Hi Dennis,
I do not meditate on this chakra often enough, and I should do as it is the most important chakra. for ensuring a healthy chakra system. If this chakra is out of balance, then the energy will not flow properly, making it difficult if not impossible to effectively activate the others.
Your root chakra could be the culprit to a host of problems. Are you fatigued? Stressed? Do you feel unfairly judged by others? Or maybe you feel that no one could possibly understand what your going through. These are all signs of a weak or closed Muladhara. The picture is of the Mudra hand position for the Muladhara (root chakra).
The root chakra is related to your physical energy, addictions, money and security. If it is blocked you may feel weak, insecure and experience self-doubt and shame. Some people try to overcompensate by trying to hoard money or falling victim to addictions. Either way your Root Chakra should not be overlooked.
When you first heard of Chakras, what got you excited about it? So many of us who are interested in Chakra Meditation or Chakra Healing get excited about the higher Chakras, like the Third Eye or Heart Chakra. We end up missing one of the most vital Chakras – Muladhara. Muladhara or your Root Chakra is your foundation Chakra. It grounds and balances you and allows you to access your energy and vitality. Without this Chakra being balanced, you'd have a hard time keeping open all of your other Chakras.
Here are some ways you can tell if your Muladhara (root chakra) is out of balance.
- You are over-stressed. Things make you worry or upset a lot more than usual.
- You're willpower is failing. You're overeating, binge drinking, or falling prey to your favourite addiction.
- You are experiencing more pain than usual.
- You are hoarding material things
- You value security more than growth
How can I balance my Root Chakra?
If you feel like your Root Chakra is out of balance, there are very easy ways to get grounded and secure once again. Here are a few ideas:
Pranayama or Breathing Techniques: any kind of breathing exercises will help keep you in the present moment and make you more aware of your body
Physical Exercise: jogging, cycling or walking especially outside and not in a gym will help keep you grounded.
Walking Meditation: This is a very important way to stay grounded and balance your Muladhara.
Finally, here is a basic Root Chakra Meditation, for those who would like to know how to check on the health of their chakras and cleanse them. The visualisation imagery in the following meditation, can be applied to all the chakra's. Simply use the appropriate colour connected to each chakra. For those who would like to know more about the chakras, their meanings and colours, please see my post Reiki & the Chakras on our Spiritual healing, Reiki & Alternative therapies board.
Sit cross-legged on the floor, use a cushion or meditation mat. Keep your back straight. Close your eyes and take a deep breath and slowly exhale. Take another deep breath. When you take your third deep breath, start to feel the weight of your body on the floor. Focus on where the end of your spine touches the floor. Imagine a swirling point of red light.
Is it bright or dim? Can you change the directions of the spinning? If you can, try to make it spin clockwise. If it is dim imagine it getting brighter and clearer. Notice if it has any dark area's. If there are, visualise yourself washing it. I like to use a water hose visualisation for this. Focus the pressure of the hose on the dark area's until they are clear. Then polish it with your mental cloth until it clean and sparkling.
Say “I am one with the earth. In this abundant universe I have everything I need. I can give and receive freely.” When you are ready, take another deep breath and open your eyes.
When I visualise my root chakra the imagery can be varied. Sometimes I see deep red flames. Other times I see red rubies they fill up my vision. Other times I see a vision of red lava flowing hot beneath me. I must admit to their being times when the energy is so strong I literally have to hold it back mentally. As I find the rushing upwards and connecting with my other chakras as being overwhelming.
For this reason I have deliberately held off doing any Kundalini energy work for quite a while. Though I always check on the health and cleanse my chakras. It would be interesting if anyone else has this problem. I believe Kundalini energy work should be approached with respect and caution. If you can find a good teacher, to help guide you then even better.
