Self-link

Re-Connecting with the source

THE CHAKRAS - the Energy Generators of Life -

The word Chakra comes from Sanskrit and means vortex or spinning wheel. The Chakras are specialized energy centers in the subtle bodies, each associated with a major nerve plexus and endocrine gland in the gross (physical) body. There are 7 major chakras and 21 minor chakras. Dysfunction at the level of the Chakras can, therefore be associated with pathological changes in the nervous system, and can result in under activity of any of their key endocrine glands e.g. decreased Throat Chakra energy - hypothyroidism / depression. The Chakras are doorways of consciousness through which emotional / mental / spiritual forces flow into physical expression. As centers of transformation, the chakras step down subtle energies and transform them into nerve, cellular and hormonal energy within the physical body. The conduits or subtle pathways which facilitate this interchange between psycological and physical energy are called nadis.

- the seven major chakras -

1. BASE CHAKRA

- Muladhara -

Located at the base of the spine

Element: Earth
Yantra: Square
Colour: Red
Quality: Patience
Emotion: Fear
Organs: Kidneys / Adrenals
Sense Organ: Nose
Work Organ: Anus

During the first 7 years of development, we express ourselves through this seat of consciousness. Our interests revolve around being fed, nurtured and primarily surviving. The earth is being grasped as a new experience. The child must ground him/her self and establish the laws of their world. The main problem of the child, or adult acting from the first chakra motivation is violent behavior based on insecurity.

As adults if we continue to express ourselves healthily through this seat of consciousness we are grounded yet highly motivated. We therefore have a good sense of our place in relation to the material world and fell secure within it.

Limited expression through the base chakra is often reflected in insecurity when relating to the material world and may make us feel at odds or detached from our environment.

2. SEXUAL - (sacral) CHAKRA

- Svadhisthana -

Located just below the navel

Element: Water
Yantra: Circle
Colour: Orange
Quality: Purity
Emotion: Love (for others)
Organs: Affects all bodily fluids / urogenital system; reproductive system; blood flow
Sense Organ: Tongue
Work Organ: Genitals

From the seventh year of life until the age of about fourteen, we begin to discover our sensual/sexual body. Along with it evolves our imagination and creativity. Fantasy enters as the person begins interacting with family and friends. The earth element (BASE) dissolves into the (WATER) element hence its connection. This relationship with water (essence of life) has to do with the fluids of the body - blood, urine, lymph, sexual fluids etc.

If we cease expressing ourselves through this chakra either because it is unacceptable to society or painful to ourselves can produce feelings of inadequacy, possessiveness and jealousy.

A person who is well centered in this chakra is a person with healthy body awareness and high self love / esteem.

3. SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA

- Manipura -

Located in the center of the rib cage

Element: Fire
Yantra: Triangle
Colour: Yellow
Quality: Radiance
Emotion: Anger
Organs: Gall bladder, Liver, Stomach, Spleen / Pancreas
Sense Organ: Eyes
Work Organ: Feet & Legs

From age fourteen to twenty-one we reach the stage where we begin to develop our own sense of personal power in a positive way and gives us the ability to manifest our dreams. Because most of us struggled with the first two chakras, by the time we reach this stage our sense of personal power is often distorted, limited or non-existent. The solar plexus chakra is associated with the stomach (digestion), spleen (transformation & purification of blood), pancreas (secretes digestive juice, pancreatic, and insulin), liver (produces bile and converts carbohydrates into energy/glucogens), and the gall bladder (stores bile). These are our organs of digestion and assimilation, not just of food, but of emotions and ultimately life.

Disfunction at this level can lead to ‘masking’ of our insecurities causing us to become either extroverts or introverts.

If we are healthily centered and expressing ourselves through this chakra, we have high self esteem and the natural ability to manifest abundance on all levels which in turn is reflected in our interaction with our environment.

4. HEART CHAKRA

- Anahata -

Located in the center of the chest

Element: Air
Yantra: Hexagram
Colour: Green
Quality: Contentment
Emotion: Joy / Sadness
Organs: Heart, Lungs, Thymus
Sense Organ: Skin
Work Organ: Hands

(Affects the Circulatory system. Anchors the Prana - Life Force Energy - of the body)

The Heart Chakra is the seat of balance within the body and its dynamism is dependant on love of Self. From ages twenty-one to twenty-eight the heart chakra becomes important to us as it expands and becomes more dynamic. This is usually the time when we fall in love for the first time with someone. As the quality of the heart chakra is self-love, it is the chakra through which many of us have a great deal of trouble expressing ourselves. This falling in love is important as it reminds us of an aspect of ourselves which we may have forgotten or neglected either consciously or subconsciously. The heart chakra is consideed the seat of ‘balance in the body’. It is associated not only with the heart, but also the lungs and thymus (immune system). The heart chakra anchors the life force prana - our breathing, a vital yet sadly misunderstood function of the body as it is our ability to breath properly which determines our overall health. Laughter and joy have an extremely positive effect on the thymus which in turn strengthens the immune system.

5. THROAT CHAKRA

- Vishuddha -

Located in the center of the throat

Element: Ether
Yantra: Crescent moon
Colour: Blue
Quality: Unity
Glands: Thyroid / Parath / Hypothal
Sense Organ: Ears
Work Organ: Mouth (vocal chords)

The throat chakra is associated with the thyroid gland (growth and development), the parathyroid gland (produces hormones regulating metabolism), and the hypothalamus (regulates body temperature) It governs from ages twenty-eight to thirty-five. Earth (BASE) dissolves into water (SEXUAL) which in turn evaporates in the fiery third chakra (SOLAR PLEXUS). The form of fire enters the fourth chakra (HEART) and remains there as the essence of form and vision, our selflove is reflected back at us. The air of the heart chakra enters the Fifth chakra (THROAT) and becomes pure sound, our ability to communicate. The throat chakra embodies the essence of all five elements hence the term ether.

Imbalance at this level may show itself in an inability to express oneself verbally or to communicate well. If we have difficulty bringing our deep inner-knowing, thoughts and emotions together in verbal expression, it may be a sign that we need to give more focus to this chakra.

A person truly centered in this chakra will voice not intellectually or emotionally programmed belief systems, but will speak from a place of knowing and deep inner truth.

6. BROW CHAKRA

- Ajna -

Located in the center of the forehead

Element: of each of the 7
Yantra: Circle + 2 lotus petals
Colour: Purple (or Indigo)
Quality: Wisdom
Glands: Pituitary (vitalizes Cerebellum - Lower Brain)
Sense Organ: Left Eye

It is from the sixth chakra that we project our inner dreams outward and manifest them on the physical level. Here is our seat of intuition, insight and creativity. Here we begin to ask questions of the Spirit, questioning our existence and interrelationship with the universe. This chakra is associated with the pituitary gland, which functions rather like the orchestral conductor of all the other glands and responds very sensitively to light. Sometimes referred to as the 3rd eye.

7. CROWN CHAKRA

- Sahasrara -

Located at the crown of the head

Yantra: Circle - thousand petaled lotus
Colour: Violet
Quality: Selflessness
Gland: Pineal, Cerebral Cortex
Sense Organ: Right Eye

It is in the crown chakra we experience the meeting of heaven and earth. It is here that your Higher Self or inner spark, atman (whatever term you feel comfortable with) interacts with the outer world. If you are balanced and centered in this chakra, one is reflected within the other. The presence of the divine within Self are experienced.The illusion of individual self or ego is dissolved and union is achieved.

Intro
Prana
The Chakras
Self-link F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)
Summary