A beginner’s guide to Energy systems

What Should You Know About Chakras

The seven energy centers that govern our life.

Being born and brought up in India, I have grown up learning the concepts of chakras. My grandfather was a profound spiritual Yogi who spent more than six hours daily in his spiritual endeavors. Due to tender age and limited intellect, I wasn’t able to understand much what he did.

But he always tried to explain to me the knowledge of chakras in the most simplified way. And as time passed, I garnered many spiritual experiences by practically implementing that knowledge of chakras.

So, I’ll also use the same simplicity to put forward this secret of chakras so that you don’t need any prior knowledge or preparation to understand it.

Chakras 101

“Chakra” is a Sanskrit word for wheel. They represent a series of energy centers (known as prana in Sanskrit) within the body.

However, they aren’t as physical or tangible as the internal organs and can’t be seen with our naked eye. No science equipment or technology can either be used to identify or perceive them.

The one possessing the “spiritual eye of wisdom” or often referred to as “the third eye,” can only see them or feel them.

But don’t get disheartened.

Through regular practice and constant awareness can help you attain that stage.

According to spirituality, everyone possesses a subtle body overlapping the physical one. It’s also called the “astral body” or the “metaphysical body.” The quality of the subtle inner body defines the quality of our reality.

Besides, the science of “chromotherapy” (originated from the ancient Ayurvedic principles in India) is based on the concept that our body consists of seven chakras or wheels. It was first mentioned in the ancient Indian sacred texts of spiritual knowledge (called Vedas) back in 500 BC. In short, chakras can also be seen as the inner machinery of the human body.

Ever since then, spiritual Yogis and spiritual aspirants have tried to explain chakras' concept through their enlightenment experiences.

Seven chakras in the body run along the spine, starting from its base extending up to the head's crown.

Each of the chakras is associated with a color. Colors affect our body; physically, emotionally, and spiritually and so they can be used to heal the body, soul, and mind.

These chakras are referred to as the “energy centers” because they govern our spiritual, emotional, and physical health.

Have you ever felt that some of the colors or stones impart you joy while some make you feel powerful?

The reason is because of the chakras within you. Each color of the chakra is responsible for the way you feel and behave. Also, every chakra has a specific frequency that activates them whenever a resonating frequency touches it.

Why Do We Need to Know the Knowledge of Chakras

The energy of our thoughts, memories, feelings, experiences, and deeds are stored in the chakras. As a result, chakras gives us the ability to manifest our thoughts, desires, beliefs into a reality.

Surprisingly, even death can not erase that energy stored within; it carries forward with the soul in the next birth, and that’s why we say that “everything has a consequence.” Due to this fact, the chakras are the life forces that influence our mindset, behavior, physical and emotional health.

I love how Natalie Southgate, a renowned energy healer and a trained therapist quotes:

“When we make a commitment to creating a balanced and healthy chakra system, we are making a commitment to holistic and ultimate health.”

So, let’s dig in.

Starting in the order of ascension, they are as follows:

#1. The Base Chakra / Root Chakra

Color of The Chakra: Red

Location of the Chakra: Base of the Spine

Responsibility of the Chakra: Survival, safety, physical identity, stability

This chakra represents the prehistoric aspect of us being a human. It governs our survival by empowering us to accommodate food and shelter. Our attitude of “survival of the fittest,” our individuality concerns, safety protocols — all are because of this root chakra.

Besides, it regulates our fighting spirit and an intense desire to become “number one” in all the fields of our life.

However, lacking these “survival powers” signals that this chakra is blocked.

#2. The Sacral Chakra

Color of The Chakra: Orange

Location of the Chakra: Lower abdomen, lower back, reproductive organs

Responsibility of the Chakra: Creativity, pleasure, sexuality

The Sacral chakra, sitting just above the genitals, is responsible for our creativity and sexual instincts. After succeeding to survive (through the base/root chakra), humans proceed to the next step of survival by procreating.

This chakra is connected with our feelings revolving around our self-worth like creativity, pleasure, and sexuality. Blockage of the Sacral chakra will make your life sad, gloomy, and devoid of all the fun and adventure.

#3. The Solar Plexus Chakra

Color of The Chakra: Yellow

Location of the Chakra: Above the abdomen between navel and sternum

Responsibility of the Chakra: Will power, personal power, self-esteem, self-confidence

The Solar Plexus chakra is responsible for our societal status. Regulating the personal power of will and confidence through this chakra, humans establish their dominance over themselves and on others.

In a nutshell, the Solar Plexus is related to the prestige of an individual in society.

Pause and Ponder

Before we proceed to the next chakras, it’s inevitable to know that almost everyone (90% of the human population) has these first three chakras on an active mode.

The first three chakras are relating to the body and carnal energies while the next four chakras pertain to divinity.

The first three chakras are ruled by ego while the next four are regulated by virtues.

I have met plenty of Yogis at the Kumbh Mela and different pilgrim places in India and there’s a common note from almost all the spiritual yogis that there’s a demarcation between the lowermost three chakras and the topmost four. It is also mentioned in the Vedic scriptures.

Besides, it is fascinating to note that a white light descending from the Almighty passes through the topmost four chakras and is stopped by the gray line of separation. This fact separates the carnal from the divine.

Hence the chakras are divided into two parts:

1. Matter: The first three chakras (i.e., Root, Sacral, and Solar Plexus)
2. Spirit: The next four chakras (i.e., Heart, Throat, Brow, and Crown)

#4. The Heart Chakra: The Connection Between the Matter and Spirit

Color of The Chakra: Green

Location of the Chakra: Center of the body (at heart level)

Responsibility of the Chakra: Unconditional love, healing, compassion, kindness

This chakra installs a feeling of universal brotherhood.

Through this chakra, we experience that the real emotions of joy, compassion, kindness, and love reside in one’s heart.

It's also imperative to note that blockages in the heart chakra can manifest into physical heart problems like asthma, blood pressure, and obesity.

#5. The Throat Chakra

Color of The Chakra: Light Blue

Location of the Chakra: Base of the throat

Responsibility of the Chakra: Communication, truth, self-expression

Our ability to express our emotions and feelings are because of this throat chakra.

In spirituality, one can express best when one observes silence. When the throat chakra becomes powerful, one does not need a medium to communicate. By losing oneself to the Almighty, one becomes a transparent medium for communicating higher consciousness knowledge. One can even transmit messages across large distances through the power of vibrations.

However, blockages in this chakra can create physical discomfort in communication. Owing to a weak Throat chakra, one often indulges in dominating conversations, gossiping, speaking ill of others, etc.

#6. The Brow Chakra / Third Eye

Color of The Chakra: Indigo

Location of the Chakra: Forehead (between and slightly above the eyebrows)

Responsibility of the Chakra: Intuition, imagination, intellectual insights

As the Brow chakra is located on the forehead, it's responsible for all the brain's problems like headaches, concentration problems, etc.

Besides, this chakra also regulates the intellectual and intuitive powers of an individual. An individual with an activated Brow chakra can foresee things of the future through their intuitive abilities.

Through this chakra, one can implement the knowledge of omniscience (i.e., Trikaldarshi in Sanskrit — The Karmic law of the past, present, and the future) and perform a higher level of Kama. (elevated deeds)

#7. The Crown Chakra

Color of The Chakra: White or Violet

Location of the Chakra: Top of the head

Responsibility of the Chakra: Spiritual life, connection with the divine, sense of oneness, true pure consciousness, transcendence

The Crown chakra helps us attain “pure awareness” or the “Mahasamadhi” stage of consciousness. Through this stage, one can break free of bodily chains' bondage and enter the incorporeal realm.

When this chakra is activated or open, all the other chakras remain open and brings bliss and enlightenment.

However, a blocked Crown chakra makes the person stubborn and narrow-minded. One may also lose the spiritual connection with the almighty, too, as they lose the spiritual purpose of their life. (i.e., to connect with the divine father)

Can We Unblock These Chakras

The good news is “YES.”

The simplest ways to create a balance in these chakras are:

1. Yogic Mudra Postures
2. Breathing exercises to encourage the flow of energy.
3. Meditative and mindful techniques.
4. Working with colorful crystals
5. Some Specific type of chants and music

P.S: I will be explaining these unblocking techniques and procedures in the upcoming parts of this Chakra Series.

Takeaways

The chakra system aids us in building a correlation between human anatomy and metaphysical energy. Through the knowledge of chakras, we can establish a bridge between the physical and the astral body.

The chakra also reminds us of our infinite powers that reside within us. By harnessing our chakras' power, we can remain healthy and happy irrespective of our material possessions.

Hence, chakras are the spiritual steps towards a higher consciousness to understand a new dimension of reality.

This story is the first of the “Chakra Series.”

Stay tuned for the next one in which I will talk about the “Root Chakra” — its health associations, healing techniques, and meditative commentary for strengthening it.