Ever wonder why you keep waking up at 3am, or feel like taking a nap in the afternoon?
Perhaps this Chinese Body Clock can give you some answers. It is based on Chinese medicine and the body organ Qi (energy) cycle.
It is based on the idea that there is a cyclical flow of energy through the human body and our Qi moves in two hour intervals through the various organ systems.
       | Chinese Herbal Medicine Since the doors of China opened to the west, Chinese traditional herbal medicine has been considered a mysterious but interesting science to westerners. Most people know its existence, but are unsure about trying it. Chinese traditional herbal medicine is an alternative system of treatment arising from a holistic philosophy of life. It emphasizes on the interconnection of the mental, emotional, and physical components within the body. It also emphasizes on the importance of harmony between individuals and their social groups, as well as between humanity as a whole. Human body is believed to consist of not only flesh, blood, bones, organs, and other visible components, but also invisible qi, which could be considered as a flow of energy passing throughout the body. There are invisible three-dimensional pathways, or so-called meridians that allow the circulation of qi and blood throughout the body. The meridians regulate the yin/yang balance in the body, provide connections between the individual human being and cosmic forces or influences, and protect the body against external sources of disease. There are certain points along the meridians where qi is thought to collect or concentrate.   Herbs
 |
In order to appreciate the benefits of chakra meditation, we first need to look at the significance of the chakra centers themselves.
What Are Chakras?
The entirety of the body is a perfect reflection of our beliefs, thoughts and emotions. It is the physical manifestation of our inner beliefs about who we are.
When we initially dreamed this present dream (our lives) we continued on the path of awakening into the truth of who we are, at whatever point in our spiritual workshop we left off in the last dream.
The body and everything we experience here is a pictorial representation of what we believe to be true about ourselves, although generally, most of these beliefs are in the unconscious mind.
The chakra centers are like energetic motors within the mental / emotional / physical energy field we usually identify as “me.” Each chakra center relates to a different area of our lives, as described below.
The health of a chakra is governed by our beliefs about ourselves in the particular area of life that the chakra is related to.
For instance, the root chakra relates to our sense of connection with our fellow human beings, as well as survival issues. If a person believes they are unsafe and trust is difficult, this chakra will tend to be pulled in and not joined in harmony with the other chakras. This will affect the organs in the area of the root chakra, such as the sex organs.
What Do Chakras Look Like?
Often in sharing WellBeing Alignment Sessions, my attention is guided to a client’s chakra centers. When this happens, I experience them directly in a feeling / sensing / hearing / seeing way. Usually if a chakra center is humming along happily my attention isn’t pulled to it specifically. On the other hand, if there is dis-ease in a chakra, it tends to catch my attention.
In chakra meditation, for different people, and at different times, chakras can appear in a variety of ways. Generally, what is highlighted in my awareness are places of constriction, density, cloudiness, numbness, separation or pulling back from the other chakras, and lack of movement. In some cases there is a quality of folding in, as if the chakra is trying to protect itself.
When I sense a chakra center that is struggling, noticing what area of the body it is in helps me become aware of the underlying beliefs related to the chakra.
The colors of the chakras are the exact same colors and in the same order as the colors of a rainbow, from red at the base to violet / white light at the crown (see below). Our bodies are walking rainbows! If you hold a crystal up to sunlight it displays beautiful vibrant rainbows that can give you an idea of what a healthy, happy chakra system looks like.
Although there is generally a predominant color associated with each chakra, I often see colors within a chakra that are different than the traditional color associated with it, as well as a variety of textures, feelings, voices, and layers.
Seven Main Chakra Centers
Although there are many other chakra centers within the whole of our spiritual / mental / emotional / physical being, in regards to chakra meditation, we’ll talk about the seven main ones that are the most associated with this present dream, with each one related to a specific aspect of our lives.
There are many different perspectives on what each chakra relates to and many different variations within each individual. The information I offer below is what I perceive in working with clients (and myself).
The Crown Chakra, which is the 7th Chakra, is at the very top of the head. It appears with the color violet and pure white Light. It is linked to our awareness of Oneness with Source, integration of the Whole, living in the now, meaning, devotion, inspiration, and conscious alignment with Pure Awareness.
chakra meditation
The Brow Chakra, or Third Eye, which is the 6th Chakra, is in the center of the forehead. It resonates with the color indigo and is linked to inner vision, unity perspective, divine understanding, discernment, wisdom, intuition, and intelligence.
The Throat Chakra is the 5th Chakra, at the base of the throat, and is blue in color. It is linked to expressing and being our truth, taking responsibility for our own needs, surrendering our will to the Divine, trusting Source, decision making, personal authority, and manifesting creative impulses.
The Heart Chakra, which is the 4th Chakra, is in the center of the chest. It displays the colors green and pink. It is linked to love (as a union of spiritual and human love), compassion, confidence, trust, expansion, acceptance, openness and inspiration.
The Solar Plexus, which is the 3rd Chakra, goes from just below the heart down to the navel. Yellow in color, it is linked to our internalized parent, “shoulds,” self-esteem, reaction to criticism, personal power, and ego – our self-concept of an individual, separate self.
The Sacral Chakra, which is the 2nd Chakra, is located just below the navel. Resonating with the color orange, it is linked to our inner child, creativity, innocence, vulnerability and spontaneity.
The Root Chakra, the 1st Chakra, is at the base of the spine and is red in color. It is linked to our connection and loyalty to our “tribe,” family, and fellow human beings, our connection with the manifestation of physical earth, physical groundedness, survival instincts, pleasure / pain, and sexuality.
We are conditioned to believe that when we are upset it is because something happened to us that caused the upset. However, this is exactly backwards. When an upsetting event occurs, such as pain, disease or discomfort in the body, or an “outer” circumstance such as losing a job or a relationship, that occurrence is a reflection of an “upset” that was already within us, usually below our conscious awareness.
For example, let’s say your husband or wife wants a divorce and you feel upset. The event of your partner wanting a divorce is a manifestation of a part of you that is “divorced” from another part of you – a place where you have pulled away from yourself. However we experience being treated by someone else is a reflection of how we treat ourselves, which is how we believe (usually unconsciously) we SHOULD be treated.
The chakras would reflect the beliefs as well, most likely in the solar plexus and heart in this example, as well as the throat and the first two chakras, to varying degrees. All the organs and cells in the areas of the body related to the chakras would also be affected.
n the previous example, there would be a corresponding emotion and body sensation tied into the upset regarding the divorce. In this case, a powerful chakra meditation would be to simply be with this body sensation and give it full permission to be here as it is. This is a direct way to energetically connect all the way back to the inner beliefs (even if you’re not fully aware of what the beliefs are) that are the ACTUAL cause of the upset, without getting stuck in the recycling of the story about the divorce. You can learn about how to do that here.
By staying with the sensation itself, the emotions and related chakras that are compromised will begin to open and heal on their own, and chakra clearing occurs automatically.
Even after witnessing this many times in WellBeing Alignment Sessions, and also in working with myself, I am awestruck every single time I watch the process. These bodies really do know how to heal themselves. We just need to allow them to do it. :-)
In this type of chakra meditation, by embracing whatever arises in awareness that we call “upset,” the trauma within a chakra is gradually released, allowing it to spin and work in synchronicity with the other chakras as a team. This facilitates inner harmony and balance as your entire energy field shifts to a more unified whole. Once our energy field is aligned with wellbeing in this way, healing begins organically. Our innate intelligence knows exactly how to take care of the mind, emotions and body, once we turn toward our inner conflicts rather than away from them.
I highly recommend approaching chakra healing from two directions. Let’s start with the most important level first…
1. Chakra Meditation Focusing On The Level Of Cause
Unless the level of cause is addressed, the effects – feeling upset or distressed in the body, mind, and / or emotions – persist.
So what is the underlying cause of any distress or suffering?
All suffering is the result of believing we are a separate part rather than the Whole that we are.
This is like a wave in an ocean looking for water, not realizing it IS water, one with the entire ocean it is appearing in. But if its identity is based on a self-concept of being a separate wave, it will suffer.
This basic identification about what we ARE creates our entire belief system. If we believe we are a separate part, our beliefs will be about being inadequate and incomplete. Accordingly, our beliefs create our thoughts, emotions, and bodies. They also create the entire movie of our experience.
On the other hand, when we begin to directly experience that we are Pure Awareness, One with all that is (the entire ocean, not just a seemingly wave appearing in it), our beliefs, thoughts, emotions, body experience and our lives begin to reflect the peace that we know ourselves to be.
Therefore, for a chakra meditation that will allow the chakras to heal and balance themselves, I recommend any meditation that brings your attention to yourSelf as Pure Awareness. As we focus on the Light that we already are, we spontaneously release what stands in the way of our experience of love and wellBeing.
Although in truth there is no outside or inside, there is only Pure Awareness, which doesn’t have a physical location, we can still work with the appearance of an inside / outside.
The following exercises and meditations focus on the “inside” (cause) which causes the “outside” to shift:
I recommend these first:
Am I Here?
Who Is Suffering?
Observe The Observer
These two assist you in resting in the space between thoughts, which is where we begin to experience ourselves as Pure Awareness:
The Miracle of Forgiveness Healing
Overcome Depression
If you found the previous exercises challenging, the following group of exercises and meditations might be easier:
Basic Breathing Meditation
Present Moment Focus Meditation
Unifying Phrase Meditation
Meditation For Finding God
Forgiveness Meditation
Centerpointe Meditation
2. Chakra Meditation Focusing On The Level Of Effects
While getting to know ourselves as Pure Awareness, there are also other variations of chakra meditation we can use to ease the effects of identifying with being a separate, isolated part rather than the Whole we are.
The following exercises and meditations work more from the “outside” (effects) to the inside (cause):
Inner Vision Meditation
White Light Chakra Meditation
Violet Flame Meditation
The WellBeing Boat
I also recommend this site for some beautiful visuals with music that will help calm and relax your nervous system.
In the chakra meditations listed above, for easing the effects of painful beliefs, there are many variations of Light you can incorporate, including the following:
Diamond White Light – purifies and aligns your energy field.
Emerald Green Flame – restores and transforms our physical bodies.
Violet Flame – is a combination of the sapphire blue ray of the Divine Masculine, the rose pink ray of the Divine Feminine, and the gold flame of Christ Consciousness. These three flames unify into a pure violet flame for releasing attachments to painful memories.
Rose Pink Light – infuses your being with the unconditional Love of Divine Mother and creates a bubble of protection both within and around you. This is wonderful for inner child healing, as well as protection.
Sunshine Yellow Ray – is associated with Christ Consciousness and arises within our awareness as our masculine and feminine polarities come into balance. This Light ray is infused with Divine Wisdom and Illumination.
Gold Light – is a deeper resonance of the Sunshine Yellow Ray. It draws true discrimination and peace into your being – an energetic nectar that stabilizes and nurtures your energy field. This is a good Light to bring in after you do energy work, for balancing and completion.
You can experiment with these variations during your chakra meditation practice (as well as any others your intuition offers up) and see which one you resonate with. You may find yourself drawn to different Lights at different times.
As you begin to rest in Pure Awareness and let go of old beliefs and traumas, I also support you in following your inner guidance in checking into any healing modality that you are drawn to. There are many therapies that can help ease the effects of painful beliefs that manifest in the body, mind and emotions. Your inner guidance will guide you to the modalities that are best for you.
In particular, I have found yoga, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine to be very helpful, as they approach healing from the perspective of Wholeness more so than western medicine, which tends to treat parts rather than the whole.
As you begin chakra meditation healing, it is important to know that opening your awareness to yourSelf as Pure Awareness can also increase your awareness of unconscious material that has been percolating beneath the surface for years, and perhaps lifetimes.
At first you may even notice what seems to be an increase in uncomfortable feelings and sensations. However, it is actually your awareness OF the underlying energies that is increasing, not the energies themselves.
Healing is a gradual process. There are residues of beliefs in separation that let go layer by layer. And we don’t need to go digging around inside to find out what they are. Just notice what “bugs” you during your daily life and that will reveal to you what is currently directly accessible for you to heal. It is a window of opportunity.
As you continue with the two levels of chakra meditation offered on this page, your healing will unfold in its own time and in its own way.
As long as we’re dreaming this dream, on the level of the body, the healing process continues layer by layer, as we awaken fully into the realization of the Pure Light of Awareness we truly are.
Here, Rupert Spira beautifully describes the residues of beliefs in separation that show up in the body, and the gradual experience of letting them unwind:
2017 Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
The Sponsored Listings displayed above are served automatically by a third party. Neither the service provider nor the domain owner maintain any relationship with the advertisers. In case of trademark issues please contact the domain owner directly (contact information can be found in whois).
Chinese: Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
English: Ledebouriella Powder that Sagely Unblocks
Source: Huang Di su wen xuan ming lun fang (Formulas from the Discussion Illuminating the Yellow Emperor’s Basic Questions)
Pulse: slippery, bowstring, rapid
Tongue: yellow, thick, greasy fur
Abdomen: medium to strong abdominal wall strength, fukuman
Indications: This herbal formula has been used for patients with following health conditions and symptoms:
There are many other health conditions that may respond well to this herbal formula, in particular patients exhibiting indicative traditional diagnostic signs and symptoms.
Herbs in This Formula
Note: Suggested dosages of each herb in Kampo formulas are often smaller than those of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Individual dosages of herbs may be adjusted depending on each patient’s condition, constitutional patterns, quality of the herbs, and other factors involved.
Basic and Clinical Research on Bofutsushosan – Updated on June 16, 2012
Ogawa H, Xu F, Uebaba K, et al. Antioxidative Potentiality of a Kampo Formulation Measured by an Ex Vivo Study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2009; 15: 267-74.
Uebaba K, Xu F. Association between the SNP in sympathetic b3-adrenergic receptor gene and the efficacy of bofutsushosan. Nihon Toyo Igaku Zasshi (Kampo medicine) 2009; 54: S225.
Yamamoto N, Inada T. Bofu-tsusho-san effectively attenuates the weight gain observed after receiving olanzapine. Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences. 2008;62(6):747.
Yamakawa J, Ishigaki Y, Takano F, Takahashi T, Yoshida J, Moriya J, et al. The Kampo medicines Orengedokuto, Bofutsushosan and Boiogito have different activities to regulate gene expressions in differentiated rat white adipocytes: comprehensive analysis of genetic profiles. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin. 2008;31(11):2083-9.
Shimada T, Kudo T, Akase T, Aburada M. Preventive effects of Bofutsushosan on obesity and various metabolic disorders. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin. 2008;31(7):1362-7.
Akagiri S, Naito Y, Ichikawa H, Mizushima K, Takagi T, Handa O, et al. Bofutsushosan, an Oriental Herbal Medicine, Attenuates the Weight Gain of White Adipose Tissue and the Increased Size of Adipocytes Associated with the Increase in Their Expression of Uncoupling Protein 1 in High-Fat Diet-Fed Male KK/Ta mice. Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition. 2008;42(2):158-66.
Hioki C. Efficacy of bofutsushosan in obese women with IGT. Pharma Medica 2007; 25: 43-8. I
Hioki C, Arai M. Bofutsushosan use for obesity with IGT: search for scientific basis and development of effective therapy with Kampo medicine. Journal of Traditional Medicines 2007; 24: 115-27.
Sakamoto S, Takeshita S, Sassa S, Suzuki S, Ishikawa Y, Kudo H. Effects of colestimide and/or Bofu-tsusho-san on plasma and liver lipids in mice fed a high-fat diet. In vivo. 2005;19(6):1029-33.
Ohno K, Chung HJ, Maruyama I, Tani T. Bofutsushosan, a traditional Chinese formulation, prevents intimal thickening and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation induced by balloon endothelial denudation in rats. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin. 2005;28(11):2162-5.
Suzuki S, Tanaka A, Arai T, Adachi M. [Case of interstitial pneumonitis induced by a Chinese herbal medicine, bofu-tsusho-san]. Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai zasshi = the journal of the Japanese Respiratory Society. 2004;42(8):777-81.
Hioki C, Yoshimoto K, Yoshida T. Efficacy of bofu-tsusho-san, an oriental herbal medicine, in obese Japanese women with impaired glucose tolerance. Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology. 2004;31(9):614-9.
Hioki C, Yoshimoto K, Yoshida T. Efficacy of Bofu-tsusho-san, an oriental herbal medicine, in obese Japanese women with impaired glucose tolerance. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology 2004; 31: 614-9.
Hioki C, Yoshimoto K, Yoshida T. Efficacy of bofu-tsusho-san in obese Japanese women with IGT. Rinsho Kampo Yakuri Kenkyukai Kaishi (Journal of the Society for Clinical Kampo Pharmacology), 2004; 100th Memorial Issue: 19-22.
Morimoto Y, Sakata M, Ohno A, Maegawa T, Tajima S. [Effects of Byakko-ka-ninjin-to, Bofu-tsusho-san and Gorei-san on blood glucose level, water intake and urine volume in KKAy mice]. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. 2002;122(2):163-8.
Matsushima H, Takayanagi N, Ubukata M, Tokunaga D, Mori S, Sato N, et al. [A case of pneumonitis induced by Bofu-tsusho-san]. Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai zasshi = the journal of the Japanese Respiratory Society. 2002;40(12):955-9.
Morimoto Y, Sakata M, Ohno A, Maegawa T, Tajima S. [Effects of bofu-tsusho-san, a traditional Chinese medicine, on body fat accumulation in fructose-loaded rats]. Nihon yakurigaku zasshi Folia pharmacologica Japonica. 2001;117(1):77-86..
Yoshida T, Sakane N, Wakabayashi Y, Umekawa T, Kondo M. Thermogenic, anti-obesity effects of bofu-tsusho-san in MSG-obese mice. International journal of obesity and related metabolic disorders : journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity. 1995;19(10):717-22.
The average American suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, low energy, poor libido, weak immune systems and poor health.
Living with poor health can have devastating consequences, too, including having below average stamina; low energy; fatigue; muscle tension; fat gain; irritability; insomnia; poor sexual performance; social anxiety or nervousness; and depression.
But don’t despair. Research shows that adapotenic herbs like ashwagandha can help fortify your body, giving it the strength it needs to keep you healthy and happy.
Studies suggest that ashwagandha can reduce social anxiety, improve physical performance (strength and endurance) and cognitive performance (focus and memory).
Fortifies your immune system preventing you from catching the common cold, flu, or unwanted illnesses.
Significant improvements in overall sexual function, including arousal and satisfaction.
Promotes healthy sleep and can help individuals who are suffering from insomnia.
Shown to improve cognitive function and reaction time.
Helps fight signs and effects of aging.
Improves physical performance and cardiovascular endurance, boosts velocity during sprints, increases leg muscle strength and aerobic capacity.
Withania Somnifera, Indian Ginseng, Ayurvedic Ginseng, Winter Cherry
Ashwagandha is an Adaptogen herb grown in India and in a certain select area of Nepal. The roots of Ashwagandha contain withanolides, which are special compounds responsible for most of this herb’s effects and benefits.
Supplemented primarily for its ability to reduce anxiety, fight depression, treat insomnia, improve poor physical performance, poor libido, and low stamina.
Ashwagandha is said to help rejuvenate and regulate hormones, improve thyroid function, increase stamina, lower cholesterol, boost immunity, and heal adrenal fatigue.
The best ashwagandha supplements have the following:
You will find 1 of 2 variations root extract and/or root powder. Extracts are more potent and have overall higher effectiveness.
There is over 300 scientific research papers on Ashwagandha’s ability to:
Onlinestrength.com analyzed the 10 best-selling ashwagandha supplement brands in the United States for Withania somnifera, Withanolides, and the presence of preservatives, fillers, and potential contaminants.
If you are looking to feel better, have more energy, look younger, concentrate more, and increase your physical and mental vigor then ashwagandha may be the single most beneficial herb you should be supplementing right now.
Ashwagandha is known as the “strength of the stallion”. Some experts believe the name suggests that one who ingests ashwagandha can attain the strength and vitality of a horse.
This botanical herb is associated with re-invigoration, strength, energy, and its extraordinary anti-anxiety (confidence boosting) properties.
If you’d like to speed up your research into buying the absolute best ashwagandha supplement, know that the product you are buying is organic, non-gmo, and filler free, and be confident that you are not over paying, then this might be the most important article on ashwagandha you’ll ever read.
What you are about to read below is the most comprehensive objective information regarding ashwagandha on the internet. We reveal how to find the best ashwagandha supplement; full of “reviews” and “tips” that you may not find anywhere else.
We spent 170 hours researching the ashwagandha industry, individually researching every single product on the market. During that time we built a list of 67 different ashwagandha supplement brands, consulted with holistic health experts, spoke to countless manufacturers, and investigated the farming procedures used to cultivate the ashwagandha plant.
Armed with countless hours of research we are more than capable of helping you become more knowledgeable than the average ashwagandha consumer and holistic health expert.
Ashwagandha supplement manufacturers are definitely not going to share this information with you because they need you to buy their product to stay in business whether its the best choice for you or not.
In the end, we determined that pure, organic, non-gmo ashwagandha herb (farmed on organic soil, free of additives and pesticides) was the key to a great ashwagandha supplement.
Aside from finding a product that uses organically grown ashwagandha herb, below are a few guidelines we recommend you follow when searching for an ashwagandha supplement of your own.
Do not be fooled by the low prices you find online – they don’t mean anything unless the product contains contains only 100% organic ashwagandha root. Statistically only individuals who are properly informed about ashwagandha purchase products containing non-organically farmed herb.
Just because the product is cheaper doesn’t mean you’re getting a better deal. Usually the supplement won’t be as effective as its organic counter part.
You can go crazy reading what everyone has to say about buying plant based herbal supplements that use animal based capsules. Simply put there is no simple answer on whether you should avoid gelatin based capsules. For purchasing ashwagandha in capsule forms its best to avoid gelatin capsules and find plant based ones. Usually plant based capsules are more expensive and contain higher quality herb.
PS: When taking plant based supplements (basil, turmeric, mushrooms, ashwagandha) its always best to have the capsule plant based as well.
Ashwagandha supplements should not contain any “other” ingredients. There is no reason for the capsules or powder to contain any other additives. You don’t want to buy an ashwagandha product with additional ingredients in its formula.
Although this herb was initially used in ayurvedic medicine for its beneficial properties thousands of years ago, only recently has ashwagandha become known as one of the most impressive herbal supplements in the holistic health market. In fact, in ancient times ashwagandha was called “strength of the stallion”, acknowledging that perhaps no other single herb could have the potential to give users the strength of a horse. Clearly, ashwagandha benefits are highly touted and deservedly so.
To date, over 307 studies, articles and unique scientific reports have focused on ashwagandha benefits and this herb’s ability to treat an array of different health conditions.
Throughout the world, ashwagandha has been used for treating many widespread conditions such as:
Overall ashwagandha appears to be a safe herb for medicinal use, and has been used for hundreds of years without any major incident. The beneficial properties of ashwagandha make it viable in improving strength, stamina, vitality, and mental vigor.
Withania somnifera’s powerful adaptogen properties have helped many individuals recovery from a depletion of resilience, social anxiety, depression, fatigue, chronic stress ailments, and acute physical weakness.
