The simple Art of Meditation

The Art of Meditation

Learning to relax and let go

 

Meditations, a tool used to relax the mind, heal the body, and free the soul.  Although misunderstood by many and feared by some, meditation is widely used throughout the world.  From simple relaxation and prayer to sitting for days to months in meditative prayer, every individuals experience shall differ.

There is no right or wrong to meditation.  Many specific techniques are taught, but those ways need not be followed forever.  Meditation is for your highest good.  Once you know this you are free to learn your own way though the ways of others.

Chakras may be used in meditation.  The chakras are used during deeper states of meditation or can be used when aiding the body in healing.

Visualization is widely used, and soon after practicing, the mind begins to visualize without command.

Mantras are also used in meditation.  Mantras are sounds or words spoken to aid in focusing the mind and bringing the higher self closer into being.  Mantras, often used by those practicing eastern philosophy, always bring healing not only to the self, but to the rest of the earth also.

North American Natives use a form of meditation during their sweat lodges.  The sweat lodge is used for prayer and healing.  Spirits are called, visions are seen, many wonderful things happen.  The meditative state is to help deal with the heat.  Many songs of prayer are also sung.  A mantra in song is beautiful sound.

Christians, though often fearing the word meditation, do use a form of meditation each time they pray.

Anytime you place your mind in a relaxed state, not letting the constant mind noise rattle on, you are in a state of meditation.

Common Questions asked about Meditation

Will I always wake up?

            Yes, unless you prefer to take a nap.  Meditation is created by your mind for your enjoyment and relaxation.  Even if you are listening to a guided meditation, you are still creating an experience for your highest good.

Can I die during meditation?

            NO, definitely not.  When I began to meditate I feared not being able to return to my body.  I learned meditation slow but sure relying in my own instincts and feelings.  I always white lighted and prayed at first.  I used guided meditation tapes or relaxation music.

How often can I meditate?

            You may meditate or pray as often as you like.  Find out what works best for you, alone or in a group, daily, weekly even monthly.  The choice is yours.

What is the best setting for meditation?

            The best place for meditation is a quiet tranquil place.  While you are learning to quiet your rapid thought, you will need a place that is peaceful.  Play some beautiful music.  Burn some incense.  Light some candles.  Use some essential oils.  Do what is best to help you relax.

            Once you get used to meditating, you will be able to meditate anytime, anywhere.

What kind of music is best?

            Choose instrumental music, nothing with words.  Some choose to use subliminal tapes.  That is fine also.  Music with words tends to draw your mind back into thinking.

            At first you may choose tapes with guided meditations.  These are great.  Bookstores often carry these CD's.  Try to find a store that lets you hear the music before you buy.  This music can vary greatly.  Take your time and choose.

Can I use my guides in meditation?

            Definitely.  Call for your purest, highest guides and use them all you wish.  If they are not meant to be there, they will not come no matter how much you call.  All things work for your highest good, including your guides.  Unfortunately we do not always know what is best for us, but our Higher Self always know what is best.

Can I get answers though meditation?

            Yes.  If you are searching for an answer meditation can often help you see more clearly.

Can anything "evil" harm me during a meditative state?

            Evil's existence is something you determine; therefore I believe that nothing 'evil' can harm me during meditation.  All things in this life happen for our highest good.  Only we can learn the lessons that are offered, and only we can turn them down.  Trust your Higher Self to guide you and it shall.  Believe in the energy and trust in the lessons it brings.

Is meditation okay with religions or Christianity?

            Religions can be are rigid.  Remember, religions often base a lot on fear and people fear what they do not understand.  I personally know a lot of practicing Christians and Catholics who do practice meditation.

             Christians pray.  Prayer quiets the mind and brings the self in tune with the energy.  Prayer is performed for that persons highest good.  Most of us already meditate; we just call it by a more "western" name.

Are guided meditation tapes good to use?

            I think they are excellent to start out with.  I love giving guided meditation sessions and it is to bad that there are only a limited number of tapes available to us.

            Meditative therapy is an art that I have studied for quite a while.  Guided meditation is beautiful.  Learn to meditate and then maybe you can guide your friends, and they can guide you.

What about meditation classes, are they good to attend?

            Classes are also wonderful.  Be sure to find one that suits your needs.  Also be sure that you feel comfortable being there.  If you get there, and find out it is not for you, do not be afraid to ask for your money back and leave.  Not all teachers are meant to teach all students.  That is why there is more than one teacher out there!

            Also be sure to find a group that does not give rights or wrongs.  Yes, there is a best way.  But if it is the group's way or no way, you may wish leave and do it your way if you feel uncomfortable!

Is it okay to meditate in a group?

            Yes.  As long as you feel safe in the environment then it is fine.  The group must flow.  I used to get together with a group of women friends weekly and meditate.  It was beautiful.  It was not a guided meditation; we would all just sit together in the same room [not touching] and meditate.  After we would drink tea and relax.  A group can be very enjoyable.

            If you do not feel comfortable with a group at any time, leave.  Never question your instincts; you know what's best for you.

 

Remember you are your own best teacher.

 

Meditation Techniques

            When we learn to work within the energy, we learn that there are no boundaries within meditation.  Our Higher Selves know what we need and shall always provide us with it.

            All meditative or prayer experiences will be created for you and by you with the help of the energy that flows all around you.  This energy creates everything we see outside of us as well as within us.  Without the energy there just would not be.

            This energy can be explained by you and for you.  I have attempted to explain the best I can some of the base experiences that have helped by.  Work with yourself.  Test new ways that work for you.  Share your knowledge with those who wish to hear.  But always remember, my way is mine and your way is yours.   Neither is totally right for another nor wrong for us.  Accept the differences of those around you when you share.  By doing this, those around you will also always teach you.

            Some fears the word "meditation".  The word "prayer" is often accepted quicker than the word meditation.  Some people fear or do not like the word prayer because of the word's religious connotations.  These people often prefer the word meditation.  No matter what you call it, the experiences are the same.

            The experience is quieting your mind.  Stopping rapid thought and going within yourself to become one with the energy that flows within you and all around you.

            Experience this in anyway you feel is best.  Enjoy!

 

Relaxation and Visualization

            Meditation is a beautiful dreamlike state of mind.  In this state you may calm yourself, center your emotions, even heal your body!  The meditative state can only be brought on by you and may be removed at any time you wish.  You see you control what happens; it's your mind!

            Many people have experienced meditation without even knowing it.  You know how sometimes you'll be staring at something and thinking and then in the next blink of your eye it felt like you were gone for a couple of seconds?  Or when you're just beginning to fall asleep and all of these colors or shapes start flashing through your mind.  Even sleep is a self-induced state of meditation.

            Meditation can be used in many different ways to benefit you and your life.  The first stage of meditation is learning how to blank your mind, calm your feelings and thoughts and relax.

            The mind is thinking 24 hours a day.  Sometimes you can be thinking so much it almost drives you crazy!  You worry, you plan, you figure, you think, stop all of that noise or how do you expect to relax?

            There is a way to quiet our rational thinking selves . . . meditation.

BASIC RELAXATION

 

Full Body Relaxation Technique

1.    Start with your feet, breath deeply and feel your feet relax.

2.    Move your mind's focus into your calves. Breathe deeply and feel them relax. 

3.    Onto your thighs, buttocks, stomach, breath deeply and allow all of your tension to release.  Let go of the stress from your day; allow your body to feel at ease.

4.    Move your mind's focus into your chest, your shoulders, remembering to breath deeply once with each new focus you take. 

5.    Allow your arms to relax, your neck, your face and then your scalp.  Breath deeply for a few moments relishing the moments and focus on the relaxation within your body.  Allow your thoughts to focus on nothing. Stay in this state as long as you desire.

6.    Refocus your thoughts again to your scalp and begin to feel revived, but relaxed. 

7.    Move to your face, allow yourself to smile and feel the tension stay at bay. 

8.    Gently move your head from side to side, stretch out your arms, and take a deep breath allowing your energy to return. 

9.    Focus on your tummy, your hips, your thighs and your calves.  Wiggle your toes and know you are relaxed and energized ready to meet with the rest of your day.  

This exercise can be done anytime of day or night, sitting or laying, in any clothes you choose to wear.  This relaxation exercise may take anywhere from 5 minutes to 45 minutes.  Meditation and relaxation is an experience created by you, not special settings needed unless you desire them.

Focus and be mindful of your thoughts.  It is you who chooses your daily mindset.  Use these tools through out your day to bring your own mind back to the calmness of accepting daily stresses rather than having those stresses blow out of proportion. 

 

 White Lighting Technique

Another form of relaxation is "white lighting" your body.  This is to align your energy with that of what you believe in Spiritually, such as God, the Universe or simply a positive force.  (Name it what most feels comfortable to you.)

 To white light yourself

1.    Think of the brightest and purest white light you can. 

2.    Imagine in you're mind that white light outlining your entire body. 

3.    Then wrap the light around you to look like a glowing cocoon.

4. Know that you are safe and that light will keep you safe.  

Many people white light before they get out of bed every morning and often white light through out the day.  People find white lighting comforting and relaxing.  The technique of white lighting is also used before chakra meditation, or visualization and clearing exercises within the body.

 The idea of the white light is to increase our own energy field.  By increasing our own energy we are able to understand ourselves better.  Becoming aware of ourselves enables us to become more aware of those around us.  This will allow us to learn more about ourselves as well as the beauty in world around us. It is also believed by many that white lighting will protect us from any harm in our world.  You may wish to simply visualize white lighting yourself each morning before you get out of bed or before entering a situation that you find someone threatening or unsafe. 

 

Seeing a Rainbow Technique to activate internal color sight

1.     Begin by surrounding yourself with white light, remember your breathing, slow, diaphragmatic, in through nose and out through mouth.

2.     Now let your body disappear.

3.     In your imagination see blue sky.  Across that blue sky see a beautiful rainbow. 

4.     Stand gazing at the rainbow. 

5.     Note its beautiful colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (deep purple blue) and violet.  Feel good as you gaze at this beautiful sight. 

6.     Now watch as the rainbow disappears into the blue sky, and the blue sky also leaves your imagination.

7.     Become aware once again of your head and slowly the rest of your body.  Breathe deeply as you feel yourself relaxed, safe and whole. 

8.     Open your eyes and know that you created this beautiful experience. 

Running Across A Rainbow

            Try this while you're at work or at home, seated or standing, eyes open or closed.  Surround yourself with white light, take a deep breath, visualize a rainbow and quickly run across it, red, orange, yellow, green, blue indigo, violet.

            Notice how you are immediately placed in the safe place you created tonight.  Take a deep breath, feel your strength increase and your emotions balance and then run back across the rainbow, purple, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red.  Know you are back in your body.

            This whole process may take all of seconds or minutes.  Note how good you feel after!            Practicing running across the rainbow to your safe place then running back, returning to your body, will help you to feel more relaxed, balanced, and strong.  Now, if you ever feel tense, angry or scared, you now have a quick immediate release and escape. 

            Use the rainbow often when dealing with the trials of society.  You created the rainbow experience; it is now there for you anytime, anywhere. 

 

Remember your life experience is up to you.  Therefore you are responsible to make it a joyful, learning experience.  Use your knowledge well.

 

Creating a Safe Place

1.    Lie down and relax, surround yourself with white light.  See before you the door that is easy for you to open, know that what lies beyond it is your "rainbow" path.

2.    Moving through a hallway of white light reach out and open the door in your imagination.  As the door opens, inhale deeply the sweet fresh air as you see before you the rich green forest where your "Rainbow" path lies.

3.    With a smile on your face, run down the path . . . Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.  Note each color as it passes quickly beneath your feet.

4.    As you reach the end of your path know that you have reached a place where you feel safe.  Make this safe place anything you want it to be.  See a garden, a beach, see flowers, trees, maybe even buildings or benches, maybe even a crystal palace.  Create the ultimate sanctuary for yourself. This is your safe and special place that is being created by you and just for you.  Make it yours.

5.    When you are completed creating this place, stand in the center of it and note how relaxed, safe and strong you feel.  Also know that because you have created this place in your mind that you may come here any time you desire.

6.    Turn and see the rainbow path before you.  Return to the white door that lies at the end of the path as quickly or as slowly as you desire.  Purple, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red.

7.    Open the door that leads to the hallway of white light.  Note again how the door opened easily for you and know that it opens for no one but you.  Also note how it automatically closed tightly behind you as soon as you passed through.

8.    As you walk down the hallway of white, slowly become once aware of your body and your surroundings.  When you are ready, take a deep breath and open your eyes.  Know that you feel safe, warm and relaxed.  Also know that you created this experience and therefore may recreate it anytime you so desire. 

Creating a safe place is very important to the meditation or visualization process.  In this place you will often experience your first unplanned experience.  Due to the fact that you feel safe, you will allow more to happen during your meditative state.  In your safe place you can look at things objectively leaving this world behind.  Take time and care in creating this place.  Fill it with love.  Make it a place you want to frequent often.  Have fun!  You may also meet your guides here, or write questions on a chalk board and return to find an answer.  The possibilities are endless.  Remember your meditation journal!  Write about it, that may help you see it. 

You can use these techniques anytime, anywhere, and any day.  White light yourself in a cocoon when needing an extra boost of confidence, protection or love and light.  Run across a rainbow and back in your mind, to quickly 'reset' your chakras or your mood.  Meditation is what you make it.  It can be three deep breaths to clear your mind, or an hour of deep relaxation.  Mold what you have learned to suit your life. 

            A guided meditation tape you may wish to use for relaxation and visualization is "A Path to Inner Peace" for these techniques or "Deep Meditation" for a much deeper and longer meditative experience, both are by me, AuKeeRa Rayne, available at McNally Robinson in Saskatoon.

            Any type of drumming, or stress relief tape usually has nice calming music, it is best not to use animal sounds or nature sounds without a music background as those tapes lack a flow and can make a person tense.  Try Pachabel, Kitaro, Patrick O'Hearn, or the Natural Stress Relief tapes, some even use Enya, as she feels peaceful.

            When meditating with you eyes open, relax not seeing, or hearing anything in particular, just simply being.  You will learn to deal with things in all walks of life through acceptance and simply being.

 

            These books will deepen your understanding of the vastness of your mind and the actual simplicity of living.  We all need as many points of view as possible. 

 

Recommended reading

"From Above with Love – Basic Knowledge One" by AuKeeRa Rayne

"The Celestine Prophecy" by James Redfield

"Mutant Message Down Under" by Marlo Morgan

"Handbook to a Higher Consciousness" by Ken Keys

           

 

 

For more information on AuKeeRa Rayne, her services, published works and workshops go to www.aukeera.com

 

 

No part of this document may be copied or reproduced in any manner.

^ãAuKeeRa Rayne

ISBN 978-0-9783105-2-3

From Above with Love ~ Chapter 2 ~ Color’s effect on us & it’s benefits

From Above with Love ~ Chapter 2 ~ Color's effect on us & it's benefits

            Learning colors aids itself to understanding color therapy, auras, charkas and why humans love color, and how it can work for you in your daily life and self care.

Red   

            Red is the color of love, passion, anger and strength.  Red is the color that spills from our veins when we bleed.  Red is the color of life.  Red, in women can give life yet through emotion can take life away.   Mentally the sight of red can enhance feelings anger, passion and strength.

Emotions can be triggered to have this mental red effect by -

                                                                   Red clothes

                                                                   The sight of the color red

                                                                    Red roses (the color and the scent)

                                                                    Red stones of various descriptions

                                                            Memories of base chakra violation such as rape

                                                A positive base chakra memory, e.g. success in strength

                                                            Certain scents, herbs, essential oils that effect base chakra

                                                                     Watching a fire

                                                                           The heat of summer, or just the moment

                                                                               Trying to achieve some feat mental or physical

                                                                                          Mental visualization of the color red

                                                                                                        High noon in intense heat

The organs that I have found red to effect are ~

                                                The genital area in both men and women

                                                This includes the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and bladder in women.

                                                Penis, testicles, prostrate gland and bladder in men

            An imbalance of the red chakra shows itself physically as acne, red rashes (eczema, hives, or psoriasis) and possibly hemorrhoids and/or bladder infections.  Hormonal problems, heavy or light menstrual flow, abnormal cells of the cervix, uterine cancer, an inability to conceive or to impregnate, impotence, and possibly pain during sexual intercourse, are other signs the base chakra needs healing.  Yet remember this knowledge is not meant to replace the medical treatments but to enhance them.  Therefore always respect the opinion of the medical profession.

            Emotionally, a red or base chakra imbalance can show in many different ways:

                                                -Outbursts of anger

                                                -Abusive nature

                                                -A need to physically or mentally control others or your own life

                                                -Low self esteem

                                                -Depression

                                                -Lack of sex drive

                                                -Feeling unworthy of your own love, [let alone any one else's]

            Note that teens have many of these issues going on.  It is in the teen years that the red chakra is activated, children do not have the red chakra 'activated' as so to speak. Their anger is not anger, but frustration as they learn what they are capable of within their bodies.  They have no sexuality or sexual issues at this time.  Hence if working with a child only work on the top 5 chakra (violet/white, indigo, blue, green/pink and yellow) which are discussed later in the book. 

            Often base or red chakra imbalance is present in most adults.  For the "base" cause of any physical or mental abnormality, one needs to look at their base chakra.  You must be extremely honest when attempting to balance yourself.  The mind, body, and spirit make up you.  If one of these three is out of balance, inevitably it will affect the balance of the other two.

            To aid in balancing and cleansing you must find the tools and treatments that best work for you.  When it comes right down to it, you are your own best teacher and balancer.  Question everything that comes across your path, if something feels right try it.  If it feels right to change something slightly, then do it.  Only you truly know yourself. 

            Evolving through illness or past memories is a very personal thing.  There is no right way, wrong way or "only" way.  There is your way and it is totally right for only you.  Sure, some of these things will work for others but some things will not.  Remember, you are here to help you, not the rest of the world.  By helping you will help your world.  It all starts with you.

            I have found self-love is the first thing lost in one's life.  Why?  Because we are taught that to put ourselves first is wrong.  Now, if you put yourself first because you feel you are better than others, well that is your ego, not your higher self.  If you put yourself first, and see all others as equal, that is your higher self. Self-love is the ability to let yourself live your life truly the way you want to while letting others also live their lives the way they choose.

            We all seem to think there are a right way and a wrong way to do something.  But who made up these supposed right and wrong ways?  Men and women just like you and I did.  Whether it was through religious or political channels, these views and ideals soon became society's norm.  Ask yourself "Is it my norm?"  Then ask "Why am I you doing it?"  Is it because of a fear of not being accepted?  If it is, ask yourself, "Is it really worth living my life for others just so I can be accepted?" and remember, you can never please everyone. 

            Learn to love yourself and live in your here and now.  The only ones not accepting of you are those who are not able to accept themselves.  Those who can love themselves will be like-minded.  These are people you can talk and share with who won't try to change you.  Sounds nice, doesn't it.  The catch is you have to become it first yourself in order to find that special quality in others.            

            According to my studies I have found that the color red also represents

                                                            Direction - south

                                                            Element - fire

                                                            Time of day - high noon

                                                            Gender - male (therefore yang)

            This information may be useful if you want to study Wicca, Native spirituality or add it into your belief system.  In these beliefs, colors are very powerful.  Combined with their time, element or even simply facing their direction adds to their strength.  Therefore, if one were praying for strength, he/she may choose to face south and burn a red candle while he/she prays to the Creator.  In that action he/she would be using the color red, (the candle) as well as red's direction and element.

            There is no right or wrong way to pray or meditate.  The examples I will be giving through out this book are exactly, simply that, examples.  To find what works for you, take your time to study, practice and pray while keeping one simple thought in mind - "All you send out shall come back to you threefold".  Therefore is not in your best interest to intend harm upon another living thing.  The base rule of the Wicca belief is "Thou shall harm none". 

            Take your spirituality seriously.  Do not follow someone else blindly who wishes to teach you.  You are your own best teacher and although at times it may seem hard, travel your path alone.  People and books will cross your path regularly to show you are not alone in your life.  Staying on your path is a test of strength all on it's own.  Base advice?  Trust yourself.  If you do not pray or do not believe there is anything other than human life [ex. a Creator], then ask the highest purest part of yourself for the answers you may seek.

Understanding The Red In Ourselves

            All of us have felt anger.  Anger comes from the base chakra.  Imagine what it would be like to never feel the need to act out our anger.  Having personal knowledge that nothing bad ever happens and the worst situations happens for your highest good is powerful knowledge.  Does anger really need to be a part of our lives?  To this question I have no answer.  I have tried many personal experiments within my own life. The only conclusion I have ever reached is that anger itself is a useful emotion and a wonderful human motivator.  Anger shows direction and points out boundaries.  I have seen hopeless people become angry and finally see that nothing ever can stand in the way again.  The only question I ponder, "Is there some way to harness the positive strength from anger?  The answer is "Anger itself is not disrespectful but the outward expression of it often is."  Once you become one with your "Higher self" anger becomes an emotion to be accepted and heard.  Anger is an emotion sparked when we feel we are not enough, do not have enough, are feeling ignored, violated or full of fear.          

            Unlike the ego or lower self, the "Higher self" lives totally in the here and now.  In the here and now, we are always enough and know we always have enough.  There is no anger, no panic, no fighting and no fear.

Orange

            Orange, the color of a sunset sky, the smell of a sun sweet orange, a color that can hold onto fear or give one courage.

            Orange, through my study, governs the emotion of courage or fear.  Since orange is made up of red and yellow, it may also carry some of those colors' traits also.  These findings are left up to your scrutiny.

            I found no documentation of orange having a direction, season, time or gender.  If I were to give a direction it would be southeast (as red is south, and yellow is east).  Orange's season would be late spring early summer, time directly between sunrise and high noon.  Orange's gender would be male, if it needed one, as both red and yellow carry the male gender.

            The part of the body governed by orange, is the large intestine and bowel. Think of the area that is about two inches below the belly button to just above the belly button. 

            If one suffers from constipation, it is the fear of change, stopping things from moving forward.  Diarrhea is also fear of change but fear that things are moving to quickly as if they are out of control.  A severe chakra block can also cause cancer.  We do not say, "I want cancer" or "Give me colitis" but signally look to the medical answers and nothing else.  How can outside forces create something inside your body when your brain controls your body?  This idea sounds simple enough yet the medical profession seems to constantly look outside the body for cures rather than inside of each individual.  Thus find your balance within the medical profession along with other natural practitioners. 

            Some of us are not meant to evolve out of disease or illness and thus we are asked to live with it or possibly pass from this world.  That does not mean these people are weak, disconnected from the Universal Energy or unable to 'heal'.             

            If the Universe has brought this book into your path, then you have the ability to understand that we constantly evolve and learn.  Better yet it shows you are ready to stop being a victim and take control of your life through letting go of your fears.

            "But how does one do that?"

            "Do what?"

            "Just let go?  How do you do that?"

            "You just do it?"

            "I'm scared?"

Yes, this does sound typical of us all.  Fear runs rampant in our society and we let it.  Even worse we believe it and buy into it.

            "How?  Why?"

            "Because it happens!"

            "These things really happen!"

            "Yes, okay, but are you sure that they are going to happen to you?"

            Fear is installed into us by our society.  Our Mothers takes their fears and place them upon us, along with our Fathers, teachers, friends, co-workers, lovers, husbands and wives.  You name it and they will unknowingly and often unintentionally place their fears upon you to believe and uphold and sometimes we firmly believe these fears to be real and our own.

            Once you have blind faith in whatever you believe, fear will no longer be able to stop you.  You will have the freedom to say to yourself "These are your fears, not mine".  We instinctively take on the fears of our world.  Fear of dying provokes the rest of these fears.  Once you accept that death always follows life, you will live and complete all that is needed, your fear of living will dissipate. Yet remember, this is many years of programming you are about to attempt to shift and evolve.  Take your time.  Shift only yourself and do not concern yourself with others around you.  All of this evolving is within you and you are doing this work for you.  Trust you are not alone.

            Meditation and visualization will come in handy in learning about your orange (fear). Imagine the color orange.  Walk through the orange mist.  Meet your fears, feel your courage grow.  Empower yourself; know you are here to live this life free of fear. 

            To learn not to be a victim anymore in your thoughts will almost automatically clear your orange chakra.  You can blame this lifetime all you like for your past experiences but know, these experiences made you who you are now.  Would you really go back and change them?  If the answer is yes, ask yourself "Why?"  You may have come upon something you refuse to let go of or deal with.  You hold on to old memories just to hurt and torture yourself, while blaming it all on another or something that happened to you a long time ago in the past.  Now, don't get me wrong.  My compassion is intact.  Although sympathy has now been replaced with empathy.  I believe in anyone who has the courage to read this book and do the exercises for themselves. I will tell you, no evolving within can occur if you choose to blame anyone for anything.  To learn to forgive and accept will be one of your greatest gifts.  But first comes the hard part, learning to love your 'self' unconditionally.  Often, inconceivably so, we wait for others to show us this love then we think it happens or a fleeting moment and then it feels lost.  We feel like an abandoned child.

Yellow

            Yellow is the color of laughter.  This color of the sun gives us warmth and beauty.  Yellow is the color of the east and like the dawn, brings new thoughts and ideas with each new day.

            Yellow has many unique mental effects.  Yellow not only affects us emotionally, it also stimulates mental thought.  Some believe orange does this also due to the simple fact that orange includes the color yellow. 

            Yellow governs the territory of the inner child, the solar plexus.  The yellow chakra is located in a band from just above the belly button to the base of the sternum.  The organs affected by yellow are those found in this area.  Those who suffer from a nervous stomach or constant nausea due to anxiety suffer from a yellow imbalance or block. 

            Due to idea the inner child is found here, you can work on the yellow chakra more than one way.  The inner child is you as a child.  It is the part of you who still suffers from a child's perspective on life in fear, rather than gaining another perspective in this innocence or seeing the lessons from your past.  For example, a child is often scared or intimidated by authority but the adult has learns to over come these fears.  Thus when you notice yourself acting like a scared child, focus on your solar plexus. 

            Imagine a scared child and talk to that child.  You would not yell at or scold a scared child, so be nice.  You may feel stupid taking the time to calm your own childhood fears but you become your own parent once you are an adult.  Sure others can explain to us that there is nothing to fear but will we listen?  No, not usually.  This same dialogue with the small child in you can occur when you hear yourself arguing like a child.  Stop and ask your child what they are so scared of and why they are fighting.  The inner child is actually also the voice of the ego. This whole process is done with thought and not out loud as it is your thoughts and perception of the reality you are working with.

            When the concept of the inner child first came into our world, many psychologists and alternative healers jumped at the idea.  All I have to say is remember your true purpose is evolving and be careful not to side track yourself.  Sometimes we try to fix problems that will evolve just by being acknowledged rather than analyzed.  You do not need to 'heal' emotionally, you are not broken, no one is broken; we are all evolving.

            To work on your inner child simply picture you, as a child and talk to that child.  Be sure to listen as a concerned parent would and do not work to placate or spoil your inner child.  You may also go into a state of relaxation.  See yellow and if you like, also imagine your inner child there.  Working on our own childhood fears is not easy.

            Once our inner child has learned to be a strong child, we are able to gain back our childhood innocence and beauty.  Children have the strongest natural energy fields and as adults we often try to take this away.  Children have no fear.  We often instill our own fears into our children.  Why do we do this?  Do we have to convince the whole world to believe our fear?  Can we not learn from this childhood strength of innocence instead?  Maybe we are jealous of the child's innocence being intact and feel robbed of ours.  Remember, anything we have buried inside ourselves from the past, can still be dug up.  Find your childhood innocence.  Deal with your childhood fears.  So often we are the only ones who stand in our own way.  Live with no regrets, evolve through experiences or memories from the past and grow.  To 'let go' is a misrepresented statement.  You will not notice when you evolve through or 'let go' of something as you are to busy living while learning a new behaviors and thoughts.  You will only notice when you look back and remember how you used to think.

            Often fear of abandonment starts in the yellow chakra and in effect will cause the orange and red chakras to block.  Once this person has made this fear part of their reality, they will make sure no one comes close enough again to abandon them.  By doing this that same person will allow him or herself to feel abandoned because they think they are alone, even thought they are pushing away the ones they want close.  Remember, we created this whole reality through using a childhood memory.  This abandonment reality, if left to fester, will cause a green, blue, and violet or purple chakra block.

            In effect, people who do not love themselves seem to fear everything.  People who are not willing to believe in anything cannot believe in themselves.  These beliefs keep us from experiencing true contentment in life.  You are worth the work it takes to find yourself and evolve from your past.  You are the only one who can believe this, do the work and live life while becoming and staying one within the self.

            Yellow's direction is east.  Yellow's element is wind.  Its time of day is dawn, season, spring, and yellow's gender is male.  Yellow is yang.  To pray for ideas or wisdom, burn incense (wind, air) and face the east at sunrise.   

Green

            Green is the grass so cool and fresh.  The color of all plant life is within us as well.  The color green is thought to be of luck and money.  Truly though, within the color green lies our heart.  The color of green governs the physical side of the heart.  Pink is thought to govern the emotional affairs of the heart.  Therefore pink and green govern the heart or fourth chakra.  I have found through my own studies that green can be used for the heart's entire affairs when clearing the green chakra. 

            A heart chakra block is found in people who find it hard to get close to others or themselves.  This block or imbalance keeps us isolated from the love we deserve to have and share. 

            Physically, the green chakra covers the area from the base of the sternum to the base of the neck; this includes the heart, lungs and thymus gland.  A green chakra block can physically manifest itself as asthma, chronic lung infection, (a fear of breathing in life and love), heart problems as well as any disorders of the thymus gland.

            Emotionally, the green chakra allows us to take in life, the love of others and ourselves freely with out fear.  This chakra allows us to flow with the energy of all living things.  Plants offer a calming effect to this chakra as plants provide oxygen for our lungs to breath in.

            If you suffer from asthma, relax and focus on the color green.  Breathe the color into your lungs.  Feel the colors relaxing effect.  Green relaxes us because it is one of the colors of earth.  This color allows us to feel connected to the earth thus calm and grounded.

            Green's direction is the north.  Green's time of day is midnight.  Its season is winter and gender is thought to be female or yin.  Green's element is the earth.  All of these qualities also pertain to the color black.  Both are right and for this purpose green and black can be interchanged.

Blue

            Blue is the sky.  This color is relaxing and comforting.  Blue is sometimes full of sadness and tears.  Blue is the color of the ocean.  Blue is the color that aids us to heal physically and evolve emotionally.  Blue is thought to relax the mind and helps us to speak and express our thoughts and feelings to others or ourselves.  Think of the blue chakra beginning at the base of the throat as a turquoise blue and as it moves up to the eyebrow level, see it as more of a purple blue or indigo.

            Emotionally blue will calm us and allow us to flow with life.  A blocked blue chakra will feel as though we cannot physically speak and express our thoughts or ourselves.  A blocked blue chakra will result in us feeling "blue" and cut off from the rest of the world.

            An open blue chakra allows us to open our minds and voice, allowing us to freely communicate those ideas to others around us.  Physically, blue covers the throat area, as well as aiding the nose, ears, mouth, and thyroid. Imbalances such as colds, needing glasses to see, ear infections, migraines (can also be aided by violet or indigo), or swollen glands, all are imbalances of the blue chakra.  The blue chakra imbalance shows one is having trouble flowing with the situation around them.  We usually induce a cold into our system when we are in need of a break.

            So often in life we try to control what is happening around us.  Trying to push a river will only tire you.  Flowing within the river while making changes within the river will strengthen you.  Change what you can in your here and now.  Living in the here and now is doing what is right in front of you, rather than searching for things to do that are out of your control.  For example, you wake up on your day off and have your day already planned.  You go outside and your car won't start.  You get mad.  Now, why get mad?  Look around you, what do you do first?  Call some one?  Maybe you will take action, maybe you won't. 

            Everything happens for a reason.  Maybe your car would not start because later on that afternoon you will receive an out of the blue phone call for a job you had wanted for a long time or a long lost friend.  To try and control life is just not where it's at, and it doesn't bring contentment.  Yes, control your thoughts but stay open to what the universe has to offer you in everyday life.  Learn to expect the unexpected and make those experiences normal gifts in your life. Choose to live in the middle of the road as you flow within the river you have chosen.

            Cleanse your blue by imagining a beautiful blue sky.  Look within the blue and see what stories it has to tell. Trust yourself and all that you believe in.  When you need to calm down have a bath in the water (blue) or gaze into the blue sky.

            Blue's element is water; direction, west; time of day, dusk; season, fall; gender is female or yin.  To pray for clarity in all you see, hear and say; light a blue candle at dusk.  Face the west and focus upon you throat.  Pray to your highest good.  Your answer may come as one of those "coincidences".

Indigo and Purple

            Purple is the color of royalty, rich and pure, a color that attracts the masses.  Purple allows us to see more than can be seen with our eyes.

            Physically, purple or indigo, governs what is called the third eye.  The third eye is located in the center of the forehead.  Purple also can affect the pituitary and thalamus glands.  Like blue, indigo or purple can also affect the eyes and ears.  Purple affects hair growth and aids headaches. 
            The sixth chakra is given many colors with indigo often listed instead of purple.  To my knowledge in hue, indigo simply has more blue in it.  I have also observed people's sixth chakras as a light violet.  You must find the hue of purple that works for you.  To do this you need to simply imagine purple.  Your 'purple shade' is right for you.

            I have found that people with a blocked purple or indigo chakra suffer excruciating headaches on a regular basis.  These headaches are often so severe that the sufferer's eyesight is affected.  Often the problem is written off as an eyesight problem.  Glasses are prescribed and the suffering stops for a bit, then the problem begins again and the eyesight has once again weakened, with the headaches returning.  In talking and working with migraine sufferers, I have found that visualization and relaxation does work.  It does take time and practice though. Also you'll still get have a migraine that "gets ya" every once in awhile.  These migraines occur when you are holding on to your energy and refuse to let go or maybe it is time to take a break or relax.  In times of great fear or stress, we get so wound up we forget to flow.  The result of this can be a migraine, being near sighted (not wanting to see what's ahead) or farsighted (always trying to see and control the future).  Be aware of this but not hard on your self because of it.  Pain is a teacher, not a failure.

            The purple chakra governs our general mental state.  If we are generally calm, our purple chakra is clear, thus we will feel the other chakra's emotional imbalances.  If the purple chakra is blocked, one will feel as though they have been placed in a small-enclosed box.  They will feel as if there is no way out.  There will be no light at the end of the tunnel.  One feels completely lost, out of touch and blind. 

            I have seen this stage last anywhere from a few days to ones whole life.  It is our choice to be free from this mental hell.  Each time we work to clear our chakras, we will learn more about ourselves.  As we evolve, you will no longer be clearing the chakras but energizing them. Balancing the self takes time.  Work at it slow but sure.  Time will fly and you will only become stronger.  You will not really notice your evolution as it is your life you will be living.

            Purple and indigo are deemed as clairvoyant or psychic colors.  Therefore purple is beyond the physical senses or elements.  If we were to give it some qualities these qualities would lie between blue and red.  Thus purple's direction would be southwest, time-mid afternoon, between high noon and dusk, season-late summer.  As for gender, red is male and blue is female, so it would be both as the spirit is both (or neither).  Therefore we are all both, male and female (or neither).  So often we refuse to acknowledge this point.  This sends us off on a wild search for our perfect mate.  In all reality, you are our own best friend.  If we can learn to love ourselves and be whole within ourselves, there is no need to feel we need another to complete us.  When we learn this, relationships will enhance us, rather than become powerful control dramas.

            We are all connected to one universal energy source.  You may call this source whatever you like.  When connected to this source, we feel whole and loved.  This happens simply because we are letting the emotion of Universal love flow though us.  When we do not control or direct this love, we can simply love ourselves and anyone else who comes near us.  This love is called unconditional love.  If we decide to try and control this love, either by withholding the love or trying to take someone else's love, we will suddenly feel cut off and alone.  Then we try to blame whom ever we attempted to control or cut off from our love.  All in all, the only one to 'blame' or take responsibility for this, is you.  Forgiving and reconnecting to the truth is the logical choice.  But the control drama has usually begun and the "poor me", "aloof", "interrogators", and "intimidators", have reared their ugly heads. The choice though is yours.  Life can be free of allowing low vibrating emotions, such as fear, anger, envy, jealousy, sadness, and depression control your reactions and thoughts.  What do you believe is possible?   

Violet or White

            White is the color of purity and spirit.  White is the color of the clouds above and the angels' wings.  White the color of the light of protection, peace and security.  White is the color of the purest light and energy.  White is the color that through a prism all colors can be seen. White is the color of spirit, prosperity and truth.

            White governs the seventh chakra, which is located in our ethereal or energy body.  This chakra is located just above the top of our heads.  Gold and violet are alternatives, for those who see those colors for themselves.          White vibrates at a very high level.  For some it can produce a hyper state of energy.  Yet, when using "white light" one will feel calm.

            White in most cases does not have a direction, as the color white represents the spirit.  Yet some believe white to govern north but more so east; time-night yet more so dawn; season-winter but more so spring.  White is yang and therefore carries male aspects.  Yet when representing the spirit, white will work to balance the male and female within ourselves.

            The process of white lighting can cleanse the white/crown chakra regularly and settle your day.  Simply imagine a bright white light flowing all around you.  If you are having a particularly nerve racking day, stand in the shower.  The water will literally wash away all of the erratic energy and ground you down.  Do you have trouble relaxing or sleeping?  Bathe with a little sea salt in the water.  Work on people all day?  Wash your hands between each client.  The water will clear their energies and balance yours. Trust me, they work! 

Black

            Black is the color of night.  Black is the ultimate of yin or female energy.  Black is the color of protection.  Black grounds us, aids us in grief and calms the perception of 'negativity'.  It is the color black that protects us from misunderstood or misconceived forces.

            Black does not govern any of the chakras but it is used for grounding and protection.  Black's direction is north; time - midnight; season - winter; element - earth and gender - female.

            In my studies I have found some Native-Americans who will not use black in ceremonies.  They use green to represent the north.  As for the Wicca belief, I have found black, green and white are interchangeable, depending on the need.

            Black is used during meditation, visualization, clearing or everyday life, as a "cloaking device".  When you have white lighted or cleared yourself, an object or home and want to maintain a high-energy field, you may "cloak" by imagining a black veil or cloak gently covering you, your home or the object.  This is a technique I used often on myself before I learned that others were my equals and could not take my energy or harm me in anyway.  Now I have learned nobody takes my energy unless I allow him or her too.  I can flood Universal Light Energy in these situations for anyone to use or take, as this energy is not mine.

            The technique of 'cloaking' is simple. White light you, and then imagine a thin cheesecloth like cloak of black gently falling upon your white energy, staying rested upon the white light.  When you want to feel calm and secure wear black, especially when around large groups of individuals that make you feel nervous or simply when unsure of who or what you may encounter.

            Black vibrates very slowly.  Therefore it calms.  If you are attracted to black, use that attraction to your advantage.  Be aware of when you choose to wear black.  Simply note why you feel you need protection or grounding.  You will learn a lot about yourself through what are doing subconsciously.

            Please take a moment to remember there is neither a positive nor negative person.  Remember to accept whom ever you are around as also being the best they can be.  It is your choice to stay, leave or feel victimized, judged or trapped.  There are no victims here and we are all equal, unique and special.  Always remember this as you are going through your learning.  We all are learning, always and forever, that is evolution.

Brown

            Brown does not govern a chakra nor does brown have a direction, season, element or time.  Brown is the color worn when one wants to feel close to the earth and able to communicate better with animals and the earth. 

            Druids wore brown.  They were close to all living things.  Wicca is derived from the Druid's belief.  Those who practice Wicca often wear brown (more so in the past, than now).  Native-American wore brown when hunting and in their everyday life as they wore animal skins and leather.  Knowingly or unknowingly doing this brought them closer to the animals and the earth.  The earth is known as our "Mother". 

             A quick reference chart for all colors, their effects, direction, chakras, mental and physical attributes are found at the back of the book.

Visualizing Auras

            Everyone has an aura; some believe the aura stays one color while others believe the aura is always changing.  The aura shows the colors that most represent us at that time.  They are different than the chakra's color strength as those bands of color are always found in the same place and some are brighter than others.

            The aura is easy to 'see' in the way of energy, and the color is more felt.  When we view chakras or other forms of energy, it is using the 2^nd sight, thus do not look with your eyes.  Relax your eyes and 'feel' for what you see.  Ask yourself "what color does it feel like?"  "Where does the color feel that it is located?"  With practice you will be able to feel another's aura, as well as you own.  Tree and plant aura's are easy to see and usually a very bright white light, thus it is a good exercise when learning to use 2^nd sight.  What does one do with the aura information?  As you learn you, you can aid your emotion when your aura seems dull, you can check your chakras and so on.  Reading auras for others takes practice and although it is cool, I find it does not give enough information to the person being read as in the way of solutions.  I do think one should work to see energy as it is every human being's right to gather this information for ourselves, and we are all capable (not needing someone who is considered 'gifted" as we are all gifted when looking for information on ourselves.

Seeing Auras

1. Look at the person or object and relax your eyes.
2. Look past the person or plant you are going to aura read.
3. Ask yourself what color does it feel like, while continuing to look at the person, or plant.
4. Allow the information to come, knowing it is right at this time.

With practice aura's will become natural, and then may not seem as important for you will simply 'feel' them rather than having to stop, look, read them, then understand.  Like when we first learn to walk, it is a process, now we do it everyday without thinking about it at all.  Remember never to judge what you see, or decide only you have the gift of sight.  All second senses are naturally apart of humans as we are spirits first living a very short human existence.