There are many different chakra systems used through out the world, in this series of posts I will describe the yogic chakra system, coming from India and Hinduism. You may have heard of many other names, locations or numbers for the chakras (relating to their different interpretations). In my opinion, all of these different interpretations are valid in their own right, and together give even more onus to the inference we can make about their relevance to the relationship between our subtle and physical bodies. This leads me to be ever more curious and respectful to this subtle energy system which harmonise with the senses that arise from deep inside all of us.
In the yogic chakra system there are 7 major chakras (minor ones in the hands, feet, finger tips etc), each has their own symbol, colour, associated lotus flowers (containing a different number of petals for each), energy, sound, location in the body (and thus associated organs) and much more I wont go into now, with the hope to keep this simple!
Anodea Judith describes what a chakra is beautifully in her comprehensive book “Eastern Body, Western Mind” (1); ‘A chakra is a center of organization that receives, assimilates and expresses life force energy. The word chakra literally translates as “wheel” or “disk” and refers to a spinning sphere of bioenergetic activity emanating from the major ganglia branching forward from the spinal column.’*
Hindu philosophy describes the chakras as subtle energy centres, which are inline with the spinal cord and the sushumna nadi (nadi being energy channel, of which we have many in the body). The sushumna is the main energy channel and when clear of blockages and the chakras are balanced, it is intended to carry Kundalini energy from the Mooladhara chakra at the base of the spine up into the Sahasrara, or crown chakra, where the ego dissolves and our spirits become liberated and expansive. Also to be noted here is the downward flow of our vital energy from the crown to the root chakra, which results in our physical grounding and the ability to manifest our dreams and intentions. Thus balancing the chakras and clearing any blockages is important for our lives right here and now, as well as our overall spiritual growth.
In Anodea’s book (1) she discusses how our chakras are programmed via our personal development, even since being in the womb; hence her work here is to help adults re-balance their chakras based on the issues they may present. It’s my feeling that our chakras are also programmed by our other or past lives, which helps me to accept why maybe you get some people who seem born with certain problems and disorders, as we are all pure and all deserve the same quality in the long run..
Kundalini energy is our core, connected energy, a universality in life. In order to awaken Kundalini and allow it to flow through our the sushumna (and thus to our chakras) we generally need to undergo physical, emotional, spiritual and energetic transformations (hence the purpose of our being in our bodies now). These transformation work to liberate and balance each chakra, opening it’s associated lotus and energy channel to allow the Kundalini to flow.
Yoga, Reiki and Meditation are methods we can use to help balance our chakras, helping to extend our consciousness beyond the physical realms, whilst realising and expressing our true nature physically. It can assist us in releasing blocked energy and emotions, also in soothing physical and mental imbalances; ultimately helping us to be more centred and balanced beings with clear channels to facilitate the rising Kundalini.
In my humble opinion, there’s no need to rush this playing out and balancing of our lives, consciousness is alive through our crazy world of up and downs for a reason. Life would be boring if everything was simple and perfectly at peace! As it’s been described to me, life is but a play, hence why it’s good to have fun and a sense of humor as much as possible. However, I also feel it’s good to have an awareness of these subtleties in life, so we may also let go of some of the resistance and judgement of ‘bad’ situations that happen to us. Injoying the flow of life, which ever direction it takes.
Namaste, look out for the other parts in this series where I’ll take you on a journey through the chakras to accompany my 7 series spring awakening term at Brilliant Corners.
Week 1 – Mooladhara Chakra (root/base)
Week 2 – Swadisthana Chakra (sacral)
Week 3 – Manipura Chakra (solar plexus)
Week 4 – Anahata Chakra (heart)
Week 5 – Vishudda Chakra (throat)
Week 6 – Ajna Chakra (3rd eye)
Week 7 – Shasrara Chakra (crown)
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* Please do feel to ask me for further clarification of the terms if necessary as that bit did get quite scientific!
References
(1) Eastern Body Western Mind, Anodea Judith (Available the Book Depository!)
(2) The Subtle Body: An encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy, Cyndi Dale (Avaliable at the Book Depository!)
