Chakras and Creativity
By
Orange Hibiscus
The chakras are subtle energy centers in our auric bodies that affect our physical, emotional and mental health. Different cultures worldwide recognize the presence of these subtle energy centers, for example the Tibetan Bonpo model, and the Incan Pukios system, to name but a few. However the most well known and widely accepted chakra system is the Hindu system with seven main centers along the spine, starting at the base and rising to the crown center above the head.
Each major chakra has a nearby gland associated with it, for example the heart chakra enter is located near the physical heart. There is even scientific evidence for chakras such as Kirlian photography, and studies conducted by Dr. Valerie Hunt at UCLA on electromagnetic output of various individuals and subjects. Dr. Motoyama, a scientist and Shinto priest has also conducted similar research.
What have the chakras got to do with Creativity?
If your chakras are cleansed, energized, and functioning well, you will lead a much healthier life on all levels, since your energy will be able to flow smoothly. Each chakra or energy center corresponds to a different emotion or aspect of our being, but the second and fifth chakras in particular affect creativity. If these energy centers are working at optimum levels, your creativity will flow beautifully, and you will discover a hidden treasure trove of talent and inner potential.
Swadhisthana (Second) Chakra
This energy center is also known as the sacral chakra, and is located in the navel region. It is associated with sexuality, reproduction, and creativity. We seek to express ourselves through our second chakra, whether it is writing a book, preparing a presentation, painting a picture, or growing new life. All creative ideas and new life go through the same process: they begin as an abstract idea, take root, sprout, grow, evolve and change, and eventually are born into the world.
The color of this chakra is orange which represents passion, activity, warmth, and positive feelings. The element is water which encourages us to flow with the rhythms of life. The symbol is a crescent moon within a circle, both powerful creative and mystic symbols in their own right.
The Swadhisthana chakra is governed by Subramanya, the Hindu God of Courage. He represents fearlessness and is worshipped to overcome fear and lack of courage. It might not be popular to say this, but creativity takes courage. When you create something, it is an extension of yourself, and when you show it to the world, it is scary because you risk rejection and ridicule.
Often, artists are visionaries, and can see things others cannot, and have ideas that are ahead of their time. Sometimes others who are not on the same wavelength will criticize or even reject your ideas and creations. Criticism is part of the creative process, and most creative types have experienced their share of destructive as well as constructive criticism. A healthy second chakra and the intervention of Subrahmanya will give you the courage to follow your creative dreams, and express your visions, regardless of other’s opinions.
Vishuddhi (Fifth) Chakra
Hands Holding Sun
The fifth chakra, located in the throat region is all about communication, expression, and discovering your unique voice. We seek to discover our unique voice and communicate our ideas to the world through the fifth chakra. Are you afraid of speaking up for yourself and voicing your opinions? Do you tend to talk too much? Are you trying to discover your true self? Do you experience writer’s or artistic block? All these are issues related to the fifth chakra.
The color of this chakra is blue which represents purity, serenity, and healing. The element is ether which encourages us to ponder and discover the spiritual aspect of life. The symbol is a downward pointing triangle inside a circle. The upside down triangle is a universal symbol for the womb, where new life and creative ideas are born. The circle is a powerful, sacred symbol worldwide.
The Vishuddhi chakra is governed by Devi Anandeshwari, the Hindu Goddess of Creativity. She represents the cosmic mother who is the source of creativity and the ocean of energy. She holds the kumudam flower in her right hand which stands for the flowering of consciousness or enlightenment. Devotion to Devi takes you beyond jealousy and comparison, and unleashes limitless creativity and energy.
Often, artists are caught up in comparing themselves with other creative types and become paralyzed by fear and jealousy. Illogical and unproductive thoughts dominate our thinking. We may ask ourselves questions such as: How did she get represented by a gallery? Why don’t I have the guts to enter a piece in a show? He’s not that good anyway! I could do better than that! Why do I always sabotage myself and my creative dreams?
Sounds familiar? A healthy fifth chakra and the intervention of Devi will help you discover your unique voice, and assist you in fully expressing your creativity and manifesting the life of your dreams.
5 Tips to Ignite Your Creativity:
1. Start meditating! Find a meditation technique that works for you. There are numerous meditation techniques from various disciplines and cultures worldwide. Find something that works for you and try to practice it as much as possible. I highly recommend the Life Bliss meditation technique. It has improved my outlook in general, and has helped me overcome a major artist’s block. My creativity is now overflowing and I have the courage and inspiration to create and share my vision with the world!
2. Stop comparing yourself with others. This is a waste of time and a fruitless exercise. We are all unique individuals and are miracles of existence. Find your unique voice and forget about what everyone else is doing. Express your unique individuality! Who cares if others don’t get it right away? Just enjoy the creative process, and do what you need to fulfill yourself!
3. Feel the fear and do it anyway! Stop procrastinating and start painting, writing, photographing, dancing, or whatever it is that gives you joy! When you are joyful, and creative, you will be vibrating at a higher frequency, and will attract more good things into your life.
4. Visit a temple or museum, get inspired, and receive the blessings and grace of Subramanya, Devi, or other beautiful works of art!
5. Immerse yourself with the colors of the second and fifth chakra. For example, paint your walls orange or blue (or both!). My house is painted with accent walls in bright, vibrant pumpkin orange, and the other walls in contrasting cool, pale, baby blue shades. Hey, they are complementary colors, look great, and serve a good purpose. Wear these colors (they are probably your “colors” anyway and most likely look good on you). Eat orange and blue foods (oranges, carrots, blueberries etc.).
It is important to keep all our chakras energized and in a healthy state in order to function optimally. If you want to be more creative, then focus on the second and fifth chakras. They are both closely connected, and as one chakra becomes clearer and healthier, it will in turn affect the other chakra. Discover your unique voice and vision, express your unbounded creativity, share this with others, and help heal and create a beautiful world!
What do you do to overcome artist’s block?
Would you be willing to try meditation as a tool in promoting creativity?
Book Resources:
Instant Tools for Blissful Living by Paramahamsa Nithyananda
The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy by Cyndi Dale
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