VISHUDDHA
Sacred Sound… the Seat of the Power of the Word.
The fifth chakra, known in the yogic tradition as Vishudda is the throat chakra. Vishuddha is associated with Sacred Sound and the power of the Spoken Word. It is our centre of communication, truth, self-expression, honest communication, choice, alchemy, infinity, receptivity, sensitivity, worthiness, receiving and letting go, transformation through words - including prayers, spells, mantras, invocations and song.
Vishuddha represents the ability to turn poison into nectar. As the seat of the power of the word, it is our ability to find one’s voice and authentic expression. In healing the Vishuddha, we discover that the more silence one has behind their words, the more power one’s words possess. It is the source of turning ignorance into awareness, for while it is our seat of expression, when refined, it also becomes our ability to truly listen.
In an unbalanced state, the Vishuddha presents as dishonesty, manipulation, shyness, inability to express, as well as, aggressive speech, incessant chatter and talking over others.
Astrology & Mantra
The planet associated with Vishuddha is Mercury, or Budha in Sanskrit. Vishuddha is connected to the Ishta Saraswati, the Goddess of Divine Wisdom and learning, as well as Green Tara and Buddha.
SARASWATI: Om Aim Saraswataye Namaha (repeat 108X using a mala to keep count)
Invoke this Saraswati mantra to heal and open Vishuddha, and also to support learning, living in truth and claircognizance.
TARA: Om Tara Tuttare Ture Soha (repeat 108X using a mala to keep count)
Invoke this Tara mantra to cultivate the courage to live your highest truth, inner peace and compassion.
Choose the mantra and the Ishta that resonates with you most deeply. When devoting to a mantra practice, begin by setting the intention to practice one to three rounds of your mala per day for 21 days. You may continue as long as you wish but to really sense, embody and receive the benefits of the mantra we want to work with it for an extended period of time. This allows us to harmonize with the vibrations of the mantra and receive its Divine medicine.
Chant the Sacred sound, Bija Mantra of “HAM” (the element of Space / Ether) and visualize a vibrant blue ~ the essence of this chakra will open, clear and balance. Bija sounds can be chanted in repetition for 5-20 minutes at a time. Generally we will chant a bija sound long and slow, deeply extending the “M” as long as your breath can carry the vibration in a low voice.
The Universal Law of Vibration.
"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates." At a microscopic level, everything is in constant motion, vibrating at individual, specific frequencies that give rise to perceived boundaries, and the manifestation of form. This applies to all matter but also one's personal frequency as well. This law teaches us that our vibrational frequency informs and influences our lived experience.
Everything in the Universe moves, vibrates and travels in circular, spiral patterns - the same principles of vibration in the manifest, physical world apply to our thoughts, feelings, desires and wills in the Etheric world, many of which are in the process of manifestating into the physical.
Each sound, thing, and even every thought holds and emits its own vibrational frequency, unique unto itself.
The throat chakra interprets vibration into sound. Vibration creates the Universe thru sound and sound creates the waves of Creation. Although we cannot hear many of the frequencies in existence, that does not mean they do not make a sound. Even the Earth emanates a distinct harmonic, as does outer space and each planet has its own unique sound.
The throat chakra regulates our relationship with authenticity, creativity, understanding and expression. If we are emitting a lower vibration with our words, we will create and receive low vibrational experiences.
The sound waves we create with our voice are corresponded by the Universe. THE WORD CREATES. Abracadabra
“In the beginning, there was the Word and it was good (God).”
As we become more aware of what we are thinking and feeling by healing the lower triangle of our chakra system, we may observe how we say things and we learn to express our words with intention. Everything is vibrating in the Universe - even in our minds - thoughts are vibrations that emit frequency.
Creation is constant vibration and that is also the Law of LOVE.
SHAKTI VISHUDDHA
“Vishuddha” means “purity” - the kind of purity that comes from our Soul. Vishuddha, when activated and aligned, typically resonates dimensions of blue. The colour represents the purity of the element of Ether, that is the element associated with the throat chakra, but it also represents the stories of the Purana and Shiva when he consumed all the poison of the world churned up by the oceans, held it in his throat where he purified and transmuted it into nectar. Therefore, Shiva is also referred to as Nila-Kantha (one with blue throat).
IMBALANCE & HEALING
An open, balanced and clear Vishuddha gives us the power to accept and move with the constant flow of life. When we are unafraid of expressing our Truth in the world, we are creative, Self-empowered and clear in our creations and manifestations.
When Vishuddha is unbalanced, we may have a fear of expressing our true thoughts. Instead of clearly being in knowing and therefore, speaking truth from a place of love, when unbalanced and in need of healing, we may refrain from speaking up when we need to, or, alternatively become overly aggressive in asserting ourselves. Both extremes of behaviour are rooted in fear.
A Throat chakra that is more closed than open may manifest as shyness, social anxiety and secrecy. A Throat chakra that is wide open without clarity, may manifest as hostility, socially overbearing behaviour and stubborn arrogance, believing one’s opinion is more valid than others’. Either way one may feel shy and struggle with social anxiety, dishonesty and aggressiveness.
A balanced and refined Vishuddha represents the highest qualities of the yogi ~ the ability to transmute poison into nectar, to see through dishonesty in the world and awakens true inner wisdom. When Vishuddha comes online, the experience of true transcendence is supported.
GLAND ~ the gland connected to Vishuddha is the Thyroid and parathyroid.
PRANA ~ prana flows to the respiratory system.
YOGIC PRACTICES for VISHUDDHA ~
Since the Throat chakra is governed by the Law of Vibration - sound is one of the best ways to heal an unbalanced Vishuddha. Humming, singing and chanting are all useful for healing the chakra, as well as writing and journalling - stream of consciousness style - can help us to open a traumatized and “shy” Vishuddha.
Mantras are sacred sounds designed to elevate our consciousness and break through blockages. Chanting sacred Mantras opens and heals the throat chakra. The Divinely intelligent combination of particular sounds creates powerful healing vibrations.
Sacred Sound Baths ~ certain singing bowls are attuned to the throat chakra and will help to activate, heal, balance and open.
The sacred Bija (seed) sound associated with the Throat is “HAM” - elongate the sound into Haaaaaaaammmmmm and chant / repeat for several minutes, allowing the vibratory resonance of this sacred sound to heal and open your Throat.
Singing, laughing, journalling - anything that involves expression will help to open and heal this chakra. Practise being assertive as you begin to heal and self-reflect on your ability to feel confident in your expression, whether others agree with you or not. However, if you tend to overpower others with your expression, try sitting back and allow yourSelf to listen more while also using sound healing, singing and mantras to help balance the energies coming through.
Vishuddha Asana Sequence ~ Child’s Pose, Anahata Pose, Cat & Cow Poses, Cobra Pose, Bow Pose, Fish Pose, Camel Pose, Reverse Plank, Wheel Pose, Shoulder Stand, Savasana ~ move at your pace, taking several long, slow, ujjayi breaths in each pose. Move with intention and focus on opening the throat while being mindful of your neck ~ never force an extension, range will increase in time ~ there is no rush.
Gently focus on opening the throat, as well as massaging the glands and energy centres of Vishuddha with compressions such as shoulder stand - this allows for the powerful “compression & release & flushing” technique yoga teaches us which stimulates clearing and energizing of the targeted area.
Affirmations can be helpful tools for healing Vishudda as they encourage us to consciously choose words of healing. Here are some examples you may choose to work with:
I speak the truth of who I am with love, wisdom and clarity.
I am Divine Expression.
I express energy as language and understand the spoken word as an architect of reality.
I know & speak my Truth with love.
With my voice, I create my reality.
I AM.
Kirtan ~ joining in Kirtan is a wonderful way to open Vishuddha. Singing and chanting in community builds connection through the heart space and is a very healing, joyous and enlivening experience. Find a local Kirtan group or join online Kirtans such as those offered by Krishna Das on YouTube.
Meditation ~ stillness is key to creating true self-awareness and for connecting to our deepest inner knowing and wisdom. Divine knowledge is available to all of us from beyond this reality and it is through the practice of meditation that our channel opens to receive.
JYOTISH
There are many insights to be gathered from your Vedic birth chart analysis. In every reading we looking into your physical, astral, energetic, karmic, dharmic and eternal soul self. For example, if one’s Mercury is debilitated or strongly afflicted in their natal chart, this very often results in a lack of expression and learning. Many other alignments in one’s chart can affect the ability to express well, which can be seen in a reading; however, there are many remedies given to alleviate this challenge. The first step is becoming aware of what needs attention and then we become empowered with knowledge and awareness to do the work.
These practices require a certain maturity and readiness to take responsibility for one’s state of consciousness, but when sincerely practiced with an open mind and devoted heart, can dramatically and quickly improve one’s life.
This is just one of many examples that illustrates the kinds of insights we receive into one’s self with the Science and Light of Jyotish. The true depth of insight available is very challenging to express in words, as with all yogic teachings, Jyotish must be experienced to be realized and understood.
I wish you deep and profound healing. Coming to know one’s chakra system and taking the steps to heal them is an empowering and enlivening process. Many other ailments and physical, mental and emotional challenges can heal along the way, bringing tremendous joy and insight into oneself. Many latent gifts and talents are waiting to be activated and realized by the self in form. Chakra healing can enliven many of these gifts, bringing transformation and evolution to one’s soul journey.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Hari Om Tat Sat