Exploring the Crown Chakra: Understanding and Balancing this Energy Center

Want to learn more about the seventh chakra in your body? It's located at the top of your head and it's called the Crown Chakra or Sahasrara.

But first, here's A very, very short bit of history.

Ancient Roots

The concept of chakras originates from ancient Indian spiritual traditions, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism. The earliest references to chakras can be found in the Vedas, ancient sacred texts dating back to around 1500 BCE. These texts describe various aspects of spiritual knowledge, including the energy centres in the body.

Development in Hinduism

In Hindu philosophy, the chakra system is elaborated upon in various texts, including the Upanishads and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The term "chakra" itself comes from the Sanskrit word meaning "wheel" or "disk," symbolizing the spinning energy centres. Traditionally, there are seven main chakras aligned along the spine, each associated with specific physical, emotional and spiritual aspects.

Buddhist Influence

In Buddhism, particularly in Tantric practices, the chakra system is also recognized, though it may differ in interpretation and emphasis. The Tibetan Buddhist traditions incorporate the concept of chakras within their practices, focusing on the energy flow and its connection to enlightenment.

So, let's take a look at the Crown Chakra.

The seventh chakra, known as the crown chakra or Sahasrara, is like the control centre for all the other chakras in your body. It's located at the top of your head and is linked to the colour violet, but it can be whatever colour feels right to you. This chakra is all about being aware and connected to the world around you. It's like your link to a timeless, spaceless place of knowing everything. The crown chakra also has an effect on a small gland in your brain called the pineal gland. This gland helps regulate your sleep and wake cycles and produces a hormone called melatonin, which can help you sleep and relax. When your crown chakra is in good shape, it helps you see things clearly and feel connected to your life's purpose and goals.

The symbolism of the Crown Chakra.

It is a circle with a thousand petals and is associated with the full moon.

What does an unbalanced Crown Chakra feel like?

When your crown chakra is blocked, you might experience headaches, sensitivity to light, and mental health challenges. It can also make you feel disconnected from your body, overly focused on spiritual matters and cynical about things that are meaningful to you.

Is it underactive or overactive?

When your Crown Chakra is overactive, you may experience a sense of being disconnected from the present moment and find it challenging to stay rooted in the here and now. This may manifest as feelings of superiority or arrogance, causing you to behave in a way that appears dismissive of others. Additionally, an overactive Crown Chakra may lead to an obsession with spirituality, potentially causing you to neglect important practical responsibilities and aspects of daily life.

When your Crown Chakra is underactive, you may find it hard to think clearly when you're stressed. You might feel like you're just going through the motions without a clear purpose and could feel unloved. You might blame outside forces for your problems and struggle to see things in a positive way. You might also feel clumsy and uncoordinated and find it hard to embrace new, positive perspectives on life and you might have no interest in exploring your inner self. Other signs to look out for are feeling down, having doubts about spirituality, finding it difficult to learn, having strong and unchanging beliefs and lacking motivation.

Activities that help you balance your Crown Chakra.

Spending time in nature.

It is an undeniable fact that spending time in nature can be one of the most powerful ways to restore and rebalance our mind, body and spirit. The reasons for this are many. For one, being in nature allows us to connect more deeply with the natural world around us, which in turn can help us to better attune to the subtle energies of the earth. This can have a profound impact on our chakras, which are the energy centres of the body that regulate everything from our emotional well-being to our physical health.

Meditation and Yoga.

One effective way to balance your Crown Chakra is by practising meditation or yoga. These activities can help bring harmony to your thoughts, feelings and body. They allow you to calm your mind, look inward and release anything that is holding you back. Doing meditation and yoga has a lot of advantages. The breathing exercises that these activities involve help your body release hormones that make you feel less anxious and less depressed.

Colour.

Violet is a pretty colour that can help balance your Crown Chakra. To get some of that violet energy in your life, try these:

• Wear clothes that are violet in colour. Doing this will make you feel better and more clear-headed.

• You can also carry your water around in a violet water bottle. This will give you a little boost and help you feel balanced.

• Sitting in front of a violet LED light while meditating, doing yoga, or reading is great for the reasons mentioned above and an added bonus for balancing your Crown Chakra.

Learning about Spirituality.

One effective way to balance the Crown Chakra is to explore spirituality. Learning about spirituality can expand your perspective on life and help you feel more connected to something greater. Personally, I've found that delving into spirituality has given me a deeper understanding of others and my own experiences. It has also helped me become more compassionate towards all living things.

Crystals associated with your Crown Chakra.

Wearing, carrying or meditating with crystals associated with your Crown Chakra is another good way to help balance this chakra. Crystals that are associated with your Crown Chakra are:

• Amethyst

• Clear Quartz

• Labradorite

• Lepidolite

• Moonstone

• Selenite

I have found loads of great ways to rock my favourite crystals! My go to is a gold chain with an adjustable basket, so I can switch up the crystal depending on my mood. It's such a great way to balance your charka throughout the day!

Chakra Seed Mantras.

On a side note, did you know there is a sound for each chakra?

Chakra Sounds (Bija Mantras, In Sanskrit, "Bija" translates to "Seed")

• Root Chakra: Lam (Earth)

• Sacral Chakra: Vam (Water)

• Solar Plexus Chakra: Ram (Fire)

• Heart Chakra: Yam (Air)

• Throat Chakra: Ham (Ether)

• Third Eye Chakra: Om (Transcendence)

• Crown Chakra: Silence (or the sound of "Aum" can also be used) (Fullness)

A chant isn't restricted to a single chakra. For example, if you feel your heart chakra needs grounding energy, you can use the "earth" grounding chant LAM.

May this piece of information inspire you on your journey of self-healing.