We finally reach the Crown Chakra in our series on the Chakras and Unity Consciousness. Sahasrara means “thousand-petaled” and it refers to a lotus flower that blooms at the crown of the head. A lotus stem grows from the mud deep below the surface of the water and rises up to blossom at the top, just like spiritual energy that rises from the root chakra in the tailbone to the crown chakra at the top of the head. Also, the lotus opens to the sky, which symbolizes Universal Consciousness.

Unity may feel like an impossibility in today’s culture of difference and division. But aren’t there also times we experience unity with others? For example, here in the U.S. we saw an amazing pulling together of resources when the eastern states were deluged with a 1000-year flood. And most of us have had the experience of going through a tough time like an illness or death in the family only to be surrounded by love, prayers and tangible support.

So which is it, are we divided or are we unified?

It really depends on your perception, or what you are looking for. If you are looking for division and only talk to people who think the same way you do, then your perception of division will be strengthened. And if you look for unity and are willing to be open and curious with people who live, think and act differently than you, then your perception of unity will be strengthened.

Yoga teaches that we exist in Universal Consciousness. We are born in it, live in it, nurtured by it and are always trying to connect with it. It’s why we seek out lasting friendships, are passionate about caring for the earth and its critters, and why we may be drawn to follow a spiritual path.

This is where Yoga and the chakras can be very helpful in perceiving and strengthening our own connection to Universal Consciousness. All the practices we’ve explored over the past several months in this blog have led us to this place of Unity.

One of the best practices to activate Sahasrara Chakra is chanting AH and OM. AH is an open sound and you can easily picture the thousand-petaled lotus flower opening above your head. But because it is so open, AH can make you feel spacey and ungrounded. In that case, follow up with the mantra OM, the universal sound that unites all things in the material and spiritual realms, past, present and future. Try chanting AH for 3 minutes, OM for 3 minutes, then sit quietly to feel the vibration. This will give you 10 minutes of Unity to bless your days and shift your perception moving into the New Year.

Just in time to finish the year, we return to the last two chakras and how they bring us into contact with Unity Consciousness. The third eye chakra is called Ajña (pronounced AHJ – NYUH) and it means “to perceive.” It points to perception beyond what is usually taken in through the five senses. This is what we might call intuition or a sixth sense.

While there are some people who seem to be especially gifted in this area, the truth is that everyone has intuition, but not everyone makes the effort to use it. Most of us rely too much on our thinking minds or following someone else’s advice. We don’t lean enough into our own inner knowing.

The Vedic tradition teaches that all the answers we seek are within us. Looking outside may be a useful step in the process, but ultimately we have to look within and thereby take responsibility for our own decisions.

A fun and easy way to develop your intuition is to trust it when you get in your car to go somewhere. If you’re like me, you tend to go the same way every time even if there are multiple ways to get where you’re going. The next time you go, turn off your mental auto-pilot and ask your intuition how to go. Be careful not to let your mind get involved; just trust your gut. You’ll be amazed at how many traffic jams you miss! The more you do this, the stronger your intuition will become in every area of your life.

Yoga practices that activate the third eye include alternate nostril breathing and Child Pose with your forehead touching the floor, blanket or block. Mentally chant the mantra SHAM or OM while intending to listen to your own inner voice. Benefits include increased confidence and courage as you learn to trust yourself more. Great skills to take into the new year!