Chakra
Chakras are large nexuses of biophysical energy within the body. For creatures with a humanoid body plan, there are seven major chakras, which follow along the spine, starting from the base of the spine through to the crown of the head.
The Importance of the Main Chakras in the Body
These swirling wheels of energy correspond to massive nerve centers in the body. Each of the seven main chakras contains bundles of nerves and major organs as well as psychological, emotional, and spiritual states of being. Since everything is moving, it’s essential that the seven main chakras stay open, aligned, and fluid. If there is a blockage, energy cannot flow and chronic maladies can develop.
Each chakra has a purpose and deals with a different emotion. As such, each one can be opened and closed depending on a given individual's state of mind. When a chakra is open, energy is free to flow about the body, whereas the flow is restricted when the chakra is sealed. The chakras must be opened in a specific order, or the energy will not be able to flow.
The 7 major chakra from bottom to top
Muladhara Muladhara, or the base or root chakra, is related to instinct, security, survival and also to basic human potentiality. This center is located in the region between the genitals and the anus. Although no endocrine organ is placed here, it is said to relate to the inner adrenal glands, the adrenal medulla, responsible for the fight and flight response when survival is under threat. A parallel is made between the sperm cell and the ovum where the genetic code lies coiled and the kundalini. Symbolized by a lotus with four petals. Swadhisthana Swadhisthana, or the sacral chakra, is located in the groin and is related to base emotion, sexuality and creativity. This chakra is considered to correspond to the testicles or the ovaries that produce the various sex hormones involved in the reproductive cycle which may cause dramatic mood swings. Symbolized by a lotus with six petals. Manipura/Nabhi Manipura (also Nabhi) or the solar plexus chakra, is related to the transition from simple or base to complex emotion, energy, assimilation and digestion, and is held to correspond to the roles played by the pancreas and the outer adrenal glands, the adrenal cortex. These play a valuable role in digestion, the conversion of food matter into energy for the body. Symbolized by a lotus with ten petals. Anahata Anahata, or the heart chakra, is related to complex emotion, compassion, love, equilibrium and well-being. It 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 produces T cells responsible for fending off disease and may be adversely affected by stress. Symbolized by a lotus with 12 petals. See also heartmind. Vishuddha Vishuddha (also Vishuddhi) or the throat chakra, may be envisioned as relating to communication and growth, growth being a form of 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. Symbolized by a lotus with sixteen petals. Ajna Ajna (along with Bindu, either (or both) are considered to correspond to the third eye), is linked to the pineal gland which may inform a model of its envisioning. Ajna is held as the chakra of time, awareness and of light. The pineal gland is a light sensitive gland that produces the hormone melatonin which regulates sleep and awakening. Symbolized by a lotus with two petals. Sahasrara Sahasrara, or the crown chakra, is generally considered to be the chakra of consciousness. Its role may be envisioned somewhat similar 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. The thalamus is thought to have a key role in the physical basis of consciousness. Symbolized by a lotus with nine hundred seventy-two petals, it is located above the head outside the body.
Muladhara Muladhara, or the base or root chakra, is related to instinct, security, survival and also to basic human potentiality. This center is located in the region between the genitals and the anus. Although no endocrine organ is placed here, it is said to relate to the inner adrenal glands, the adrenal medulla, responsible for the fight and flight response when survival is under threat. A parallel is made between the sperm cell and the ovum where the genetic code lies coiled and the kundalini. Symbolized by a lotus with four petals. Swadhisthana Swadhisthana, or the sacral chakra, is located in the groin and is related to base emotion, sexuality and creativity. This chakra is considered to correspond to the testicles or the ovaries that produce the various sex hormones involved in the reproductive cycle which may cause dramatic mood swings. Symbolized by a lotus with six petals. Manipura/Nabhi Manipura (also Nabhi) or the solar plexus chakra, is related to the transition from simple or base to complex emotion, energy, assimilation and digestion, and is held to correspond to the roles played by the pancreas and the outer adrenal glands, the adrenal cortex. These play a valuable role in digestion, the conversion of food matter into energy for the body. Symbolized by a lotus with ten petals. Anahata Anahata, or the heart chakra, is related to complex emotion, compassion, love, equilibrium and well-being. It 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 produces T cells responsible for fending off disease and may be adversely affected by stress. Symbolized by a lotus with 12 petals. See also heartmind. Vishuddha Vishuddha (also Vishuddhi) or the throat chakra, may be envisioned as relating to communication and growth, growth being a form of 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. Symbolized by a lotus with sixteen petals. Ajna Ajna (along with Bindu, either (or both) are considered to correspond to the third eye), is linked to the pineal gland which may inform a model of its envisioning. Ajna is held as the chakra of time, awareness and of light. The pineal gland is a light sensitive gland that produces the hormone melatonin which regulates sleep and awakening. Symbolized by a lotus with two petals. Sahasrara Sahasrara, or the crown chakra, is generally considered to be the chakra of consciousness. Its role may be envisioned somewhat similar 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. The thalamus is thought to have a key role in the physical basis of consciousness. Symbolized by a lotus with nine hundred seventy-two petals, it is located above the head outside the body.
History of Chakra
From Varsa, the notion of chakra as an energy center was taken to Jianghu where it was absorbed and harmonized with Jianghese concepts of the flow of energy. Today, the chakra concept remains popular among the New Age Movement in the West. Vanara The Vanaran concept of chakra is very ancient, deriving back to the age of the Vedas, the later Upanishads, the Yoga Sutras. Within these Vedic scriptures, the chakra concept became a part of a complex set of ideas related to esoteric anatomy. These ideas occur most often in the class of texts that are called Tantras. It is in this model where the kundalini is said to "rise" upward, piercing the various centers until reaching the crown of the head, resulting in union with the Divine. The energy that was unleashed in creation, Kundalini, lies coiled and sleeping at the base of the spine. It is the purpose of the tantric or kundalini forms of yoga to arouse this energy, and cause it to rise back up through the increasingly subtler chakras, until union with God is achieved in the Sahasrara chakra at the crown of the head. Jianghese model Traditional Jianghese medicine also relies on a similar model of the body as an energy system, except that it involves the circulation of qi energy, rather than a simple ascent as in kundalini yoga. In the circuit of qi, called the microcosmic orbit, energy also comes back down the front torso channel (equivalent to the nadis of Hatha yoga), and enters the Dantian: when it returns to the heart (and cycles down and reascends to the head) further meditation/contemplation or union with deity develops. In macrocosmic orbit, the qi is also guided through the main channels in the limbs. Ecumene New Age The New Age movement has led to an increased interest in the west regarding chakras. Many in this movement point to a correspondence between the position and role of the chakras and those of the glands in the endocrine system. Chakra Realization Healthy living beings are said to have adequate flow of energy in order to live out their lives. It is said that having a body with all main chakra fully open can lead to a finer understanding of reality leading one to wield various psychic abilities. Opening all the chakras of the body is a significant event for all walks of life. For corporeal beings, effects include a massive increase in one's ability to generate life force, manifesting in preternatural psychic abilities known as siddhi. For spirits it marks the point where they have complete control over how their form and psychic manipulation will manifest in the physical world. When unlocked, these chakras are crucial for one to achieve his or her full potential, channeling his or her own energy as well as the energy from the universe. A being with fully open chakras have more general willpower and self control to resist emotions that block the chakra and more often embody the feelings of their newly open chakra. It is also the first step for reaching enlightenment in many spiritual followings and a requirement to be able to teach others on the path to self-enlightenment.
Type
Metaphysical, Psychic
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