Mantra Cafe 1/6/16

Welcome to the latest episode of Mantra Cafe! 
This week we are exploring a beautiful mantra practice brought to me by my teachers,Gina Sala and Sri Vagish Shastri.

The practice of Bhuta Shuddhi is a powerful practice for realigning our energetic systems and creating coherence in our field. I also find it nourishing to my physical body, soothing to my emotions and calming to my mind.
Bhuta means elements and Shuddhi means to cleanse or purify. In the context and technique of this practice we use the system of the major Cakra-s, or energy vortices that are a part of our manifest beings on the subtle level. 
Cakra-s are quite holographic in nature with layers, facets, nodes, qualities, associations, influences, interfaces, connections and dimensions as complex as reality itself, for they contain, and are contained within, it.
Each time I practice Bhuta Shuddhi different associations prioritize themselves and I invite you to explore the Iist of expanded associations (which is by no means comprehensive!) that I give here and take some time to explore other sources of information to find qualities of the cakra-s that resonate uniquely for you.  See if you can sense their subtle presence as you chant the seed sounds along with us.
And as always I welcome feedback, comments or observations on your experience!

Mūlādhāra- Root Support

This cakra governs the physical body and its health, the element of earth, organs of elimination, smell and the nose. Its energies are of grounding and stabilizing. Physical security, nourishment, family lineages and inherited ancestral traits (and samskara-s) reside here. It is the lowest vibrational frequency and the color is red. It is located at the perineum and its activation point is at the base of the spine. The bīja mantra is Laṁ.

Svadhiśthāna- Support in (or seat of) Itself

This cakra governs the emotional body and its health, the element of water, organs of reproduction, the tongue and taste. Its energies relate to our intimate relationships, our sexuality and sensuality, family and loved ones and that which gives us energetic security (finances and emotional connections). Its color is orange. It is located about two finger widths higher thanMūlādhāra in the bowl of the pelvis. The bīja mantra is Vaṁ.

Manīpura- City of Jewels

This cakra governs the mental body (small “s” self) and its health, the element of fire, the feet, the eyes and the perception of light, form and color. Its energies govern our sense of self and our personal power and empowerment, how we perceive our place in this reality. Its color is golden yellow. Its location varies slightly with each individual and at different times, somewhere between the navel and solar plexus. The bīja mantra is Raṁ.

Anāhata- Unstruck

This cakra is governs the empathetic body, which we call the Higher (capital “S”) Self and its connection to the lower cakras and those above it; the element of air, the skin, the hands and touch. Its energies are those of compassion, gratitude, tolerance, understanding and Love. Its color is green. It is located at the heart center. The bīja mantra is Yaṁ.

Vīśuddha- Ultra Pure

This cakra governs the individual spirit body, the element of space, the ears, the mouth and sound. Its energies are those of authenticity, creativity and communication. Its color is blue. It is located at the throat. The bīja mantra is Haṁ.

Ajña- Commander

This cakra is also individual spirit body but with no elemental ties. It is the refined, discerning intellect that gives us the deepest sense of Truth. Its color is violet-purple. It is located at the center of the brain and its activation point is between the eyebrows deep in to the brain at the third eye (pineal gland). The bīja mantra is Oṁ.

Sahasrāra- Thousand Petal Lotus

This cakra is the gateway to the Universal Consciousness. It is beyond-beyond elemental associations. It is our witness consciousness, that which observes our experience but is not affected by any change or circumstance. Its color is brilliant, iridescent, white Light. It is located just above the crown of the head. Its sound is the pranava, deafening in its silence.