Chakras

Chakra 18th Century Painting. Kangra school. Source: http://www.eng.vedanta.ru/img.php?id=21

Contained within our astral body are said to be seven major centres of consciousness, including six along the sushumna, or spinal column, and one hovering above the crown of the head. Each centre of consciousness, or chakra, corresponds to specific anatomical processes, nerve plexuses, emotional and intellectual understandings, and spiritual themes. The seven most prominent chakras are: Muladhara, Swadhistana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddhi, Ajnahata, and Sahasrara.

Chakras are seen as spinning vortexes instrumental in the flow of prana throughout the nadis: tube like energy channels located in our astral or subtle body.  Should the flow of prana be blocked or impeded, disease, illness, or imbalance to the system will likely occur. Each chakra has specific physical, mental, and spiritual characteristics which may give rise as symptoms, should a disturbance occur in the system. Being able to identify the emotional responses that may be related to a physical imbalance will acknowledge the need to honour the needs and unique prakriti, or constitution, of our body before the onset of illness or disease. The figures below are the symbols associated with each chakra, and their characteristics.

Muladhara Chakra: Base, root, or foundation

Colour: Red

Element: Earth

Sound:  Lam

Symbol: Four-petalled lotus

Located at the base of the spine in between the genitals and the anus. Muladhara is associated with basic survival needs: instinct, food, shelter, safety, financial security and sensuality.  Physiologically Muladhara is connected with the reproductive and excretory organs of  the body.  The Kundalini Shakti resides here.

Swadhisthana: Sacral or dwelling place of the Self

Colour: Orange

Element:  Water

Sound: Vam

Symbol: Six-petalled lotus

Located in the sacral plexus and corresponds to the reproductive organs, particularity those of the female.  The colour orange is given to this chakra, and is considered to have lunar qualities. Creation, joy and enthusiasm are the balanced qualities, while violent, addictive, or pleasure seeking behaviour offset the emotional needs of a well-functioning Swadhisthana chakra.

Manipura Chakra: The Solar Plexus or City of the Gems.

Colour: Yellow

Sound: Ram

Element: Fire

Symbol: Ten-pettaled lotus

Related to the digestive and metabolic systems; the Islets of Langerhans (pancreatic groups of cells); the adrenal glands and cortex which correlate to agni, our digestive fire.  Our mental, emotional, and spiritual growth is associated giving way to fearful, anxious, critical, and introverted imbalances.

Anahata Chakra: Heart Chakra

Colour: Green

Sound: Yam

Element:  Air

Symbol: Twelve-petalled lotus

Found in the cardiac plexus, or heart area.  Physiological associations include immune system, in particular the thymus, as well as the endocrine and circulatory systems.  Stress is particularly unbalancing as it affects the T-cell count.  Unconditional love, passion, devotion, and compassion will be threatened by rejection or other threats to our well-being.

Vishuddhi Chakra: Throat or Pure

Colour: Blue

Sound: Ham

Symbol: Sixteen-petalled lotus

Element: Akasha (the combined and refined qualities of air, fire, water, and earth) found in the adenoid plexus or throat area.  Communication, growth, and self-expression, independence, thought and security to spirituality are ruled by this chakra. The thyroid is also affected. The purification of our prana (air), khadya (solid food), pedya (liquids), choshya (smooth food), lehya (taste).

Ajna Chakra: Brow or third eye chakra.

Colour: Indigo

Sound: Sham

Symbol: Two-petalled lotus

Source of authority or limitless power. Found in the pineal plexus or point between the eyebrows.  The pineal gland and its production of melatonin are related to ajna chakra.  Ajna’s role is to balance our higher and lower selves, which is brought on through the passing g of the Kundalini Shakti.  Intuition and clarity are the balanced qualities. 

Sahasrara Chakra:  The Crown or Seven pettaled Lotus

Colour: Violet or white

Sound:  AUM

Symbol:  Thousand-petalled lotus

Found at the cerebral plexus, at crown of the head.  The pituitary gland, the endocrine and central nervous system through the hypothalamus, as well as the thalamus (correlating to the physical association to consciousness), are the physiological representations.  Meditation, duality, inner wisdom, as well as our physical death are associated with Sahasrara.  Self-liberation results in the culmination of the piercing of the Sahasrara by the Kundalini Shakti.