The best place to start is at the beginning! The word chakra comes from the Sanskrit meaning “wheel” or “disk”. The original indian sanskrit spelling of the word is Charka. In the west, it is normally known as Chakra, so we will be using the Western spelling. Chakras, moderators of subtle energy are traditionally depicted as lotus flowers, each resonating at different frequencies, corresponding to the colors of the rainbow. The chakras are the key to physical health, emotional stability and mental clarity. They act as conductors, filtering energy from the heavens and earth so that they can combine. The combining of these energy fields forms a chakra. It is a vortex of moving energy, which stimulates various endocrine organs in the body to secrete hormones into the blood system. The effects of hormones control our body and they affect our state of mind.
Specifics on chakra name, location and other interesting information!
located on top of head. This chakra opens the realm of higher thinking to us. Here we see the entire picture and move beyond petty details of life. This chakra is global, even universal, in its approach to situations or people. It has a spiritual dimension that teaches us to consider the origin of conflict and to see with our heart as well as our head. It is able to put things into perspective. The Sanskrit name is Sahasrara meaning thousandfold. The associated color is Violet, Gold, White and the main issues are Spirituality. The glandular connection is to the Pineal. The associated body parts are upper skull, cerebral cortex, skin. Physical dysfunctions are sensitivity to pollution, color blindness, alcoholism, nervous disorders, insomnia, chronic exhaustion, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s. This chakra has but one emotion and that is bliss. This state is described as a JOYFUL sense of the divine. Once it is experienced, it tends to negate all other emotions. A state of bliss is felt when there is no longer identification with the lower centers. This state of bliss is often called transcendence. Emotional dysfunctions are depression, obsessional thinking, and confusion.
located above and between the eyebrows. This chakra is where our mentality is formulated. It is the control center for the mind. Our intelligence can be used to create harmony or conflict. When we are at one with ourselves, we find we have few thoughts and our mind is still. When we are conflicted, we struggle with our mind, finding the best way to resolve our problems. The 6th chakra operates holistically. It views life from a more inclusive perspective and points the way to more wholesome choices. The Sanskrit name is Ajna meaning to perceive, to know. The associated color is Indigo and the main issues are intuition and wisdom. The glandular connection is to the Pituitary. The associated body parts are eyes, sinuses, base of skull and temporal lobes. Physical dysfunctions are headaches including migraines, poor vision including blindness, neurological disturbances and glaucoma. This chakra regulates our emotional responses. When a situation evokes our feelings, it is through this chakra that we decide how to respond. If we allow ourselves to feel, emotions can be experienced and disappear. If we suppress our emotions, they revert to the subconscious and block our energy. Emotional dysfunctions are nightmares, learning difficulties, hallucinations.
located centrally at the base of the neck. This chakra is controlled by the mind. When we feel comfortable in expressing ourselves, the Throat chakra is capable of expressing our truth eloquently and with grace. It is in this chakra that we tune our awareness into the higher mind, which whispers the truth to us through our inner ear. Developing a quiet mind allows us to hear the voice of spirit. The Sanskrit name is Vishuddha meaning purification. The associated color is Blue and the main issues are communication and self expression. The glandular connection is to the Thyroid and Parathyroid. The associated body parts are mouth, teeth, jaw, throat and ears. Physical dysfunctions are sore throats, neckache, cervical problems of the neck, TMJ, Gum problems, tooth decay, thyroid problems, hearing problems, tinnitus and asthma. This chakras gives expression to our emotions in word or sound. We purr when we are deeply happy, sigh when we are sad, grunt when we are angry, and close our throats down when we are afraid to say what is on our mind. It is the channel for communication and creativity. It is through the throat that we sing our JOY, say our desires for peace and love, or scream our pain away. Knowing that we have the right to communicate our feelings openly is essential for our life development. Emotional dysfunctions are perfectionism, inability to express emotions and blocked creativity.
located at the center of the chest. The heart chakra holds ideas and attitudes about our worthiness to give and receive love. The more we love ourselves and accept the wounds of human fragility, the more we begin to love others. The heart is the seat of joy. We bring healing to the heart when we allow life to be joyful and loving. The heart longs to trust in love. The Sanskrit name is Anahata meaning unstruck. The associated color is Green, Pink and the main issues are love and relationships. The glandular connection is to the Thymus. The associated body parts are the heart and chest, lungs and circulation. Physical dysfunctions are shallow breathing, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, pneumonia, chronic bronchitis and tuberculosis. The heart chakra is the center of love. It opens us to experience love for ourselves and others. It lets us feel compassion, JOY and peace. As the heart expresses love, it permeates all aspects of our life and enriches our relationships. The heart is the essence of joy. Emotional dysfunctions are co-dependency, melancholia, fears concerning loneliness, commitment and/or betrayal.
located between the navel and base of sternum. This chakra holds thoughts about power, confidence, and freedom of choice. If we fail to value ourselves, our ideas about power may be inflated or deflated, depending on how we see ourselves in relation to others. When we know who we are we cultivate power carefully and cherish our freedom to choose what is right for us. The Sanskrit name is Manipure meaning lustrous gem. The associated color is Yellow and the main issues are personal power and self will. The glandular connection is to the Pancreas. The associated body parts are the digestive system, muscles. Physical dysfunctions are stomach ulcers, indigestion, acidic stomach, fatigue, weight around stomach, allergies, and diabetes, hepatitis, and gallstones. This chakra’s emotions revolve around power. They reflect our relationship to inner strength and self-worth. These emotions help us take a stand for ourselves. If we are comfortable with our power, we will act confidently and exercise freedom of choice in most matters. If we are uncertain and doubtful about our right to our own power, we will evade situations that call for an affirmative response. Emotional dysfunctions are a need to be in control, oversensitive to criticism, addictive personality, aggressiveness, low self-esteem.
located between the lower abdomen and between navel and genitals. This chakra harbors attitudes about money, wealth, deservedness and pleasure. Sexuality has more constraints around it than any other single issue besides money. How people feel about these subjects has a direct result on their personal energy. When we have harsh ideas about pleasure, we will suffer deprivation and eventually disease. The Sanskrit name is Svadhisthana meaning sweetness. The associated color is Orange and the main issues are emotional balance and sexuality. The glandular connection is to the Ovaries and Testes. The associated body parts are the sex organs, bladder, prostate, and womb. Physical dysfunctions are impotence, frigidity, bladder and prostate problems, and lower back pain. This chakra has a less aggressive emotional response. This is the seat of pleasure and well-being. When we are not experiencing these emotions, frustration builds. When feelings emerge, they are often about what we desire or what we lack. This can be for love, sex, money, and joy. Learning to be GRATEFUL for what we have releases much of the frustration or sense of loss held in this chakra. We can learn to sublimate this energy into a balanced lifestyle that is focused on a positive emotional expression of what we have and do. Emotional dysfunctions are unbalanced sex drive, instability, and feelings of isolation.
located between the anus and the genitals. When our way of life is threatened, the Root chakra is activated and our ideas become harsh, even hateful in nature. We become defensive and cut off warm feelings to anyone or anything that threatens our home or our institutions. Knowing clearly that we belong in our community and are entitled to preserve our way of life helps to develop tolerance and compassion for strangers. The Sanskrit name is Muladhara meaning root or support. The associated color is Red and the main issues are survival and physical needs. The glandular connection is to the Adrenals. The associated body parts are the bones and skeletal structure, kidneys and blood. Physical dysfunction is Osteoarthritis, conditions which affect the feet, knees and hips, kidney stones as well as bone problems. This chakra is affected by aggression, which, if allowed to remain unexpressed, turns into anger and violence. If your life is threatened or your beliefs are attacked, these feelings will surface and stimulate the adrenaline flow into your blood, causing you to become defensive and frightened. Through discovering the emotional charge you have around you, defending your territory, you open reserves of energy you may never have realized you had, which can be used for creativity and a healthy lifestyle. Emotional dysfunctions are mental lethargy, “spaciness”, unfocused mind, incapable of stillness, and difficulty achieving goals.
This is a complex subject and the information here is just scratching the surface. There are many books available that provide more information and I invite you to continue to read and expand your knowledge. Your higher self will direct you to what you require at that time. Trust your inner voice! I will leave you with one last piece that I think sums this section up perfectly; the chakra system is a model for the flow of energy that runs through all life and through the human energy system. It is like a ladder that takes us from the physical realm of substance up through the workings of the higher mind and spirit, and into the realm of Divine Consciousness.
