Horizontal Chakra Breathing

Horizontal chakra breathing complements vertical chakra breathing to effectively clear all of your chakras. Horizontal chakra breathing clears the first five chakras from the root (muladhara) to the throat (vishuddha) and vertical chakra breathing clears the ajna chakra and sahasrara. Before you learn horizontal chakra breathing, please learn vertical chakra breathing and become comfortable in its practice. Another prerequisite to learn horizontal chakra breathing is the advanced chakra meditation level 3. You will need to be very familiar with not only the bija mantras for each chakra but also the symbols (yantras) for each chakra. Once you are comfortable gently and effortlessly visualizing the symbols for each chakra, you are ready for horizontal chakra breathing.

Let’s take a moment to consider what gently and effortlessly visualizing the symbols means. For some visually oriented people, inner visualization is effortless right from the start, but we all have the capacity for this; it just requires attention and practice. First, it’s so important to maintain effortless. Never strain. However, a focused attention in this case of inner visualization is needed. But remember that the images of the yantras are subtle. Think of them not as gross images in the world, but subtle astral images, translucent, even transparent, but beautiful and exquisite. Enjoy the image as if you’re savoring something very special, which they are. Yet don’t force or strain. Just focus and let come what comes. But have the intention that the image come to you with some clarity. That’s all. This will engage more of your brain in the meditation (the visual aspect of your brain) and so will increase the power and intensity of the wholeness of inner awareness. This is the real utility of adding the yantra to the meditation.

I suggest you begin your practice with Ashwini mudra, then vertical chakra breathing, then horizontal chakra breathing, and then the advanced chakra meditation level 3. Then if you have time, proceed to the Jnana meditation of your preference. This will be a most powerful and effective practice that will accelerate your progress towards Self realization.

One other note: In the instruction in the audio, I mention it’s important to only breathe naturally, normally (without deepening or exagerrating the breath in any way). As you get used to the technique, this natural breathing makes the practice itself every bit as effortless as breathing, which we all do 24 hours a day without any effort. That’s just how easy this technique can be!

Enjoy!

Ajayan

PS. Thanks to Swami Anandakapila Saraswati for first introducing me to this wonderful practice.