Fallen Condition

I found a particularly relevant reading in my daily readings from Jesus Calling I want to share with you.

 Because the world is in a fallen condition, things always seem to be unraveling around the edges.  Expect to find trouble in this day  At the same time, trust that My way is perfect, even in the midst of such messy imperfection.
Stay conscious of Me as you go through this day, remembering that I never leave your side.  Let the Holy Spirit guide you step by step, protecting you from unnecessary trials and equipping you to get through whatever must be endured.  As you trudge through the sludge of this fallen world, keep your mind in heavenly places with me.  Thus the light of My Presence shines on you, giving you Peace and Joy that circumstances cannot touch.

Namaste

Connecting - A Prayer Technique

Thought I'd just pass along a bit of wisdom I've recently run across in Anam Cara.  A book of Celtic Wisdom by John O'Donohue, one of my favorite Irish writers.

Your body is, in essence, a crowd of different members who work in harmony to make your belonging in the world possible.  We should avoid the false dualism that separates the soul from the body.  The soul is not simply within the body, hidden somewhere within its recesses.  The truth is rather the converse.  Your body is in the soul and the soul suffuses you completely.  Therefore, all around you there is a secret and beautiful soul-light.  This recognition suggests a new art of prayer.  Close your eyes and relax into your body.  Imagine a light all around you, the light of your soul.  Then with your breath, draw that light into your body and bring it with your breath through every area of your body.

My best to you readers.  Stay safe.

Chakra Eight - May 28, 2020 - Divine Light

Chakra Eight is not often discussed in connection with the standard seven. I discovered this one some years ago in my study and use it in my classes at The Yogatorium.  We each place our hands back to back at the eighth chakra above our head and draw the light around our body moving our hands all the way down to the earth, symbolically opening sacred space.  Then, at the end of the class, following savasana and meditation, we close sacred space bringing the light back up to the eighth chakra.

Below is a diagram showing the location of the seven chakras.  Peter Sterios.   Gravity and Grace: How to Awaken Your Subtle Body and the Healing Power of Yoga.  P. 119.

Chakra Seven - May 27, 2020 - "I connect with Spirit."

Chakra Seven.  The "crown" chakra symbolizes your spiritual side.  I connect with Spirit.  I invite sacred transformation.  I embrace the unity of all beings.
When I reach my crown chakra, I have increased my "breath of fire" count to seventy (seven times ten).  This took many weeks of practice but has become comfortable.  Over the years, I have taken breaks from the practice of ten breaths with chakra one, twenty with chakra two, etc.  At such times, I begin again with ten for each one gradually adding ten to each and progressing to the seventy with chakra seven.
At other times, I meditate with only one of the chakras as my focal point.

Chakra Six - May 25, 2020 - I am healing body, mind, and spirit.

Chakra Six - I honor my intuition.  I accept my path.  I am healing body, mind, and spirit.

The sixth chakra is located at the third eye, that spot on the brow between the eyebrows and slightly above.  The Third Eye represents intelligence, intuition, and the ability to see the big picture, and it governs the brain, nervous system, eyes, ears, and nose.  (Prevention Magazine, Oct. 2013.)

For me, the major line is: I am healing body, mind, and spirit.  I find the other two sentences very powerful also:  I honor my intuition.  I accept my path.  

All of the messages from the Tibetan prayer flags I find meaningful, but this one is most inspiring to me.  It seems to bring me closer to my Self than any of the other flag messages.

Have you a favorite?

Chakra Five - May 21, 2020 - I create my reality.

Chakra Five is associated with the throat, neck, and head region.  The color blue is associated with this chakra.
Words on the 5th Tibetan prayer flag are:
I play in my imagination.  I create my reality.  I know and share my truth.
All of these sentences inspire me but perhaps the most frequent standout is "I create my reality."  This puts the responsibility squarely on me and while it is a big load, I look at it as a great opportunity for growth.  Since blue is my favorite color, perhaps that, too, makes for a strong connection.

Once you have begun  meditating with the chakras, your thought choices may surprise you.  Listen carefully.

Chakra Four - May 20, 2019 - The Heart

Chakra Four - The Heart.  I am loved; I let love in.  I am kind to myself.  I live in peace and gratitude.

All of these words resonate with me, some more than others on different days.  They are related, I believe, to my mental and emotional state.  I am often drawn to "I am kind to myself."

I have not discussed the colors related to each chakra, but you may be interested in them.  They are the same as we see in rainbows:  red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.  This places the green with the heart.  Chakra One, red; Chakra Two, orange; Chakra Three, yellow; etc.

If you are trying meditating on the chakras, associating the appropriate color may be of help.
I do find it a help placing my hand on the heart when using Chakra Four.