Meditation is widely known as a potent method of focusing the mind and healing the body, as well as attaining self-realization. There are many different ways to mediate but one of the most powerful of these is Chakra meditation.

Chakra Meditation ? A Primer

Chakra Meditation is the art of balancing and energizing all the seven energy centers in the body, called Chakras, in order to align the flow of energy through them. Here?s a brief description of these seven energy centers, or the Chakras.

*Root Chakra. This chakra is situated at the base of our spine. It is related to the element earth. It controls our health and prosperity.

*Orange Chakra governing your emotions and sexuality is located at the center of abdomen and related to the element ?Water?.

*Power Chakra, also famous by the name of Solar Plexus, is positioned on top of the naval area. It is associated with the ?Fire' aspect, which governs our determination, metabolism, and independence.

*Heart Chakra is located exact at the middle of human chest. It is associated to the ?Air' feature, which often governs our approach of love, sympathy, and common relations.

*The Throat Chakra, at the base of the throat represents the element "Sound". This Chakra is responsible for communication and creativity.

*Brow Chakra. This chakra lies between the brows on our forehead and controls the process of visualizing the information stored in our brain.

*Crown Chakra located at the top of the head and related to the element ?thought?. It governs consciousness, wisdom, and knowledge.

By concentrating and synchronizing these vital energy centers, one can achieve a calming influence on the mind resulting in stress-free existence and a contented life. Chakra Meditation also helps in naturally healing any ailment related to these 7 vital energy centers.

Chakra Meditation ? The Process

Chakra Meditation, essentially, involves three steps or techniques.

*Grounding Technique, which aims at making the body feel connected with Earth. You just need to visualize a root growing from your body and entering into the Earth. This requires intense focus and mental presence during the act of visualization.

*Centering ? this technique is intended to prepare you for the benefits which Chakra Meditation has to offer. Take a few (three to five ) deep breaths and visualize your entire body relaxing ? from the top of your head to your toes. The next step is to visualize a piece of pottery being centered on a pottery wheel.

*Relaxation Technique refers to the process whereby, the body feels relaxed by an act of visualization that suits an individual the best. Every individual is free to adopt his or her own relaxation method.

This is an easy way of doing a Chakra Meditation.

*Sit or lie down in a comfortable posture like Padmasan.

*Every stress-causing factor should be addressed and effort should be made to reduce or eliminate the stress as far as possible. Start with loosening the clothing you are wearing. Identify other similar straining factors and eliminate them. And finally, close your eyes.

*Breathe in a relaxed manner, which is neither too fast nor too slow. Let the breath come naturally!

*Become aware of each organ of your body from foot to the head. Feel the aura around you as well as your clothes. With your eyes shut visualize everything that you would have seen had your eyes been open. Visualize life in darkness!

*Nearly all the negative thoughts and feelings should not be shunned. Let them be! With time and ordinary practice, these feelings will vanish instinctively. Relatively, when no such negative feeling upsets you that is the time when you should think that you have perfected the knack of Chakra Meditation.

*Be aware of each and every detail of your body and let your mind wander at will from one to another.

This meditation exercise is beneficial at any time of day or night and may be done for as long as you like ? the longer you meditate, the better the results will be.