Chakras

YOGA Chakras

Understanding Yogic Chakras

Muladhara
LAM

Svadhisthana
VAM

Manipuraka
RAM

Surya

Manas

Anahata
YAM

Visuddhi
HAM

Lalana

Bindu
SHIVOHAM

Ajna
OM

Brahmaguha

Sahasrara
OM

Visuddhi (Throat Chakra or Sound [Truth] Chakra)

Other Names: Vishuddha, Vishuddhi, Vishuddhikaya
English translation: "especially pure", "filtered"
Location: at the center soft spot (the size of the thumb) between the 2 collar bones at the base of the neck. In some traditions, they say it is at the Adam's apple
Asana: Sarvangasana (shoulder stand with chin tucked-in)
Deity: Panchavaktra Shiva
Vayu (energetic wind): Udana Vayu (throat energy residing in Vishuddhi Chakra)
Shakti (power): Shakini (mythical demon)
Mantra: HAM
Element: akash or ether, represented by the middle finger in the hand mudra
Form: lotus flower with 16 purple petals, a facing-down triangle and a whitish radiance at the middle, which is the akash or ether

Statement: "Truth is my moral anchor. Instead of fighting with life, I begin to flow with the current of life. I perform at a higher level of competence. People naturally move towards me because I can do things beyond their understanding and abilities. I remain forever young."

Blocked by: lies (what are the lies we tell ourselves? that we are always right? what is our true nature that we hide away from?)

Attributes of Vishuddhi
This is the centre or level of awareness where the world begins to become like one's own home - your home goes beyond the confines of its 4 walls and unto the vastness of the universe at large. One becomes open to all experiences, whether good or bad. The stage of the world and life, in general, is regarded as the provider of experiences that lead to greater understanding. Instead of fighting with life, one begins to flow with the current of life. One ceases to continually avoid or ignore bad experiences or facets of life and seek good experiences. Instead, there is the tendency to let things happen in the way that they must. The nectar and the poison are both consumed because one begins to trust the process. Everything and everyone becomes magical. Instead of feeling neurotic and antagonistic towards the world and other people, one begins to relax and flow with all situations. One begins to tune in with other people and feel the connection between all things.

More and more, one will see sense and intelligence behind all things and actions. This is the centre where all people and all things are seen as a cosmic whole, with everything working in harmony with everything else. It is said that below vishuddhi it is possible to fall and lose one's level of harmony and understanding. At the level of vishuddhi and above, this possibility of fall no longer exists. It is the chakra that lies on the threshold of spiritual realization and higher knowledge. In the shat chakra nirupana it says: "This chakra (vishuddhi) is the gateway to liberation for he who wishes to know the real meaning of yoga and whose senses are purified and controlled." It is said that a person who opens vishuddhi chakra knows all the scriptures without needing to read them. That is, a person at this level of understanding comprehends the meaning behind the scriptures through his own experience and intuition. He becomes compassionate, peaceful and full of bliss. He can play with reality however way he chooses and still be in control without being intoxicated by it.

Vishuddhi chakra resides on the hollow of the throat at the base of the neck

Amrita from the Bindu Chakra
The throat centre is the place where the divine nectar called ***amrita, (the mystical elixir of immortality), is tasted. This fluid is symbolic and represents satchidananda (truth, consciousness and bliss) which originates in the sahasrara. It flows and cascades downwards from a higher point called bindu (located at the posterior fontanel, where the 3 parts of the skull converge on top of our heads) to vishuddhi where it is purified and processed for further use throughout the body. The jalandhara bandha throat lock prevents the amrita nectar from falling into the jatara agni (digestive fire) and instead holds it within visuddhi.

Many traditions call amrita different names - ambrosia (the food of the gods), soma (nectar), madya (divine wine), sweet wine, and blood of Christ. But the meaning is the same - indescribable feeling of bliss.

For concentration on this chakra, visualize a large white drop of nectar. Try to experience icy cold drops of sweet nectar falling down to vishuddhi, giving a feeling of blissful intoxication.

Fountain of Youth
When amrita (nectar of immortality) flows down from the bindu down to the lalana chakra where it is temporarily stored until it finds it way down to the vishuddhi chakra and all the way down to manipuraka where the digestive fire consumes it, amrita is lost and the aging process takes place. However, with viparita karani mudra, the inversion also reverses the flow of amrita and consequently reverses the aging process. Preserving the amrita can be called the fountain of youth.

Another segue into maintaining the fountain of youth is by doing maha bandha mudra - 3 bandhas at the same time. When mula bandha is engaged, apanu vayu is pushed-up to muladhara chakra. When uddiyana bandha is engaged, prana vayu is pushed down into muladhara as well. Apana vayu and prana vayu in the muladhara generate intense heat in the jatara agni and cause the essence of amrita (which have previously flowed into the digestive fire from vishuddhi), to rise up back to where it came from. Once back on the bindu, the jalandhara chakra (throat lock) locks the amrita before it comes down again. By preserving the amrita, the aging process is reversed and youth is sustained.

Lalana Chakra
The lalana chakra is a minor chakra that is closely associated with the vishuddhi chakra. It is located at the roof of the palate at the back of the mouth. After the nectar leaves the bindu, it is stored in the lalana chakra before reaching vishuddhi chakra. Lalana chakra is sometimes called the kala chakra - the centre of division, because it is the centre where the amrita (nectar) from bindu divides into either good or bad experiences in life. When vishuddhi chakra, combined with lalana chakra, is not awakened, life tends to be painful and unhappy. The nectar becomes poison. But when the vishuddhi and lalana chakras are awakened, then the nectar remains in the form of bliss. Life becomes a source of joyful experiences. Such is the importance of the vishuddhi-lalana chakras. Incidentally, the purpose of the well-known practice of khechari mudra is to stimulate and awaken this lalana chakra. Though it is a physical technique it induces more subtle changes on a psychic level.

Udana Vayu and Levitation
Interestingly, the visuddhi chakra is the seat of the udana vayu - the pranic wind in the throat that optimizes the vocal cords, voice, gives roundness to body, and controls intake of air and food. Activating the visuddhi gives rise to these gifts.

Additionally, opening up the udana vayu by performing Samyama Meditation [meditation on Dharana (single-pointed focus of the mind), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (a state of oneness)] also triggers one of the siddhis of yoga (super-human abilities) - laghima (levitation). Because udana vayu (meaning up-breath) provides the lift as the vayu moves in circular motion within the neck and head, one can essentially neutralize the effect of gravity and levitate.

Supernatural Gifts (Siddhis)

1. occult competence - there are two types of occult: muladhara type of occult and vishuddhi type of occult. Realization does not require occult proficiency, therefore, vishuddi can be skipped if the object is enlightenment. But one desires to explore the wonders of life, then vishuddi opens up other unworldly dimensions to play with
2. revelation of nature's secrets - repeating patterns of life are revealed, hidden natural laws are learned, Easter Eggs are stumbled upon
3. knowing (being in the) past, present and future - science already hypothesizes that time is not linear. The past, present and future are part of a singularity. In vishuddhi, one realizes this.
   
   I'm not there yet. But I speculate that at this level, one has already dissolved his gross solidity and reached the subtle realms of reality as a speck of consciousness. That being the case, he can have the properties of light - similar to that of a photon. As one nears the speeds of light, time slows down (time dilation). But when he reaches the speed of light, time stops altogether (E=MC²). This is profound. This means that you are not heading into the future because time stopped. It also means you are not leaving the past because time has stopped. If the future is no longer in the future and the past is no longer in the past, they can only exist in the present. So, in this theory, all elements of time - past, present and future all exist at the same time. Trippy! If I can be one thing, I would like to be a photon and experience this.
   
   Another profound ramification is space itself. When one nears the speed of light, mass increases (E=MC²). But when one attains the speed of light, mass becomes omnipresent throughout the whole universe. Essentially, you become the universe. Your consciousness pervades all.
4. communication - vishuddhi chakra is the centre of speech, because of its location in the throat region. One begins to articulate complex ideas into a cohesive, elegant and fluid verbal narrative
5. enhancement of artistic virtues - musical and poetic abilities are enhanced
6. attraction by ganas (disembodied beings) - ganas are distorted entities, looking very different from humans. They have limbs without bones coming out of odd parts of their bodies. Although they may look hideous, a person with an activated vishuddhi will not be frightened of these beings. It is said that Shiva prefers the company of ganas more than anyone else
7. freedom from disease and old age - vishuddhi distributes amrita throughout the body to perform essential functions instead of going to the manipuraka into the digestive fire. This delays the aging process
8. destruction of dangers - the universe looks after your well being

What We Feel is the Choice we Made
It is the centre where Shiva consumes the poison and the nectar, meaning that all experiences, good or bad are seen as part of an integrated whole. It is the centre that purifies and harmonizes all opposites. This chakra is at the level where poison and nectar, good and bad, are united into a common experience of bliss. At this level, we begin to see all phenomena as neutral. There is no good and there is no bad - just sensation. It is the value we put into sensation that makes it pleasant or unpleasant. Ultimately, what we feel (sadness, joy, exuberance, confusion, etc) is the choice we made. No one made us feel that way but ourselves - so stop blaming anyone for how you feel. If you still tell someone, "Why are you making me feel this way?", then obviously, you still don't get it.

The Shiva Legend
Legend about the vishuddhi has it that the suras/devas (angels) and asuras (demons) were in a continuing war, trying to dominate and destroy each other. Eventually, Vishnu (one of the 3 most important gods in the Hindu pantheon - the Preserver) tried to resolve the conflict by suggesting that they stir up the ocean to obtain amrita (the nectar of immortal life) which will guarantee their immortality. Many things arose to the surface including a poison (halahala) that pervaded the universe with its choking fumes. Vishnu approached Shiva (one of the 3 most important gods in the Hindu pantheon - the Destroyer) who was in deep meditation and asked his advice about the poison. Shiva merely picked up the poison and drank it in one gulp. This caused his throat to turn blue, but did no harm. This action is very symbolic and very meaningful. It indicates that at vishuddhi chakra and higher, even poison (the negative aspects of existence - bad, evil, war, destruction, etc.) can be integrated as part of a whole. All aspects of existence, whether poison or nectar, are part of the total scheme of being.

Another version of the story weaves a different and perhaps a more popular narrative. The story goes that in pursuit of the amrita, (nectar of immortality), the devas and the asuras churned the ocean using a serpent (Vasuki) as a churning string, Mount Mandara as a churning pole while it rested on the back of a great turtle (Kurma, from which the asana Kurmasana was named). Many riches turned up until a poison (Halahala) floated up and caused much harm to them. They went to Mount Kailash to seek the help of Shiva. Shiva, in a heroic feat, drank the poison but his wife Parvati quickly choked Shiva by the throat to prevent the poison from being ingested - thus Shiva is portrayed as having a blue throat. So, this particular version has nothing to do with visuddhi. But it makes a fascinating story. Makes me ponder too. If Shiva is a god, then how come poison can kill him?

Following your Bliss
The initiate tends to follow his bliss where his actions and thoughts are in accordance with his individual nature. He may realize that the rat race of the corporate world is not for him and may take the bold decision to leave his career behind and follow what excites him - poetry, cooking, music, flipping hamburgers, etc. In my experience, people who follow this route experience 3 things without exception (me included):

1. they make less money
2. they are happier
3. they will not come back

Chakra Kshetram
The swadhisthana, manipuraka, anahata and vishuddhi chakras are also regarded as having physical counterparts on the front surface of the body. They lie directly in front of the corresponding chakras and on the same horizontal plane. Each of these frontal trigger points is called chakra kshetram. They can be regarded as reflections of the original chakra trigger points. The reflection of the swadhisthana chakra is called the swadhisthana kshetram. The same applies to the other three chakras - manipura, anahata and vishuddhi. These frontal centres or kshetrams are essential in kriya yoga techniques.

Sattvic Guna
Mooladhara and svadhisthana are generally tamasic (inactivity, dullness, lethargy). The manipura and anahata are associated with the qualities of rajas (passion and activity). The vishuddhi and the ajna chakras are sattwic chakras (purity, understanding, peace, goodness). It is an expression of both inner harmony and harmonious interactions with other people and the outside world in general. The initiate understands and feels that the universe and everything in it including himself are an integral part of this seamless singularity - the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, the pleasant and the unpleasant.

Meditating on Visuddhi Cakra
If meditation on the visuddhi is done (I would add jalandara bandha and nabho mudra):

1. with krama (right sequence) - benefits can be experienced to the extent desired (sankalpa)
2. with the citta (mind) - the practitioner will lose all thoughts of this world (lose consciousness) and will be able to see the paramatma (divine) in all his glory through the light of the self.
3. with ujjayi pranayama (breath control by restricting air passage through the throat) - caitanya (consciousness) is achieved and the practitioner gets svara vignanam (knowledge of sound)
4. with the citta (mind) with the strength of kumbhaka (breath-hold) - he will attain a steady state of youth and enthusiasm

Asanas that Aid in Developing Visuddhi Chakra

1. Sarvangasana Asana (shoulder stand) - Sarvangasana is the primary asana for the visuddhi chakra. This exerts a strong pressure on the thyroid gland in the throat region, which activates the vishuddhi chakra. The thyroid is given a good massage and its functioning is greatly improved.
2. Ustrasana (camel pose) - As a counter-pose from sarvangasana where the throat is compressed, ustrasana opens up the throat wide.
3. Buddhasana - it will cure hunchback and will create proper blood circulation in all the nadis. It will clean the svadhishthana, anahata, visuddhi and brahmara guha cakras and gives complete assistance for kevala kumbhaka.
4. Kapilasana - it will maintain the muladhara, svadhishthana, manipuraka, anahata, and visuddhi cakras in the proper sthiti (remaining stationary in a position or state).
5. Gandabherundasana - the visuddhi and brahmaguha cakras will function correctly and this will take the mind to the state of savikalpa samadhi.

My Pranayama and Meditation Practice
Because Vishuddhi gives rise to levitation, this becomes my intention (I know, this is not an ideal objective, but I'm a kid who needs to put his finger on the electrical outlet). On padmasana (full lotus), I would be on gyana mudra. On the ujjayi inhale, I focus the breath going into my throat, visualizing that the blue chakra is getting a much more intense blue radiance. When the lungs are full, I hold the breath (antara kumbhaka). I then engage the maha bandha mudra - squeezing my anal muscle (mula bandha), tucking-in my tummy and pulling all the organs up (uddiyana bandha), and taking my chin close to my chest (jalandara bandha). I then visualize that the blue radiance is expanding beyond my body until my body is a glowing blue light. I keep holding my breath and feel the blue radiance permeating everything inside and outside of me. On the slow exhale, I would feel my body lightening and lifting up, completely impervious to gravity. When the lungs are fully empty, I pause briefly to acknowledge the bahya kumbhaka (breath-hold on the exhale). I repeat the cycle for 20 minutes.

Ending Thoughts
There are many elements of the vishuddhi that mirror how I see things - the most compelling being that the 'good' and the 'bad' are really one singularity or two sides of one coin. One is an instrinsic part of the other. They need each other to make the whole. And the whole in its purity is really blissful. There are no more shitty things in life - because they all need to happen to realize a bigger picture, one in which everything is harmonized as a unity.

Example: When I got fired from my job (for telling my boss she was incompetent), I was in the middle of a nasty divorce. Not only was I broke but also had a 4-year $22,000 loan from the bank. I thought the world crumbled upon me. It was shitty!!! But then, my employer, by law, ended up giving me a severance pay of $22,000 because they soon realized they couldn't fire me for cause. Thus my 4-year debt was miraculously paid overnight by almost the same exact amount as my loan! So, I realized the shitty thing had to happen first to pave the way for the beneficial things to take place. If I wasn't fired, I would still be saddled with my loan, still work for an incompetent boss, and still be stuck in a work environment I already detested. I could not have scripted the way events unfolded. Indeed, the universe has a permeating consciousness that is so much greater than that of man - even beyond man's comprehension.

There have been so many instances where in hindsight, the shitty thing was actually a blessing in disguise. So, knowing what I know now, I appreciate all phenomena - the good and the bad. Even if the purpose of the bad is yet unknown to me, I take comfort knowing that it had to happen to manifest my bigger desire for a greater good. I no longer have any aversion to whatever is 'bad'. In all phenomena, good or bad, the balance of the mind is sustained and it remains collected and equanimous.

Am I now at this heightened level of awareness that I'm operating at the vishuddhi level? Yes and No. The fact that I experience elements of vishuddhi tells me I'm there. But there are episodes when I feel on survival mode - which means I'm at muladhara. I am therefore drawn to conclude that chakra activation is not linear. You experience chakra activation (in varying degrees) at the same time on all chakras.

I would also like to comment that even if the chakras do not fully get activated, the fact that you are working on them already provides many benefits - you get strong, don't get sick, don't get angry and perhaps even the aging process slows down. With slow and unrelenting practice, if and when the chakras open up, you are probably ready. This is a lot better than forcing the chakras to open up when you are not ready - and you freak out at all the things to begin to hear, see and perceive. All in good time. Work on deepening the practice and not on any esoteric goal (easier said than done).

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

*** I would speculate that amrita is the same as adrenochrome, but they seem to originate from different sources. Amrita comes from the bindu chakra while adrenochrome comes from the pineal gland.

Kundalini Yoga for Vishuddhi Chakra by Lisa Grail

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Kundalini Yoga for Vishuddhi Chakra by Dawn Rabey

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Musical Frequencies and Vibration - Meditation for Vishuddhi Chakra

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Guided Meditation for Vishuddhi Chakra

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"HAM" Chanting for Vishuddha Chakra

Reader Comments:

Sources:

1. Tirumalai Krishnamacharya - Yoga Makaranda
2. Neeta Singhal - Meditation to Heal your Vishuddha Chakra
3. Sadhguru - How to activate the Vishuddha Chakra
4. Swami Satyananda Saraswati - A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya

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