Crown Chakra: Awareness, Unity, and the Dissolving of Self

In this episode of Deepen Your Yoga Practice, Lauren Leduc closes out the chakra series with an exploration of the Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)—the center of awareness, unity, and connection to universal consciousness. Unlike the lower chakras, which focus on building safety, identity, expression, and agency, the crown chakra invites us to soften our grip on all of it. It is not about becoming something new, but about remembering what has always been true. Located at the top of the head, Sahasrara is associated with: Unity and non-separation Awareness and witnessing Consciousness and transcendence Connection to something larger than the individual self Lauren explores how the crown chakra connects to key yogic philosophical concepts, including: Advaita Vedanta (non-duality) The relationship between Atman (self) and Brahman (universal consciousness) Moksha (liberation) as realization rather than attainment Teachings from the Bhagavad Gita, including non-attachment (vairagya), devotion (bhakti), and equal seeing (samadarshana) The episode also explores what balance and imbalance can look like in this chakra: Balanced: Sense of connection and unity Inner peace independent of circumstances Humility, curiosity, and presence Ability to witness thoughts without attachment Imbalanced: Disconnection, cynicism, or lack of meaning Spiritual bypassing or dissociation Avoidance of real-world responsibility Feeling “above” or disconnected from life Lauren emphasizes that true connection to the crown chakra is not about escaping life—but about engaging more fully with clarity, compassion, and awareness. Practices to Support the Crown Chakra: Meditation and witnessing awareness Breath awareness and gentle pranayama Self-inquiry and contemplation Mantra and sound (including Om) Time in stillness and nature Seva (selfless service) Journaling Prompts: Where do I feel most connected in my life right now? Where do I feel separate or disconnected? What am I holding onto that could soften? Who am I beyond my roles, titles, and identities? This episode is an invitation to remember that you are already whole, already connected, and already part of something much greater than the individual self. trueloveyogakc.com