Chakras:
The energy centers of the body
Chakras are the energy centers of the human body. Although there is a difference in opinion as to the number of chakras, depending upon which school of thought is used, there is agreement on the number of seven for the basic chakras. Each of these energy centers is assigned a number, a spinal and frontal location, a color and an element. There are also specific personality traits and powers connected with each when the Kundalini energy has risen from the lower chakra to the highest.
The study of the chakra system is centuries old in Eastern religions and spiritual schools, though Western mysticism has studied it for only the past one hundred years. The energy that is located in the chakras and throughout the body is referred to as “chi” in Eastern thought and can be worked with to intensify the energy for balance in the body.
Here is a brief description of each of the seven basic chakras:
- Root chakra: Located at the coccyx, or tailbone, this chakra’s color is red or orange-red and its element is the earth. This chakra grounds us, connecting our energy with that of the planet. This promotes good self image when in balance. Out of balance sensations can include the feeling of nothing to hold on to or being out of touch with gravity, that “spacey” feeling. Astrally, the root chakra represents the beginning of entry into the world of pure intelligence. Also known as the sex chakra, the root chakra affects the gonads (ovaries and testicles).
- Spleen chakra: Located at the navel, this chakra’s color is orange and its element is fire. This chakra governs sight and affects the Leyden gland. In balance, this chakra allows peaceful and calm but colorful emotions. Being over emotional or having a very attached love can result from an imbalance. Astrally, the powers include being sensitive to astral influences, memory feelings, and some recalling of astral traveling.
- Solar plexus: This chakra’s color is yellow and is located just above the waist. Its primary power is manifestation of our hopes and desires into the physical plane. In balance, it provides flexibility with energies and allows us to be open to changes and growth. Out of balance, we feel stuck and are afraid to let new things manifest in our lives. Astrally, the solar plexus chakra allows us to sense coming changes and their appropriateness in our lives.
- Heart chakra: Green represents compassion, healing, and the intuitiveness when balanced. Unbalanced, a person can be hard-hearted and unfeeling, closed to people and prone to despair. Located in the center of the chest, the heart chakra’s element is air and it affects the thymus gland.
- The throat chakra, in the center of the throat, has silvery blue as its color. It’s power deals with sounds and affects the thyroid. Balanced, it provides reason and logic; unbalanced, the throat chakra’s energies can lead to a rigid and non-accepting attitude of views that differ from one’s own. Often, these can lead to angry words. Its element is the ether and its powers include clairaudience, astral sounds and music.
- Third eye: Located between the eyebrows above the nose, this chakra has indigo, a blue-purple, for its color. Its element is the mind and it affects the pituitary gland. Cognition is the power and it gives ride to brotherhood, creative thinking, and a larger view of life, the “big picture” so to say. The third eye astrally links us to the Akashic Records wherein all our thoughts, words, and deeds are recorded on the skeins of time for all eternity. These records can be accessed when the need arises through meditation and/or past life regression with the permission of the Higher Self or Guardian Angel. Astrally, the third eye powers include seeing geometric shapes (which may be the receiving of advanced information), colors and visions as well as hearing the voice of one’s Higher Self. An imbalance can lead to narrow-mindedness, egotism, and a wish to control others.
- Crown chakra: Located at the top of the head, the golden white color of this chakra represents the element of Spirit and it’s power is the ability to allow Spirit to speak through. The gland affected is the pineal. Balanced, the crown chakra allows one to feel a oneness with all and provides cosmic understanding. An imbalance can cause one to put down feelings and to be alienated from life. The crown chakra astrally allows one to “leave” the body in full consciousness, promotes a greater understanding of life, and leads to perfecting astral functions.
Through meditation and certain energy exercises, the chakras can become cleansed of the blockages that occur during normal life and a gentle, gradual opening of the chakras can occur. Sometimes, these chakras are opened through ritual, as when a Reiki attunement is performed that permits a person to access and channel the Universal Life Force used in Reiki healing. This kind of chakra opening should be attempted only by someone well versed in energies and metaphysical procedures. A sudden or forced opening of the chakras can lead to great physical, mental and emotional distress to the person. A gentle and gradual opening of the chakras at the appropriate time, however, allows the Kundalini energy to rise from the root chakra to the crown chakra in one movement.
Kundalini energy is coiled at the base of the spine. Its release has been likened to waves, flames, or pulsations. When the energy is released, the Kundalini moves up the spine through the crown chakra and out the top of the head, mixing with the spiritual energies.
According to Genevieve Paulson, author of “Kundalini and the Chakras”, a person may release this energy in several layers at one time and may feel absolutely wonderful for days with extra energy, strength, and understanding. Most people, however, experience a cleansing of one or more blockages after this feeling and begin to work through difficult things in her life. She may wonder where she “messed up” in her spiritual growth, but the truth is that this is the usual pattern of Kundalini cleansing and nothing has gone wrong.
When energy blocks are present, the rising energy goes to work immediately to cleanse and remove the blocks, which are usually caused by old or locked in attitudes and feelings or old emotional or mental scars. People who have improper posture or have suffered injuries may also have blocks. People who have cared for their bodies and raised their spiritual awareness will accomplish cleansing quickly and experience the beauty of the rising of energy. In most people it can takes years, so do not be discouraged if that is the case with you. The energy system of the body must be ready and able to support this powerful force for it to occur.
Once Kundalini cleansing is begun, there is no returning to the previous condition, and who would want to? The clarity and joy that comes at the completion is more than worth any amount of angst that may occur during the process. Do not expect the cleansing to happen overnight; in some cases it may take as long as twenty to twenty-five years to complete the process. Considering the intensity of the psychic and spiritual gifts that unfold during the process, it is a good thing that the process takes time, for time is needed to adjust to the many changes involved and the insights and advanced teachings and knowledge that become available.
According to Paulson, it is necessary in each lifetime to relearn control and use of the energy. This is a primary purpose of childhood when children need behavior and attitude guidance to learn to control and use their energies appropriately. Not mastering this control leads to a lifetime of problems with daily life and impedes further spiritual growth.
For more information, I suggest going to your favorite bookstore to find books on the subject of the chakras and the Kundalini energy. You may find that the sources may seem to differ in areas, but the basic information will be sound. Keep the information that resonates and bless the information that doesn’t. As you grow and advance in your metaphysical studies, you may someday resonate to that which you at first rejected. After all, as I have said before, timing is everything!
