The crown chakra is the chakra of higher dimensions as well as spiritual emotion and intelligence. The crown of the head is where the thousand petalled chakra is located. Our chakras are considered as a mini replica of the universal planetary system. The chakras from the root to the crown correspond to the seven upper planetary system in the Vedic planetary system. The crown chakra corresponds to the topmost planet, known as Brahmaloka. This is where Brahma resides and oversees the engineering of the universe. A yogi who activates this chakra gets the highest spiritual intelligence.
In this article, we will discuss three mudras that can benefit the crown chakra chakra.
What are Mudras?
Mudras are hand gestures that activate a certain element or energy in the body. The five fingers represent the five elements. The energy activation point lies on the fingertips. When the fingertips are connected, the subtle energy in your body gets activated. The thumb represents the fire element. This element represents agni within the body, and it serves to activate all the other elements.
The index finger represents air, middle finger ether, ring finger earth and the little finger represents the water element.
When different hand formations, or mudras, are formed, the combination of subtle elements has a powerful effect on the mind and body.
An Overview of the Crown Chakra
Each of the seven chakras has defining features that make it unique. Below is the profile of the crown chakra, known in Sanskrit as सहस्रार (sahasrara), meaning “thousand-petaled.”
Physical location: The top of the head. By bringing your awareness to the upper part of the brain, known as the cerebral cortex, you can feel the energy of your seventh chakra.
Developmental stage: Eighteen to twenty-five years. This is the end of adolescence and the beginning of adulthood. The beliefs and attitudes we adopt during this period are likely to stay with us for the rest of our lives.
Chief domains: Faith, intellect, and spiritual perception. The crown chakra shapes how we view reality on a fundamental level. It regulates our ability to distinguish between spirit and matter.
Emotional challenge: Attachment. Our perception and experience is largely determined by both our desires and our expectations. Material attachment is the primary enemy of spiritual growth.
When your seventh chakra is balanced, your intellect is sharp, and your mind and senses are fully under your control.
Element: Intelligence. In Indian philosophy, intelligence is treated as an element, a subtle substance that colors the mind whenever we make decisions. Our intelligence determines the quality of our choices in life, as well as our ability to perceive spiritual reality.
The Physiology of the Crown Chakra
The crown chakra balances the element known in Sanskrit as buddhi, or intelligence. It connects to the higher conscious realms via a cessation of activities of the lower consciousness. We generally are dominated by anger, jealousy, lust, greed etc. However, when the crown chakra is awakened then by the higher divine connection we cultivate qualities such as tolerance, forbearance, forgiveness, compassion, and healing. These qualities are also related to good sleep, one of the characteristics of balanced crown chakra. The crown chakra is also connected with the pineal gland, which is responsible for releasing melatonin. Melatonin helps the body sleep and heals the mind. Muscle repair, clearing of thoughts, and healing all take place while we sleep.
RECOMMENDED: For a complete guide to the many mudras and their benefits, check out Healing Mudras: Yoga of the Hands by Yogi Nataraj.
Mudras for the Crown Chakra
As we have already discussed, each chakra deals with an element and an endocrine gland influencing the body. To purify the chakras, we must practice the mudras relating to the specifi element as well as the proper endocrine gland or system.
The sacral chakra deals with the intelligence and the pineal gland. For this reason, many chakras which support the crown chakra are also used for healing the third eye chakra.
The first mudra we will cover is the Akasha mudra:
The Akasha Mudra
Gently touch the tips of the thumbs and the middle finger. Gradually adjust until you can feel your pulse in your fingertips. Keep your other three fingers as straight as possible. Practice this mudra for about 15-20 minutes.
When Should I Perform the Akasha Mudra?
The Akasha mudra is useful for the following:
- Treating migraines and headaches
- Improving hearing
- Attaining mental clarity
- Alleviating tooth aches and pains
Remember that it is very important to feel your pulse while performing this mudra.
The next mudra we will cover is known as the Uttarabodhi Mudra:
The Uttarabodhi Mudra
This mudra is similar to yoni mudra. First make both hands into fists and bring them together, with your thumbs facing away from your chest. Next straighten the index fingers until they both touch, and extend the thumbs. This is the yoni mudra. Now, as the last step, turn your hands upwards, pointing your index fingers upwards and thumbs towards you, as shown below. Hold this mudra for 15-20 minutes.
The last mudra we will cover is known as the thousand-petalled mudra:
The Mudra of a Thousand Petals
To perform this mudra, simply touch your thumbs to each other and your index fingers to each other, and fan your hands out wide, as shown below. Hold this mudra for 15-20 minutes.
Bija Mantra for the Crown Chakra
When we perform the mudras we can also chant the bija mantras that activate the chakra. Bija means seed, this seed carries the energy of activation of the chakra. The Bjia mantra for the sacral chakra is om pronounced “ong.”
When we chant the bija mantra along when we perform the mudra we get an even better effect of both the mudra and the mantra. Once we are situated in the mudra the soft chanting of the bija or the seed mantra along with concentration on the chakra is very beneficial.
Suggested Mudra Sequence for the Crown Chakra
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- Sit in a quiet place if possible, sit with your back straight or against the wall. You can even sit on a chair.
- Perform the Akasha Mudra. Meditate on the Bija mantra by reciting it softly or in the mind as you practice the mudra. Practice this mudra for 15 minutes.
- Perform the Uttarabodhi Mudra . Meditate on the Bija mantra for 15 minutes.
- Perform the Thousand Petalled Mudra along with the soft chanting of the bija mantra vam for 15 minutes.
You can practice the sequence based on your time available. If you have 15 minutes perform the first mudra. If you have more time you do the second one and so on.
This sequence will benefit you immensely in cleaning the chakra and becoming emotionally stable.