In yogic philosophy, the chakras, or the body’s subtle energy centers, channel our energies and keep us balanced and spiritually aligned .  The lower chakras, such as the Root Chakra,  ground us in our earthly realities, while the higher chakras, such as the Ajna, or Third Eye Chakra, connect us to a more ethereal plane.  Yogis associate the Third Eye with transcendentalism and refer to it as the stage of the true yogi.

In yogic philosophy, the Fifth Chakra, or energy center in the body, is the Vishuddha Chakra, or Throat Chakra.  It is located in the area of the throat and neck and is associated with knowledge and communication.

The word Vishuddha translates as  “The Pure Place.”  When we look at the idea of communication as “speaking our truth,” we have to qualify that speech.  We should always speak our truth, our satya, but we should also make an effort to speak that truth with wisdom and compassion.

As I was preparing for a workshop on the chakras, or the subtle energy centers of the body, I was struck by the meaning behind the Anahata Chakra, or the Heart Chakra.  Perhaps it was the proximity to Valentine’s Day, or maybe just the feeling in my heart that this chakra is the most important of all, but I found myself dwelling here.