Chakra
Chakras are theoretical energy centers within the body, a concept rooted in East Indian religion and spirituality. Traditionally, there are seven main chakras, each linked to specific physical, emotional, and spiritual attributes. These chakras are categorized into two groups: those associated with the physical realm and those connected to spirituality, with the heart chakra serving as the bridge between the two. The chakras are believed to influence various aspects of life, including health, behavior, and relationships, and each one has unique characteristics, colors, elements, and governing celestial bodies. For instance, the root chakra, located at the base of the spine, is associated with survival instincts, while the crown chakra, positioned at the top of the head, represents enlightenment and the connection to higher consciousness. Techniques like yoga and meditation are often employed to open and balance these energy centers, promoting overall well-being. Each chakra's state—whether overactive or underactive—is thought to manifest specific behavioral traits, highlighting the interconnectedness of physical and emotional health. Understanding chakra theory can provide insights into personal development and the pursuit of balance within oneself.
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Chakra
A concept originating in East Indian religion and spirituality, a chakra is a theoretical energy center located within the body. Traditional models have identified seven main chakras, each purported to have specific properties that wield unique influences over the body, mind, and spirit. According to the religious and spiritual systems to which the concept is native, chakras can also be subdivided into two broad categories: chakras of matter and chakras of spirituality. Three main chakras belong to each of these two categories, with one chakra serving as a bridge between the physical and the spiritual.
Basics
The word chakra is derived from an ancient Sanskrit term meaning disk or wheel. According to proponents of chakra theory, a range of techniques can be applied to open and balance the chakras, including yoga and meditation. Each of the seven chakras is associated with a specific organ or body part, and chakra theory postulates that their proper balance, openness, and alignment are essential for optimal health. All seven chakras also have particular colors, celestial bodies, senses, and elements associated with them, which are believed to provide further insights into their properties, governance, and alignment.
Seven Main Chakras
The first of the seven main chakras is known as the root chakra or, in Sanskrit, muladhara. Its color is red, and it is located at the base of the spine. Earth is the element associated with the root chakra, and it is linked to the sense of smell and the planet Mars. According to chakra theory, the root chakra represents the instinctive urge for survival and is said to be the fundamental source of human vitality.
The second chakra is the sacral chakra, or swadhishthana. Orange in color, it is located in the vicinity of the pubic bone. Water is its associated element, and it governs the sense of taste and is linked to the planet Mercury. The sacral chakra is said to be the source of balance between a person's internal perception of themselves and external perception of other people and the world at large. It is held to be the fundamental source of all human relationships and governs the ego, with strong influences on sexuality and empathy.
The third chakra is the solar plexus chakra, or navel chakra, called manipura. It is yellow and is centered just above the navel. Associated with fire, the sense of sight, and the planet Jupiter, the solar plexus chakra is held to be the source of an individual's personal power and is the node through which all energy in the body is routed. Creativity, happiness, and willpower are all said to originate from the solar plexus chakra.
The fourth chakra is the heart chakra, or anahata. It is green or pink and is located in the center of the chest. The heart chakra is associated with the element air, the sense of sight, and the planet Venus. Love, compassion for others, inner harmony, and devotion are all said to stem from the heart chakra.
The fifth chakra is the throat chakra, or vishuddha. Light blue in color, the throat chakra is centered in the middle of the throat, near the Adam's apple. Its governing element is ether, or unseen matter, and its planet is Saturn. Associated with the sense of hearing, the throat chakra serves as the center of sound, communication, self-expression, and an individual's ability to express the highest truths they have come to understand.
The sixth chakra is usually called the third eye chakra and is based in the center of the forehead. According to East Indian spiritual tradition, the third eye is a source of extrasensory perception that allows a person to see beyond the physical and peer into the realms of the spiritual, mystical, and emotional. Called ajna in Sanskrit, the third eye chakra is indigo in color and serves as a kind of sixth sense. Associated with the element of light, the third eye chakra is governed by the sun rather than a planet. It is held to be the source of intuition and spiritual awakening, enabling humans to tap into their ability to empathize with others and forgive their transgressions and wrongdoings.
The seventh and final chakra is the crown chakra, or sahasrara. Its governing element is the spirit, and its planet is Pluto. The crown chakra is not associated with any specific sense. Rather, it serves as the pinnacle of enlightenment and is believed to be the gateway to the apex of human consciousness. It serves a function of integration and is believed to be the means through which people can tap into and align all six other chakras. The idea that people are spiritual beings living a physical existence is found in many East Indian religious traditions, and according to these belief systems, it is the crown chakra that enables humans to achieve their understanding of the implications of this all-important principle.
According to the physical-spiritual model of classifying chakras, the root, sacral, and solar plexus chakras belong to the realm of the physical, while the throat, third eye, and crown chakras belong to the realm of the spiritual. The heart chakra is the energy center that provides the bridge between the two.
When one or more chakras are overactive or underactive in a particular person, that person is said to exhibit detectable behavioral characteristics. For example, someone with an overactive sacral chakra is said to be excessively sexual and quickly forms unhealthy emotional bonds with others, while someone with an underactive sacral chakra is said to be deficient in emotion and not receptive to forming relationships with other people.
Some East Indian spiritual and religious texts also reference what are usually called secret chakras and minor chakras. Proponents believe that secret chakras can be accessed only when a person's seven main chakras are in perfect alignment, while minor chakras, said to be located in the legs, correspond to primal, untamed instincts.
Bibliography
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