Quick Tip: The Crown Chakra, or Sahasrara, connects you to the divine and represents spiritual awareness.
The seventh and final chakra is the Crown Chakra or Sahasrara in Sanskrit. This energy center at the top of your head is said to be your bridge to the divine. Where the Third Eye Chakra connects you to your own intuition and self-knowledge, the Crown Chakra links to the cosmic energy of the universe.
If this all sounds a little ‘woo’, don’t worry. It doesn’t matter whether you think of this energy as God, the universe, or your highest self. An open and active Crown Chakra simply represents a healthy spiritual life.
If you can see meaning beyond the material world and have a rich inner life, it’s a good sign that your Crown Chakra is in a state of balance.
In this article, we’re diving deeper into the Crown Chakra and its role in our spiritual awareness. We’ll look at how you can recognize if your Crown Chakra is out of balance. And we’ll also discuss ways to unblock this Chakra so that the energy flows through it freely once again.
The Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) at a Glance
Sahasrara, the Sanskrit name for the Crown Chakra, translates as ‘thousand petals’. This makes sense – the symbol of this Chakra is the lotus flower, which represents enlightenment, purity, and spiritual rebirth.
As you might expect, the Crown Chakra is found at the top of your head. Like a crown, it also extends upwards, beyond the boundaries of your physical body.
Energetically, there’s a strong link between the seventh Chakra and the first, the Root Chakra. At first glance, this might seem strange. One is so focused on spiritual enlightenment and the other on our physical needs.
When you think about it more, the link between these two Chakras starts to make more sense. If our physical needs go unmet, it is hard for us to focus on the spiritual. We need to make sure we’re well-grounded in the basics and that the lower Chakras are all open and balanced before we can turn our attention to the Crown Chakra.
Location of the Crown Chakra: The top of the head
Element: Thought
Color: Violet and white
Symbol: The Lotus
Mantra: Om or Ah. I know
Gland: Primarily the pituitary, with a secondary association with the pineal gland
Organs: Brain and nervous system
Physically, the Crown Chakra governs our brain and nervous system – the body’s centers of knowledge and information. Psychologically, it is associated with our spiritual awareness, connection to the universe, and inner wisdom.
When the Crown Chakra is open and balanced, we have a healthy spiritual life. We look beyond the material world and feel connected to the deeper meaning of life. We prioritize connection with the divine through activities like prayer and meditation.
We’re also self-aware and empathetic. The Crown Chakra is our center for connection with those around us. We value all life, including other humans, plants, and animals. We don’t feel the need to judge others or put them down because we recognize their innate worth.
Signs and Symptoms of a Blocked Crown Chakra
A healthy, open Crown Chakra leaves us feeling connected to our inner wisdom and to the cosmic energy of the universe. But it’s not unusual for the stresses and pressures of daily life to leave this Chakra feeling blocked or out of balance.
When that happens, we are left feeling cut off from our spirituality and inner knowing. We tend to focus on the material world around us and might prioritize possessions and money over anything else.
If you struggle to see beyond the world of your five senses, that’s another sign that your Crown Chakra is blocked. When the energy in this center becomes stagnant, we lose our ability to believe in the divine. We might become cynical, sarcastic, and selfish.
As humans, we’re driven to look for purpose and meaning. Even if you don’t consider yourself religious, you probably want to live a life of value. But when the Crown Chakra becomes blocked, finding this sense of higher purpose can be tough.
Losing the ability to look beyond the material world can leave us feeling lost, depressed, or anxious. We might even feel angry that our higher power has abandoned us.
A blocked Crown Chakra is also said to come with physical symptoms. Since this Chakra corresponds to the brain, these can include:
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Difficulty concentrating
- Brain fog or lack of clear thought
- Problems sleeping
Although it is more common to notice blockages in the Crown Chakra, it is also possible for this Chakra to be too open. When there’s an excess of energy moving through the seventh Chakra, we lose our sense of balance. We might neglect our physical needs in the pursuit of spiritual perfection.
Another sign that this Chakra is too open is finding it difficult to relate to other people. If you find it hard to make conversation about day-to-day matters or find yourself becoming impatient with the mundanity of life, you might be experiencing a lack of balance in the Crown Chakra.
Physically, an excess of energy in the seventh Chakra can manifest as a sensitivity to light and sounds. You might also have a sense of being physically removed from the world around you and find it difficult to concentrate on the present moment.
How To Heal, Open, and Balance the Crown Chakra
Crown Chakra: The Ultimate Guide to Clearing, Opening, and Balancing Sahasrara
Blockages in the Crown Chakra are more common than excess energy, so we’re going to focus on methods that are said to open this Chakra and allow the energy to flow freely once again.
However, if you find your balance has slipped the other way and you want to reduce the energy flow through an overactive Crown Chakra instead, there are some things you can try too. These include:
- Physical movement
- Grounding or mindfulness techniques to help you focus on the reality of the present moment
- A regular sleep cycle
- Activities that help to balance the Root Chakra, such as earthing and yin yoga
Meanwhile, if you feel like your Crown Chakra is blocked and want some ideas for how to open and balance it once again, here are some options that should help.
1. A Healing Visualization for the Crown Chakra
Find a comfortable place to sit. Take a few deep, calming breaths to bring your mind and body into a state of peace and receptiveness.
Closing your eyes, take your attention to the crown of your head. Visualize a pure, white light coming down from the sky (or ceiling if you are indoors). Picture this light entering your body through the Crown Chakra, bathing your head and moving down your spine.
Imagine that this light is your connection to the universe. Whether you consider it God, a higher truth, or simply a universal consciousness, feel it awakening your Crown Chakra. Visualize the Chakra responding, like a lotus flower opening its petals.
2. Beneficial Foods for the Crown Chakra
Most of the Chakras correspond to certain foods, usually those that share the same color. For example, when we want to open the Root Chakra, we might eat a lot of red foods, like berries, beets, and tomatoes.
The Crown Chakra is a little different because its focus moves beyond the physical and toward the spiritual. As a result, this Chakra is more about fasting and detox than food.
If it is medically safe to do so, you might opt to fast for a short period to open the Crown Chakra and bring it back into balance. Some people also like to do a detox, such as a juice detox.
Pure water is linked to the Crown Chakra. You could also choose herbal teas associated with meditation, such as lavender.
Speaking of herbs – when opening the Crown Chakra, you might also choose to burn incense or smudge sticks to help focus your mind on meditation. Sage, myrrh, frankincense, and juniper are all great options. Just make sure they are responsibly sourced.
3. Crown Chakra Affirmations and Meditation
Since this Chakra is so focused on enlightenment and spiritual development, it is no surprise that meditation is one of the best things you can do to open and balance it.
You can combine meditation with visualizations, like the one we describe above. You could also chant the seed (bija) mantra for this Chakra, which is Om (pronounced aum) or Ah. Connect with your breath and use your exhale to vibrate the sound.
Another option is to use affirmations to help you focus on the Crown Chakra and set your intention to bring it into balance. Examples include:
- “I am connected with my higher power”
- “I am at one with the divine”
- “The power of the universe flows through me”
- “I seek unity with all things and all beings”
You could also make up your own. Think about what the Crown Chakra represents and how you want that to show up in your life, then use this for inspiration to come up with an affirmation that resonates with you.
The idea is to repeat your chosen affirmation while you meditate. You can also speak it out loud, perhaps looking at yourself in a mirror. If you keep a journal, you could write your affirmations down and use them as prompts for your journaling that day.
4. Yoga Poses for the Crown Chakra
Inversions are some of the best yoga poses for the Crown Chakra. By encouraging the flow of energy (and blood) to the head, these poses can help to release blockages and open the Chakra again.
Advanced poses like sirsasana (headstand) are a great option, but there’s no need to push yourself further than you are ready for. There are modified versions of this pose that can also help to open the Crown Chakra, or you can try something like sasangasana (rabbit pose), which requires less physical strength.
Of course, padmasana (lotus pose) is also a wonderful option for balancing the Crown Chakra. The pose most associated with meditation, it helps us to find stillness and focus our minds. Half-lotus is an option for those who struggle to get both feet up.
Finally, savasana (corpse pose) is also surprisingly good for opening the Crown Chakra. By bringing our bodies to stillness and relaxation, we find space for reflection.
As well as these asanas, there are breathing exercises (pranayama) that are thought to encourage the flow of energy through the Crown Chakra. These include Nadi Shodhan, or alternate nostril breathing, where you block one nostril and then the other as you inhale and exhale.
Another pranayama technique for the Crown Chakra is Kapalabhati (skull-shining breath). This involves alternating short, forceful exhales with longer, passive inhales.
5. Crown Chakra Mudras
Mudras can help to focus our minds on a particular Chakra, especially when used in combination with meditation and mantras. Placing our hands into particular positions is said to help open the Chakras and bring them into balance.
For the Crown Chakra, the best mudra to try is the mudra of a thousand petals. To do this, bring the tips of your thumbs together, then rest the tips of your index fingers together too, forming a pyramid shape.
Spread the rest of your fingers wide, fingertips pointing upwards. Holding this position, bring your hands up above your head to invite connection with the wisdom of the universe.
6. Stones and Crystals for the Crown Chakra
Certain stones and crystals are said to correspond with each Chakra. You might choose to use them as part of your meditation, have them close by during your yoga practice, or simply keep these crystals around your home.
The crystals that help to balance the Crown Chakra include:
- Moonstone
- Selenite
- Amethyst
- Clear quartz
- Howlite
- Tanzanite
- Lepidolite
- Ametrine
The Role of a Spiritual Guide in Awakening the Crown Chakra
One often overlooked aspect when discussing the Crown Chakra is the significance of having a spiritual guide or mentor during this awakening process. While self-practice is important, receiving guidance from an experienced mentor can truly make a difference. A spiritual guide can offer personalized insights and techniques that align with your spiritual path.
Why Choose a Spiritual Guide?
A spiritual guide has walked the same path that you are embarking on. They possess the knowledge to help you navigate the complexities of spiritual growth. Their wisdom can provide shortcuts and steer you away from potential pitfalls that may not be obvious to you alone. This guidance plays a vital role in opening and harmonizing the Crown Chakra.
Tailored Practices
A spiritual guide can introduce you to advanced practices that are not widely known. These may include specific mantras, meditations or rituals that resonate with your individual energy. Tailored practices have the power to accelerate your journey and strengthen your connection to higher realms.
Emotional Guidance
The process of spiritual awakening can bring about intense emotions. Having a spiritual guide offers emotional support and comfort during these times. They assist in navigating overwhelming feelings and help ground you throughout this transformative experience. This emotional support is essential for maintaining equilibrium as you unlock your Crown Chakra.
Being part of a spiritual community led by a mentor can enrich your overall journey.
Experiencing things together and drawing on the group’s energy can boost your own endeavors. Feeling like you belong can make the journey less lonely and more fulfilling.
Having a mentor to guide you can significantly enhance your spiritual routine. It brings an additional level of understanding and assistance that solo practice may lack.
Exploring the Influence of the Crown Chakra on Lucid Dreaming
The crown chakra, known as sahasrara, is the seventh and highest chakra in the chakra system, located at the top of the crown of the head. This chakra is closely associated with divine consciousness and connection to the divine, allowing us to reach higher states of consciousness and experience a sense of oneness.
When the crown chakra energy is balanced, it can deepen our connection to the divine and promote spiritual growth. In the chakra series, the crown chakra is said to be the gateway to nectar, which symbolizes enlightenment and spiritual awakening.
One of the ways in which the crown chakra may influence our experiences is through lucid dreaming. The crown chakra is associated with the guru archetype and divine guidance, which can play a role in the dream state.
By harnessing the energy in the crown chakra, we may be able to deepen our exploration of the dream world and access higher realms of consciousness. An imbalance in the crown chakra may manifest as disconnection from the divine and a lack of spiritual alignment in both body and mind.
Diving into Lucid Dreaming
Lucid dreaming refers to the practice of realizing that you are in a dream while still immersed in the dream world. This realization empowers you to steer and shape your dream surroundings. It’s a captivating experience that links our conscious and subconscious minds.
The Tie to the Crown Chakra
The Crown Chakra, also known as Sahasrara, holds profound connections to our spiritual consciousness and elevated awareness. A harmonious and unblocked Crown Chakra boosts our capacity to reach heightened states of consciousness, such as lucid dreaming. This chakra serves as a portal to the divine realm and universal intellect, facilitating easier access to the dream realm with full cognizance.
Strategies for Elevating Lucid Dreaming Through the Crown Chakra
1. Pre Sleep Meditation: Practice a meditation focused on the Crown Chakra before bedtime. Envision a violet or white light enveloping your crown area, expanding outwards and linking you with the cosmos. This ritual can establish your intent for lucid dreaming.
2. Positive Affirmations: Incorporate affirmations like “I am conscious of my dreams” or “I will recognize when I’m dreaming” to condition your subconscious mind. Reciting these affirmations while concentrating on your Crown Chakra can intensify their impact.
Using amethyst or clear quartz under your pillow can help boost spiritual awareness and support lucid dreaming by activating the Crown Chakra.
My personal journey revealed that focusing on my Crown Chakra before bed improved my lucid dreaming abilities. Through meditation and positive affirmations, I entered dreams with heightened awareness and control, enriching both my dream experiences and spiritual connection.
Incorporating Crown Chakra practices into your nightly routine can enhance lucid dreaming. By balancing this chakra, you establish a link to higher consciousness, facilitating better navigation and control of your dream realm.
Pop quiz! 🧘🤔
The Crown Chakra is located at the base of the spine.
The Crown Chakra is associated with the color violet and white.
An overactive Crown Chakra can make it difficult to relate to other people.
FAQs
Have questions about the Crown Chakra and its role? If you don’t have time to read our full guide, this quick cheat sheet is a great reminder of some of the answers to common questions about the seventh Chakra.
What is the crown chakra responsible for?
The Crown Chakra governs the brain, nervous system, and pituitary gland. It is also the center responsible for our connection with the universal consciousness. It corresponds to spiritual awareness, self-knowledge, and enlightenment.
How do I unblock my Crown Chakra?
Meditation is one of the best ways to open the Crown Chakra, especially when combined with the bija mantra that corresponds to this Chakra (Om or Ah). Fasting can also help, as can certain yoga poses, such as lotus pose, headstand, rabbit’s pose, and corpse pose.
How do you know when your Crown Chakra is open?
When the Crown Chakra is open and balanced, you feel at one with the universe. You have a rich, healthy spiritual life and find it easy to empathize with others. Your focus goes beyond the material world, and you feel aware and connected to your self-knowledge.
What is the Crown Chakra’s element?
Appropriately for a Chakra focused on spiritual awareness and awakening, the Crown Chakra’s element is not a physical one. Instead, it corresponds to thought.
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