Chakra System, Image copyright © Rebecca Mitchell-Guthrie and P. Biswas. The chakras are a little more complex than can be illustrated in the simple, beautiful synopsis of this image.
Chakras are energy centers in your body that are aligned with a central channel known as the Kundalini system. Kundalini is a form of primal, divine, universal energy that exists in the base root chakra. Kundalini may be awakened through spontaneous unconscious opening, yoga, meditation, and energy work. Kundalini awakening is enlightenment and bliss. Kundalini moves upward through the energy channel, through each of the seven Chakras.
The word Chakra is Sanskrit for “wheel.” Each chakra is a spinning wheel of light that corresponds to its location in the body. The chakra system corresponds to the endocrine system:
Pineal — crown
Pituitary — third eye
Thyroid — throat chakra
Thymus — heart chakra
Pancreas/spleen — solar plexus
Ovaries/testes — sacral chakra
Adrenals — root chakra
Long before anyone knew about the purpose of these organs, there was an inherent understanding of the body in this specific energetic system. Because we are energy and matter (Spirit and Body) we exist in two parallel planes. Chakras are part of the etheric plane, the energy body, the psychological, emotional and “subtle” energy body. In essence, the chakras are the psychic centers for the physical body.
Cosmic Chakras, copyright © A. Gavrilas
There are contemporary theories of the Chakra system and older historical interpretations. Some systems show 5, 12 or 16 Chakras. It is my understanding that the original purpose of Chakras was to function as a device/patterning for nyāsa. Nyāsa is the ritual placing of mantras or letters on the body through touch and visualization, thereby making the body divine. Mantras bring about powerful mystical experiences for spiritual liberation. Furthermore, the mantras that are connected with these Chakras are actually related to the Five Elements. The system of five elements are found in Vedas (ancient spiritual Hindu text), especially Ayurveda, the pancha mahabhuta, or “five great elements”, of Hinduism are bhūmi (earth), ap or jala (water), tejas or agni (fire), marut, vayu or pavan (air or wind) and vyom or shunya (space or zero) or akash (aether or void).
No matter how we understand the Chakras, they could be viewed as magnificent wheels of light waiting to be opened and ignited for bliss and enlightenment. Both the more modern interpretation and psychic understanding of the associations with each Chakra are useful for improving our esoteric, emotional and physical lives.
Ultimately, our Chakra system is a beautiful part of our amazing spiritual existence and divine right as human beings.
Copyright Rebecca Mitchell-Guthrie. Do not print for publication without permission.