Chakras, Characteristics and Description
In Hindu Metaphysical and Tantric/Yogic Traditions and
other belief systems Chakras are points or knots, in the subtle human body.
They are located at the physical counterparts of the major plexuses of
arteries, veins and nerves.
Chakras are part of the Subtle Body,
not the physical body, and as such are the meeting points of the subtle
(non-physical) energy channels, called nadiis. Nadiis are channels in the
subtle body through which the life force (prana), or vital energy moves.
Various scriptural texts and teachings present a different numbers of chakras.
There are many chakras in the subtle human body
according to the tantric texts, but there are 7 chakras which are considered to
be the most important ones.
Their name derives from the Sanskrit word for "wheel"
or "turning", but in yogic context a better translation of the
word is 'vortex or whirlpool'.
The concept of chakra features in tantric and yogic
traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism.
The word derives from Proto-Indo-European *kʷekʷlos,
and its cognates include Greek kuklos, Lithuanian kaklas, Tocharian B kokale
and English "wheel," as well as "circle."
Bhattacharyya's review of Tantric history says that
the word chakra is used to mean several different things in the Sanskrit
sources:
Circle,
used in a variety of senses, symbolising endless rotation of shakti.
A Circle of People. In rituals there are different cakra-sādhanā in
which adherents assemble and perform rites. According to the Niruttaratantra,
chakras in the sense of assemblies are of 5 types.
The term Chakra also is used to
denote yantras or mystic diagrams, variously known as trikoṇa-cakra, aṣṭakoṇa-cakra,
etc.
Different "nerve plexus within the body."
In Buddhist literature the Sanskrit term cakra (Pali
cakka) is used in a different sense of "circle," referring to a
Buddhist conception of the Cycle of Rebirth consisting of six states in which
beings may be reborn.
Characteristics of Chakras
The Texts and teachings present different numbers of
chakras. Also different physical structures are considered chakras. David
Gordon White thus emphasizes:
"In fact, there is no "standard" system
of the chakras. Every school, sometimes every teacher within each school, has
had their own chakra system."
The following features are common:
- They
form part of the body, along with the breath channels, or nadis, and the
winds (vayus).
- They
are located along the central channel (sushumna/avadhūtī).
- Two
side channels cross the center channel at the location of the chakras.
- They
possess a number of 'petals' or 'spokes'.
- They
are generally associated with a mantra seed-syllable, and often with a
variety of colours and deities.
Chakras play
an important role in the main surviving branch of Indian Vajrayana, Tibetan
Buddhism. They play a pivotal role in completion stage practices, where an
attempt is made to bring the subtle winds of the body into the central channel,
to realise the clear light of bliss and emptiness, and to attain Buddhahood.
The Vajrayana System states that the central channel (avadhūtī)
begins at the point of the third eye like of lord Shiva, curves up to the crown
of the head, and then goes straight down to the lower body. There are two side
channels, the rasanā and lalanā, which start at their respective nostrils and
then travel down to the lower body. The apāna vāyu governs the lower
terminations of the three channels. The lower end of the central channel ends
in the rectum. The lower end of the lalanā ends in the urinary tract. The lower
end of the rasanā channel emits semen.
The side channels run parallel to the center channel,
except at locations such as the navel, heart, throat and crown (i.e. chakras)
where the two side channels twist around the central channel. At the navel,
throat and crown, there is a twofold knot caused by each side channel twisting
once around the central channel. At the heart wheel there is a sixfold knot,
where each side channel twists around three times. An important part of
completion stage practice involves loosening and undoing these knots.
Within the chakras exist the 'subtle drops'. The white
drop exists in the crown, the red drop exists in the navel, and at the heart
exists the indestructible red and white drop, which leaves the body at the time
of death. In addition, each chakra has a number of 'spokes' or 'petals', which
branch off into thousands of subtle channels running to every part of the body,
and each contains a Sanskrit syllable.
By focusing on a specific chakra (while often holding
the breath) the subtle winds enter the central channel. The chakra at which
they enter is important in order to realise specific practices. For example,
focusing on the subnavel area is important for the practice of tummo, or inner
fire. Meditating on the heart chakra is important for realising clear light.
Meditating on the throat chakra is important for lucid dreaming and the
practices of dream yoga. And meditating on the crown chakra is important for
consciousness projection, either to another world, or into another body.
A result of energetic imbalance among the chakras is
an almost continuous feeling of dissatisfaction. When the heart chakra is
agitated, people lose touch with feelings and sensations, and that breeds the
sense of dissatisfaction. That leads to looking outside for fulfilment. When
people live in their heads, feelings are secondary; they are interpretations of
mental images that are fed back to the individual. When awareness is focused on
memories of past experiences and mental verbalisations, the energy flow to the
head chakra increases and the energy flow to the heart chakra lessens. Without
nurturing feelings of the heart a subtle form of anxiety arises which results
in the self reaching out for experience. When the throat chakra settles and
energy is distributed evenly between the head and the heart chakras, one is
able to truly contact one's senses and touch real feelings.
Description of the 7 Chakras
There are believed to be seven major chakras, which
are arranged vertically along the axial channel (sushumna nadi). David Gordon
White traces the modern popularity of the seven chakra system to Arthur
Avalon's The Serpent Power, which was Avalon's translation of a late
work, the Sat-Cakra-Nirupana.
Below is a description of the seven chakras, with
various associations. Each of these chakras also have its elemental deity
(Vasu), demigod of its material element.
From the top down, they are thought to be:
Sahasrara
Sahasrara (Sanskrit: सहस्रार, IAST: Sahasrāra, English:
"thousand-petaled-lotus") or
crown chakra is generally considered to be the state of pure consciousness,
within which there is neither object nor subject. When the Kundalini energy
rises to this point, it unites with the male Shiva energy, and a state of
liberating samadhi is attained. Symbolized by a lotus with one thousand
multi-coloured petals, it is located either at the crown of the head, or above
the crown of the head. Sahasrara is represented by the colour white and it
involves such issues as inner wisdom and the death of the body.
Its role may be envisioned somewhat similarly to that
of the pituitary gland, which secretes hormones to communicate to the rest of
the endocrine system and also connects to the central nervous system via the
hypothalamus. According to Gary Osborn, the thalamus is thought to have a key
role in the physical basis of consciousness and is the 'Bridal Chamber'
mentioned in the Gnostic scriptures. Sahasrara's inner aspect deals with the
release of karma, physical action with meditation, mental action with universal
consciousness and unity, and emotional action with "beingness."
In Tibetan Buddhism, the point at the crown of the
head is represented by a white circle, with 33 downward pointing petals. It is
of primary importance in the performance of phowa, or consciousness projection
after death, in order to obtain rebirth in a Pure Land. Within this state is
contained the White drop, or Bodhicitta, which is the essence of masculine
energy.
"Corresponding Deity for material element of this state is Dhruva"
Ajna
Ajna (Sanskrit: आज्ञा, IAST: Ājñā, English: "command") or third-eye chakra is symbolised by a lotus
with two petals, and corresponds to the colours violet, indigo or deep blue,
though it is traditionally described as white. It is at this point that the two
side nadi Ida (yoga) and Pingala are said to terminate and merge with the
central channel Sushumna, signifying the end of duality, the characteristic of
being dual (e.g. light and dark, or male and female). The seed syllable for
this chakra is the syllable OM, and the presiding deity is Ardhanarishvara, who
is a half male, half female Shiva/Shakti. The Shakti goddess of Ajna is called
Hakini.
Ajna (along with Bindu), is known as the third eye
chakra and is linked to the pineal gland which may inform a model of its
envisioning. The pineal gland is a light sensitive gland that produces the
hormone melatonin which regulates sleep and waking up, and is also postulated
to be the production site of the psychedelic dimethyltryptamine, the only known
hallucinogen endogenous to the human body. Ajna's key issues involve balancing
the higher and lower selves and trusting inner guidance. Ajna's inner aspect
relates to the access of intuition. Mentally, Ajna deals with visual consciousness.
Emotionally,
Ajna deals with clarity on an intuitive level.
"Corresponding deity for material element of this chakra is Soma"
Vishuddha
Vishuddha (Sanskrit: विशुद्ध, IAST: Viśuddha, English: "especially
pure"), or
Vishuddhi, or throat chakra is depicted as a silver crescent within a white
circle, with 16 light or pale blue, or turquoise petals. The seed mantra is
Ham, and the residing deity is Panchavaktra shiva, with 5 heads and 4 arms, and
the Shakti is Shakini.
Vishuddha may be understood as relating to
communication and growth through expression. This chakra is paralleled to the
thyroid, a gland that is also in the throat and which produces thyroid hormone,
responsible for growth and maturation. Physically, Vishuddha governs
communication, emotionally it governs independence, mentally it governs fluent
thought, and spiritually, it governs a sense of security.
In Tibetan buddhism, this chakra is red, with 16
upward pointing petals. It plays an important role in Dream Yoga, the art of
lucid dreaming.
Corresponding Deity for material element of this
Chakra is Dyaus.
"Corresponding deity for material element of this chakra is Dyaus"
Anahata
Anahata (Sanskrit: अनाहत, IAST: Anāhata, English: "unstruck") or heart chakra is symbolised by a circular
flower with twelve green petals called the heartmind. Within it is a yantra of
two intersecting triangles, forming a hexagram, symbolizing a union of the male
and female. The seed mantra is Yam, the presiding deity is Ishana Rudra Shiva,
and the Shakti is Kakini.
Anahata, Anahata-puri, or padma-sundara is symbolised by a circular flower with twelve green petals called the heartmind. Within it is a yantra of two intersecting triangles, forming a hexagram, symbolizing a union of the male and female. The seed mantra is Yam, the presiding deity is Ishana Rudra Shiva, and the Shakti is Kakini.
Anahata is related to the thymus, located in the
chest. The thymus is an element of the immune system as well as being part of
the endocrine system. It is the site of maturation of the T cells responsible
for fending off disease and may be adversely affected by stress.
Anahata is
related to the colours green or pink. Key issues involving Anahata involve
complex emotions, compassion, tenderness, unconditional love, equilibrium,
rejection and well-being. Physically Anahata governs circulation, emotionally
it governs unconditional love for the self and others, mentally it governs
passion, and spiritually it governs devotion.
In Tibetan Buddhism, this centre is extremely important, as being the home of the indestructible red/white drop, which carries our consciousness to our next lives. It is described as being white, circular, with eight downward pointing petals, and the seed syllable Hum inside. During mantra recitation in the lower tantras, a flame is imagined inside of the heart, from which the mantra rings out. Within the higher tantras, this chakra is very important for realising the Clear Light.
"Corresponding deity for material element of this chakra is Vāyu"
Manipura
Manipura (Sanskrit: मणिपूर, IAST: Maṇipūra, English: "jewel city") or
solar plexus/navel chakra is symbolised by a downward pointing triangle with
ten petals, along with the color yellow. The seed syllable is Ram, and the
presiding deity is Braddha Rudra, with Lakini as the Shakti.
Manipura is related to the metabolic and digestive
systems. Manipura is believed to correspond to Islets of Langerhans, which are
groups of cells in the pancreas, as well as the outer adrenal glands and the
adrenal cortex. These play a valuable role in digestion, the conversion of food
matter into energy for the body. The colour that corresponds to Manipura is
yellow. Key issues governed by Manipura are issues of personal power, fear,
anxiety, opinion-formation, introversion, and transition from simple or base
emotions to complex. Physically, Manipura governs digestion, mentally it
governs personal power, emotionally it governs expansiveness, and spiritually,
all matters of growth.
"Corresponding Deity for material element of this Chakra is Agni"
Svadhishthana
Svadhishthana (Sanskrit: स्वाधिष्ठान, IAST: Svādhiṣṭhāna, English: "one's own
base") or sacral
chakra is symbolized by a white lotus within which is a crescent moon, with six
vermilion, or orange petals. The seed mantra is Vam, and the presiding deity is
Brahma, with the Shakti being Rakini (or Chakini). The animal associated is the
crocodile of Varuna.
This chakra is located in the sacrum and is considered
to correspond to the testes or the ovaries that produce the various sex
hormones involved in the reproductive cycle. Svadhishthana is also considered
to be related to, more generally, the genitourinary system and the adrenals.
The key issues involving Svadhishthana are
relationships, violence, addictions, basic emotional needs and pleasure.
Physically, Svadhishthana governs reproduction, mentally it governs creativity,
emotionally it governs joy, and spiritually it governs enthusiasm.
"The Corresponding deity for material element of this chakra is Indra, head of Vasus or Varuna"
Muladhara
Muladhara (Sanskrit: मूलाधार, IAST: Mūlādhāra, English: "root support") or root chakra is symbolized by a lotus with
four petals and the color red. This center is located at the base of the spine
in the coccygeal region. It is said to relate to the gonads and the adrenal
medulla, responsible for the fight-or-flight response when survival is under
threat. The seed syllable is LAM.
Muladhara is related to instinct, security, survival
and also to basic human potentiality. Physically, Muladhara governs sexuality,
mentally it governs stability, emotionally it governs sensuality, and
spiritually it governs a sense of security. Muladhara also has a relation to
the sense of smell.
This chakra is where the three main nadi separate and
begin their upward movement. Dormant Kundalini rests here, wrapped three and a
half times around the black Svayambhu linga, the lowest of three obstructions
to her full rising (also known as knots or granthis) It is the seat of the red
bindu, the female drop (which in Tibetan vajrayana is located at the navel
chakra).
The seed syllable is Lam (pronounced lum), the Deity
is Ganesh, and the Shakti is Dakini. The associated animal is the Elephant.
"The corresponding deity for material element of this chakra is Prithvi"
Other Chakras
There are said to be 21 minor chakras which are
reflected points of the major chakras. These 21 are further grouped into ten
bilateral minor chakras that correspond to the foot, hand, knee, elbow, groin,
clavicle, navel, shoulder and ear. The spleen may also be listed by some
authorities as a location for a minor chakra.
Secret Chakras
There are said to be three chakras that are beyond the
physical and the spiritual. They are called Golata, Lalata,
and Lalana and "located on the uvula at the back of the
throat, above the Ajna chakra, and within the soft upper palate".
According to Robert Svoboda they defy description in the sense of the above
seven and can only be experienced once Kundalini has fully awakened.
Minor Chakras below Muladhara
There are said to be a series of seven chakras below
Muladhara going down the leg, corresponding the base animal instincts, and to
the Hindu underworld patala. From the top down they are:
- Atala - Located in the hips, it governs fear and
lust.
- Vitala - Located in the thighs, it governs anger
and resentment.
- Sutala - Located in the knees, it governs
jealousy.
- Talatala — Translated as "under the bottom
level", it is located in the calves and represents a state of
prolonged confusion and instinctive willfulness.
- Rasatala — Located in the ankles, it is the centre
of selfishness and pure animal nature.
- Mahatala — Located in the feet, this is the dark
realm 'without conscience', and inner blindness.
- Patala — Located in the soles of the feet, this is
the realm of malice, murder, torture and hatred, and in Hindu mythology it
borders on the realm of Naraka, or hell.
Western Interpretations of Hindu Chakras
The chakras are described as being aligned in an
ascending column from the base of the spine to the top of the head. New Age
practices often associate each chakra with a certain colour.
In various traditions chakras are associated with
multiple physiological functions, an aspect of consciousness, a classical
element, and other distinguishing characteristics. They are visualised as
lotuses/flowers with a different number of petals in every chakra.
The chakras are thought to vitalise the physical body
and to be associated with interactions of a physical, emotional and mental
nature. They are considered loci of life energy or prana, also called shakti,
qi (Chinese; ki in Japanese), koach-ha-guf (Hebrew), bios (Greek) & aether
(Greek, English), which is thought to flow among them along pathways called
nadis.
The function of the chakras is to spin and draw in
this energy to keep the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health of the
body in balance. They are said by some to reflect how the unified consciousness
of humanity (the immortal human being or the soul), is divided to manage
different aspects of earthly life (body/instinct/vital energy/deeper
emotions/communication/having an overview of life/contact to God).
The chakras are placed at differing levels of
spiritual subtlety, with Sahasrara at the top being concerned with pure
consciousness, and Muladhara at the bottom being concerned with matter, which
is seen simply as condensed, or gross consciousness.
Understanding existence and physical form as an
interpretation of light energy through the physical eyes will open up greater
potential to explore the energetic boundaries of color, form and light that are
perceived as immediate reality.
Indian Yogic teachings assign to the seven major
chakras specific qualities, such as color of influence (from the 7 rays of
spectrum light), elements (such as earth, air, water & ether), body sense
(such as touch, taste, and smell), and relation to an endocrine gland.
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