Shirley & Chakras...

I am really jazzed that someone posted the four videos below on YouTube. My VHS copy of this wonderful guided meditation is in storage, and it has become a bit difficult to buy copies. (Amazon is slim pickings. I keep hoping that it will be released on DVD in the near future. Still just on VHS.)

"Shirley MacClaine's Inner Workout For Stress Reduction & Relaxation" is SO well worth the time. I know that there are those who think her a kook, but I admire her greatly. Each of us has our own individual spiritual path. It is up to each of us to traverse it (if we wish to), to learn whatever we are supposed to, and to find those 'things' that are right for us. Those things that make us happy, centered, and get us through the day. Shirley had the means and the desire to explore what is out there. Big respect.

The video (the up loader broke it down into the four parts) deals with the Chakras. Don't know what the Chakras are? The word 'chakra' is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning 'wheel'; but a better translation would be spinning wheel. To people that can see them, they describe each main chakra as appearing like a spinning wheel or vortex of energy. Each 'vortex' spins inward from the front of your body towards the center point of each chakra on what is called the 'kunilini', and then they spin outward from that same point to your back. The kunilini is shaped like a staff, and sits almost on your spinal column. The Chakras are positioned along the kunilini starting at the base of the spine and running up through the head.

There are seven primary Chakras and around 100 smaller secondary Chakras. The smaller ones are called meridians and are tapped into during acupuncture to attune an individuals Chi flow. The secondary/meridians are influenced with the physical and with action. The seven primary Chakras deal with spirituality and emotions. The primary chakras have a great effect on your health, and the health issue associated with a particular chakra would indicate that the chakra is unbalanced within itself from an emotional or spiritual cause. The imbalance manifests into the physical ailment. That's where chakra healing comes in. This MacClaine meditation acts as a kind of alignment to the seven primary chakras. A way to relieve stress, and I must say that it works. I used to plug this tape in frequently to help get 'centered' and release stuff. It's quite effective.

I will say that it stinks that the person who up loaded the videos had to be creative in editing the meditation because of length limits that YouTube has in place. I'm glad that they positioned the breaks in places where Shirley is transitioning from one Chakra to another. I need to do some looking around online to find the two other portions that they didn't upload. There is a section at the very beginning of Shirley explaining what the Chakras are and going through them one by one. (Hopefully I've explained enough about what they are in relation to the meditation.) The other missing section is at the end of the tape. It's a second, closed eye meditation that is also quite wonderful. I have had great experiences with both.

THE SEVEN PRIMARY CHAKRAS

Their Colors & Meanings

VIOLET/PURPLE

• Governs the CROWN chakra, at the top of the head.
  
• BEAUTY, CREATIVITY, INSPIRATION
  
• Related organ: brain
  
• Endocrine gland: pineal gland.
  
• Associated problems: depression, Parkinson's disease, Schizophrenia, Epilepsy, senile dementia, Alzheimer's, many mental disorders, confusion, and dizziness.
  
• Personality Traits: Inspirational leaders, kindly and just, humanitarians, self-sacrificing, visionary, creative, and strong mentally.
• Violet relates to self knowledge/spiritual awareness. It is the union with your higher self, with spirituality, and your higher consciousness. Disease can result with an in-balance of energy in this chakra, either too much or too little. The violet energy connects us to our spiritual self bringing guidance, wisdom and inner strength and purifies our thoughts and feelings giving us inspiration in all undertakings. Enhances artistic talent and creativity.

INDIGO

• Governs the BROW chakra or third eye, in the center of the forehead.
  INTUITION, MYSTICISM, UNDERSTANDING
  Related organs: eyes, lower head and sinuses Endocrine gland: pituitary gland.
  Associated problems: tension headache, migraine, visual defects, short-sightedness, long-sightedness, glaucoma, cataracts, sinus problems, ear problems.
  Personality Traits: Intuitive, fearless, practical, idealistic, wise, and a truth seeker.
• Indigo relates to self responsibility - being responsible for one's own life, responsible to oneself to follow the soul's path and needs and trusting one's own intuition. (The ability to see things from a 'higher' viewpoint rather than purely for satisfaction of the ego or one's material comfort.). The indigo energy connects us to our unconscious self, and gives us the experience of being part of the whole universe. Strengthens intuition, imagination, psychic powers, and increases dream activity.

BLUE

• Governs the THROAT chakra. KNOWLEDGE, HEALTH, DECISIVENESS
• Related organs: throat and lungs
• Endocrine gland: thyroid gland. The upper digestive tract can be affected by imbalance in this area. TURQUOISE can also be helpful for both the throat and the heart chakra.
• Associated problems: Thyroid problems - over active/under active; Anorexia nervosa (this is a multi-chakra problem but has a strong connection to the throat chakra); asthma; bronchitis; hearing problems; tinnitus - may also be connected to problems with the brow chakra; problems of the upper digestive tract; mouth ulcers, sore throats, tonsillitis.
• Personality Traits: Loyal, tactful, affectionate, inspiring, inventive, caring, and cautious.
• Blue is the color of the spirit and relates to self expression - speech, communication, the ability to communicate our needs and requirements; Spirit of truth and purpose. This is a mentally-relaxing color. Blue has a pacifying effect on the nervous system and brings great relaxation - ideal for sleep problems, and hyper-active children. Connects us to holistic thought, and gives us wisdom and clarity enhancing communication and speech.

GREEN

• Governs the HEART chakra.
• BALANCE, LOVE, SELF CONTROL
• Related organs: heart and breasts
• Endocrine gland: thymus gland
• Associated problems: heart diseases, diseases of the Immune system eg.AIDS and ME (myalgia encephalomyelitis, sometimes referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome); other problems related to the immune system, allergies, cancer of the breast. TURQUOISE also has a helpful effect on the immune system and also helpful in relation to the throat chakra. PINK also relates to the heart chakra being the color of love.
• Personality Traits: Understanding, self-controlled, adaptable, sympathetic, compassionate, generous, humble, nature loving, and romantic.
• Green chakra relates to love/self love - the ability to give and take unconditionally. When balanced we are able to give love and also to love and nurture ourselves. Helps relax muscles, nerves, and thoughts. Cleanses and balances our energy, to give a feeling of renewal, peace and harmony. Green connects us to unconditional love and is used for balancing our whole being.

YELLOW

• Governs the SOLAR PLEXUS chakra, situated below the ribs.
• WISDOM, CLARITY, SELF-ESTEEM
• Related organs: liver, spleen, stomach and small intestine.
• Endocrine gland: pancreas
• Associated problems: diabetes, pancreatitis, liver disease, peptic ulcer, Coeliac's disease, and gall stones.
• Personality Traits: Good-humored, optimistic, confident, practical, and intellectual.
• Yellow is a creative color and relates to self worth. How we feel about ourselves and how we feel others perceive us. This is the area of the personality, the ego and the intellect. Gives us clarity of thought, increases awareness, and stimulates interest and curiosity. Yellow energy is related to the ability to perceive and understand. The yellow energy connects us to our mental self.

ORANGE

• Governs the SACRAL chakra situated in the lower abdomen.
• HAPPINESS, CONFIDENCE, RESOURCEFULNESS
• Related organs: uterus, large bowel, prostate, ovaries and testes. (In the fetus the testes develop in the lower abdomen, thus linking with the sacral chakra energy, then descending to the scrotum by birth.)
• Endocrine glands: ovaries and testes
• Associated problems: pre-menstrual syndrome, problems with menstrual flow, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, testicular disease, prostate disease. Personality Traits: Enthusiastic, happy, sociable, energetic, sporty, self-assured, and constructive.
• Orange is the color of success and relates to self respect; having the ability to give ourselves the freedom to be ourselves and helps you expand your interests and activities. Brings joy to our workday and strengthens our appetite for life! Orange is the best emotional stimulant. It connects us to our senses and helps to remove inhibitions and makes us independent and social.

RED

• Governs the BASE chakra situated at the base of the spine.
• VITALITY, COURAGE, SELF CONFIDENCE
• Related organs: kidneys and bladder, the vertebral column, hips and legs are also areas related to this chakra.
• Endocrine gland: adrenal gland.
• Associated problems: constipation, diarrhea, piles, colitis, Crohn's disease, cold fingers and toes, frequency of urination, hypertension (high blood pressure), kidney stones, impotence, hip problems, legs and feet. PINK can also be used here when a more gentle energy is required.
• Personality Traits: Courageous, confident, humanistic, strong-willed, spontaneous, honest, and extroverted.
• Red relates to self awareness. It is the area of survival and stability and your place on this earth. The color red provides the power from the earth and gives energy on all levels. It connects us to our physical body. Everything that is to be commenced needs the life vitality of red.