Learning about narratives this week immediately brought up the topic of religion for me, especially since Arnett, Fritz, and Bell (2009) cite “religious traditions” as one of the very first examples (p. 37). I have lived in what is considered the Bible Belt my entire life, but I don’t remember going to church consistently when I was growing up. When I reached a certain age, my parents began to be more open with me about their own individual beliefs and principles that they choose to live by. I was very thankful that they gave me the freedom to explore and embark on my own spiritual journey.
At this point in my life, I use the Chakra narrative to inform my everyday decisions. Chakra Alignment is complex and involves many moving parts, but in short, this way of living focuses on energy as a means to reach self-realization. This is a practice that I actually picked up from my aunt, who willingly gave me her “Chakra Bible,” The Book of Chakra Healing by Liz Simpson. This book has been a great resource for me in learning the ways I can balance each of the seven chakras through exercise, meditation, affirmations, and crystal healing.
This narrative really resonated with me because each chakra corresponds with a specific organ in the body and a practical life necessity. For instance, the fourth chakra is the Heart Chakra, which is associated with the heart, chest, and lungs. This chakra controls love and relationships. Practical, because we already think of the heart when we are thinking about love. There are many other similar examples I could share about the remaining six chakras.
Another reason I choose this narrative is the constant effort and discovery that must take place for an effective journey. Simpson (2013) describes the chakras as “individual gears in an interconnecting structure of cogged wheels” (p. 20). All parts of the system must be balanced and running equally to maintain proper functioning. What I like about this is that there is no level of balance that doesn’t involve persistent effort, causing you to learn more about yourself. Sure, you could reach a point when achieve realization after balancing the seventh Crown Chakra; however, you cannot forget to provide tender love and care to the other six at any given moment.
In my everyday life, I use chakra healing in the following ways to deal with particularly difficult situations:
- Rub my rose quartz worry stone, which promotes self love and confidence
- Incorporate yoga and/or stretching into my day
- Repeat mantras aloud to myself
I hope to continue to dedicate myself to this practice, and feel as peaceful as I did the first time I ever entered a crystal shop ^_^
Arnett, R. C., Fritz, J. M. H. & Bell, L. M. (2009). Communication ethics literacy: Dialogue and difference. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Simpson, L. (2013). The book of chakra healing. New York, NY: Sterling Ethos.
Tierra Thomas 