Crown Chakra: The Seat of Higher Consciousness and Spiritual Growth

The crown chakra (sahasrara in Sanskrit) is the seventh and highest of the 7 chakras in Indian spiritual tradition: the violet-to-white energy centre at the top of the head, associated with higher consciousness, spiritual connection and wisdom. This guide explains where it sits, what it represents, what an "imbalanced" crown chakra is said to look like, how people work with it through silence, meditation and gratitude, and which white and purple crystals they pair with it, such as amethyst. You can also browse our chakra stones.

Because it is the highest point where the energies of the lower chakras meet, tradition says you work through the 6 lower chakras before the crown chakra.

What Is the Crown Chakra?

Location

The crown chakra is located at the top of the head and it represents transformation and spiritual consciousness. While the exact location and function of the sahasrara has yet to be confirmed by scientific studies, tradition places it at the crown of the head.

The crown chakra acts as the entry point for the human life force. It distributes the energy from the universe to the body's subtle energy system.

Origin

The chakra system began in India between 1500 and 500 BCE. It was first introduced in India's ancient text called the Vedas. The Sanskrit word sahasrara translates to thousand-petaled.

Symbol

The colour of the crown chakra is violet to white. It is commonly thought of as concentric circles of flower petals representing the divine lotus (hence the name sahasrara).

What Is the Function of the Crown Chakra?

In essence, the crown chakra influences your spiritual self. While the lower chakras are associated with our basic needs and human experience, the crown chakra is associated with higher spiritual truths, wisdom, and universal consciousness. Others even describe the sahasrara as the gateway to one's cosmic self.

Some psychological and behavioural characteristics linked to the crown chakra include:

• Higher states of consciousness
• Connection with the limitless and formless
• Awareness of what is sacred
• Realization of and liberation from limiting beliefs
• Clarity and enlightened wisdom
• Bliss, ecstasy
• Presence

In chakra tradition, the crown chakra is also associated with focus, memory and wisdom, and working with it is seen as a path to a higher state of being.

Writers on spiritual practice, including Anahana, say that strengthening our connection with spirit gives a sense of unity, power, and self-knowledge, and a clearer understanding of our physical world. In this view, that supports a positive attitude toward daily challenges in life.

What Happens When the Crown Chakra Is Imbalanced?

In chakra tradition, factors such as stress, conflict and emotional upheaval can throw off the balance of the chakra system.

Chakra writers describe an imbalanced crown chakra as showing up as lack of focus or inspiration, apathy, cynicism, closed-mindedness, feeling disconnected from anything outside yourself, self-obsession, greed and materialism, or an obsessive attachment to spiritual matters.

NOTE: This is a belief tradition and not a diagnosis. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional.

Ways to Work With Your Crown Chakra

In chakra tradition, the crown chakra is the seat of your spiritual wellbeing, so working with it is about more than worldly pleasures like food, money or sex.

Georgina Sidall, a wellness coach at Vitalita, recommends these practices to give your sahasrara chakra a boost:

1. Be quiet.

The best way to connect with your crown chakra is through silence. That is, spending time in a quiet and distraction-free space where you can sit still, check in with yourself, and reconnect to your thoughts, feelings, and desires.

Grab your journal and ponder on the following questions:

• How do you feel about silence and doing nothing?
• Do you intentionally seek silence or avoid it? If you avoid it, how do you distract yourself?
• Can you sit quietly without feeling the need to think or do something? Do you find silence uncomfortable? Is there something you're trying not to think about?
• When was the last time you walked, worked, or drove in silence? How would it feel for you to do this?
• How can you make space for more stillness into your routine? This could be drinking your coffee in the morning free of distraction or meditating while brushing your teeth and just be fully present.

If you're new to the practice, try retreating into silence for 10 minutes a day. As you build on the habit, you may find it easier to slow down your thoughts and observe what your soul and intuition say.

2. Meditate.

Meditation is a way to see your thoughts in plain view. There's a specific meditation tailored to the crown chakra. Practitioners associate it with deep understanding, intuitive knowledge and spirituality.

3. Expand your mind through learning.

Self study (or svadhyaya in yoga) is the practice of deepening your yoga practice beyond the yoga mat. This also means studying wisdom teaching to better understand ourselves, nurture our intuition, and boost our inner strength. You can practice svadhyaya by reading books and listening to podcasts.

4. Practice gratitude.

Gratitude brings to mind the bigger things in life (love, joy, peace, and freedom) that far outweigh any challenges or inconveniences we may experience in life. Many people find gratitude a good habit for staying optimistic.

As soon as you wake up, try to list at least 3 things that you're grateful for and thank the Divine for them.

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Use Healing Crystals to Open Your Chakra

In crystal tradition, crystals are a popular focus for working with the crown chakra. Use white- and purple-coloured healing crystals when working with your crown chakra.

Here are our top picks for crown chakra work and what each is associated with:

1. Amethyst

This purple quartz variety is the quintessential crown chakra crystal. In crystal lore, amethyst is a spiritual stone associated with calm, with preparing the chakra to receive the energy of the universe, and with transforming negative energy into loving energy. People use it as a focus for deep meditation.

2. Clear quartz

Clear quartz is the best-known crystal in chakra work, associated with the smooth flow of energy through all the chakras. On the crown chakra it is a symbol of openness to a life-changing encounter with your higher self, and of remembering your deepest desires and your untapped inner power.

3. Selenite

Selenite is associated with truth, integrity and positive energy. In crystal lore it stands for courage to live a purpose-driven life and for higher thinking, and people use it as a channel for wisdom and insight when they want to connect with their spirit guides.

4. Lepidolite

In crystal lore, lepidolite is the stone of peace of mind and heart, associated with balance, with letting go of fear around the crown chakra and with embracing happiness.

5. Moonstone

This stone is associated with feminine energy, which flows through the heart, third eye, and crown chakras. In crystal lore, moonstone accompanies spiritual growth and renewal. Its feminine energy is associated with gentleness and acceptance, and with not having to chase things that aren't meant for you, force yourself to change abruptly, and to let go of things that don't serve your highest purpose.

How to Use Crown Chakra Stones

• Practice yoga poses (tree pose, lotus pose, or headstand) that opens up the highest chakra
• Hold the stone in your hand when sitting in silence.
• Use the stone when meditating. Visualize a white light surrounding your crown.
• Hold it while saying affirmations related to spirituality and higher consciousness (e.g. I honour the Divine within me, I am open to new ideas, I let go of my attachments, I am my highest, most authentic self, I am aligned with my soul's purpose and truth,)
• Keep the stone in your pocket or hold it while sitting in the sun or walking in nature.
• Place the stone on your desk while studying, reading a book, or listening to a podcast.