How to use the qualities of the colors in your meditation practice

The power and energy of colors has been of no mystery since the very first civilization. Every culture, regardless for its location in space or time, has used those energies as a healing tool. And if your meditation no longer satisfies you, the colors might be exactly what you need. The modern knowledge of the colors together with the ancient practices, may greatly improve your daily meditation routine.

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The ancient practices of our ancestors used colors in different ways. Wise ancient Chinese “colored” each organ in human’s body. The “Five Healing Colors” purify and harmonize the organs. In that way the Chinese medicine uses the blue color to heal the kidneys, the red color to heal the heart, green applies to the liver, white to the lungs, and yellow to the spleen. The well known Feng Shui also arranges furniture according to their shape, roots and…colors.

Ancient Egyptians applied certain colors to somebody’s or something’s nature. Somebody who was believed to be of the same color as a random object was equally believed to have the same properties as this particular object. Egyptians used to pair colors too. In that way they created unique meanings to those mixtures. I.e. silver and gold (just like sun and moon) represented duality of opposites.

Such examples are common in history. The ancient Greeks built healing temples of color and light, and the Indian Ayurveda, up to this day, uses the power of each color when referring to the Seven Chakras of the body.

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Everything is energy. We are able to see the colors simply due to their energies. Each color has electromagnetic waves which vibrate at a specific and unique for this color frequency. So when you are looking at an object the very sensitive photoreceptors which are located in your eyes read those vibrations and translate them into colors. Furthermore, the brain releases certain hormones and neurochemicals according to the colors. And this is exactly how you can influence your mood, your mind set, and even your physical and mental health through the color therapy.

So what are the qualities of the colors and how can you use them in your meditation practice?

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Red: awakes, stimulates the circulation, increases heart rate, warms and relaxes. It can also bring out aggression.

Orange: improves the mood, stimulates sexuality and appetite. It is the color of lightness and joy.

Yellow: stimulates digestion, allows the life to appear to us in a positive and bright light. It relieves depression and energizes. On the other hand, it can be also obstructive.

Green: calms down and balances the nervous system. Green regenerates on every level and gives us the desire to start something new. Due to its growth qualities, it should be avoided in cancer and tumors.

Blue: also calming, but it reaches deeper level than the green color. Blue brings the feeling of security and protection. It connects to holistic thoughts.

Violet: color of transformation, change and spirituality. Cleansing, empowering and awakening. Excellent color for headaches and migraines, improves immunity and cancerous situations.

Brown: symbolizes stability and connection to the earth. It connects us with our unconscious Self. Too much of it may lead to stagnation.

White: contains the entire spectrum of all the colors. Symbolizes birth and death at the same time

Black: color of protection, strength, and emptiness which bears abundance within itself. Teenagers tend to wear black as it presents their gateway of a new period of their lives. Too much black, causes sadness and pessimism though.

When you like a certain color, it may be because you need the corresponding qualities of that color. However, if you adore the color too much, it can develop into a destructive and harming addiction. All colors have a good impact on us and have the healing qualities. However they may harm when used in the incorrect and unbalanced proportions.

Knowing the qualities of the colors and the right proportions, you can arrange your yoga practice room according to your needs.

While meditating, you can either visualize a color or look at an object (a picture, a vase, a yoga mat…) of that color. Start quietly. Patiently observe the color. Observe yourself and whatever your eyes capture. Do not expect or stress. Do not aim for anything. Just sit down, relax and let it happen.

Source: yogitimes