The Middle Pillar is an exercise in light and visualization which promotes balance and self-healing.  It is drawn from Qabalistic tradition and has been in popular use for over one hundred years.  This exercise calls for us to create in your imagination five spheres of coloured light, roughly football sized in dimension, running from the crown of your head down through the body.  The light that is drawn in is then circulated so that every cell and atom of the body is refreshed and revitalised, and charged with the healing power of the universe. 

To begin, sit in the God form position on a chair – spine erect, feet uncrossed placed firmly on the ground, hands palms down on the thighs. 

Take several deep breaths using the diaphragm to relax the mind and centre yourself.  You may also wish to spend some time focusing on different muscle groups actively relaxing them. 

When you are ready, take a deep breath and then visualize a sphere of radiant brilliant WHITE light above and touching the crown of the head.  This is the SPIRIT centre of the body and resonates with your I AM presence.  It is known as KETHER.  Spend some time building up this centre. 

Take another deep breath and as you exhale drawn light down from the Spirit centre in a column to the throat and here visualize a sphere of LAVENDAR light.  This is DAATH and this is the AIR sphere of the body.  This centre governs communication as well as your logical/mental abilities.  Spend some time building up this centre. 

Take another deep breath and draw the light down to the heart centre and here visualize a sphere of golden yellow light.  This is TIPHERETH and this is the FIRE centre of the body.  This centre resonates with your intuitive function.  Spend some time visualizing this centre. 

When you are ready, take another deep breath and as you exhale draw the light down to the pelvic girdle and here visualize a sphere of VIOLET light.  This is YESOD and this is the WATER centre of the body.  This centre works on an emotional level.  Spend some time building up this centre. 

Take another deep breath and as you exhale, draw the light down the body to the feet and ankles and here visualize a sphere of warm russet red-brown light.  This centre is known as MALKUTH and this is the EARTH sphere of the body.  This sphere deals with your practicality and grounding, bringing you into greater contact with the Earth.  Spend some time on this centre. 

So you have now made yourself a beam of brilliant white light, running from the crown of the head down through the body to the feet and ankles.  Superimposed on this column are five spheres of radiant light.  Brilliant white at the Crown, lavendar blue at the Throat, golden yellow at the Heart, violet at the Pelvic Girdle and warm russet red-brown at the feet and ankles.  

We are now going to circulate this light so that every part of our being is vitalised and refreshed. 

When you are ready, place your attention on the white light at the crown of the head.  Take a deep breath and as you exhale, draw light down from the crown, picking up colours from the other spheres as it passes through till it reaches the feet and ankles.  Then as you inhale thrown the light outwards around the body, like a fountain in reverse, so that every part of you partakes of this energy. 

Do this for several breaths. 

It is now time to make an ending. 

Place your attention on the centre at the feet and ankles.  As you exhale, close the EARTH centre and draw the light back up to the pelvic girdle.  (You can imagine the centre growing smaller and smaller.)  

Take another deep breath and as you exhale close the WATER sphere and draw the light back up to the HEART. 

Take another deep breath and as you exhale, close the FIRE sphere and draw the light back up to the THROAT. 

Take another deep breath and as you exhale, close the AIR sphere and draw the light back up to the CROWN.

Then in your own time, very gently and very slowly, close this last sphere. 

Now imagine that you are drawing about you a cloak of brilliant light, in whichever colour you prefer.  Make sure that it covers all of you and be sure to place the hood up over your head.  You may also notice a clasp at the throat that can be any symbol you desire. 

Regular practise of this exercise promotes balance, self-confidence, increased energy, sensitivity, cleanses and charges the chakras gently.