Chakra in Sanskrit refers to wheel of energy throughout the body.  They are centers where matter meets consciousness. There are seven main chakras, which align the spine, starting from the base of the spine through to the crown of the head. The seven chakra are the Muladhara (Root Chakra)- Element Earth, Svadhistana(Sacral Chakra)- Element Water, Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra)- Element Fire, Anahata(Heart Chakra)- Element Air, Visudhi(Throat Chakra)- Element Space, Ajna(Third Eye Chakra) and Sahasrara(Crown Chakra).

Each of these chakras are associated with a vibrational seed and is referred to as Bija (seed). They are also associated with elements and colors and sound. In the chakra meditation, we will first clear the energies with some breath work and awareness and then activate each of the energy centers by balancing the elements, bring in sound through sound bowls and seed mantra and affirmations so as to raise the vibration and align with your spiritual journey. 

Bija mantra (Sanskrit: बीज मन्त्र) is a one-syllable sound used in meditation or yoga practice. The Sanskrit phrase bija mantra directly means, “seed mantra” and is comprised of three little words; bija meaning seed, man meaning the mind or to think, and tra meaning an instrument. Bija mantras are the most basic of primordial mantras; they are simple single syllable words that can be chanted or meditated on alone, or attached to a longer mantra to enhance its power and quality. There are a number of bija mantras and they each have meaning and intense vibratory qualities. A bija mantra can be considered a mantra booster when attached on to another longer mantra. Mantra means a vibrational sound that protects your mind from fluctuating and bring into focus with the energy centers. 

Bija mantras that are used during chakra meditation. The most common chakras begin at the base of the spine and then become more refined as they arise and eventually conclude at the top of the head. Each chakra is associated with its own bija mantra as follows

• Lm – muladhara (root) chakra

• Vm – svadisthana (spleen or sacral) chakra

• Rm – manipura (solar plexus) chakra

• Ym – anahata (heart) chakra

• Hm – visuddha (throat) chakra

• Shm – ajna (third eye) chakra

• Om – sahasrara (crown) chakra

The best known bija mantra is Om (or Aum), which is the sound of Nada Brahman (Univeersal sound), the vibration or primordial sound. It is often chanted during yoga practice and meditation. Other common bija mantras include:

• Krim – believed to awaken the lower chakras.

• Shrim – correlates to the goddess Lakshmi and is thought to promote health, joy and beauty.

• Hrim – associated with creativity, purification of the heart and healing.

• Hng – energizes the body and eliminates negativity.

• Lng – associated with the earth element and is used as a grounding chakra

• Vng– associated with the water element and is used to ground and increase sensuality

• Rng – associated with the fire element and is an energizing mantra

You should be aware that Sanskrit is extremely precise in pronunciation so decades of familiarity with Indian languages is almost essential.

Spending a few minutes every morning with the mantras will help to bring an easy flow to life and to your journey here on earth.