Finding Energies in the Chakras: An Introduction

The idea of a chakra is native to Hinduism and various other Asian cultures. In its simplest meaning, chakra refers to a wheel of energy. There are seven chakras which are located on the human body in a straight line beginning at the base of the spine and traveling upward to the top of the head.

Chakras are initially found in the writings of the Upanishads and have been used in Tibetan Buddhism. As in most ideas, there are eastern beliefs and western beliefs of the chakras. These differ slightly, but the main principles of each are similar.

The Seven Main Chakras

There are seven basic chakras in the human body. In western belief, each chakra is associated with its own color. Some also parallel the seven chakras to body organs and an alternative medicine practice has developed with the studying of chakras as its main intelligence source.

Sahasrara or crown chakra

The chakra of consciousness, the crown chakra is said to control all of the other chakras. It is located just above the head. The symbol used to represent Sahasrara is a lotus with a thousand petals. Most commonly white or violet, the crown chakra may assume the color of whatever dominant chakra in the body.

It is associated with the element of space and functions to connect the body to the divine. Residing within this chakra are wisdom and understanding. The opening of this chakra can lead to self-realization and enlightenment.

Ajna or brow chakra

Also called the third eye because of its location between the eyebrows, this chakra is that of time, awareness, and light. Its color is indigo and its function is intuition.

Connecting with this chakra will open a path to the psyche and allow the conscious and unconscious to meet. The brow chakra is symbolized by a lotus with two petals.

Vishuddha or throat chakra

Given the color of blue, Vishuddha is located at the base of the skull and is associated with life itself. Functioning through speech and self-expression, an unhealthy throat chakra can lead to communication difficulties. The symbol for this chakra is a lotus with sixteen petals.

Anahata or heart chakra

The chakra of devotion, love, compassion, and healing, the heart chakra is also sometimes referred to as the emotion chakra. This chakra is associated with the element of air and is colored green. A lotus with twelve petals is the symbol for Anahata.

Manipura or solar plexus chakra

The fire element chakra, Manipura is given the color yellow. Its functions include mentality, power, control, freedom, and career. The most important thing to remember about the solar plexus chakra is that it allows us to create balance within ourselves. Ten petals are located on the lotus of this chakra's symbol.

Swadhisthana or sexual chakra

The orange chakra, Swadhisthana's element is water. Located just behind the genitals, this chakra functions through emotion, sexual energy, and creativity. Occasionally referred to as the sacral chakra, its symbol is a lotus with six petals.

Muladhara or root chakra

The first chakra is located at the base of the spine. This chakra encourages stability and provides us with security, instinct, and survival. Its color is red, either Indian or coral, and its element is earth. The wrong balance of energy within the root chakra can cause resistance to changes. This final chakra is symbolized by a lotus with four petals.

Correlations of Chakras with the Body

Each chakra is said to correspond to a specific body part as follows:

Crown - pituitary gland

Brow - pineal gland

Throat - thyroid

Heart - thymus

Solar Plexus - pancreas and outer adrenal glands

Sexual - testicles/ovaries

Root - inner adrenal glands

Modern methods of meditation and massage offer the ability to find chakra locations within your body. This can be done through the use of a variety of gemstones. Therapy in this manner can energize, heal, break habits, and ultimately change lives.