Third Eye Chakra Healing for Beginners

By MindBodyGreen

Our Intro Guide to the 6th Chakra, the Third Eye Chakra

The 6th Chakra, the Third Eye Chakra, is related to our ability to focus on and see the big picture. Here's what you need to know about Third Eye Chakra healing:

Location of our Third Eye Chakra: Forehead between the eyes. (Also called the Brow Chakra.)

Emotional issues affecting our Third Eye Chakra: Intuition, imagination, wisdom, ability to think and make decisions.

Color: Indigo

Healing Exercises:

• Child's pose or other types of Yoga exercises with forward bends.
• Eye exercises.
• Herbal oil treatment (see above image).

Healing Foods:

• Purple colored fruits (grapes, blueberries)
• Chocolate
• Lavender flavored spices or tea

Crown Chakra Healing & Opening for Beginners

By MindBodyGreen

Our Intro Guide to the 7th Chakra, the Crown Chakra

The 7th and highest Chakra, the Crown Chakra, represents our ability to be fully connected spiritually. Here's what you need to know about opening and healing the Crown Chakra:

Location of our Crown Chakra: The very top of our head.

Emotional issues affecting our Crown Chakra: Inner and outer beauty, our connection to spirituality, pure bliss.

Color: Violet

Healing Exercises:

• Meditation
• Running or cardio

Healing Foods:
Since the Crown Chakra represents our spiritual connection to our surroundings, this Chakra does not benefit from healing foods. The Crown Chakra is more likely to benefit from breathing clean and fresh air and sunshine

Don't Compare...

If you find that you're comparing yourself to others
and coming up short, it's time to stop that destructive
habit. Comparisons get you nowhere. Rather than leading
to positive improvements, they only cause you pain and
discontent.
A better choice is to focus on your own personal needs
and wants. You're a unique individual who requires a
personal approach! This helps you boost your self-image
because you're focused on improving yourself and not trying
to beat someone else in some uncharted race.
Learning to focus on you rather than everyone else around
you can be a difficult task. Too often, we're so used to
focusing on our families and friends that we don't even know
how to begin the process of focusing on our own choices and
decisions that determine our lives.
Follow these five tips to help you focus on fully
enjoying your life:
====================================
1. Devote one hour a day to "me time." During this time,
focus completely on yourself and the things you need or
desire to feel strong, lovable and important. Reflect on
what's important to you. Dream big dreams and figure out
small steps you can take to achieve them.
Your  "me-time" can be anything you like it to be: take a
relaxing bubble bath, go for a walk, take a nap, get a
manicure, read a novel, or do something else. Anything
that brings you pleasure simply for the sake of pleasure
qualifies as me-time.
====================================
2. Take care of your own physical, spiritual and health
needs. Relying on someone else to meet your needs only leads
to dependence and resentment. Don't wait for someone else to
do these things for you.
You have the power within you to meet your own needs and
the only way you can be truly whole is to do just that.
====================================
3. Feed you mind and body good healthy fuels. You cannot
expect your mind and body to function at their best if you
don't provide them with the fuels they need to work at
full capacity.
Feed your body good foods: fresh fruits and vegetables,
whole grains, and lean proteins. Drink plenty of water
to keep your body fully hydrated.
Feed your mind by reading informative, well-written books,
newspapers, and magazines. Choose recreational reading
that builds your mind and spirit. Limit your TV watching
and spend your time pursuing things that stimulate your
thinking instead.
Play board games rather than video games. Listen to music
designed to stimulate your brain waves with binary beats.
====================================
4. Spend time each day doing something you love. No matter
what your hobby is, it's healthy to indulge in a creative
pastime.
Gardening, painting, woodcarving and pottery are all
hobbies that encourage your creativity while you use your
hands to create something beautiful.
====================================
5. Start a gratitude journal. Begin and end each day
by listing five unique things you're grateful for in
your life. Before long, you'll find that you spend more
of your time dwelling on all the good things you have in
the world rather than negative obstacles you might face.
Focusing on you helps you take the best possible care
of yourself. It allows you to replenish your batteries
and regain your strength so you can be fully present and
engaged in the rest of your day.
Use these tips to start changing your focus today, and
have many happy tomorrows!

Don't Accept Anything Less Than the Best You Can Be

Learn never to blame another for the pain you feel, nor to complain about anything that life brings to your door; but this doesn't mean to be accepting of those who would see you ache, nor should you be apathetic in the face of anything that challenges your hopes and aspirations.
Sir Guy Finley

Plant the Seeds of a New Self

Trying to resolve the pain within us by holding others accountable for it is like looking out at a field we have planted on our own property and wishing, every day, something other than what grows there would take hold and flower. If we wish to have true harmonious relationships with others, then it is we who must change. We must assume responsibility for what our relationships reveal to us about us, and then do the interior work it takes to plant the seeds of a new Self.
Everywhere we look, people are concerned with essentially one thing: getting what they want, when they want it, and as fast as possible. The fires that fuel their appetite for this envisioned success create so much smoke that they lose sight of the fact that all they reap for their insistent sowing are the cold ashes of regret raked out of broken relationships.
If we are ever to realize the integrity and consistent kindness of our True Self, if we long to know something of heaven while we live on earth, then we must sow the seeds that bring that higher life into fruition. One cannot expect to reap what one does not sow; and merely hoping for a higher life is not sowing true spiritual seeds, any more than climbing an imagined mountain is the same as reaching its top.
To sow spiritual seeds means that we do spiritual work. Spiritual work is always interior work first, even if, as a matter of course, this work becomes manifest through exterior action. What is this interior work by which we sow the seeds of the celestial within us?
One way to sow the seeds of a higher relationship with life is to not burden others or ourselves with past regrets, disappointments, or fearful future visions, even as we learn to ask truth for more insight into those unseen aspects of our present nature that are reaping their regrets even as they sow more of the same dark seeds.
It is not our duty to suffer over what will be or won't be -- to live with painful regret or guilt over what was or wasn't. Our soul task is to be responsible for what is -- and to allow this relationship with life to produce what it will. There may or may not be suffering in this order of responsibility but, if there is, it will be transformational as opposed to self-tormenting --which is the negative effect of every act born of assuming some false responsibility.
It is not enough to just sow seeds in this physical life, i.e., to struggle for or make millions, invent the greatest gizmo ever, or become the "who's who" of some social registry; for regardless of how sublime these intentions first seem, and even if their seeds should grow and flourish, they can only grow into forms that pass and fall in time. If our wish is for a life that is whole and loving, one that is filled with new light, then we must sow the eternal seeds of a higher life within ourselves; that is our work.
Set your self to the task of being an inwardly awake person and watch how you begin to reap the awareness that makes all things possible.

Who Put The Stone in My Shoe...By Sir Guy Finley

Often, when we first set out on the path of self-study, we begin with unrealistic or just plain mistaken expectations about what it will do for us. The unconscious wish that fuels this early stage of self-study is simply to become a better "old" person, rather than to become a completely new person.
Perhaps we have visions of suddenly becoming capable of handling with ease any set of troublesome circumstances; or that our newly enlarged self-knowledge will enable us to control other people, or at least to no longer be bothered by what anyone does to us. We hope or believe that in this imagined self-mastery the universe will shower us with gifts such as money, relationships, and good fortune. Further, we may believe that these are the things we need to guarantee our future happiness. But can any of these exterior conditions deliver the inner contentment we want? No, they can't. See the following fact and let it reveal the path to higher and higher levels of inner freedom: even when these desires are fulfilled, they do nothing to expand the restricted world of our self. To the contrary, these trappings only tighten the secret grasp of the thought-self that now is strengthened in its belief in its own power. If we do what we call spiritual work for these "self"-ish reasons, we simply remain in our tiny world, seeking the ends that that world calls valuable. The only way out of that world is through self-study, which begins with showing us that devoting our lives to the never-ending agenda of the never-satisfied false nature will never lead us to lasting happiness.
When people approach their self-study with wrong expectations, they can quickly become discouraged when those expectations are not fulfilled. They then claim that self-study does not provide anything valuable in return for all the effort it requires, because it does not bring them what their minds tell them it should. Wanting only to feel good about themselves, according to their own worn-out ideas of what that means, they never enter into the realm of real self-study at all. Sadly, without knowing it, they close the door on a world that could have rewarded them beyond anything they even knew to ask for, which brings us to a surprising paradox along the path of self-study.
The purpose of our inner investigation is not to feel pleased with ourselves -- and certainly not to feel good about ourselves because of some new noble self-image as someone aiming to lead a better life. The true purpose of self-study is to invite something Good into our lives that then provides us with the unshakable goodness we were previously unable to give ourselves.
We can only benefit from self-study when we use it correctly for self-discovery -- and not just as one more ineffective attempt at self-creation. True self-study is not an exercise in confirming what has been, but an opening of ourselves to what is and to the always-becoming unknown. We can use it to illuminate the tiny world our false natures have held us captive in, allowing our discoveries to throw open the door to the larger world within that is our birthright.

To My Husband

 

The words that have yet been spoken
the things I need to say.
To voice what's within my heart
I just can't find a way.

I've fought with my emotions
I've held them deep inside.
I didn't want to face what for so long
you've tried to hide.

I've been lost within the dark
for so long I've seen no light.
Holding on to the memory
of a time when things were right.

I've looked upon your face
and seen the sadness in your eyes.
The battle of Depression

you no longer can disguise.

I've prayed to find the answers
of what I myself must do.
And I've prayed for the strength to fight
through the hell that You and I go through.

I've held on for so long
but I can no longer watch you cry.
I cannot fight this for you
but the dear lord knows how I try
It's just so hard to watch the ones you love
slowly slip away.
That's why I just blocked it out
and held on to yesterday.

I don't have all the answers
or the power to save your soul.
Your broken, lost and lonely
and I cannot make you whole.

This fight is yours and yours alone
no matter what I do.
For I cannot save you Cause...
The only one who can
is YOU...

The Christmas Baby...

By Ivy Banerjee

The Best things in Life are unseen...That's why we Close our Eyes when we Cry, Laugh,Kiss,and Dream...

"I will just disown her if you further go on with your bickering..." Justin roared.

Violet just sat still for hours...as her world came crashing down on her...Justin sat back watching into space...did it ever occur..to him..how the comment would affect their little family of three...just because little Hannah had been crying to go out for a walk with “Daddy” and Violet had tried to explain out a child’s mind and had seconded her daughter.

Little Hannah watched the two for a while and quietly walked up to Violet...

"Momma...are you not feeling well? Would you like a sandwich? I can make you one."

Violet's eyes glistened with love and warmth for her little five year old, who had climbed up into her lap and was now busy trying to smooth her Mamma's worry wrinkled forehead with her soft little palms as she tried to look into her eyes her own wide with concern.

Hastily rubbing her tear brimmed eyes for the fear her little pumpkin see her cry...she gave a wobbly smile and asked " And now..how would you make one for Momma?"

"I know how to make one" she said eagerly smiling

"Well who taught you dear?"

"I saw you making them for Daddy and me?" she said matter of fact.

Violet smiled and nodded her approval "Only if you let me help you dear" she said.

"Okay Momma" came the quick reply as she skipped away to the refrigerator.

Violet sighed... looked  wearily at Justin as she got up to find peace in the simple pleasure of helping her daughter make sandwiches for dinner.

It was always like this nowadays for the past year...ever since Justin had suffered a sudden attack of muscular  breakdown .The ever going treatment and various Painful tests for starters already had him breaking from his insides but ultimately the Doctor's statement did the final trick of sending him into serious depression. The Statement told him he could never have kids again or even if he did they would not turn out to be normal. The ever so strong and lighthearted Justin was never the same again. He was once the fortress...the stronghold for the family of three. Hannah the light of his eyes was now constantly being scolded and reprimanded for her innocent comments. A happy and healthy Hannah who always bubbled with energy when her Daddy walked into her Daycare to pick her up at the end of the day...was now sombre and cautious when he was around.

His daily routine was now confined to completing the simplest of tasks like brushing his teeth and taking a bath which took a toll on his shattered confidence all the more. Justin now refused to take little Hannah out to play or drop her to school or pick her up from the Daycare. He even refused to go to his counselling classes. He loathed into self pity or threw temper fits from time to time which sometime sent the frightened little Hannah scampering off to the neighbor’s. Dan and Alice were God sent. They were more of family than neighbour's. There son Ruck and Hannah often played together.

Violet stretched her schedule without complaining these days so that little Hannah never ever felt the pain of rejection of fatherly love.The vibrant Violet his high school sweetheart with whom Justin had fallen in Love was now always wary of her behaviour around his sceptical scrutiny. She tried to always put on a calm front when answering his untoward questions about her whereabouts and tried to brave the situation with a subtle confidence which had developed over the months. She too was a single child of her parents brought up with love and care and at the same time her parents had turned her out into a caring and grounded individual .Violet was  bent on bringing Hannah the same way up.

Whereas Justin had a painful childhood. His Parents had never stayed together.Never had he been a part of the warmth of a close knit family or felt the need of one until he had met Violet. But he had never lost hope of creating one of his own. Violet was like a ray of Hope to his wishful thinking . He had first noticed her at the fresher's ball,laughing at something one of his friends had said. She turned out to be a carefree, intelligent, simple and a helpful girl whom the professors admired. He had approached her fearing she would scorn him off but was taken aback by her frank simplicity. He was actually bowled over with her way of handling the bad guys who approached her and walked away with sheepish grins all over there face. They now actually tried to get in her good books.He felt he was actually overreacting but was taken aback when he came to know she came from one of the very well known families across the terrain.When the word ran about  that she was going around with one of the guys he was overcome with a sense of overbearing jealousy that surely surprised him.These feelings were strange and foreign and he was confused. The next day he had simply approached her and stammered out a weak proposal. She had simply laughed and kissed him on the cheek, looked into his eyes and said "Why did you have to wait so long?".

Violet had this uncanny sense of gauging people and future, hence she was always composed in any untoward circumstances. She always said "Come what may!!"

She did all she could to keep Justin at peace but the depression got the better of him and he was always lost in his own thoughts.She had planned to tell him today...to surprise him...but she could not  seem to begin with it. The hormones too were playing havoc she comforted herself . The doctor had assured her to break the news very slowly however happy it might be. So she decide to write it out to him.

The next day she handed little Hannah the letter along with her Gynecological reports, "Baby will you please give this to Daddy?"

"Sure Momma" she said and skipped gaily to the next room handed it to Justin and hopped away to play with her dolls, while Violet quietly stood outside the room watching the reactions on Justin's face.

Justin slowly went through the papers smiled and got up hurriedly. Violet's heart skipped a beat.It had been a long time when Justin had reacted like this to any good news.She stepped in front of him smiling too. They hugged each other tears streaming down there cheeks.

Justin just said "Congratulations Mamma" and kissed her tenderly. Violet was still smiling when she felt Justin tense in her embrace,"What is it?" she asked searching his face.

 "It is not possible" He mumbled

 "It's not my baby!!!" He screamed.

Violet felt her heart go numb.He hurriedly pushed her away and went back into the room and banged the door shut on her face.She knocked and called out to him.The room seemed to sway in front of her.She last heard a faint scream-her Hannah was screaming as everything went dark.

She opened her eyes to a brightly lit room and several pair of eyes looking down at her.'W-what happened?" She tried to get up but a firm hand stayed her.

"You fainted dear"came Alice's reply.

"W-Where's Hannah?"

"At my place ,now don't you worry"chided her longtime friend and neighbour ." She intimated us how you had fallen down"

"A smart kid, she is, just like you" said the doctor smiling.

She smiled faintly and asked "How long have I been here?"

"A few days.You were into shock so we kept you under observation"" said the Doctor smiling

"How long?" she asked faintly thinking about Hannah

"Fourteen Days" replied Alice "And Justin and Hannah are staying with us."she assured hurriedly.

 The doctor gave her a few medicines and smiled before  he said" I understand you have been through a lot Mrs.Jennings, but now you need to take good care of yourself and the baby. Sometime you need to be strong to face these situations.Good luck and take good Care." He was serious now "WE almost lost you the other day."  he said  as he walked away.

 Alice hugged her and smiled,"Congratulations dear. Now let's go"

She drove her home and assured her to rest while she fed little Hannah. Hannah was happily eating away the apple pie ,giving her stickyt kisses and reaching up to hug her from time to time.Violet closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.She woke with a start-Justin!!, what about him? She wearily got up and found little Hannah sleeping beside her.Alice had not disturbed her while she slept.She sent a silent prayer for her dear friend"God bless her dear soul."

"Justin"she called out

"Jus?"

She hurriedly checked all the rooms. He was nowhere to be found. She was panicking now.She called up Alice."Where's Jus, I can't find him".

"He is with us" she assured, "watching the TV.Don't worry you just rest, Dan and me are talking to him too. You know how panicky he gets sometimes.He in fact is feeling very sorry.This is okay you know," she said hurriedly " at least he has started thinking about you. You just go and rest for today we will send him in the morning."

She waddled to the bed and drifted off to sleep inhaling the mixed fragrance of baby soap and  freshly washed linen.She woke to the wet kisses of her daughter and sunlight streaming into the room."Good Morning Momma?"

"Good Morning pumpkin" she smiled groggily.

"When's Baby comin'?" she asked excitedly.

"Christmas" She smiled as she held her close and felt her whole being come back to life again.

"When's Christmas?"

"Soon dear,"she smiled.

"Boy or a Girl?"

"Well let's see what Santa sends us?"

"What will we name it?"

"Chris if it is a boy and Christmas if it is a girl" she answered and got up to make breakfast.

She was surprised to hear Justin humming into the kitchen.

"Now what are you doing here?" Violet asked warily.

He stiffened "I-I am sorry" and turned slowly.

"It's okay" she mumbled unsure of what else to say. She was feeling tired again and hurried off to the basin as the similar nausea engulfed her.

Justin was beside her and rubbing her back as she slumped into his weak frame.He held her till she was okay and walked her out to the divan. She lay down as Justin and Hannah hovered over her like two busy hens arranging her bed cloths and fluffing her pillow. She drifted off to sleep again.

She woke to the aroma of freshly fried eggs and bacon and felt hungry, really hungry as hungry as if she could eat a whole pig.That was a good sign as per the doctor.

Justin brought in the tray and smiled hesitantly at her, She smiled back and patted the bed beside her. He laid the tray on her lap and sat beside her and cleared his throat.

"Where's Hannah?" she asked her eyes searching for her sunshine.

"She is off to school." he replied.

"Okay, but who got her ready?"

"You taught her well Violet, I felt such a pig when I saw her all dressed and ready.When did she learn all this?"

"When you were not well" replied Violet hesitantly."She wanted to help me." her voice almost a whisper now."I couldn't manage sometimes you know"

"Hmmmm...I missed quite a lot it seems." he mumbled, his voice had gone taut and he was gripping the bedpost so hard that his knuckles had gone white. Gosh what had come over him. He had almost lost his little family he thought.

"Things happen Jus, You couldn't help it" Violet was quickly assuring him fearing another outburst. She was panicking again.

She hurriedly tried to get up but Justin held her firmly back as he looked into her eyes and spoke" I am Sorry Vi," he cleared his throat again" will you be able to forgive me ever?"searching her eyes for the truth

"Yes Jus."Violet gulped.

"I am okay and I am also going to my classes" he assured back in return and surprisingly he sounded so sure of himself that Violet felt her eyes burn with unshed tears as she closed her eyes and leaned into him feeling his strength as she thought...

The Best things in Life are unseen...That's why we Close our Eyes when we Cry, Laugh, Kiss, and Dream...

:)