V is for Vishuddhi: Healing and Opening your Throat Chakra
By
"Vishuddhi in 3-D" by Niamh Savani, 3-D Self Portrait with found objects, 2010
The throat chakra (also known as Vishuddhi) is an important bridge to higher spiritual realms and greater creativity. If you are an artist or would like to increase your creativity levels, it is important to have a healthy, open throat chakra. There is a direct link between chakras and creativity.
The Vishuddhi chakra is concerned with purification, communication, truthfulness, integrity, and self-expression. It is locked by comparison and jealousy with others, and blossoms when you express your distinct brand of creativity. Clearing and strengthening your throat chakra empowers your unique artistic voice.
Characteristics
The Vishuddhi chakra is located in the throat region and is connected with the thyroid and parathyroid glands. The symbol for the throat chakra is an inverted triangle within a circle, surrounded by sixteen lotus petals which affect the ears, nose, throat, neck, tongue, teeth etc. The color associated with this chakra is turquoise blue, and it is associated with the subtle element of ether within which all things are contained.
Why is the Vishuddhi Chakra so Important?
The Vishuddhi chakra is the last of the chakras that process the physical or gross elements and it is here that one prepares to climb to greater heights spiritually. The next two chakras are devoted to spirituality. Ambika Wauters, author of The Book of Chakras states “As we deepen our commitment to expressing the truth, the Throat Chakra expands and becomes an invincible ally of the spirit, channeling energy for our physical vitality and spiritual development. We become stronger in ourselves and more resilient in our thinking when we express the truth. This provides us with sufficient energy to accomplish our purpose in life”.
When you live truthfully and with integrity your willpower is also strengthened. If your willpower is weak you waste energy just trying to survive daily. If you have a strong will, you can save that energy for higher spiritual development, which will in turn increase your uniqueness and creativity.
What Locks or Harms the Throat Chakra?
The throat chakra is known as a gateway to higher spirituality because of a point on the back of the neck near the medulla oblongata that process or channels higher levels of energy into the body. On the physical level, food, drink, and drugs pass through the throat into the body. Words (both good and bad) pass through our throats out into the world.
Substance Abuse: The Vishuddhi chakra is harmed by any type of substance abuse that travels through the throat, whether it is alcohol, smoking, drugs, or over-eating. These substances must pass through this region and they can strongly disrupt the energy flowing from the lower chakras to the higher chakras. This chakra is also known as the center of the will and expression, and substance abuse dulls our feelings and distorts our minds. As a result it prevents us from fully using our willpower to express our true individuality and accessing our vitality.
Communication Failures: Another thing that shuts down our throat center is the inability to speak our truth. Sometimes it is difficult to speak up, especially if your ideas are different or you are exposing something that is unjust or unfair. However it is necessary to say what you mean and mean what you say for a deep sense of integrity in your life. As your throat center gets stronger and clearer you will find that it is easier to speak up for yourself and you don’t care what anyone thinks.
Idle gossip, dishonesty, negative self-talk, talking negatively about others, and unexpressed feelings and emotions also block this chakra. As stated earlier, this region is also concerned with the ears, which symbolize listening to your inner guidance and intuition. If you are constantly talking (especially if it is negative), and you have too much inner chatter, how can you possibly listen to that still small voice within that is trying to guide you?
Jealousy and Comparison: Jealousy and comparison with others also lock this chakra. When we look at others and see what material or other things they have in their lives, and are concerned with their achievements and successes we start feeling jealous. Comparison is the seed of dissatisfaction in our lives, and jealousy is the fruit. Comparison and jealousy is a waste of time because each of us is truly unique! We are all one-of-a-kind individuals. No two people have the same set of fingerprints. When you embrace your unique individuality and stop comparing yourself with others, your creativity and uniqueness will flower.
What Opens or Heals the Throat Chakra?
If substance abuse and negative words can harm the throat chakra, then it follows that a healthy lifestyle and diet, and positive words can heal this chakra. Do not overtax your system – eat healthy food, and if you do indulge in some sensory treats, do so in moderation once in a while.
Speak with Integrity: Be careful with your words and do not gossip, lie, or talk badly about others. In addition, do not let others diminish or demean you with verbal attacks, even if they are subtle jokes or put-downs. Speak your truth and say what you mean and mean what you say. Ambika Wauters states “When we honor our personal truth and say how we feel, we grow internally. We detach from the need to please others and learn to nurture the spirit. …Speaking up, no matter how difficult it may seem, gives us confidence in who we are and conserves our vitality and integrity. Letting others get away with negative acts does not serve their integrity either”.
Affirmations: A great way to open and heal the throat chakra is to use affirmations, especially if you say them out loud. Some good affirmation to heal this chakra might include:
“I express myself freely and creatively.”
“I communicate and speak my truth.”
“My willpower is vital and strong and nourishes my spiritual growth and creativity.”
“I live with integrity and this is evident to all I encounter.”
It is good to read and speak your affirmations first thing in the morning, to set your day off on a positive note and start each day as a new beginning. It is also good to speak your affirmations before you go to bed and sleep, so your subconscious can work on them throughout the night as you sleep.
Singing and Chanting: Any positive use of the voice will help heal the Vishuddhi chakra. If there are serious emotional blocks and suppressed feelings, it might be a good idea to find and speak to a professional counselor. Singing or voice training is also a good idea. If you have never experienced kirtan chanting, check out a local yoga studio and see if there are any kirtan concerts. This is a wonderful way to use your voice and raise your energy at the same time! Listen to mantra chants and sing along. (I especially recommend anything by Deva Premal).
Silence and Meditation: When you are silent you can listen to your intuition and inner voice which will in turn strengthen your connection with the truth. It is also a good idea to be silent for a moment or two and think about what you are going to say (especially if there are strong emotions involved). Once words leave your mouth, you cannot take them back.
A good meditation to strengthen the throat chakra is to visualize a turquoise blue inverted triangle at your throat center. Focus on the shape and color and imagine them expanding and getting stronger. As they do so, feel your neck and throat begin to loosen up and feel beautiful blue energy and light filling your throat and neck.
Another meditation that energizes this chakra and helps you access the cosmic energy is taken from Zen Buddhism. This powerful meditation takes approximately 30 minutes. Directions as follows:
Step 1: Stand straight in a relaxed manner, behind some type of support such as a chair. Close your eyes and focus all your attention and awareness on the throat chakra. Forget everything else.
Step 2: With eyes closed, hold the support in front of you and start walking slowly in one spot. (10 minutes)
Step 3: Keep your eyes closed and gradually increase the pace until you are walking as fast as you can in one spot. Do not over extend yourself. Once you have increase the pace, do not slow down. Continue focusing all your attention and energy on the Vishuddhi chakra. (10 minutes)
Step 4: Stop walking and gently, slowly let go of the chair and sit comfortably on the floor. Keep your eyes closed and continue to keep your focus on the throat chakra. (10 minutes).
This is a very potent meditation technique and you may literally feel your throat area loosening up and as if you are releasing some blockages from the neck and throat area. The cosmic energy that enters your system through the Vishuddhi is a great source of energy for you to accomplish your creative and life goals.
Embrace your Uniqueness: Do not compare yourself with others and wish for what they have. Do not be jealous of others and be grateful for your talents, gifts, and what you currently have in your life. Accept yourself completely and learn to love yourself. When you do so you will grow in beauty (both inner and outer) and you will exude a graceful, pure confidence that is not self-aggrandizing in any way.
Vishuddhi and Creativity
Devi Anandeshwari, the Hindu Goddess of Creativity governs this chakra. She represents the divine feminine source of creativity and the ocean of energy. She holds the kumudam flower in her right hand which symbolizes the flowering of consciousness or enlightenment. Devi takes you beyond jealousy and comparison, and unleashes unlimited creativity and energy.
When you work to heal and open your throat chakra, you begin to absorb more of this divine cosmic energy. You begin to live with more integrity, are able to speak your truth, feel more confident and graceful, express yourself creatively, and become a better communicator. When you have a strong connection with spirit your unique artistic voice is strong and clear. Your art then becomes a channel for others to indirectly experience this energy also.
Reflect on your life and see if your Vishuddhi chakra is healthy and working optimally. Open and energize your throat chakra and see how your creativity and unique artistic voice flourishes. Use this energy and willpower to create beautiful art, inspire others, and have a positive impact in the world.
How do you define personal integrity? What does it mean to you?
Do you communicate with others in an open, non-judgmental, clear, and honest way?
Can you see the connection between creativity and spirituality?
Resources:
Books:
The Book of Chakras by Ambika Wauters
Instant Tools for Blissful Living by Paramahamsa Nithyananda
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Niamh, interesting piece of art you created. can you say a few words about it especially the color on the face. what are you trying to express with it?
Udaysree,
It was actually an assignment for an integrated visual arts/language arts class I taught with a colleague. So both teachers created our own artwork along with the kids – nothing like modeling what you want them to do!
There is a lot of symbolism in this piece. It is obviously not a totally realistic self-portrait. It is more emotional and has a lot of symbols. I painted the face blue, because that is my favorite color. Half the face is multicolored with paint dripping to represent my creative, artistic, free-flowing side. The other is actually layered with pages from a book, colored over with blue paint, and words written on top with ink pen. This symbolizes expressing myself with words (journaling, writing, blogging etc.) and how I communicate more formally in my career.
Of course the butterflies symbolize self-transformation, and the silver paper/butterflies coming from the throat symbolizes my Vishuddhi chakra opening, self-transformation, flourishing creativity and the courage to speak out. The blue and silver color of the box corresponds with the colors of this chakra and ether, the element of the Vishuddhi. The words are inspirational and positive, because I want to use my self-expression to uplift others and myself.
I could write more, but that is the basic idea behind the whole thing:) Thanks for asking – I’m glad you were interested, and your curiosity was piqued by my art!
Niamh
This site is an eye opener into the subconscious!
Shilpi,
Thanks so much for your kind comments. Glad you found the articles eye-opening and useful. Hope you return again! Thanks for your comments!
Niamh
This was really helpful to me. Thank you. My throat feels really blocked right now and it is causing me difficulty in my life. The information you provided here was great.
Chris,
Sorry for the delay in responding. I’ve been off the radar for a while! Gald you found this useful! Take care, Niamh