Try the following chakra and prayer exercise if tired, unfocused, or life is out of balance emotionally and spiritually.
Before beginning, some background on the root chakra and prayers of petition is necessary to understand the exercise better.
What is the First Chakra (Root Chakra)?
Chakras are energy centers in the body according to ancient Hindu practice. Meditating on the chakras can bring healing in a particular issue or a deeper wholeness throughout one's life.
The first, or root chakra, is located at the base of the spine, right between the legs. If one is sitting straight, the root chakra directly touches the floor.
The root chakra grounds an individual, offering balance and stability. This energy center is the source of one's esteem and value of self. The color red is traditionally associated with the root chakra.
What is a Prayer of Petition
For this exercise, the root chakra is associated with the prayers of petition, or praying for the self. Petitions reflect needs that ground the individual in his or her life. If those needs are not met, one literally feels uprooted, lost, and ill.
Classic examples of petitions include asking the divine for personal healing in body, mind, and spirit, guidance in relationships, reduction of stress, and guidance when lost or confused.
Preparing for Body Prayer Using the Root Chakra and Petitions
Any type of meditation involves settling comfortably in a position so that the body will not become a burden. Settle comfortably on the floor, a pillow, a straight chair, or lying flat on the ground. Expect to spend no more than twenty minutes doing the following exercise.
Body Prayer for Grounding and Self-Care
- Notice the root of the spine, or root chakra. Visualize a red light, eminating from the base of the spine, and radiating outward. If the red light does not work, try a red object such as an apple or a rose. Focus on the red light until it is strong and bright, and the body feels connected to itself.
- Next, reflect upon areas of unbalance, fear, and personal struggle that separate the self from wholeness. Examples might include an illness, relationship, stress, or financial concern. Note that if there is a lot going on, fixate on just one issue per meditation session. It is possible to overexert the self meditating.
- Offer the area or areas of concern, known as petitions, into the red light. Visualize the red light absorbing the concern into the energy of the universe. Let the red light absorb the petitions until one feels a sense of peace or closure.
- Now, bask in the red light a few moments before letting the red light dim back into the base of the spine. Sit comfortably, with eyes closed, for several minutes, absorbing the experience. Try not to move too quickly, but transition gently into opening the eyes and moving.
Other Suggestions for Prayers of Petition Using the Root Chakra Exercise
- Keep a journal nearby to reflect on the experience and record other concerns in need of work.
- Stop the exercise at any point if feeling physical or emotional discomfort. Such signs may indicate a more serious issue that should be addressed in another venue, such as therapy, or that the body position is wrong. Try another position- laying down, a pillow- or adapt the meditation according to one's needs.
- Combine the exercise with meditating on the other chakras for an increased sense of balance and wholeness.
For more on prayers of petitions, see Prayers of Petition - How to Pray for the Self.
Sources:
- Johari, Harish. Chakras: Energy Centers of Transformation. Destiny Books, 2000. Excerpts are available online from SanatanSociety.com.
- Episcopal Church, USA. Book of Common Prayer. Church Publishing Corporation. 1979.
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