Energy is all there is
You don’t have to be a Reiki practitioner to take care of your energy body, which is comprised of meridians and chakras. Meridians are the energy pathways that service at least one vital organ or physiological system. Chakras are referred to as energy centers. Each chakra is named after the part of the body over which its energy spins and influences the health of the organs located in its field. Psychological aspects of the chakras also influence their physiological function. Each chakra is charged with specific psychological tasks and holds a part of your life’s narrative. We will be focusing upon the seven chakras through this mini blog series. Today we will talk about the ROOT CHAKRA. I will publish posts every other month covering the remaining six chakras until we have discussed all of them in sequence.
The root chakra is located at the base of the spine and associated with survival. It holds our beliefs that have been gathered from early relational experiences, often during childhood’s formative years between infancy and seven years of age. During this time, we learn about the concept of safety and attachment. A secure attachment develops when our physical and emotional needs are met by a caregiver, and we are encouraged to embrace curiosity or play so that confidence in our abilities can be tested. If wounds occur in these areas, fear of rejection and a general mistrust grows toward others. These wounds may also contribute to fixation in using relationships to rescue us from pain, specifically the pain of not feeling secure or grounded in our own Truth. Of course, we may also feel drawn to rescue others from pain, which not only allows us to feel needed, but contributes to an overall sense of worthiness. The root chakra being named the “seedbed of co-dependence” corresponds to these reflections of unhealthy attachment. We often address co-dependency and boundary-setting in therapy to create and sustain healthier relational dynamics within adulthood. This sets us up for experiences of loving connection and assertion of unmet needs or desires that were not attained earlier in life. When the root chakra is out of balance, we grasp onto control because we feel afraid and separate from others. Being overly productive, perfectionistic, or in possession of material things might create an illusion of fulfillment. However, once the distraction or external validation passes, underlying feelings of loneliness, sadness, emotional fatigue, and insecurity in one’s inherent worth rise to the surface.
The root chakra also governs our ability to let go of the past or release pain and tension. Indicators that the root chakra is unbalanced include adrenal fatigue and lower back pain. It is interesting to note that adrenal fatigue includes disruption in the adrenal medulla, which is responsible for our nervous systems’ “fight or flight” response. This mechanism has evolved to help us act or escape from danger. As our society has modernized, the “fight or flight” response kicks into overdrive more often than necessary and in response to even perceived threats, which can include the inherent emotional risks required within relationships and general social situations.
If you want to work on balancing your root chakra, incorporate more red into your wardrobe or other choices where color is concerned. Write a list of things you are grateful for and spend time embracing connectedness (versus separateness) in safe social circles and nature’s beauty. Following this article, you will find a short excerpt to practice aligning with the idea of worthiness and connectedness. You can breathe slowly and repeat the mantra, “I am safe”, “I am grounded”, and “I belong.” You could also purchase gemstones that correspond to this chakra such as black tourmaline, ruby, or pyrite. Essential oils or herbs to use are frankincense (one of my favorites), cedarwood, sage, rosemary, and eucalyptus. When the root chakra is balanced, we feel safe and grounded in the essence of Truth and connection to ourselves, others, and a higher order. It is a receiver for the Earth’s powerful energies.
When you look at the surface of the ocean, you can see waves rising and falling. We can describe these waves as high or low, big or small, more vigorous or less vigorous, more beautiful or less beautiful. But looking more deeply, we can also see that the waves are at the same time: WATER. A wave may like to seek its own true nature, but suffer from fear or comparisons. It may say, “I am not as big as the other waves” or “I am not as beautiful as the others.” The wave may suffer through these thoughts and ideas. But if the wave bends down and touches her true nature, she will realize that she is water. Water is free from high or low, big or small, more vigorous or less vigorous, more beautiful or less beautiful. You can talk in these terms, but as far as water is concerned, these ideas are invalid. We do not have to go or look anywhere to find our true nature just like the wave doesn’t have to look for water because SHE.IS.WATER.