Understanding the Basics of Japa and Chakra Meditation Articles | Meditation

By: Darren Williger

What is Japa Meditation?

This type of meditation involves repeating a mantra, which could be a prayer verse or a set of words, through out the entire duration of your meditation. This mantra is spoken so slowly that only the speaker can hear it. Sometimes, though rare, it is chanted in the mind.

Japa meditation is usually recommended to be practiced in a sitting position, though it is perfectly alright if you find lying on your back or any other comfortable position to do your meditation and chant the mantra. Some of the common Japa mantras are:

• Om
• Hare Krishna
• Ram Nam
• Gayatri
• Om namo Narayana
• Pancha Tattva mantra
• Om namah Shivaya
• Om mani padme hum

According to Hindu and Buddhist religions, the mantra is usually given to the disciple by his or her own personal guru. The mantra is a simple tool of communication with God, somewhat similar to a prayer.

What is Chakra Meditation?

There are seven energy centers in our body. The aim of Chakra Meditation is to stimulate these vital centers. The seven energy centers and their positions in our body are given below:

1. Crown chakra: This is the master of all chakras and situated outside the body just over the head. It is usually colored violet and controls all the other chakras.
2. Ajna or third eye chakra: Colored indigo, this chakra is linked to the pineal gland located in the brain.
3. Throat chakra: Associated with the thyroid gland this chakra is blue in color.
4. Heart chakra: Linked to the immune system of the body, it is colored green and located inside the heart. The condition of this chakra is closely linked to your well-being.
5. Solar plexus chakra: This chakra is linked to the pancreas and the adrenal glands of the body and is important in the process of digestion. It is colored yellow.
6. Sacral chakra: As is evident from the name, it is located in your groin and linked to our emotion, sexuality and creativity. Mood swings are created when this chakra is not functioning properly. The color associated with this chakra is orange.
7. Base or root chakra: Our sense of survival and security as well as our powers of instinct are governed by this chakra which is colored red. It is a very important chakra which is situated at the base of the spine. 

Chakra meditation involves concentrating on each chakra, working up from the root chakra and gradually moving up till you reach the crown chakra.

The aim of this meditation is to concentrate on each of the chakras to help bring balance and stability in their functioning. As your mind dwells on them individually, the state or normalcy is restored and all imbalances evened out. The meditation helps in restoring the mutual balance amongst all the chakras for optimum mental and physical health.

A pre-recorded chakra meditation guide would perhaps be the best option for a beginner, as the instruction voice takes you through the entire journey of concentrating on each of the chakras.