You’ve learned about the seven chakras and some details on what they’re about.
Plus, you already know something about the benefits of meditation for your mind and body.
This chakra meditation guide aims to build on your understanding of chakras and the power of meditation to restore wholeness and balance from crown to root.
All meditation can help in this regard.
But meditating with specific chakras or with all seven can help you address specific needs.
What Are the 7 Chakras?
The word chakra is Sanskrit for “wheel.” During meditation, it can help to visualize each chakra as a lotus flower that opens and spins like a vortex of energy.
Different chakras are situated in different areas of your body for a reason. Each one relates to specific physical processes and emotional states.
Root Chakra: (Muladhara)
The root chakra is situated roughly at your tailbone. This is where you connect with the energy of the earth.
Meditation with the “red chakra” typically involves grounding to help you restore feelings of stability and security in your finances and relationships.
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)
The sacral (orange) chakra is located about two inches below the navel and is related to the sexual organs and reproductive glands, the kidneys, and the urinary system.
Meditation on this chakra is vital for awakening kundalini shakti (the serpent power and primordial energy) and restoring feelings of aliveness, good humor, pleasure, and passion.
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
The solar plexus chakra is located in the upper abdomen and is associated with the fire element and the digestive system.
It nurtures feelings of power, identity, and strength of will when open. Meditation on this (yellow) chakra strengthens the nervous system and energizes all organs.
Heart Chakra (Anahata)
The heart chakra is the lower center of the chest. It relates to the air element and is tied to the heart, lungs, thymus glands, arms, and hands. It acts as a unifier for the three chakras below it and a bridge to the ones above.
Meditation on this (green) chakra amplifies feelings of love, empathy, and compassion.
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
Situated at the back of the throat, this chakra is related to the ether element and tied to the throat and thyroid gland and the ears, neck, and mouth.
Its color is turquoise blue, and meditation on this chakra nurtures authenticity, receptivity, truthfulness, and peace.
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
The third eye chakra is located on the forehead just above the point between the eyebrows and is related to the pituitary gland. Its element is light, and its main color is purple or indigo blue.
Meditation on this chakra aids in the quest for knowledge, wisdom, and truth.
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
The crown chakra is located at the top of the head and is related to the pineal gland and the gap between the two hemispheres of the brain, signifying balance and enlightenment.
Meditation on this chakra (purple or clear) aids in returning to your original spiritual nature and releasing yourself from illusions.
FAQ About Chakra Meditation
This guide would not be complete without addressing some of the biggest questions that come up regarding the list of chakras and chakra meditation.
What is chakra meditation?
True meditation is beneficial to all the chakras. But meditating on specific chakras or on the entire set brings added benefits.
When you visualize the chakras responding as you focus your breath and attention, you make them more real and relevant to your waking mind.
What does a chakra meditation do?
Since chakras thrive with silence, balance, and peace, consciously offering peaceful music, loving touch, restful sleep, and mindful meditation nourishes them and, consequently, revitalize all the physical and nonphysical processes associated with each.
How do I start my chakra meditation?
When meditating on the entire chakra system, it’s always best to start from the foundation (root) and work your way up to the crown.
With any chakra meditation, you can start with the following:
- Sit in a comfortable position
- Scan and relax the body;
- Take at least three deep, cleansing breaths;
- Start with the root chakra
- Visualize each lotus flower responding.
Can chakras be activated by meditation?
The act of meditation helps to open and balance chakras. What we’re doing here is giving those chakras (all or one in particular) conscious and focused attention, which, though not essential, makes it easier to clear away blockages and release dormant abilities.
Which chakra should I meditate on?
Drill down to the essence of your biggest challenges right now to identify which of the chakras are most closely related to them.
If you’re not sure, try a body scan meditation. Pay attention to how you feel as you move from one chakra to the next.
Chakra Meditation: 7 Meditation Practices for Each Chakra
Knowing how to meditate chakras is a game-changer for anyone intent on living consciously and overcoming every challenge they face.
Clearing and rebalancing your chakras enables your entire body and mind to work as they’re meant to. Sometimes, your best weapons are the ones no one can see.
1. Grounding Root Chakra (Muladhara) Meditation
A daily grounding meditation focusing on the root chakra is especially helpful when you’re dealing with fear and anxiety, whether it has to do with finances, relationships, or something else.
Anytime you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsettled, especially when you’re going through big life changes (marriage, divorce, parenthood, terminal illness, etc.), make time for a root chakra meditation to remind yourself of the stable, nurturing ground that supports you.
Start by sitting comfortably, ideally with your feet planted on the floor. If possible, do this meditation outside where you can remove any barriers between your feet and the earth.
Become aware of your entire body, from your feet, up to your legs to your root chakra, and slowly up, relaxing every body part as you go.
Focus on your breathing and visualize your root chakra responding to each mindful breath, whatever pace you choose.
Visualize energy flowing up from the earth into your feet and enveloping your root chakra with every inhale. With every exhale imagine the murky energy behind the tension, fear, and anxiety flowing out of you.
Every time you exhale, picture the earth drawing that out of you, pulling it all the way to its center for purification and renewal — recycling it.
Every inhale brings fresh, healing energy from the earth into your body, strengthening the connection between your root chakra and the earth’s center.
Imagine the lotus flower spinning, glowing, and radiating light and health. If it helps, repeat one of the following affirmations:
- I always have what I need;
- The universe looks out for me and provides;
- I am becoming the person I need to be.
2. Sacral Chakra (Svadisthana) Meditation
Try this meditation to build trust in your emotional intelligence and allow mindful acceptance of your feelings as they pass through you.
Use a cushion so you can sit with your hips higher than your knees, allowing your lower back and hips to relax. Imagine a setting sun, glowing orange with heat and vitality over a churning sea, focusing on the area two inches below your navel and two inches in.
Focus on your breathing and imagine, with every inhale, that you can pull the ocean waves toward you as the setting sun glows overhead. With every exhale, you release the ocean and allow the wave to recede.
As you visualize this, imagine yourself drawing in fresh energy with each breath and releasing any stuck emotional energy with every exhale. The longer you breathe, the more you feel refreshed, open, and clear.
If possible, do this meditation on the beach or while playing an audio recording of ocean sounds.
If it helps, repeat any of the following affirmations:
- I release whatever blocks me from full awareness and acceptance of what I’m feeling;
- I am returning to my emotional center;
- I trust in and rely on my emotional intelligence.
3. Solar Plexus (Manipura) Meditation
I’ve you’ve ever put a hand to your stomach when you’re feeling nervous or short of courage or confidence, this meditation can provide the strength and fire you need, whatever situation you’re facing.
Start by sitting comfortably with your spine tall but free of tension. Bring your hands to your abdomen and rub gently in a clockwise, circular motion to stimulate digestion and soften the belly.
After 7 to 10 circles, let your hands rest on your thighs, open and facing up. Focus on deepening your breath. With every exhale, gently tone the muscles in your abdomen, and with every inhale, allow your belly to soften and fill with air.
The subtle Ujjayi breath brings a natural, supportive heat to your system, starting in your belly and spreading outward.
Imagine the fire from this breathing burning away feelings of fear, inadequacy, and nervousness. Picture the flame burning behind your navel and imagine you’re exhaling the smoke from this fire every time you exhale.
Spend at least fifteen minutes purifying your entire abdominal area and restoring purity of focus and the courage you need to take action — or the confidence to move forward.
If it helps, repeat any of the following affirmations:
- I am more powerful than my past — and stronger than I realize;
- I have what it takes to go after what I want;
- I am worthy of the life I want and more than capable of creating it.
More Related Articles
Learn To Mindfully Resolve Conflict With These 9 Best Conflict Resolution Books
9 Highly Useful Binaural Beats For Your Meditation Practice
11 Ways To Practice Mindfulness Each Day
4. Heart Chakra (Anahata) Meditation
If you’re feeling lonely, shut out, or broken-hearted, opening and clearing your heart chakra can help you connect to unconditional love, resilience, compassion, and generosity.
Imagine the heart chakra as an emerald-green lotus flower that opens its petals and glows whenever you direct the light of your focus on it.
Start by sitting tall in a comfortable position that allows you to breathe deeply since the lungs are part of the heart chakra system. Visualize the emerald-green light of this chakra filling your entire chest cavity.
Focusing your attention and breath on this light strengthens the shield that protects your heart from the threats and challenges life brings.
Feeding this light helps you feel safe and loved.
As you breathe, imagine a diamond at the center of this chakra radiating a soft pink light. This represents the truth of who you are behind your self-perception. The stronger your heart chakra, the easier it is to grow in self-knowledge and self-love.
Keep this in mind as you breathe in to nurture the green light of your heart chakra and the soft pink light of your spiritual heart. As you exhale, visualize yourself releasing any negative thoughts — any judgment, resentment, or bitterness toward yourself or others.
With each inhale, feed the light of this chakra and of your core self and enjoy the peace that surrounds it.
You can also try repeating any of the following affirmations:
- I am learning to know and love my true self;
- I am worthy of trust, kindness, and unconditional love;
- I am never alone.
5. Throat Chakra (Visuddha) Meditation
Your throat chakra is connected to your capacity for speech and your listening apparatus, which is fitting since communication involves both giving and receiving signals, whether audible sounds or nonverbal signs.
With this meditation, you’ll focus on the chakra that represents clear and healthy communication. Start with some gentle head movements — side to side, back to front, and around — before settling in a comfortable position for your head and neck.
Become aware of your throat and neck and imagine a brilliant turquoise-blue gem situated right in the center of this area. That gem holds all the stories you have to share with the world – in whatever way you choose to share them.
It holds the truth of your authentic self and the ability to communicate that to yourself and others.
This chakra also serves as a bridge between the head and the heart.
With every inhale, send bright light to this gem and watch it unfold like a lotus flower and begin to spin and glow, radiating light and releasing all that blocks your self-expression.
With every exhale, you release those blockages and allow this chakra to grow in strength and brightness as it spins, converting energy to thought and inspiration.
Visualize yourself using this power for good — developing your voice and your capacity for listening.
6. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) Meditation
Sit or lie down comfortably and close your eyes. Start this meditation by focusing on the point in your forehead above where your eyebrows would meet, focusing your attention and imagining an indigo blue or purple light.
Become aware of your breathing and use it to help you settle into this meditation.
Keep the skin around your eyes relaxed as you draw your awareness from your forehead back toward the mid-brain. Think of the consciousness that sees through your eyes and visualize this inner light between your ears.
As your thoughts come and go, allow yourself to watch them pass like clouds or birds in an otherwise clear sky, and draw your attention back.
You can also press the tip of your tongue to your upper palate to stimulate this chakra from underneath. Keep breathing steadily in and out through your nose.
If it helps, repeat any of the following affirmations:
- I am accessing deeper wisdom, imagination, and insight;
- I exchange unhelpful thought habits with those that help me grow;
- I am creative, insightful, and wise.
7. Gratitude Meditation for the Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
Meditating on the crown chakra helps you ascend from your mundane thinking into the spiritual sphere, where you meet your highest self. And gratitude will get you there more easily than visualizing what you want.
Start by sitting comfortably with your spine tall. Close your eyes and imagine an invisible lotus flower at the crown of your head. You can even tap on the top of your head to stimulate and awaken this chakra.
Visualize a column of purple light reaching up from the crown of your head to the sky. With every inhale, imagine the light moving down and into your body. With every exhale, imagine it flowing up and out of your body and up to the sky.
Every inhalation fills you with divine light and consciousness. Every exhale is an offering to the Source of your being.
When you feel ready, allow your awareness to settle on the center of your crown chakra as it spins and glows, radiating light within and above you.
Consciously offer your gratitude to the Source for your life and for at least one good thing in it, if not more.
You can also repeat one of the following affirmations:
- I am so grateful for the life I have and for all the good I’ve experienced in it;
- I see the oneness of all life, and it fills me with wonder and joy;
- I can always connect to peace, love, and meaning in my life.
Now that you’ve reached the end of this guide to chakra meditation, we hope you felt a pull toward one (or more) of the meditations included. Thank you for taking the time to read this and consider the benefits of chakra meditation.
Which one will you try first?
