Keith Sherwood: The Art of Spiritual Healing, ~1995
The chakras, as we have seen, are openings which transmit energy to our physical body; each chakra is a doorway for energy of a different frequency. When any of these doorways is closed or blocked for any reason whatsoever, problems arise because energy needed to nourish the physical body is restricted, and these problems will later be transmuted into physical disease. In order to correct these problems, you must open and balance the seven chakras. The technique I've described below, when practiced regularly, will do just that. I call it "chakra balancing".
Begin by finding a quiet place where you can sit or lie comfortably for about five minutes. It makes no difference if you sit or lie down. Just make sure your back is straight. For those of you familiar with the lotus position, it will suffice; if you have trouble with it, finding it uncomfortable for any reason, your results will be equally good if you lie on your back with your hands at your sides. So, find a comfortable position either sitting in the lotus position, sitting in a straight backed chair, or lying on your back. Then simply close your eyes and relax. Let your mind wander and make no effort to control it, but instead let it go to its perfect place of relaxation (your sanctuary).
Let yourself rest there for awhile, and then count backward from 5 to 1, and on each descending number take a long deep breath and feel yourself drifting deeper. There is no need to control the mind in any way, but simply let it go where it likes. When you've reached the number 1, silently repeat the affirmation, "I am deeply relaxed, feeling better than I did before." As you can see, during every spiritual exercise we take the opportunity to reprogram ourselves. Then pay attention to the first chakra, which is at the base of your spine. As soon as you pay attention to it, the chakra will begin to vibrate and tingle. That's how you can locate each chakra; the tingling sensation originates from its center. By paying attention to your chakras you will experience them opening and expanding. You can feel the very spot where they are located and the pulsating, tingling sensation caused by the energies passing through them into your aura.
By paying attention to the first chakra, not only can you locate it, but the mental force of your attention serves to activate it. This mental stimulation is the first step in opening the chakras. The next step is breathing from each individual chakra. In this way you can stimulate them even further by bringing the energy inherent in the breath, which is a manifestation of "prana" (the vital force) to the chakras. With these two tools, the mind and the breath, at your service, you can easily initiate the process of opening and balancing your energy centers. Begin at the first chakra (base of the spine) by mentally paying attention to it. Next, breathe into it, and then without separation between inhalation and exhalation, breathe out, and as you do chant the universal OHM from the chakra. * The important thing to remember in the last stage (chanting on the exhalation) is that the musical note you chant must cause a sympathetic vibration in the chakra. We can liken this phenomenon to the sympathetic vibration. which results in a violin when a tuning fork is struck which has the same tone as one of the strings. Repeat the process of chanting /OHM three times from each chakra, starting at the base of the spine and ending at the crown.
Raise the OHM one note for each chakra, beginning with G (you may also begin with C) for the first chakra, going through the seven notes of the scale (as you go through the seven chakras). The technique of chakra balancing takes only three to four minutes, but even in such a short time the results can be remarkable. Not only are the chakras opened, but they are balanced, creating a healthy integration of energies which in turn strengthen and revitalize the physical body's energy system. The subtle energy system is strengthened also, which safeguards you from negativity encountered from both your internal and external environment. Many people compare its effects to the effects of meditating for a half hour or more. I often recommend it as an alternative when time is unavailable for a more lengthy meditation. It should ideally be practiced twice a day, in the morning and late afternoon. I don't recommend practicing it around bedtime, since it tends to stimulate the nerves and can keep you awake. If you practice it regularly you will soon begin to experience its effects. Your mind will become more alert and you will experience less idle chatter and static running through it. Anxiety will· decrease and you will feel more relaxed. Furthermore, your energy level will increase, filling you with a greater sense of well-being. The practice stimulates the flow of prana into your physical body, allowing your body to heal and renew itself more quickly. You will be more useful and more successful as a channel for healing since more prana will be flowing through you. As always, by healing yourself, you will become more effective in healing others.
·OHM in Sanskrit is the sound of the universal vibration. This is the sound uttered by God at the creation and which is the combined sound of all created things.
(Phil's notes: Keith's book is an excellent one especially when it was written. Always go with what you are drawn to and be very kind to yourself in all that you do.
Begin with a C in the 1st chakra or a G, whichever one helps you feel the vibrations of the chakra you are focusing on. Also, I end this with one more series of 3 breaths, where I breathe simultaneously IN through all 7 chakras, then exhale OM or AH and the corresponding musical notes OUT through all 7 chakras. I use my imagination that I am creating all 7 notes simultaneously. Remember, for most things, you can "throw out the rules" and do what seems the most satisfying to you. Enjoy! J)
