The term chakra, which literally means “wheel” in Sanskrit, refers to one of the seven points within this energy system. Each energy point acts like a wheel, rotating and vibrating with energy. This chakra system incorporates six main chakras along with a seventh center that is not generally considered a chakra. The most common and studied chakra system is composed of six main chakras, each of which has its own unique characteristics and functions.
The first chakra, the mūlādhāra, is located at the base of the spine and is associated with the human qualities of individuality, selfishness, physicality (including sexuality), materialism and dominance. The second chakra, the svādhiṣṭhāna, is located in the lower abdomen and is associated with the human qualities of affection, suspicion, disdain, illusion, destructiveness and lack of mercy. The third chakra, the maṇipūraka, is located in the solar plexus and is associated with the human qualities of courage, fearlessness, determination and self-confidence. The fourth chakra, the anāhata, is located in the heart and is associated with the human qualities of love, compassion and empathy.
The fifth chakra, the viśuddha, is located in the throat and is associated with the human qualities of communication and expression. The sixth chakra, the ājñā, is located between the eyebrows and is associated with the human qualities of intuition and wisdom. The seventh chakra, sahasrāra, is located at the top of the head and is associated with enlightenment. The physical body has a connection to each of these seven upper chakras through nerve plexuses along the spinal cord and in the skull. Yoga teacher and author Jessamyn Stanley writes in The New York Times that modern Western society has no respect for the esoteric or spiritual at all, which makes people skeptical about any alignment of yoga as practiced in the West with chakras or spirituality.
However, as with most other concepts derived from Sanskrit sources, Westerners (except for a handful of scholars) have almost completely failed to understand what the concept of chakras meant in its original context and how one is supposed to practice with them. The ego was subdued in the sixth chakra but can still persist and become large and powerful enough to make a yogi a danger to society. In a post-biblical text from the 13th century called Śāradā-tilaka there is a simpler version of this seven-chakra system, although that text clearly recognizes that there are multiple chakra systems (such as 12 or 16 chakra systems). When Cronus was worshiped as God of time, mass consciousness remembered this Muladhara chakra with its new concern for time, past and future, dates and records. Those who live in this foot chakra steal freely taking what they justify as their own anyway feeling that the world “owes them their lives”.The Kundalini chakras are described as being aligned in an ascending column from the base of the spine to the top of the head.
This chakra creates six mental modifications which lead us to psychological complications represented by affection suspicion disdain illusion destructiveness and lack of mercy. Shiva like Itara Lingam symbolizes this state in which desires of lower chakras are attenuated because subtle mind (sukshma manas) is under control and masculine-female energies are in balance. The chakras are located along the spine and influence different nervous systems organs and glands with their energy. Through yogic techniques one can raise this mysterious divine power (kuṇḍalinī) from one chakra to another until reaching sahasrāra where self-enlightenment occurs.
Leave Reply