The Chakras
Vishuddha & Ajna

 

An artist's impression - The Chakras

'Vishuddha Chakra'
(Throat)

Vishuddha Chakra

Location: The fifth chakra is located level with the base of the throat, and is linked to communication and expression.

Colour of petals: Sixteen sky-blue petals

Element: Ether

Sense: Hearing

The visuddha chakra corresponds to the neck and organs of the neck, including the voice box and airway in the throat. As the related glands are the thyroid and parathyroid glands, the metabolism of the whole body is affected by the fifth chakra.

The throat chakra is involved in the verbal expression of all the thoughts and feelings encompassed by the lower chakras. It affects our speech and how we express ourselves. It is linked to truth and honesty. This centre connects our feelings and intuition with our thoughts, making them enter our consciousness and enabling us to act on them.

Like the second chakra, this fifth chakra is strongly linked to creativity: the formation of speech, communication and expression is an inherently creative process. The throat chakra moves away from the physicality of the chakras below: Its boundaries are more fluid and less physical, being involved in such things as the sharing of information and ideas.

Manifestations of an imbalance in the throat chakra include: sore throats, loss of voice and neck or throat conditions, headaches from neck muscle tension, insomnia, flu and an over- or under-active thyroid.
Any difficulty in expression or communication indicates an imbalance of the fifth chakra. You may hold back, either in voicing your opinion, or showing your thoughts or feelings. On the other hand, you may dominate conversations and discussions.

When the throat chakra is in balance, the throat area will be physically healthy. You have effective expression and clear communication of your feelings and ideas, and it can show in your voice, making it clear and pleasant to the ear. Creativity, maturity and inspiration help you deal with yourself and others in an honest, compassionate and tactful way. You can make clear assessments without judging others. Verbal expression is made possible by vibrational rhythms, and the throat chakra is linked to rhythm and the pace at which we lead our lives. You will be able to conduct your life at a regular, easy pace rather than losing yourself in a hectic and destructive lifestyle. A balanced fifth chakra gives you a sense of serenity and devotion.

'Ajna'
(Third Eye)

Ajna Chakra

Location: Located between and just above the eyebrows, the sixth chakra is like a third eye, said to be the seat of wisdom.

Colour of petals: Two deep blue, pale grey or white petals

Element: Supreme element

Sense: Intuition

The sixth chakra or ajna, is linked to the brain and nervous system. The ears, nose, eyes and sinuses relate to it. The hormonal system is also affected by this chakra through the wide-reaching effects of the pituitary gland in the brain.

Also known as the 'Third Eye', the sixth chakra is involved in the capacity for intuition, imagination, visualisation and even clairvoyance. This intuition is the link between our intellectual and psychic abilities. Being guided from within lies beyond the part of the mind telling us we can't do something and the part telling us we can. Intuition is a line to a force greater than ourselves.

Physically, an imbalance in the sixth chakra may manifest in headaches or eye, ear, nose and sinus conditions. Hormonal imbalances, insomnia and nervous disorders may appear. Depression may arise. The third eye centre is linked to the hormonal glands of the brain, and therefore to levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, depletion of which has been linked to depression.

On another level, depression might come from having lost touch with your essentially creative self - a lack of ability to use and flow with your creativity. When the sixth chakra is out of balance, you can have problems focusing and concentrating and may feel confused and negative. A lack of direction and intellectual stagnation can be experienced. So many people spend many hours a week in a job that doesn't enhance their life. We need to be enriched by what we do. Make sure your work is in harmony with your beliefs. The sixth chakra can help us determine what will enrich us.

When the ajna chakra is in balance, you will be able to observe thoughts and feelings without becoming overly attached to them. You have a good level of direction, devotion and high ideals. You are imaginative and carry within yourself a sense of oneness, a feeling of unity. This sense of integration allows you to overcome anxiety. When the third eye is fully awakened, you experience a mastery of the self, known as self-realisation.

The seven Chakras

Previous Articles:

The first & second Chakras:
'Muladhara'
(Root) & 'Swadhisthana' (Sacral)

***

The third & fourth Chakras:
'Manipura' (Solar Plexus) & 'Anahata (Heart)

Next Article:

The seventh Chakra:
'Sahasrara' (Crown Centre)

Katy Kianush
December 2005

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Copyright © 2005 K. Kianush, Art Arena