By Shankar Ramani, Editor and Instructor, Sahaja Online

Thanks to the weather, I’ve been able to venture outdoors to do some of my meditation. In the process, I stumbled upon the sheer power of a meditation technique we’ve always recommended. Yet it took some concerted focus and effort to realize how effective it can be.

It cleared my attention, made me feel energetic, light and agile all day. More than that, it seems to be unclogging my spiritual energy system at the deepest of levels.

This method also works directly on the foundation of our spiritual system and on the chakra that is the foundation of our spiritual growth.

All types of outdoor meditation are not created equal, so let’s examine the specifics of the most effective form of outdoor meditation.

The use of the Earth element

This method involves sitting on the ground directly. Our chakras are made of nature’s five elements – earth, water, air, fire and ether. We use these elements to help clear and balance our chakras. Specifically, in this case, the earth element helps absorb all our imbalances at the deepest levels in our spiritual energy system.

Focus on the 1st chakra

In its name, the Mooladhara chakra carries the words “Mool” and “Adhara”. “Mool” means “root” in the Sanskrit language and “adhara” means “support”. The first chakra is clearly the supporting platform on which spiritual meditation is based. It is at the very root of our evolution and progress.

During this method, we have specific focus on awakening the essence and power of this chakra. The primary qualities and powers associated with this chakra are innocence and wisdom, amongst others. And the fact that the power of the Mooladhara chakra is strongly connected with the earth element makes this technique doubly powerful.

The awakening of any chakra’s essence can be done through simple affirmations addressed to both the Mother Earth and our Kundalini energy. If you are a regular attendee in our online sessions, you must be familiar with how these affirmations are used.

Meditate for longer times and until you feel a real difference

This method also involves going through the meditation in a very relaxed manner, without any time constraints. The longer you are in contact with the earth, the better the results are going to be. Our lives have become very rushed, but there is a definite benefit to taking time out to be in contact with nature. While we waste our time in so many activities indoors, a fraction of that time spent outdoors for this meditation can give outsized and dramatic results.

Looking up at the sky and the greenery around can also clear your Agnya chakra.

An additional benefit during this meditation is the ability to clear our Agnya chakra by looking at the expansive sky above and the greenery around. And it is not coincidental that the Mooladhara and Agnya chakras are connected to each other through the left energy channel that starts from the Mooladhara and ends at the Agnya chakra. The two chakras have a deeper connection at the spiritual level and this method works on both. For instance, when our Mooladhara chakra is not in balance, our attention and thoughts do not have clarity or even purity.

How this method is beneficial

It clears and unclogs your spiritual system in a big way. This also pervades into our physical, mental and emotional well being.

The joy in our lives returns and complications begin to disappear.

Our attention stabilizes and the thoughtless awareness experience during meditation is a lot better.

You start loving your meditation and feel the need to meditate longer. This is a significant achievement, especially for those who tend to get restless after say 10 or 15 minutes into the meditation.

Some deep-rooted problems in your life begin to disappear.

The obstacles to making progress are removed – you will find yourself revisiting all those shelved projects and tasks that you have been struggling to finish. Productivity makes a comeback.

You feel energetic, motivated and enthusiastic – the lethargy is removed from your life.

The tendency to react to negative provocation, negative things and bad habits reduces significantly. This, in itself, is one of the most powerful benefits. It improves the ability to overcome our temptations, shortcomings and bad habits. The difference can be stark. When we are faced with those events or things that trigger or play on our weaknesses, we tend to react and give in to them. But with the regular (i.e., daily at least) use of this method, there is a noticeable reduction in our need to react or give in to our weaknesses. In fact, you’ll find yourself feeling strong enough to resist and many times, won’t even have to. You’ll feel free from the clutches of temptation and those negative things that tempt you.

While this technique is painfully simple, consistency is the key and the more challenging part. As long as you are determined to keep this up and continually improve your life, this method is a great tool to have in your meditation routine.

The last few weeks left in this summer of what has been a very difficult year for everyone in this world may usher in the much-needed stability, peace and joy using this powerful yet simple method.