Sahasrara- The Crown Chakra

There are 7 major chakras, or energy centres, which are located from the base of the spine to the top of the head. They are all interconnected, but each have their own characteristics and relate to different aspects of us physically, psychologically and spiritually. In this post, the focus is on Sahasrara – the crown chakra. Here, you will read about these characteristics and the signs of a healthy or unhealthy chakra, along with some simple steps you can take to begin – or indeed continue – the healing process.

What is the Crown Chakra?

The crown chakra is the 7th of the major chakras and is located at the top of the head. It’s believed that from here our energy flows outwards, reaching towards the universe in order for us to truly become one at last; it can be seen as the bridge between our inner and outer selves and is very much about finding the balance between our physical body and our spiritual aspirations.

The name Sahasrara translates from Sanskrit as “1,000 petals” and the chakra is represented by a 1,000-petal lotus. The colours associated are violet, dark purple and white. The element associated is thought, which in it’s many forms includes – consciousness, connection to all that is, wisdom and self-knowledge. It relates to our spirituality, enlightenment and inner guidance. This chakra is linked to all of the senses.

The crown energy centre is closely linked to the third eye chakra and there is an amount of overlapping between their characteristics and what they represent. The lower chakras (from the root to the throat) are more influential on our physical selves and more basic needs. On our journey towards enlightenment, we should first ensure these lower chakras are balanced, then progress to the 6th (third eye) chakra.

When the third eye chakra is balanced and we have achieved spiritual understanding and enlightenment, only then are we really ready to accept and appreciate the bliss and freedom which comes from complete healing of the 7th and final of the major chakras – the outcome of which is truly being at one with all that is.

Understanding the Crown Chakra

On a physical level the crown chakra influences the metabolism, the central nervous system, the upper brain, and the pineal gland. Those with an imbalance may suffer with headaches, migraines, nerve pain, problems with the thyroid or pineal gland, insomnia and epilepsy. They may be at higher risk of stroke, Alzheimer s, multiple-sclerosis or other neurological disorders.

Those with an unhealthy crown chakra can have trouble seeing the beauty in everyday things – or in some cases struggle to see any beauty in life at all. They may be super-sensitive to criticism, or find that they are overly-critical of others, self-opinionated and inflexible. There may be a tendency towards destructive behaviour as they suffer with feelings of not belonging, a dreadful fear of certain things – particularly of death, depression and anxiety.

Blockages in the crown chakra can be due to past trauma, general stress, conflict within the family, being conditioned to ignore or disregard our spiritual selves and gradually allowing our lives to become humdrum and without joy – e.g. through working in a job which we hate, being “stuck” in an unfulfilling relationship and so on.

How to Heal the Crown Chakra

Foods associated with crown chakra healing include mushrooms, onion, aubergine, red / purple grapes, passion fruit, garlic, ginger and coconut. Herbal tea is also good – peppermint in particular. However, because the crown chakra is more spiritually than physically linked, some argue that rather than eating particular foods, fasting is better.

Personally, I don’t advocate this. Firstly, if my body is telling me it’s hungry, the least I can do is feed it after all it’s done for me – and the abuse it’s handled so far! Secondly, I don’t know enough about it. I’m sure there are benefits to the body if fasting is done correctly, but until I know enough to make an educated decision, I’ll leave that option for now. (Do you fast / have you fasted for healing purposes? Drop me a line – I’d be interested find out more.)

Maybe the more sensible option is to cut out sugars and bad fats, eat plenty of vegetables and whole foods, and drink lots of water. Obviously the choice is yours, so do what’s right for you and as always, consult with your G.P. before undertaking any new regime if you have health issues.

Excellent methods for healing are yoga, reiki and meditation. Why not give them a try if you haven’t already? Join a yoga class, find out about reiki initiation for self-healing or find a guided meditation on You Tube. Listen to one with binaural beats and some chanting of the OM mantra. (This is the same single mantra as for the third eye chakra.) You can either listen along, or take part in a bit of chanting as well. It may seem a bit weird at first, but give it a go – you might really enjoy it!

If you’re using aromatherapy for crown chakra healing, the best essential oils to use include cedar wood, lavender, jasmine, elemi and frankincense. (See Methods and Benefits of Aromatherapy.) For crystal healing, use howlite, moonstone, amethyst, clear quartz, selenite and diamond. You could wear these as jewellery, carry them with you throughout the day, sleep with them under your pillow, or place on the top of your head whilst meditating.

Some examples of affirmations you could include in your daily routine –

• I receive divine guidance and am one with the universe
• I trust the universe to provide me with all that I need
• I find joy and beauty in all things and in all that I do

Spend time outdoors, be close to nature and get plenty of sunlight if possible. (Don’t forget the sun cream!)

Also – Bulletin…watching the news and reading newspapers are bad for your health! The constant doom and gloom, threats, sadness and unhappiness across the globe are what sell the news, but they can be really draining, especially for the sensitive souls amongst us. Of course, it’s important to know what’s going on around us, but maybe limit your exposure to all this negativity to once a week. (Then do something uplifting afterwards.)

I’m not saying that global (or local) issues aren’t important – but hearing about them constantly robs us of energy that could be used for better purposes. (I’ve had a few heated discussions about this before – what do you think?)

After Crown Chakra Healing

When the crown chakra is balanced, we feel connected, are able to live in the present moment and experience a sense of mindfulness. We find it easier to meditate, or the results of our meditation improve, we are able to trust our inner self even further on our personal path to enlightenment and we know the path we want to follow.

When crown chakra energy is flowing healthily, we generally feel whole, content, in harmony, at peace – with ourselves and all around us – and able to deal calmly with the most difficult situations or circumstances that this life may challenge us with. Things just seem to make sense in our lives, and throughout the healing process, things gradually seem to just fall into place.

Conclusion

As this is the final part of the series, I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the chakras and their meanings. Some people have chakras that are aligned and balanced and working as they should be. Some may need a little chakra T.L.C. to get them back to full health. Others may have issues from their younger years, that need to be dealt with. These may be extremely deep-rooted, in which case it’s a good idea to seek professional guidance – either from your GP or from an experienced / accredited healer – that depends on the issue(s) and your personal circumstances.

Whichever describes you and your chakra health best, by following some of the simple steps above, or in the other articles, you can work towards full chakra health, or indeed maintain the balance you already have. When the energy centres are working as they should, i.e. the colours are vibrant, the energy is spinning, the chakra is clear and open, you can enjoy a healthier, happier life – and who doesn’t want that?

Let me know what you think in the comments box below.