The Chakras

My younger Son Aarav

                          CHAKRAS

Chakra means “wheel” or “disc” in Sanskrit. They are concentrated energy centres of the body. A chakra operates like a powerhouse in the way it generates and stores energy, with energy from cosmos pulled in more strongly at these points. As previously explained, the main Nadis, Ida & Pingla, runs along the spinal column in a curved path and crosses one another several times. At the point of intersection, they come in contact with the divine energy of the Susmna Nadi,forming strong energy centres known as Chakras. They are points in the subtle body that are vortexes of energy. When energy becomes blocked in chakras, it triggers physical, mental or emotional imbalances that manifest in symptoms such as anxiety, lethargy or poor digestion. Important glands and nerve nodes are located within the area of the main chakras, and as we open and harmonise the chakras with breathing exercises,meditation asanas and the repetition of mantra we also influence and balance the physical functions associated with them.

       

There are three types of energy centres in the human body.

1. Pashu or animal (lower) Chakras-They are located in the region between the toes to the pelvic region. The entire region from the toes to the pelvic region contains the” lower” or “animal” sphere of consciousness, a state of consciousness at a lower level of development than the human. In the embryonic stage of development, human goes through the same phase as animals, and even show short term external characteristic of fish, reptiles and amphibians. Certainly, these attributes recede, but the progression of growth within the womb clearly indicates that the remnants of these evolutionary stages still exists in our genetic makeup, and are stored within our DNA. These qualities or legacies of animal consciousness lies in lower chakras. They influence on our consciousness and our psyche.

     

   To be a complete person, we need the complete body, the upper as well as lower limbs. Therefore the lower parts of the body and the lower energy centres should not be totally disregarded. Seven lower chakras are corresponding to the seven lower lokas or lower consciousness.

2. They lie along the spinal column- They are five in numbers namely-Muladhara,Svadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata and Vishuddha. These five chakras are associated with physical elements-earth, water, fire, air and space.

3. Daivik or Higher (Divine) chakras-They are located between the top of the spine and the crown of the head. They are two in numbers namely-Ajna and Sahasrara chakra. These two chakras are thought to connect us beyond the earthly realm, so they are associated with the elements of light and cosmic energy.