Sahasrara, also know as the crown chakra, is the final energy centre we will explore in this series. Located at the crown of the head, this chakra is the seat of higher consciousness, connecting you to something ‘bigger’ than yourself. You may call it Source, the Divine, God, The Universe, or something else altogether.
Before we learn how to activate the crown chakra, I highly recommend reading the previous posts in this series. The crown chakra cannot be balanced if its lower counterparts are not operating effectively.
Here’s a roundup of all the articles you may have missed in the series. Enjoy devouring them!
The crown chakra is violet in colour and, as has been mentioned, is located at the crown of the head. No surprise then, that it affects and is responsible for the health of the upper brain and nervous system.
While the lower chakras are related to our human experience and basic needs, wants and desires, the higher chakras (including the sahasrara chakra) are related to our spiritual journey, soul gifts and life purpose.
When you activate the crown chakra and it is working effectively, you:
- feel calm and peaceful, even when under pressure
- make sound, discerning decisions
- feel deeply connected to all living beings
- are firmly rooted in the present moment and regularly experience moments of pure awareness
- see yourself as part of something ‘bigger’ and trust that you are part of a divine plan, even if it doesn’t make sense sometimes
- feel connected to your intuition.
When the crown chakra is NOT working to its full potential, you may find that you:
- lack trust and faith in others, and in the Universe
- feel fearful, stuck or stagnant
- lack clarity, purpose and direction in life
- are preoccupied with your human experience and emotions.
When you feel ready to activate your crown chakra, here’s what I recommend:
1. Be quiet
Each chakra is associated with a sound or mantra. The sound of the crown chakra is silence.
Silence can feel intimidating and overwhelming for some people, especially those who live life ‘in the fast lane’ and on the go a lot of the time.
But don’t let this stop you! You don’t need to be a monk, meditating on a mountain top to experience moments of silence or pure awareness. Whoever you are, getting still will help you reconnect to the core of who you are and activate the crown chakra.
There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen. – Rumi
Let me share a little story with you about how I actively create silence in my life, and for my yoga students …
When I first started teaching yoga, I created playlists for each class but, I’ll be honest, it always felt like drudgery (seriously… I’d rather spend time inputting data into a spreadsheet). I persisted for a while but, after some serious consideration and discussion with my mentor, I decided to let music take a backseat during my classes. I now play a little bit of music at the start and end of every class but for the most part, I allow the room to be silent, except for the sound of my voice. What I’ve found is that this silence, paired with the gifts that an asana practice presents us, often prompts insights and lessons for my students (and me!). While some of them do find it challenging to adjust to the silence, many tell me that they’re grateful for it, and that it helps them drop deeper into their practice, and themselves, instead of having something to distract them.
I’d love for you to ponder your own relationship with silence. Create some space, grab your journal and consider the following:
How do you feel about silence and doing nothing? Can you simply be? If not, why?
Do you seek silence out, or do you avoid it like the plague? If you avoid it, what do you use to distract yourself?
Can you sit quietly without the need to think or do something? If not, what do you find uncomfortable about doing this? Is there something you’re avoiding thinking about?
When was the last time you intentionally chose to walk or work or drive in silence? How would it feel for you to do this?
What’s one simple way you could invite more stillness into your everyday life. For example, drinking your morning cup of coffee distraction free or using the time you brush your teeth to meditate and be fully present?
It’s okay to start small. Even 10 minutes a day will help to rewire your brain, slow down your thoughts and help you observe the whispers of your soul and intuition
2. Meditate
A consistent meditation practice helps us see our thoughts more clearly, and create the spaciousness required to move through life’s challenges with ease and grace.
To help you create a more spacious mind, I’ve created a special mediation for you. In this meditation we will use the Gyan mudra – the hand gesture of consciousness and union of self with the Universe. Resting the back of your hand on each knee, bring the tips of the thumb and first finger together. Then allow yourself to drift away with my words.
3. Expand your mind with books and podcasts
In yoga, we call this svadhyaya or self study. Self study is about taking your yoga practice off the mat and implementing the teachings into your everyday life. Resources like books and postcasts can help us do this.
Read books or listen to podcasts that help you expand your mind and connect with your intuition.
My favourite books for self study are:
- The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein
- Bringing Yoga to Life by Donna Farhi
- The Secret Power of Yoga by Nischala Joy Devi
- Prayers of Honoring by Pixie Lighthorse
- Falling in Love With Where You Are by Jeff Foster
- White Hot Truth by Danielle LaPorte
My favourite podcasts are:
- The Marina Perry Podcast
- Tara Brach
- The Life Coach School Podcast with Brook Castillo
Regular self-reflection helps me remain grounded in and connected to my spiritual teachings but it isn’t always easy to find time. Scheduling it in my diary helps me prioritise it and create intentional space to learn and absorb the teachings.
4. Create a gratitude practice
A gratitude practice reminds us that we are so much more than the everyday hustle and bustle we often find ourselves in – it reminds us that there is more, and something ‘bigger’ to life. I love practicing gratitude at the start of each day, as soon as I wake up. It only takes me a couple of minutes to list three things I’m grateful for silently in my mind and, when I do this, I’m more likely to notice small things throughout the day. I always feel better after I do it!
As always, I’ve love to know how you go implementing some of these tools.
Do you start to feel less overwhelmed and stressed out by your everyday worries?
Do you feel more supported by something ‘bigger’ than you?
Do you begin to feel more trust that things will unfold as they are meant to and that you are supported in the meantime?
Do you feel more connected to others, and to the Universe?
Can you hear your inner voice and intuition more clearly?
– Georgina –
