Chakras. We’ve all heard about them and maybe even seen the beautiful illustrated charts of colorful circles that run down the center of our body. Yet, are chakras real? Do these energy centers exist as actual openings through which our vital life force ebbs and flows?
It could be argued that our entire bodies are a unified energy field, inseparable from the earth’s energy field. But, in Taoist, Hindu, Buddhist and other Eastern belief systems, it is generally accepted that there exist areas in the human anatomy known as plexuses or bundles–of arteries, veins and nerves– where the life force or energy is more concentrated. We call these areas chakras, derived from the Sanskrit word for wheel or circle.
In many Eastern traditions, this circle represents the endless flow of energy and in some instances in the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Most traditions identify seven distinct chakras, from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Each chakra has its own energy pattern, color vibration, and psycho-emotional correlates. The chakra centers are located along the centerline of the body, running up the spine and down the front of the body.
Western tradition associates each chakra with a distinct color and psycho-emotional patterns. Author Caroline Myss describes chakras as filters for energy recordings of every experience and every thought you have in your life.
In this series we will discuss what chakras are, where they are located in your body, signs of chakra misalignment and how you can access your chakras to heal yourself and energize your life.
The Seven Chakras
There are an infinite number of centers or ‘vortexes’ of energy in the physical as well as the ethereal human body and aura. Traditionally, there are 7 commonly recognized Major Chakras, each with a distinct character that relates to some aspect of consciousness and physical health:
First/Root Chakra – Survival issues, money, food, shelter, financial independence. Represents our foundation and feeling of being grounded.
Location: Base of spine, tailbone
Color: Red
Emotional Aspects: Birthright, ability to deal with tasks related to the material and physical world, self-defense, self-esteem and personal and emotional security issues.and personal and emotional security issues.
Second/Sacral Chakra – Our connection and ability to accept others and new experiences.
Location: Lower abdomen, about 2 inches below the navel and 2 inches inward toward spine.
Color: Scarlet/Orange Red
Emotional Aspects: Feelings, sensory and sensual perception. Being in tune with our feelings and intuition. Social and intimacy issues. Desire, pleasure, sexuality, procreation, creativity.
Third/Solar Plexus Chakra – Our ability to be confident and in-control of our lives.
Location: Upper abdomen, thorax.
Color: Orange
Emotional Aspects: Self-worth, self-confidence, self-esteem. Personal power–The right to think. Balance of intellect, self-confidence and ego power. Ability to have self-control and humor.
Fourth/Heart Chakra – Our ability to love.
Location: Center of chest just above heart.
Color: Golden Yellow
Emotional Aspects: Love, joy, inner peace. Relationships. The right to love and be loved. Forgiveness, compassion, self-love. Self-control. Self acceptance.
Fifth/Throat Chakra – Our ability to communicate.
Location: Throat.
Color: Blue
Green
Emotional Aspects: Communication, self-expression of feelings, the truth. Voice in relationships, the right to speak. Learning to express oneself and one’s beliefs (truthful expression). Ability to trust. Loyalty. Organization and planning.
Sixth/Brow or Third Eye Chakra – Our ability to focus on and see the big picture.
Location: Forehead, between the eyes at bridge of nose.
Color: Indigo
Emotional Aspects: Intuition, imagination, wisdom, ability to think and make decisions. The right to “see.” Trusting one’s intuition and insights. Developing one’s psychic abilities. Self-realization. Releasing hidden and repressed negative thoughts.
Seventh/Crown Chakra – The highest Chakra represents our ability to be fully connected spiritually and to our awakened consciousness.
Location: Crown of the head.
Color: Violet
Emotional Aspects: Inner and outer beauty, our connection to spirituality, pure bliss.
Next Week: Accessing your chakras for bliss and balance.