A Simple Chakras Meditation

A weary mother of four, including two year old twins, lays quietly in her bed.  It is early.  None of the children are up yet.  Should she sleep a few more minutes?  Should she sneak quietly into the shower and get a jump start on her morning before the demands of little people fill her time?  How about a book?  Maybe she can reach for a book and squeeze in some pages of romance or self improvement. With gentleness she rolls onto her back and rests her neck comfortably on her pillow.  She inhales a few slow, deep breath and begins a simple, self-guided chakras meditation.

Finding time to meditate can indeed be tricky.  Yet, there is always a moment to breathe.  A slow, deep breath will do wonders when a "real" meditation can't be afforded.  There are also simple methods to bring meditation into your daily routine that don't involve much more than creating a small time frame while doing what you are already doing.  The time frame doesn't always mean stopping what you are doing, it can also mean being fully present with what you are doing - being mindful.

One meditation method you can do is lead yourself through a simple visualization through each of your chakras before you rise from your bed in the morning.  It literally can take 7 minutes or less. 

Begin by laying on your back with your arms and feet straight, yet relaxed.  Allow your pillow to support your head or neck.  Take three or more slow deep breaths, then imagine each color of the rainbow as you focus your attention on each of your seven major chakras.  You can first try to perceive the color that is emanating from each area, then offer the corresponding color as sort of an "alignment":

1. "Root Chakra" (Muladhara) - Perineum or base of spine - Red
2. "Sacral Chakra" (Swadhisthana) - Reproductive area - Orange
3. "Solar Plexus Chakra" (Manipura) - Naval area - Yellow
4. "Heart Chakra" (Anahata) - Heart area - Green
5. "Throat Chakra" (Vishuddha) - Throat / neck area - Blue
6. "Third Eye Chakra" (Ajna) - Between the eyebrows - Indigo
7. "Crown Chakra" (Sahasrara) - Top of head - Violet

The specifics about where you focus your attention or what color you imagine don't really matter.  What does matter is that you've taken a small amount of precious time just for you.  To be still, to breathe, and - yes - to meditate.

More info:  As infinite beings, we have an infinite number of chakras.  One is often referred to as the "Sacred Heart Chakra."  It is located between the "Heart" and the "Throat Chakra" and is often imagined as a turquoise color.  This, of course, can be added to your morning chakras meditation.

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