"The fifth center is called as Vishuddhi Chakra. This is placed in the neck of the human being and it had sixteen petals which look after ears, nose, throat, neck, tongue, teeth etc. This center is responsible for communication with others because through our eyes, through our nose, through our speech, through our hands, we communicate with others. On the physical level it caters for the cervical plexus."
--H.H. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
Deities
The deity for this center is Shri Krishna and His power is Shri Radha. On the left side resides Shri Vishnumaya and on the right Shri Yashoda.
Quality
One of the qualities that we need to develop for our spiritual growth is that of staying detached from the problems we face every day whilst trying to survive in the modern world. The flowering of the Vishuddhi Chakra provides us with a sense of detachment which lets us witness the Play of Life to survive in the modern world. As a result we avoid being brought down by things which seem traumatic, but are in fact simple ‘events’ or ‘coincidences’ which we must pass through to reach the Other Shore. This does not mean that we stop accepting responsibility for our actions, or that we ‘give up’ on life. It simple gives us a means to maintain a sense of perspective when we are faced with overwhelming emotional situations. We become a witness of the game, and can keep a distance from our involvement and thoughts, from our planning and conditionings, from our emotions.
After our Self-Realization our ability to be a witness matures, and we see all of these things as existing outside ourselves. These things and events are not of our Spirit; they are of the external world. In this way we strip away layers of identity to reveal our fundamental and individual essences, the Spirit. Shri Mataji says that "we see our own acting, and the whole world becomes like a drama." In the same Shakespeare likened the whole world to a stage, and us as actors on it.
The Vishuddhi Chakra also embodies those qualities which govern our relationship with other members of the human race. It is key to our ability to feel and respond to our own vibrations as well as others, and deepens our spiritual awareness. It gives us a sense of oneness and harmony with the Great Circle of Life. As we become one with the Whole we begin to feel the direct evidence of the subtle system on our Chakras and those of others. This is what is meant by the actualization in Sahaja Yoga, this actual evidence of our enlightenment, which we experience on our fingertips and in our bodies. It is a fact that, as we become a collectively conscious person, we can work on the subtle system of others simply by recording the state of their Chakras on our fingers and directing our vibrations to these areas of need as required. It is like acquiring a new perception, a natural new sense of subtle vibrations. This bond of humanity is the goal that seekers have been searching for over many lifetimes, and it is starting its manifestation at this point in time, not just through myth and conception, but through the direct evidence of personal experience.
Gross Physical Aspect
The Vishuddhi Chakra has sixteen petals, each with different qualities and functions. We should avoid lying or swearing or talking excessively as this could affect the right center. Likewise it benefits is we use the voice for praise rather than criticism, for dignity rather than coarse frivolity. We should never be harsh or sarcastic or witty at another’s expense. We should simply aim to speak from the heart. Another way this center can suffer is in the indiscriminate use of mantras. This is especially true in regard to mantras sold as commercial commodities. These are simple sensory dulling toys which have no relationship with our Spirit. Undergoing this type of self-hypnosis is actually anti-consciousness.