Cosmic Connection

When discussing the connection between a mortal Soul and the cosmos, a number of factors come into play.
Firstly, there is the understanding of nature. The Soul is an entity separate, but contained within the mortal form. It is the force that gives life to all sentient creatures, and is what gives them higher understanding. Without a Soul, they would be no more than lumps of flesh. However, unlike Spirits that are born of a single elemental plane, the Soul is born of the combined energy of all seven extra-material cosmos, in turn creating raw or "cosmic" power. In this way, the Soul is among the most powerful objects in the world, as it is - in essence - a single droplet from the Great Sea of Primordia, thus making it the purest form of magic energy still in existence. As a result of the Soul being the composite fragments of the other cosmos, it possesses the ability to reach back and connect with the other planes, thereby allowing the flow of magic.
However, that leads into the second consideration: Sundering. This is the name given to the tearing apart of the Soul as the energy returns to its original home. Elemental energy has an inherent pull to return to its home cosmos. This is why Demons, Angels, and Spirits return to their cosmos when killed. In the case of magic, that poses a threat, however, as allowing the Soul to connect will try to pull that fragment out and return it home. This is Sundering, and it results in the complete breakdown of the Soul, as one piece being removed causes the entire thing to shatter.

Methods

There are two primary approaches to connecting the mortal Soul with the cosmos, thereby practicing what is commonly referred to as "magic", those being the approaches utilized by Monks and Mages. The key difference between these two is the issue of control; does the individual in question try to take control of the cosmos when they connect to it, or do they simply allow it to flow through them?
In the case of Monks, they will spend years honing mind and body before ever even attempting to connect their Soul to the realms beyond because they need to approach it without fear. The Deep is like an ocean of energy, and the Soul is a small gate it can pass through. When Monks open their chakra, they are not seeking to harness the cosmos.
Say, for instance, they open their heart chakra - the gate linked with fire. They are not casting a spell, shaping to their will, but rather just letting it come out as it wishes. This is described by many Arcanologists as "drifting" magic. A Monk allows themselves to simply float in the sea of power, letting it carry them rather than the other way around. This allows the energy to fill them up, imbuing their actions (i.e. a punch) with the elements. The danger, then, is that fact that the flow is not something they are in control of. Like a swimmer in a strong tide, if they start to panic, they will drown.
Therein lies the inherent danger of drifting magic. It is something that must be approached without fear, and with full confidence in one's self. Since the objective of Monkhood is to become a god, this is a risk they are willing to make, but it is a danger nonetheless. Should they misstep, they will have their Soul torn apart in a Sundering.
Mages, or Casters is general, on the other hand, make use of Intent. They spend a great deal of time training themselves to be able to actually control the gate within themselves, and thus control the flow of energy they allow to pass from the cosmos. This is vitally important for them, as their magic is "channeling" magic. While Monks are adrift in the sea, Mages are using levees and dams to move the water the way they want it. This allows them to manifest the cosmos in incredible ways, but it also leaves them open to the same danger as a Monk, just from a different side. While a Monk must avoid fear, or - more accurately - the desire for control, a Mage must never lose their focus. This is why they use magic words and arcane focuses; they must remain in control of the power at all times, lest they lose control and end up at the exact same precipice as a Monk that lost their zen.

Connections

The facets of the Soul capable of connecting to the cosmos go by many names - such as chakra, gates, and dwir - but they all fundamentally refer to the same thing, albeit with different visualizations. Regardless of how they are conceptualized, these are what allow the flow of magic.
First is the Crown Chakra or the Gate of Heaven (the Dwir don't have individual names). While gates have no physical tie-in to the body, the chakra is believed to be located at the top of the head. This is the one connected with holy energy. As a chakra, it is associated with purity of thought and body, as well as a rejection of the temporal. In Monks, it is often one of the last they unlock, as they believe many of those traits to be end-stage in their goal of attaining godhood. As a gate, it is associated with justice and logical thought. In both cases, it isn't a matter of the connection bringing about those traits, but rather that those who are of that mind will find the connection easier or more consistent.
Moving down to the forehead is the Third Eye Chakra or Gate of Thought. This is the connection that allows psychic energy. Interestingly, this is the one least associated with spirituality. Whether as a chakra or gate, it is associated with abstract thought and creativity. While there is certainly a need for logic in order to maintain control of the energy, this is the least grounded of all of them. Both traditions ascribe art and socialization (i.e. being winsome and charming) with this connection.
On the neck is the Throat Chakra or Gate of Winter. It is the connection of frost, but isn't actually associated with behaviors commonly associated with being a "cold" person. Instead of aloof or uncaring people, these are the people that are patient and considerate. As a chakra, it is associated with those that have a fundamental understanding of "everything in its time". Patient individuals will excel at utilizing this magic.
In the chest is the Heart Chakra or Gate of Summer. Being the connection of fire, this is associated with many "hot" traits. Those being passion, action, and strength of will. For Monks, these are all tempered by their belief that they are to exude that aspects of all chakra, and thus they must be hot, but not rash. For casters, there is no inherent delineation, and thus the overly-heated will make great use of this gate.
Following that is the Plexus Chakra or Gate of Storms. It is the connection of lightning, and thus is associated with tumultuousness. As a chakra, it is envisioned as the force of balance that must be maintained. Just as violent storms give way to peaceful days, a Monk must be balanced in all things. As such, it is less the force of chaos, and more the control of one's chaotic nature that it represents. As a gate, however, it is very much associated with chaotic personalities.
Second to last is the Sacral Chakra or Gate of Gluttony. As manifestation of acid energy, it is an unstable one to be sure. Acid is the power of consumption and hunger, and that is something reflected in beliefs about its presence in the soul. It is believed that a Monk who unlocks this is one with an insatiable hunger. However, this is not inherently greed or envy, but rather a dissatisfaction to stay put. They refuse to be stagnant - to remain. They must move, evolve, and change, something very in keeping with their end-goal of becoming a god. As a gate, it is much more closely tied to avarice. It doesn't have to be material, but those who crave more will be best at using this gate.
Finally, there is the Root Chakra or Gate of Hell: the connection of darkness. In Monks, one would think this was something they would actively try to avoid, as Demons are everything they must purge from themselves. However, that is the very reason that they must unlock it. As their practice is one of acceptance and not control, they don't want to harness their dark side, but rather accept the darkness within themselves and not allow it to control them. It is, therefore, the chakra of contentment and release. As a gate, however, it is visualized as actively using the darkness. A caster that taps into this is very directly using the powers of Pandemonium and shaping it to their will. This may be as a matter of desperation, but it is a voluntary acknowledgement of their using Hell's power.