HYH Week 5: BE Clear -The Power of Inner Listening
The Practice of Clarity
This week’s theme, BE Clear, invites us to explore the Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) — the energetic center of communication, truth, and expression. Located in the throat and guided by the element of ether, this chakra governs how we share our voice with the world and how we listen inwardly to ourselves.
When Vishuddha is balanced, our words flow easily and honestly; we communicate with kindness and clarity. When it’s blocked, we may feel silenced, hesitant, or disconnected from our truth. And when it’s overactive, we may speak impulsively or fill silence with unnecessary noise.
This week’s limb of focus — Pratyahara, or the withdrawal of the senses — teaches us the sacred pause before expression. It’s the practice of turning inward, softening the pull of outer distractions so we can hear the subtle wisdom within. In this way, Pratyahara becomes the doorway to authentic self-expression, allowing truth to emerge from stillness rather than reaction.
Through practices like mindful silence, Ujjayi (Ocean Breath), and Bhramari (Humming Bee Breath), we tune into the vibration of our own voice — not just the sound it makes, but the energy it carries. These tools remind us that communication begins not with speaking, but with listening.
Meditation: The Humming Bee Breath (Bhramari)
Find a comfortable seat and soften your gaze.
Inhale deeply through the nose, then exhale with a gentle humming sound — steady and smooth, like the hum of a bee.
Feel the vibration move through your throat and skull, soothing and centering.
After several rounds, release the sound and sit in the stillness that follows.
Let the quiet settle. Notice what it feels like to listen inward.
Silently repeat:
“I listen deeply. I speak my truth with love.”
In the gentle hum and the silence that follows, we rediscover our natural rhythm — one that speaks clearly, lovingly, and without force.
Pratyahara in Practice
Pratyahara invites us to step back from sensory overwhelm — to find space in a world full of constant noise. It’s not about rejection of the senses, but refinement. By turning inward, we begin to discern what is true for us and what is simply distraction.
Try beginning or ending your day in mindful silence. Step away from screens for an evening. Listen to the breath as it moves through your body before responding in conversation. In this quiet, the inner voice grows strong — the one that doesn’t need to shout to be heard.
Ayurveda for Vishuddha
In Ayurveda, the Throat Chakra corresponds to the ether element, representing space and sound. To support this space, the body and mind need warmth, nourishment, and calm.
Soothe your throat and nervous system with warm teas infused with honey, ginger, or licorice root. Avoid cold drinks or overstimulation from caffeine or late nights. Journaling and chanting mantras can help clear energetic blockages in this area, while intentional silence — known as mauna — can restore balance and clarity.
Think of this week as an invitation to create space in your day for pause — to breathe, hum, listen, and allow truth to arise naturally.
Suggested Readings
The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer — on releasing the inner noise and finding clarity.
The Yamas & Niyamas by Deborah Adele — especially the reflection on Satya (truthfulness).
Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith — an exploration of the Throat Chakra and authentic communication.
The Radiance Sutras by Lorin Roche — meditations on sound, silence, and the inner voice.
Journal Prompts
Where am I silencing myself?
What truth is asking to be expressed?
How can I listen more deeply — to myself, to others, to silence?
What does authentic expression feel like in my body?
Takeaway
Clarity begins with stillness.
When we pause long enough to listen within, we learn to speak from truth, not from noise.
Through the hum of breath and the quiet between words, we rediscover the most powerful voice we have — the one that arises from the heart.