Chakras


Tantric tradition accords each individual with seven energy centers that serve as junction points between the body and consciousness, or between matter and mind. These spinning vortices, called chakras in Sanskrit, receive, assimilate and express our vital life energy. When the flow of energy in one or more of the chakras becomes blocked, physical and mental illnesses can easily develop. 

 

Ancient seers perceived the chakra system as a column of energy centers, extending form the base of the spine to the top of the head. The location of each chakra loosely corresponds to an area of the body’s anatomy and is associated with a specific color. The the seven chakras and their Sanskrit names are described below:

Chakra Seven: 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, spaceless place of all-knowing. When developed, this chakra brings us knowledge, wisdom, understanding, spiritual connection, and bliss.

It is the center of immediate perception of the essential.
Sanskrit Name: Sahasrara
also called the “Thousand Petal Lotus” 

 the venue of human achievement

Color : Violet, White
Endocrine System : Pineal Gland 

Organs: Brain Cortex

Function: Unification of Spiritual Activities
Possible Dysfunctions: No sense of belonging, Lack of Spiritual Growth, Isolation
Crystals: Amethyst, White Quartz, Herkimer Diamond, Fluorine
Keyword: « I Know »

Chakra Six: Ajna

Light, Archetypal identity, oriented to self-reflection

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

Clairvoyance Centre
Sanskrit Name: Ajna
Means: Authority 

informs our direct interior knowledge and reality

Color: Indigo Blue
Endocrine System: Pituitary Gland
Organs: Sympatic Nervous System / Hypothalamus
Function: Center of Intuition, Venue of Will and Clairvoyance
Possible Dysfunctions: Lack of Initiative, Does not feel her inner self, Fuzziness
Crystals: Lapis-lazuli, Blue Sapphire, Azurite, Sodalite, Blue Quartz, Falcon’s Eye
Keyword: « I See / I Understand »


Chakra Five: Vishuddha

Sound, Creative identity, oriented to self-expression

This is the chakra located in the throat and is thus related to communication and creativity. Here we experience the world symbolically through vibration, such as the vibration of sound representing language.

Communication and Self Expression Center
Sanskrit Name: Vishuddi
Means Purity or Purification 

the seat of human sound

Color: Sky Blue
Endocrine System: Thyroid
Organs: Throat, Lungs
Function: Communication
Possible Dysfunctions: Lack of Communication, Agitation, Instability
Crystals: Aqua-marine, Chalcedony, Turquoise, Pearls, Moonstone, Opal, Fluorine, Calcite Blue
Element: Ether
Keyword: « I Communicate »


Chakra Four: Anahata

Air, Social identity, oriented to self-acceptance

This chakra is called the heart chakra and is the middle chakra in a system of seven. It is related to love and is the integrator of 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 compassion, have a deep sense of peace and centeredness.

Healing Power 

Sanskrit Name: Anahata
Means “The point of Life” or “What life is all about”

the seat of the soul and center of the heart

Color: Green / Rose – Spiritual Heart
Endocrine System: Thymus
Organs: Heart, Lungs, Liver, Sanguine Circulation
Function: Love , Compassion
Possible Dysfunctions: Emotional Hardness, Selfishness, Lack of acceptance
Crystals:
Green- Emerald, Jade, Tourmaline, Malachite, Aventurine, Agate Mousse, amazonite, Calcite
Rose- Quartz, Rhodochrosite, Rhodonite, Kunzite, Agate from Botswana, Tourmaline
Element: Air
Keyword: « I Love »


Chakra Three: Manipura

Fire, Ego identity, oriented to self-definition

This chakra is known as the power chakra, 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.

Connecting point of Earth and Cosmic Energies. Joy of living
Sanskrit Name: Manipura
Means “the City of happy ones”. 

the transmission point of consciousness, physical energy, and temperature.

Color: Yellow
Endocrine System: Pancreas (Liver)
Organs: Stomach, Liver, Gall Bladder, Digestive and Nervous Systems
Function: Power Center of Wisdom
Possible Dysfunctions: Anxiety, Nervousness, Fatigue, Tension
Crystals: Citrine, Amber, Tiger’s Eye, Rutilated Quartz, Smokey Quartz, Pyrite
Element: Fire
Keyword: « I Want»

Chakra Two: 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, and to 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 fulfillment, and the ability to accept change.

Self Confidence, Sexual Energy Center
Sanskrit Name: Swadhisthana
Means: Place of our inner self
the seat of individual unconsciousness Color: Orange
Endocrine System: Reproductive System, ovaries, prostate, testicles
Organs: Genitals, Kidneys, Gall Bladder
Function: Sexual Energy Center, Center of Emotions and Sensations.
Possible Dysfunctions: Lack of Confidence, Relationship difficulties
Crystals: Carnelian, Sun Stone, Red Coral, Zircon, Orange Calcite
Element: Water
Keyword: « I Feel »

Chakra One: 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 to our sense of grounding and connection to our bodies and the physical plane. Ideally this chakra brings us health, prosperity, security, and dynamic presence.

Source of life force, grounding.

 Sanskrit Name: Mulhadara

 Means: “Root” or “Support”

 the seat of collective unconsciousness.

Color: Red – Black
Endocrine System: Kidneys, Liver 

Organs: Large Intestine, Vertebral Column, Skeleton

Function: Survival, Physical Vitality, venue of the Kundalini, imaginative expression.
Possible Dysfunctions: Lack of vitality, mistrust, negative attitudes

Crystals: Agate, jasper, garnet, coral, ruby, Black tourmaline, hematite, onyx
Element: Earth
Keyword: « I am »





Chakra Tuning

 

According to Tantra, each chakra possesses a specific vibration or primordial sound that we can repeat to release any energy that may be congested in that region. We can open up blocked energy by focusing our attention and intention on the location of a chakra, and repeating its associated sound or mantra aloud. The following lists the energy centers with their corresponding vibrational sounds:

 

Base of Spine: LAM
Reproductive Area: VAM
Solar Plexus: RAM
Heart: YAM
Throat: HAM
Forehead: SHAM
Crown: AUM

 

The practice of sound healing is known as chakra tuning and helps heal the body and enliven the energy centers. We can tune all of the chakras during a meditation session, moving up the spine. Alternately, it’s also useful to focus on a single chakra related to a physical or emotional difficulty we may be experiencing. For example, if we have a nervous stomach and feel powerless about some issue in our life, we can focus on the third chakra and repeat the sound RAM.