By SRI SUDHINDRA

Chakra is a Sanskrit word for wheel. Chakras are energy centres in the body. They are believed to be influenced by our thoughts.

Chakras are like pedestal fans with overlapping blades. There are dozens of chakras in and around the body, but we often relate to seven major energy centres, situated in the torso and head, and connected to a certain endocrinal gland.

Chakras propel life energy, known as prana, in Indian thought, or chi, in Chinese medicine, through the body and constantly radiate and receive energy themselves. Every major chakra, in turn, is associated with different thoughts and issues of consequence to us. These encompass lifestyle, relationships, career, aspirations etc.,

If one wants to remain balanced — physically, emotionally, and spiritually — the seven chakras need to stay open, oscillating as freely as the pedestal fan.

When you emit positive thoughts for harmony, love and peace in life, for example, you will relate to the chakras as fully functional. When they are optimally functional, the chakras provide energy, determination and hope. However, when you emit negative thoughts, or energy, such as jealousy, the chakras get jammed, or blocked. In so doing, your colour sense too becomes dull.

Therapists suggest that meditation is one natural way of helping restore chakra balance again. Meditation is mind therapy; it not only elevates your positive energy, it also clears up “blocked” chakra/s.

Chakras & Their Significance

Chakra 1. Muladhara

Earth, physical identity, oriented to self-preservation

Located at the base of the spine, this chakra forms our foundation. It represents the element Earth, and is, therefore, related to our survival instincts, and our sense of grounding, connection to our bodies and the physical plane. Ideally, this chakra brings us health, prosperity, security, and dynamic presence.

Colour: Bright shade of Red. Mantra: LAM

Chakra 2. Svadhisthana

Water, emotional identity, oriented to self-gratification

The second chakra, located in the abdomen, lower back, and sexual organs, is related to the element water, emotions, and sexuality. It connects us to others through feeling, desire, sensation, and movement. Ideally, this chakra brings us fluidity and grace, depth of feeling, sexual fulfilment, and the ability to accept change.

Colour: Clear shade of Orange. Mantra: VAM.

Chakra 3. Manipura

Fire, ego identity, oriented to self-definition

This chakra, known as the power chakra, is located in the solar plexus. It rules our personal power, will, and autonomy, as well as our metabolism. When healthy, this chakra brings us energy, effectiveness, spontaneity, and non-dominating power.

Colour: Clear, and sunny Yellow. Mantra: RAM

Chakra 4. Anahata

Air, social identity, oriented to self-acceptance

This chakra is called the heart chakra. It is the middle chakra in a system of seven. It is related to love and integrates the opposites in the psyche: mind and body, male and female, persona and shadow, ego and unity. A healthy fourth chakra allows us to love deeply, feel compassionate, and possess a deep sense of peace and centredness.

Colour: Green; also, pink and gold. Mantra: YAM

Chakra 5. Vishuddha

Sound, creative identity, oriented to self-expression

This is the chakra located in the throat; it relates to communication and creativity. With the chakra we experience the world symbolically through vibration, such as sound, representing language.

Colour: Pale blue; also silver, or greenish blue. Mantra: HAM.

Chakra 6. Ajna

Light, archetypal identity, oriented to self-reflection

This chakra is known as the brow, or third eye, centre. It is related to the act of seeing, physically and intuitively. As such, it opens our psychic faculties and our understanding of archetypal levels. When healthy, it allows us to see clearly — “see the big picture.”

Colour: Indigo; also yellow, or violet. Mantra: KSHAM.

Chakra 7. Sahasrara

Thought, Universal identity, oriented to self-knowledge

This is the crown chakra that relates to consciousness as pure awareness. It is our connection to the greater world beyond, to a timeless, space-less place of all-knowing. When developed, this chakra brings us knowledge, wisdom, understanding, spiritual connection, and bliss.

Colour: Violet; also white, and gold. Mantra: OM.

— Courtesy: www.sacredcenters.com

Power Of Creation

Photo Courtesy: www.justgetthere.us

Man’s search for energising the chakras, or arousing the “latent” Kundalini, also known as “Sleeping Giant,” or “Snake Power,” has been in vogue for ages. Learning a simple way to propel the many functions of the chakras has made us strive for perfection, reach higher levels, and acquire the Power of Creation. It is not necessary that one should possess awesome talent or gift of power to energise the chakras.  All one needs to do is — be sensible and sensitive to our subtle levels. This maybe achieved just by emerging from the Finite to the Infinite. The activation and harmonisation of the chakras are usually gained by experience, and through practice, day-in and day-out. What needs to be activated with the energy systems, aside from the chakras, are: 1] subtle, or energy bodies; and, 2] nadis, or energy channels. When a chakra opens in a sojourn towards the self, it provides a holistic way of unfolding all the potential that we have as human beings. When we act and open the chakras, we initiate a process towards growth and elevated spiritual development. The following maybe helpful in awakening the chakras and our other energy systems:

• Choose one or more chakra that appeal/s to you. Sit in a comfortable position, and begin to practice meditation on a regular basis, using chakra colour combinations with the chanting of a specific mantra. By visualising each colour corresponding to each chakra, try to open up the chakra slowly and steadily. Apply no force — with deeper understanding you can move each chakra, one-by-one.
• Take three deep breaths. Just inhale and exhale a few times. Inhale, hold your breath, count 1-10; then, exhale. Do it a few times. Once your breathing comes to normal, concentrate on the chakra, open it up; take your mind and the sound residing therein to energise that area. After repeated practice, the mind is quite under your control. You can, thereafter, direct it to do what you want it to do.
• Breathing should be slow and even, because it unites us with the external as well our internal world. Concentrate on the sound of the air whilst inhaling and exhaling. This process revitalises your prana, or chi, and helps it to reach even the tiniest and the most distant of cells; it also supplies the vital energy for our bodily functions/requirements.
• The moment you feel blockages are being removed, a feeling of relief begins to emerge. This may sometimes trigger an existing, or quiescent, illness too. Not to worry, because this is only transitory.
• It is advisable for all of us to give attention and open the Heart Chakra – this helps you to get along with everyone and in the best manner possible.
• Make chakra meditation a habit in your everyday life. Do not reject anything. Just look at things with an open mind and in an adjustable mode.
• Allow your chain of thoughts to come and go; do not force the mind to wipe them out. Remember, thoughts are temporary in nature. They rapidly disappear. However, childhood memories may come to stay put during meditation. This needs to be wiped out slowly, because they are often written on solid stone in your mind’s garden. They cannot be easily erased. However, over a period of time, and after the repeated process of cleansing the chakras, you will be able to obliterate them fully.
• Now, direct your attention completely to your body. Take three deep breaths; give yourself some time before you open your eyes, s-l-o-w-l-y. Come back gently to present-moment reality.

It is time all of us gave our soul the space to absorb and unfold our chakra experience. However, remember one thing — there is no learning that is easy… without involvement, interest and zeal. Practice, as they say, makes things perfect. This holds good for your chakra meditation, or practice, too.