Saint Catherine in Egypt, she discovered the SOLANCHA System. This is how the SOLANCHA journey started!

Healing

Chakra Affirmations: Powerful Ways To Communicate With Your 7 Chakras

Published

2 weeks ago

June 4, 2021

Katya Ki

There are many ways to restore the natural flow of energy through the chakras. Visualization, yoga asanas, breathing exercises, crystal healing, color therapy, sound healing—all of these practices help release blockages and restore balance. Repeating chakra affirmations is another method of chakra balancing. Repeating affirmations direct healing energy to restore balance in your body and your life. When we repeat chakra affirmations, we become capable of rewriting the patterns in our subconscious minds and direct healing vibrations to the chakras.

In this article, you will learn how the practice of chakra affirmations can help you balance your chakras and communicate with your energy field.

What Are Chakras?

Usually, when we speak of the chakras, we mean the seven vital centers in the subtle body.

Chakras are energy nodes in the subtle body, a kind of receiver and transmitter of cosmic energy. These are rapidly rotating whirlpools of subtle energies that arise along the spine from the root to the crown. They are vortex-shaped. Each of the seven main chakras works at a certain level and is “responsible” for a certain aspect of life, health, and various life situations.

Our chakras are like batteries for various levels of vital energy. Their purpose is receiving, storing, and radiating energy through interaction with the universal life force. The freedom with which energy can flow from the universe to you and back directly determines your state of health and well-being.

Any blockages of the vital energy flow lead to a disorder of the body’s systems as a whole and result in illness, discomfort, loss of energy, or emotional instability. By realizing and understanding the chakra system, and the way it works, we are able to remove our own limitations and reach a level where it is easy to solve any problems and overcome any obstacles in life. Meanwhile, a complete blockage can lead to a complete disconnection from the universal life force, that is, to physical death.

There are seven main chakras, which align the spine, starting from the base of the spine through to the crown of the head:

Muladhara – Root chakra – located in the perineum of men and in the cervix of women.
Svadhisthana – Sacral chakra – located above the Muladhara, just above the genitals.
Manipura – Solar Plexus chakra – located behind the navel within the spinal column.
Anahata – Heart chakra – located above Manipura, near the heart.
Vishuddha – Throat chakra – located in the middle of the throat.
Ajna – Third Eye chakra – located at the top of the spinal column near the medulla oblongata.
Sahasrara – Crown chakra – located in the crown of the head and is associated with the pituitary gland.

These seven chakras (or energy centers) are very important parts of our energy body. The chakras not only control and energize the vital organs of the body but also control and affect our psychological and spiritual conditions. When one of the chakras goes out of balance, it leads to a physical, emotional, or mental impact on your body.

Therefore, it is essential to know what condition your chakras are in. Our Chakra quiz can help you to test your chakras and find out any imbalances. To take the quiz CLICK HERE.

What Are Chakra Affirmations?

Chakra affirmations are short phrases containing a verbal balancing formula that, when repeated many times, activates the healing process in the subconscious of a person, contributing to energy flow restoration, energy block removal, chakra balancing and healing, psycho-emotional state improvement, and positive changes in health and wellbeing.

With the help of chakra affirmations, you can reprogram your mind from lack of energy and illness to vitality and health. If you learn to direct the energy of your thoughts to health and wellbeing you will eventually start feeling better, more energized, and will notice that you’re more healthy than ever.

Chakra affirmations will help you to remove emotional and energetical blocks which will naturally lead to a significant improvement of your overall health and will take the quality of your life to the next level.

Now, let me share with you powerful affirmations for each of the seven chakras.

Root Chakra Affirmations

Sanskrit name: Muladhara

Color frequency: Red

Location: In the perineum of men and in the cervix of women

Responsible for: Stability, safety, financial security, strength

Affirmations

I am centered and grounded.
I love being in my body.
I am powerful, rooted, and strong.
I have everything I need.
I am stable and secure.
I am connected to nature.
I am financially secure.
I am safe.
The universe takes care of me.
I am peaceful, protected, and secure.
I trust in the goodness of life to carry me through.

Sacral Chakra Affirmations

Sanskrit name: Svadhisthana

Color frequency: Orange

Location: just above the genitals

Responsible for: Sexuality, creativity, joy, playfulness, and versatility

Affirmations

I am creative and joyful.
The sweetness of life flows through me.
I embrace and celebrate my sexuality.
It is safe to express my sexual self in healthy ways.
I deserve to enjoy life.
I flow with inspiration and creativity.
I express my emotions in a healthy manner.
I am in harmony with myself.
I receive pleasure and abundance with every breath I take.
I am in touch with my feelings.
I allow myself to be intimate.

Solar Plexus Chakra Affirmations

Sanskrit name: Manipura

Color frequency: Yellow

Location: behind the navel within the spinal column

Responsible for: Inner power, self-esteem, and a sense of purpose

Affirmations

I feel my inner power.
I make decisions with confidence and conviction.
I am powerful.
My boundaries are respected and upheld.
I have the courage to create positive change in my life.
I am confident in all that I do.
I feel motivated to pursue my purpose.
I honor myself and the power within me.
I am responsible for what I create.
I am positively empowered and successful.
I am enough.

Heart Chakra Affirmations

Sanskrit name: Anahata

Color frequency: Green

Location: In the center of the chest

Responsible for: Love, compassion, and forgiveness for oneself and others

Affirmations

I love myself unconditionally.
I welcome love with an open heart.
I am an expression of love.
I allow the love to fill me up and guide me in all my actions.
I follow my heart.
I naturally attract love everywhere I go.
I am open to giving and receiving love.
I am kind to myself and others.
I am grateful for all my blessings.
I forgive myself and others.
I nurture my inner child.

Throat Chakra Affirmations

Sanskrit name: Vishuddha

Color frequency: Blue

Location: In the middle of the throat

Responsible for: Authentic expression and listening to others

Affirmations

I live an authentic life.
I communicate confidently and with ease.
I am open and honest in my communication.
I feel comfortable speaking my mind.
I am expressing myself with clear intent.
I am an active listener.
My voice matters.
I express myself honestly with clear intent.
I live in the truth. I communicate my truth. I am the truth.
I know when it is time to listen.
I express myself creatively through speech, writing, and art.

Third Eye Chakra Affirmations

Sanskrit name: Ajna

Color frequency: Indigo

Location: at the top of the spinal column near the medulla oblongata.

Responsible for: Strong intuition and inner wisdom, the release of the ego

Affirmations

I trust my intuition.
I always honor and follow my intuition.
I think and see clearly.
I am connected to my higher self.
I feel connected to my spiritual truth.
I trust my decisions.
I let my inner wisdom guide me.
I nurture my spirit.
I quiet my mind with ease.
I am constantly expanding my awareness.
I am tuned into Universal wisdom.

Crown Chakra Affirmations

Sanskrit name: Sahasrara

Color frequency: Violet

Location: The crown of the head

Responsible for: Spiritual connection, bliss, and enlightenment

Affirmations

I am Light.
I am an extension of the Universe.
I see the divine light in everyone.
I am infinite.
I listen to the wisdom of the Universe.
I accept myself totally.
I am raising my level of consciousness every day.
I am divinely guided and inspired.
Everything is unfolding exactly as it should in my life.
I am an extension of the universe.
Everything is working out for my highest good.

The Bottom Line

The most important thing in affirmation practice is to transmute negative thoughts and blocks into positive thoughts and attitudes. Stay focused on your healing and choose your thoughts carefully! Remember that even a fleeting negative thought can destroy months of positive affirmation practice!

Healing

Chakra Quiz: Which of Your Chakras Is Out of Balance?

Published

4 weeks ago

May 19, 2021

SOLANCHA STAFF

The seven chakras are the main energy centers of the body, made up of various colors and located from the base of the spine to the top of the head. They are the key to our physical health, emotional stability, and mental clarity. Our seven chakras react to any external stimuli and very clearly indicate an energy imbalance. If you tend to face the same problems over again and over again or have to be treated for the same diseases time after time, then this is a sign that the energy doesn’t circulate in your chakras harmoniously. It is not difficult to analyze the state of your chakras, if you’re willing to watch yourself, your feelings, and your behavior carefully enough. Therefore, taking a chakra quiz can be very beneficial in understanding how energy circulates in your body.

Our chakra quiz will help you find out which one of your chakras is out of balance the most and what you can do to restore the proper energy flow through it.

Seven Chakras

Before you take the chakra quiz, let me remind you that there are seven main chakras, which align the spine, starting from the base of the spine through to the crown of the head:

Muladhara – Root chakra – located in the perineum of men and in the cervix of women.
Svadhisthana – Sacral chakra – located above the Muladhara, just above the genitals.
Manipura – Solar Plexus chakra – located behind the navel within the spinal column.
Anahata – Heart chakra – located above Manipura, near the heart.
Vishuddha – Throat chakra – located in the middle of the throat.
Ajna – Third Eye chakra – located at the top of the spinal column near the medulla oblongata.
Sahasrara – Crown chakra – located in the crown of the head and is associated with the pituitary gland.

Chakra Quiz

Which of these sounds the worst to you?

lacking sexual energy / creativity

being misunderstood

embarrassing yourself in front of others

losing your job / financial stability

not trusting your intuition

losing the connection with your Higher Self / Universe / God

being rejected

Which of these shadow qualities do you deal with most?

lies

earthly attachment

illusions

guilt

fear

shame

grief

Which color your wardrobe and/or your home is lacking?

red

yellow

blue

orange

white

green

purple

What do you need more of in your life?

love / self-love

wisdom

will power

creative expression

spiritual connection

communication

stability

Choose one issue you are currently dealing with

pain in the low back / legs

high blood pressure

infertility or intimacy issues

insomnia

digestion problems

depression

hormone imbalances or thyroid problems

Are you satisfied with your body (height, weight, appearance in general)?

yes

yes, but wouldn't mind some improvements

What does money mean to you?

nothing

money is a tool that gives you new opportunities

everything

What role pleasure and sexuality play in your life?

I deny myself any pleasure, constantly limit myself to everything; I find it difficult to talk about my desires

I respect my body and my right to enjoy my life and sexuality in a healthy way

I often indulge myself with food, love various entertainment (night clubs, parties, etc.) and bodily pleasures; I find it difficult to cope with sexual desires

Do you have a purpose in life?

I struggle finding my purpose

yes

I have a purpose but don't have willpower / energy / motivation to achieve my goals

Do you have trust issues?

yes

sometimes

How does your voice sound?

loud - I always let people know my opinion

timid - I usually feel like I don't have enough words to express my thoughts and feelings

balanced - I feel confident expressing my thoughts but I do so only when it's necessary

Do you have nightmares?

yes, often

sometimes

I don't remember my dreams

Do you have a fear of death (your own or people you love)?

sometimes

yes

Which mantra resonates with you the most right now?

"When I love myself, loving others comes easily"

"I love and accept myself for who I am"

"I communicate confidently and with ease"

"I trust my intuition and fearlessly follow my path"

"I am strong, centered, and grounded"

"I feel safe to express my sexuality in fun, creative, and healthy ways"

"I am a vessel for Love and Light"

Which of these qualities do you feel the least?

loving

expressive

connected

intuitive

confident

creative

grounded

Chakra Assessment Quiz

Your Root chakra (Muladhara) is out of balance

Muladhara is considered the source of vitality and survival instinct. This chakra is located in the perineum of men and in the cervix of women. It affects the organs of excretion and reproduction, the gland organ, and hormonal secretions. Muladhara is directly related to the nose and sense of smell, as well as our animal instincts. In the area of Muladhara, human evolution begins. And it is from the Root chakra that Kundalini rises. Muladhara chakra is responsible for the instinct of self-preservation, vitality, and courage. If your Root chakra is imbalanced, it means that your connection with the Earth is broken, the energy is not able to rise through the channels or does it in a wrong way, the balance is lost, the physical body weakens. Such an imbalance can cause diseases of the spine and the entire musculoskeletal system, diseases of kidneys, colon, and blood. An imbalanced Root chakra can cause unexplained stress, anxiety, and fear of the future. Getting out in nature, walking barefoot, journaling on things that make you feel safe, and doing grounding yoga poses like mountain pose or Monkey pose (Hanumanasana) can all help to balance your Root chakra. Reduce to a minimum watching TV, thrillers, horror movies, in other words, everything that excites and frightens. Try to go to sleep before 11 pm and get up early at 5 or 6 am. Start your day with prayers, mantras, and positive affirmations.

Your Sacral chakra (Svadhisthana) is out of balance

Svadhisthana chakra controls your sense of creativity, expression, and sensuality, and how you relate to other people. It is located between the pelvic bones, in the lower abdomen area. Svadhisthana is responsible for the health of our lymphatic system, kidneys, reproductive system, all organs located in the pelvis, and sexual life. This is the place where our sexual energy is concentrated. Imbalanced Svadhisthana is responsible for infertility, frigidity, and impotence. It is responsible for the choice of sexual partners, sexual desires, and emotions that we experience in the course of intimate life. It is the Sacral chakra that is responsible for the manifestation of our creative potential, self-expression, motivation, and the ability to make life changes. Having an imbalanced sacral chakra can make you feel like you're stuck in a rut or unable to find inspiration. You also might feel unfulfilled in your romantic relationships and friendships. Start to balance this chakra by taking on a new creative hobby or leaning into mindfulness meditation to connect with yourself again. Yoga is another powerful tool for balancing your Sacral chakra. It’s best to practice dynamic Ashtanga yoga, forward bends, asanas that help the hips open. Use crystals for your Sacral chakra healing and balancing. Such crystals as moonstone, carnelian, apricot agate, orange garnet, fire opal, orange sapphire, sardonyx, carnelian, sunstone, aventurine, calcite, fire agate, and orange spinel are perfect for balancing your Svadhisthana. To balance and heal your Sacral chakra, you can meditate with a crystal, holding it in your hands. You can also wear a ring with one of these crystals on your pinky finger.

Your Solar Plexus chakra (Manipura) is out of balance

The Solar plexus chakra is called “Manipura”, which means “lustrous gem”. It's located in the upper abdomen, near the stomach. This chakra is where our gut instincts come from, and it relates to all things self-confidence. Manipura chakra gives you the opportunity to express yourself, it’s responsible for your Ego, intuition, and emotions. Your willpower, financial success, general success, authority, strength, and power depend on the condition of your Solar plexus chakra. Manipura chakra gives you the power to follow your true path without being distracted by something unnecessary. It’s responsible for creativity, intelligence, and ego, and it also gives you curiosity and clarity of mind. Any imbalance and blocks in Manipura lead to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, increased or decreased appetite, as well as diabetes. Digestive problems, such as bloating, nausea, diabetes, kidney disease occur as a result of weak Manipura chakra. These diseases are usually accompanied by a feeling of fear, increased nervousness, anxiety, reaching a state of psychosis. Those with a blocked Manipura might feel uncomfortable in their own skin and disconnected from their intuition. Journaling on your best qualities, or repeating positive affirmations will help you to balance your Manipura. Crystals can also help you to balance and heal your Solar Plexus chakra. Yellow tourmaline, citrine, amber, golden yellow labradorite, tiger-eye, lemon quartz, and yellow Jasper are perfect for balancing your Manipura. To balance and heal your Manipura chakra, you can meditate with a crystal, holding it in your hands.

Your Heart chakra (Anahata) is out of balance

The heart chakra is a source of love and compassion. This energy center is responsible for intuitive understanding, healing abilities, cleansing the aura from negative energy, and the ability to give and receive love. It connects your physical and spiritual nature. It is located in the center of your chest and it is responsible not only for the heart function but also for the lungs, thymus gland, and the cardiac plexus. In Sanskrit, the heart chakra is called Anahata, which means an unharmed, spiritual place where past resentment and experiences cannot hurt us anymore. If you have an imbalanced Anahata, it can negatively affect your physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health. On a physical level, you may have poor blood circulation and jumps in blood pressure. Anahata strongly affects the heart, lungs, and upper body. From a spiritual point of view, an imbalanced heart chakra can cause the inability to trust yourself or others, the feeling of insecurity and fear. You might find it difficult to be vulnerable around other people or share your opinion openly. In order to heal and balance your Anahata, you should stop focusing on things you don’t like, and start feeling grateful for what you have in life instead. Heart-opening yoga poses and guided meditations focused on self-love can all help this chakra start to open up. Also, physical touch helps to open and balance your heart chakra. Try to give your partner or family members as many hugs as you can. If you don’t have a partner you can take massage sessions or reiki healing sessions.

Your Throat chakra (Vishuddha) is out of balance

Vishuddha is responsible for communication with other people and for creative self-expression. This is where inspiration and personal development begin. This chakra gives us the ability to listen and hear – not only other people but also our own inner voice. Vishuddha is connected with the ears and the sense of hearing, with the throat and speech. It awakens acceptance of the vicissitudes of life, mental balance, and sensitivity to the needs of others. This chakra deals with all things expression and governs how you get your message out into the world. If you are someone who has trouble communicating with others or feels like you never have quite the right words, you might have a blocked throat chakra. Moreover, fear of public speaking, profanity, grumbling, lying, criticism, condemnation of yourself and others are also the symptoms of an imbalanced Throat chakra. The element of the Throat chakra is ether. That’s why spending time outside under the open blue sky is already healing itself. Spend more time in nature looking and meditating on the blue sky. Consciousness journaling, writing songs, or singing will help you to open up and balance your Vishuddha. Another powerful tool for opening your throat chakra is crystals. It’s very good for your throat chakra healing to wear a necklace with lapis lazuli, blue calcite, aquamarine, turquoise, sodalite, amazonite, or blue tourmaline.

Your Third Eye chakra (Ajna) is out of balance

The Third Eye chakra is located at the center of your forehead. It is the center of cosmic consciousness and intuition. This chakra controls and energizes the pineal gland and the nervous system. It also provides you the ability to see things as they really are through inner vision and wisdom. It is responsible for the conscious perception of the surrounding reality, for all mental abilities, learning process, memory, and willpower. Ajna provides an opportunity for telepathic communication, seeing spirits, and even receiving messages directly from the Divine Source. If your Third Eye chakra is blocked or imbalanced, you might feel spiritually stifled or unable to pick up on some of the signs around you. To activate and balance your Ajna, start a dream journal or go on a spiritual excursion using sound or breathwork. Also, you can use aromatherapy for activating your Third Eye. To do this, you need to take eucalyptus essential oil and rub it in the forehead area. Apply the oil from the central part of the forehead to the nose. You can do it before you start your meditations or go to bed.

Your Crown chakra (Sahasrara) is out of balance

Sahasrara chakra is located in the crown of the head and is associated with the pituitary gland. Thanks to the crown chakra, we can learn, realize, accept, and connect our consciousness to universal love and infinite knowledge. Having an open crown is pretty rare, and those who manage to do it are considered enlightened and all-knowing. If you can’t find your life purpose, if you can’t find answers to your questions, if you can’t understand the meaning of life, your Crown chakra might be out of balance. The disruption or absence of the connection with the Cosmic Consciousness, eventually leads to a feeling of uncertainty and fear, blocking all other chakras, which prevents the energy flow from free circulation through the body. The inability to think clearly in a stressful situation, dissatisfaction with life, depression, loneliness, unwillingness to communicate with other people, loss of zest for life, fear of death are all the symptoms of imbalanced Crown chakra. You can start to balance your Sahasrara by contemplating life's bigger questions and spending time observing nature. Aromatherapy may help you to open up and balance your Crown chakra. Lotus and Lavander are the best essential oils for Crown chakra healing.

Healing

Emotional Numbness: 10 Signs You’re Struggling With One

Published

1 month ago

May 10, 2021

SOLANCHA STAFF

The fact is; we are emotional beings. We go through one or more emotions at different stages in our lives, depending on our environment and those around us. These emotions, coupled with desire and knowledge, determine how we behave. However, not all emotions are pleasant. A painful period may trigger awful negative feelings that can lead to emotional numbness. Here, the body is temporarily blocking any further negative emotions that are harmful to the body and mind. So how can you tell that you are going through emotional numbness? And, what can you do to cope? Read on.

10 Signs of Emotional Numbness

#1: Emptiness

Emotional numbness is a period of emptiness. Typical triggers of emptiness include infidelity, boredom, and bereavement, communication breakdown in families, substance abuse, and mental health issues like depression.

In such a situation, you may lose purpose in life, studies, work, or hobbies. For example, the loss of a partner changes the structure of your life overnight. All of a sudden, you question the validity of your dreams.

#2: Disconnections between Body and Mind

Are you grieving, facing hatred and discrimination at your place of work, or have crushing anxiety about the outcome of your medical tests? Well, all these events can cause your body to disconnect from your mind. You may find yourself absent-minded in most office meetings.

Alternatively, you could be going with the flow, taking medication, and eating a special diet as per your nutritionist’s recommendations. Yet, when you look back, you have no recollection of why or what you just did.

#3: Disconnection with the World

Emotional numbness makes us cold to those we care about. In turn, we lose touch with local events, special days, or even forget our daily routines. For example, a spouse who is grieving the loss of a child may forget their wedding anniversary. Or, a mother who just underwent a painful delivery may find it hard to soothe a child, despite hearing the baby crying for hours.

#4: Withdrawal from Friends and Family

Now, when you do not share emotions with your family and friends, you become detached. Sometimes, you feel numb when listening to your loved ones sharing their challenges and wins. Or, a heart-felt movie feels indifferent.

#5: Autopilot Mode

Now, emotional numbness switches our brain to autopilot mode. Here, we do things because we know them as per our subconscious mind. However, we have no desire to grow our potential or further this knowledge in any way. You may wake up, shower, take your morning toast and coffee, and hop on the tram to school. A few minutes you remember that electrical fault at the cooker, that can start a fire once you are gone. Or, realize that you picked the wrong clothes from the laundry mat, after getting those weird looks in class.

#6: Loss of Sense of Time

When you are lost in your world due to emotional numbness, time comes to a standstill. You forget significant dates. And, a mention of, say Thanksgiving rings no bell about the season of the year.

#7: Living on the Edge

Severe stress can make you live on the edge. You feel like you no longer have control of the events in your life. Like you are a guest in your own life. In turn, you no longer find pleasure in your hobbies or career. Or, your concentration is almost zero even in the simplest tasks.

#8: Overall Insensitivity

Emotional numbness diminishes your ability to process thoughts or respond to physical signals. You are always in a constant dream-like state.

#9: Dislike of Persons with Strong Emotions

Since you are unable to express strong negative or positive emotions, your numbness makes you detest others who do so.

#10: Panic Attacks

Finally, as the period of emotional numbness comes to an end, you may start to experience overwhelming and confusing feelings. You start questioning your state of mind, as you have no clue what is happening to you. In turn, you may have severe panic attacks.

Managing this final phase of emotional numbness full of emotional imbalances is critical. You do not want to trigger another stressful event that may prolong the disorder.

Self-Help Tips

Note that, emotional numbness is always due to underlying stress. Your first step to overcoming this disorder is by addressing the stress.

You can achieve this by:

#1: Reorganizing Your Lifestyle

Do you feel you are in the wrong career? Go back to school and study another course. If you are struggling with obesity, enroll in your local gym for regular fitness exercises. Where you struggle with insomnia, use guided audio sleep meditations to get enough deep sleep.

These lifestyle changes will relieve you of the stress, and get control of your life.

Many people try to fill the emptiness in their lives by engaging in unhealthy compulsive behaviors. These include compulsive shopping, alcohol abuse, overeating, or under-eating. Doing so only worsens the situation.

#2: Breathwork (Pranayama)

Breathing exercises are a simple and easy way to help you mindfully move through whatever you’re experiencing. Pranayama is particularly useful when intense feelings such as fear or rage breakthrough. There are many tutorials with breathing techniques you can easily find online. Stick to something simple. The point is to use your breath (in whatever way suits you), to calm your mind and body. Try to breathe slowly, deeply, and softly instead of forcing deep breaths (which can actually increase anxiety). Let your breath be natural.

#3: Journaling

Get a journal and spend 5-10 minutes a day writing down everything that triggers even the slightest bit of sadness in you. This simple habit will help you to express your emotions, even if in an indirect way at first. Your journal will serve you as a catalyst for feeling and letting out your emotions.

#4: Catharsis

Catharsis may involve screaming into or punching a pillow to stimulate sadness and crying. This intensively emotional exercise may also involve impassioned dancing or dynamic meditation.

Regular catharsis should be a must on your journey. Without regularly ‘letting it all out,’ you may run the risk of experiencing the repercussions of festering emotions.

#5: Inner Child Healing

Practice inner child healing and find ways of comforting and nurturing this vulnerable place within you.

#6: Creative Expression

Write a song, paint a picture, dance, find some way of expressing what emotion you last felt. If you struggle to feel anything at all, express that artistically. Pay attention to how you feel afterward. Notice if there is even the slightest feeling of satisfaction within you.

#7: Ask for Help – Psychotherapy

Often, you may find that you are struggling to maintain a regular self-care routine that can help you snap out of the temporary emotional numbness. That is quite normal. Tap yourself in the back for taking the initiative to deal with this disorder, even when your mind is not into it.

However, if you find your routines are too inconsistent, seek professional help.

Psychotherapy involves working with a counselor or doctor to address your cognitive behavior. It is about checking and correcting how your thought process affects your behavior. By doing so, you reduce bouts of anxiety, depression, fear, or a sense of helplessness.

Conclusion

Note that, emotional numbness is quite common; affecting most people at various stages in their lives. It is the body’s way of overcoming being helpless as you undergo prolonged physical or emotional trauma. If you feel empty, seek help.