| The seven Chakras are the hidden energy centres in | | | | 4. The Heart Chakra - the energy of community |
| your body through which you receive, process and | | | | This energy is experienced as "connection" - brought |
| transmit life energies. They act as "energy | | | | about by your relationships with others and by |
| transformers" and influencers of change. | | | | engaging them in collaborative activity. The major |
| Your thoughts, emotions or actions can either block | | | | blockage to this energy source is "isolation" - cutting |
| or activate these hidden energy centres. In this | | | | yourself off from supportive relationships. |
| article, I address ways to activate each of the | | | | You can engage the Heart Chakra by: |
| Chakras to improve your article writing. | | | | * Participating in discussion forums focused on article |
| 1. Base Chakra - the energy of existence | | | | writing |
| This energy source is associated with survival, | | | | * Developing a "learning partnership" with one other |
| self-preservation and security. The major blockages | | | | person for your mutual benefit |
| to activating the Base Chakra are "self-sabotage" or | | | | * Connecting to other people through workshops and |
| self-talk that is full of self-doubt. The real tragedy is | | | | teleconferences |
| that, unless you can manage these self-doubts, you | | | | * Sharing your article ideas with a "significant other" - |
| cut yourself off from the other six sources of | | | | your life partner, for example |
| energy. | | | | * Taking time out to be with your friends |
| You can activate the Base Chakra by: | | | | * Joining an action learning group devoted to article |
| * Confronting your doubts as self-sabotage and | | | | writing |
| challenging them | | | | 5. The Throat Chakra - the energy of meaning |
| * Visualising your completed article and the sense of | | | | This energy is experienced as expression and is |
| achievement you will experience with publication | | | | associated with metaphors, communication and |
| * Sharing your concerns with others who have been | | | | beliefs. The blocks to this form of energy are unclear |
| successful in article writing | | | | thinking and a lack of focus. |
| * Listening to your body and learning to release any | | | | You can engage your Throat Chakra by: |
| tensions associated with article writing | | | | * Journaling to capture your thoughts and reflections |
| 2. Naval Chakra - the energy of activity | | | | * Drawing diagrams and flowcharts to clarify what |
| This source of energy is experienced as "excitement" | | | | you are trying to say in your writing |
| and is associated with doing, movement, creativity | | | | * Developing concept maps to clarify the relationships |
| and achievement. The major blockage to this energy | | | | amongst activities, ideas & principles |
| source is inactivity brought on by procrastination and | | | | * Using metaphors to create new perspectives and |
| self-doubt. | | | | meanings |
| You can activate the Naval Chakra by: | | | | 6. The Third Eye Chakra - the energy of integration |
| * Checking out online forums and article directories | | | | This energy is experienced as intuition and is |
| for potential topics of interest to readers | | | | associated with left and right brain, integration of |
| * Making notes on an article topic | | | | male and female, wisdom and holistic approaches. |
| * Aiming for a rough first draft (do not let your | | | | One of the major blocks to this form of energy is |
| perfectionist streak intervene!) | | | | "busyness" - incessant activity with no time for |
| * Trying "speed writing" - write what comes to mind | | | | reflection. |
| without concern for grammar, sentence structure or | | | | You can engage your Third Eye Chakra by: |
| spelling (helps to thwart perfectionism) | | | | * Undertaking creative activity - e.g. painting, drawing |
| * Taping your ideas - try using an audio tape to get | | | | or writing poetry |
| ideas down | | | | * Being still - getting in touch with nature and your |
| 3. Solar Plexus Chakra - the energy of control | | | | own body |
| This energy is experienced as "clarity" and is | | | | * Taking a walk - physical activity provides a good |
| associated with your sense of personal power and | | | | balance for sitting and writing |
| self control. The major blockage to this energy | | | | * Clearing the clutter from your desk and your life - a |
| source is a lack of order through the absence of | | | | cluttered workspace can clutter your mind |
| planning. You can tap into the energy of control by | | | | 7. The Crown Chakra - the energy of Spirit |
| creating order, structure, form or guidance. | | | | This energy is experienced as transcendence and is |
| You can activate the Solar Plexus Chakra by: | | | | associated with higher purpose, vision and higher |
| * Capturing potential article topics in a document or | | | | consciousness. The major block to this energy is an |
| Excel file | | | | obsession with Materialism. |
| * Matching your task to your energy level - if you | | | | You can embrace the Crown Chakra by: |
| are a "morning person" do your creative writing in the | | | | * Meditating - this helps you get in touch with your |
| morning and your related routine tasks at night | | | | higher consciousness |
| * Capturing ideas on how to write articles and | | | | * Singing - helps you to find your deeper self |
| creating your own set of guidelines | | | | * Revisiting your spiritual origins - this may be through |
| * Setting up documents on your computer with | | | | prayer or participation in religious activities |
| article headings and doing occasional "brain dumps" | | | | The Chakras are interconnected and interdependent. |
| * Building your own list of preferred article directories | | | | They embrace the whole person - the irrational and |
| for submission of articles (include submission URL and | | | | rational, the intuitive and emotional, the pragmatic and |
| key requirements, eg. word length, format) | | | | the aesthetic and the material and spiritual. |
| * Establishing output targets and a routine for article | | | | You can activate your Chakras to improve your |
| writing | | | | article writing and your daily living. |