The Seven Chakras

 
CHAKRA EXPLAINED :-

The word Chakra is a Sanksrit word meaning “wheel” or “circle”, and it refers to the individual circular spinning wheels of energy located throughout the body.
The Chakra System is a complex network of energy channels connecting these wheels and is mapped throughout the whole body, much like a spiritual nervous system. There are 7 main and biggest Chakras which are found running alongside the spine (not actually in the spine).
The Chakra System helps to explain the movement of this life force or “energy”, and can help us understand ourselves. Working with your chakras and balancing them can help in many ways from curing ailments, to improving our emotional states, or even unblock limitations to financial success in our life.

INTRODUCTION :-

They start at the perineum (the space between the genitals and anus), and then run up in a straight line to the top of the head. The top most chakra is in fact just outside of the body above the top of the head. Each chakra is said to vibrate at a different frequency and is associated with a particular color, very handy for chakra meditations where you can visualize the colors. They are also each associated with certain emotions and organs and their function.

THE SEVEN CHAKRAS ( LIFE FORCE ENERGY CENTERS ) ARE –

1) Root Chakra (Muladhara)
2) Sacral Chakra (Svadisthana)
3) Navel/Solar plexus Chakra (Manipura)
4) Heart Chakra (Anahata)
5) Throat Chakra (Vishudha)
6) Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
7) Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)

BASIC PRINCIPLES AND FEATURES :-

1) ROOT CHAKRA (MULADHARA) –

The root chakra represents our foundation.The word ‘mula’ in Sanskrit means ‘root’,while adhara means ‘support’.
In 7 chakra system,this is the first energy center in sequential order.when this chakra is open ,we feel confident in our ability to withstand challenges & stand on our own feet in life ,however if it is blocked ,we feel threatened,as if we are standing on unstable ground.

• LOCATION- Base of spine ( in tail bone area)

• WHAT IT CONTROLS- Survival issues such as financial independence (money issues), stability in life in both personal & work related.

• MANTRA-‘I can’t grow from an unsteady foundation’.

• COLOUR- Red

• ELEMENT- Earth ( इसका बीजाक्षर है – “लं” )

• STONE- Hematite.

• WHEN IT DEVELOPS- 1-7 years old

• AFFIRMATION- ‘As I strengthen my bond with God’s divine energy’.
I am peaceful,protected & secure have primal physical survival instincts.I am grounded like a tree,stable as a bedrock & standing on my own two feet.I am on a true path for this life . I LOVE LIFE.
Here,all yoga practices, including the physical postures, breathing techniques as well as chanting(chakra affirmations), and of course, meditation are methods of cleaning and balancing the Chakra System. So balance your life and keep affirming to heal.

2) SACRAL CHAKRA (Svadisthana) –

The sacral chakra responsible for how we relate to our emotions &emotions of others.In sanskrit ‘Svadisthana’ stands for ‘dwelling place of the self’.It is the the second energy center in the body which governs our relationship with change,creativity & sexual energy.It is where our deepest desires are located,where we hold our creative potential to entact change and beauty in the world when this chakra is unblocked ,however if it is blocked it could lead to feeling of lack of control in their lives.

• LOCATION- Lower abdomen,about 2 inches below the navel

• WHAT IT CONTROLS-Your sense of abundance,well-being,pleasure & sexuality.

• MANTRA-‘I always honour others but not before myself’.

• COLOUR-Orange.

• ELEMENT- Water( चक्र का बीज मंत्र है – “वं”) .

• STONE- Tiger’s Eye.

• WHEN IT DEVELOPS- 8-14 years old.

• AFFIRMATION- ‘As I strengthen my bond with God’s divine energy’.
I have the capacity to feel ,to learn & experiencethe world through my senses.I have a natural joyful experience of sexuality& the sensual side of life.I connect with others without loosing who I am . My sexuality is sacred.I am passionate.I feel sense of abundance.
‘I am a sensual and creative being’.

3) NAVEL/SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA (Manipura)-

It is the 3rd energy center which is associated with our ‘sense of self esteem,sense of purpose,personal identity,will,digestion & metabolism.In Sanskrit ‘Manipura’ stands for ‘Lustrous gem of the city’.When it is open and in alignment then person will be comfortable with own inherent power&also become empowered.there is sense of who you are and why are you here.Ultimately,the dependence on external source of happiness will become less significant in ones life,however if it is blocked it will cause feeling of powerless,stagnation or quick to anger,victim mentality,lack of direction,poor self esteem,etc. on mental sphere & various physical issues are observed (like IBS,diabetes,liver&pancreas issues,defective assimilation,etc.)

• LOCATION- Upper abdomen ( in the stomach area )

• WHAT IT CONTROLS- our ‘sense of self esteem,will,self-worth,self-confidence,digestion& metabolism.

• MANTRA- ‘Self -love starts when I accept all parts of myself’.

• COLOUR- Yellow.

• ELEMENT- Fire(चक्र का बीज मंत्र है- “रं” ).

• STONE- Amber

• WHEN IT DEVELOPS- 15-21 years old.

• AFFIRMATION- ‘As I strengthen my bond with God’s divine energy’.
I have the ability to be confident and control my life as per my will,have respect for the emotions of others.I am positively empowered and successful in all my ventures.I feel tranquility and great purpose and passion for life.I am a responsible being (‘I AM AUTHENTIC’).

4) HEART CHAKRA (Anahata) –

In Sanskrit, “anahata” means unhurt, unstruck and unbeaten. It is the fourth primary chakra and serves as our center of love for oneself and others, compassion, empathy and forgiveness. The anahata chakra is associated with unconditional love, compassion, and joy. It is the source of deep and profound truths that cannot be expressed in words. When it is open and in alignment then person will feel surrounded by love, compassion, and joy and connected to the world around you. You will feel open to all experiences in life, and it will feel like challenges, especially in relationships, flow through you and are resolved with ease. An open heart chakra allows us to see all of the beauty and love around us, and truly connect to ourselves, our loved ones, and the natural world. This chakra also helps direct love back to ourselves to truly be able to love and accept ourselves and our bodies.However if the heart chakra becomes blocked, you’ll notice the opposite, both physically(heart chakra directly affects the heart, lungs, chest, arms, and hands. When misaligned, poor circulation, high or low blood pressure, and other heart and lung conditions can result)and mentally too.

• LOCATION- Centre of chest,just above the heart.

• WHAT IT CONTROLS- Love for oneself and others, compassion, empathy and forgiveness.

• MANTRA- ‘When I love myself,loving others comes easily’.

• COLOUR- Green.

• ELEMENT- Air ( चक्र का बीज मंत्र है – “यं” )

• STONE- Rose Quartz.

• WHEN IT DEVELOPS- 21-28 years old.

• AFFIRMATION-‘As I strengthen my bond with God’s divine energy’.
I feel compassion and empathy for the pain and struggles of others,have the willingness and ability to forgive ,let go resentment,to be able to heal emotionally.I rejoice in the joy,success,abundance and good health of others.I courageously,effortlessly and unconditionally give and receive love (I am eternally loved).

5) THROAT CHAKRA (Vishudha)-

In Sanskrit, “Vishudha” means ‘especially pure’. It is the fifth primary chakra and serves as the “tollbooth between the emotions and the mind.” You can think of it as the path of communication between the lower chakras to the higher ones. This chakra is associated with speaking up and expressing yourself, but also with hearing and being heard. Philosophically, the vishuddha chakra is associated with truth, clarity, and responsibility. The throat chakra works in conjunction with the svadhisthana chakra(creativity). In order for those creative ideas to flourish and manifest they have to have a way to express themselves. That’s where the vishuddha comes in.When throat chakra is open and balanced, you will find that you are not only able to speak fearlessly and with compassion, but you will also be open to listening to and hearing others. However if throat chakra is blocked ,emotionally often associated with the inability to speak, feelings of depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem. This may be worsened by being unable to express those feelings and on physical level it is expressed by Thyroid problem,hoarseness,sore throat,sores in the mouth or tongue,gum disease,ear&Sinus infections,etc.

• LOCATION- Throat region, near the spine(with its superficial activation point in the pit of the throat).

• WHAT IT CONTROLS- Communication,self expression and truth.

• MANTRA- ‘I speak my truth always’.

• COLOUR- Light blue / Turquoise.

• ELEMENT- Sound/Music ( बीज मंत्र है – “हं” )

• STONE- Aquamarine.

• WHEN IT DEVELOPS- 29-35years old.

• AFFIRMATION- ‘As I strengthen my bond with God’s divine energy’.
I have mastered creative expression through speaking,writing,artistry or thought.I listen to hear.I take responsibilityfor my own needsand positive thoughts,I express myself effectively and honestly(I express mygratitude towards life).

6) THIRD EYE CHAKRA (Ajna) –

In Sanskrit, “Ajna” means “perceive,” “command” or “beyond wisdom”. It is the sixth primary chakra which is associated with higher knowledge, intuition, imagination and visualization and what you might think of as your sixth sense. The third eye helps you perceive a cosmic vision beyond the physical world that your eyes can see. It connects you to your intuition and illuminates everything as it is without the filter of your past, your expectations, or your judgment . When Ajna is functioning well, you trust your inner wisdom. When it’s blocked, you feel close-minded. The imbalance is mostly likely to present itself physically within the brain and eyes (eg.- eye strain, headaches, migraines, dizziness, clogged sinuses, memory loss, anxiety, confusion, insomnia or nightmares,etc.) You may also feel stuck in the day-to-day. Without the guidance of your inner wisdom, you may be unable to look beyond immediate problems and your own opinions. When you are thus out of balance, you may have difficulty seeing the bigger picture. You may feel mentally, foggy, anxious, or depressed.

• LOCATION- Forehead between the eyes.

• WHAT IT CONTROLS- Higher knowledge, intuition, imagination and visualization and what you might think of as your sixth sense.

• MANTRA- ‘I am open to exploring what cannot be seen’.

• COLOUR- Purple/dark blue.

• STONE- Amethyst.

• WHEN IT DEVELOPS- 36-42 years old.

• ELEMENT- Light ( चक्र के दो अक्षर और दो बीज मंत्र हैं – ह और क्ष )

• AFFIRMATION- ‘As I strengthen my bond with God’s divine energy’.
I have developed and focused my sixth sense so that it can bring my idea into a reality.I have keen perception,intuitive reasoning and spiritual vision.I am open to inspiration and bliss.(I am turned into God’s Divine Wisdom).

7) CROWN CHAKRA (Sahasrara) –

In Sanskrit, “Sahasrara” means “thousand-petaled” and represents a thousand-petaled lotus flower. It is the seventh primary chakra which is associated with ‘the element of thought, this energy center controls your connection to spirit, as well as your sense of universal consciousness, wisdom, unity, and self-knowledge’. The crown chakra is also the gateway to super-consciousness— a state of being where it is no longer possible to experience yourself as separate from anything or anyone. When our crown chakra is aligned, you are ready to let go of misunderstandings about who you are and why you are here.However, When your crown chakra is blocked, you may experience some mental signs (eg.- Confusion, a lack of connection to the world, hyper spiritualization, poor mental functioning, lack of focus,etc.).

• LOCATION- The very top of the head.

• WHAT IT CONTROLS- Sense of universal consciousness, wisdom, unity, and self-knowledge.

• MANTRA- ‘I am a vessel for love and light’

• ELEMENT- Divine Consciousness (बीज मंत्र – ॐ)

• STONE- Clear quartz

• COLOUR- Violet/White.

• WHEN IT DEVELOPS- 43-49years old.

• AFFIRMATION- ‘As I strengthen my bond with God’s divine energy’.
I accept my responsibility and make decisions that are balanced and support my spiritual growth.I am receptive to the spiritual growth.I am receptive to the spiritual connections.I feel the energy move through me,energizing every cell of my body.I pray to hear the guidance and be receptive to the divine will.

Contributor – Dr. Apurva Varangi