Where did Chakra Thought Come From?
Most people have heard about Chakras before, a fad topic of times past where openminded individuals might engage in deep conversations about their “bioenergy” and “spiritual alignment” or where more conservative thinkers may pooh-pooh the word and mumble slights. If you have heard this word before and wish to learn a bit more than the average joe, then continue reading to become a bit more enlightened.
The word “Chakra” is a Sanskrit word meaning “wheel” or “disk” and in Indian thought, Chakras are thought to be the centers of a person’s spiritual power.
Sanskrit is believed to be one of the oldest languages in the world. The term Sanskrit is derived from the conjunction of “sam” or “samyak” meaning ‘entirely’, and “krit” meaning ‘done’. The language is thought to have been first used by the Celestial Gods, and then by the Indo-Aryan people of India between 1500 and 500 BCE. Sanskrit is the traditional language of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.
Before written language, people remembered information orally. Thoughts, ideas, and knowledge would be passed down for generations strictly by word of mouth. As one of the oldest, languages in the world, it makes sense that Sanskrit would also be one of the first written languages. Its written form is considered to have begun in the 2nd millennium BCE and was uncovered in a giant text of hymns called the Rig Veda. So, it is safe to assume that the written explanation of the Chakra beliefs has been around since before its mother language was ever written down, its concepts being passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth.
Information about the Chakra system was brought to the West around 1919 most notably by an Englishman named Arthur Avalon (Sir George Woodroffe) who wrote his interpretation of the Charka beliefs in his book called The Serpent Power. Since then other western Chakra scholars have brought back texts to share with their students such as Sat-Cakra-Nirupana, the Padaka-Pancaka, and the Gorakshashatakam, which form the basis of our knowledge regarding Chakra theory and Kundalini Yoga today. This westernized translation of Chakra beliefs has brought about an over-simplification of the practices and understanding. For example, most basic Chakra names have been simplified to their physical locations instead of using their original Sanskrit names. So, without further a due and with as little westernization as possible, The Chakras!
Building the Foundation: Muladhara Chakra
There are eight main Chakras in the human body that are positioned along the spine in varying degrees from each other. Depending on the text you are reading, native or western, there is a multitude of peripheral Chakras as well located all throughout the body. Chakras are linked to biological structures such as nerve centers, major organs, and glands, and each Chakra is believed to correlate with different abilities, expressions, functions of health, and psychological states of mind. In order to influence these physical attributes, the Chakras can be strengthened through different physical and mental practices but must be built upon, like a spire.
The first and foundational chakra is the Muladhara Chakra, or Root Chakra in western thought. This Sanskrit word is derived from “Mula-adhaar” meaning “foundation”. The Muladhara Chakra is located at the very base of the spine creating the resting place for each chakra above it.
The element associated with this chakra is Earth, as the Earth provides us with all our basic needs. Its color is red which symbolizes energy and activity, as well as the transition of a slumbering consciousness to an awakening one.
It is the first Chakra to be formed during physical development in utero, as the base of the spinal cord is the first to form followed by organs and other associated structures. The Muladhara Chakra is often considered the most instinctual of the chakras as it is not rooted in intellect so much as in the formation of our most basic needs forming the foundation of our being. Thus, this chakra is very connected to our motivation to eat, sleep, and procreate, and to our overall feeling of safety. It is known as one’s “Primal Energy” and is the source of our Fight/Flight/Freeze/Fawn responses. Because it is perceived as our most animalistic chakra the Muladhara Chakra is believed to form the border between human and beast consciousness. It is where our unconscious mind forms our true personality and where we archive our past actions and experiences.
When balanced, the Muladhara Chakra’s energy flows freely and we feel a sense of belonging, secure in our present state, and have the clarity and ability to concentrate, set goals, and prioritize.
Imbalances can present as an overall lack of energy or the opposite. Restlessness and anxiety can take over and the imbalance can show as constant worry, frustration, and anger. Focusing may be difficult and thoughts of pessimism and negativity can cloud the mind and/or the formation of bad habits can occur. The imbalance of this chakra may present physically as problems or pains with the bladder, lower back, legs, or feet.
The Mantra “LAM” is used to raise the frequency of this chakra and promote healing and balancing.
Climbing the Spine: Svadhishthana Chakra
The next Chakra up is the Svadhishthana Chakra. Its Sanskrit derivation comes from “Sva” meaning “self” and “Shthana” meaning “place, seat or residence”. Its Chakra is located at approximately 3cm above the Muladhara Chakra at the end of the sacrum earning its western name of the Sacral Chakra.
It marks the second level of Chakra development. It is the base of human subconsciousness formed in the womb marking the beginning of personal existence and where all life experiences and impressions will be stored.
The Svadhishthana Chakra has the ability to bring clarity regarding the development of individual personality. An individual’s personality is unlocked by removing the negative qualities of the conscious mind. This chakra’s symbolic picture is built upon a lotus with six petals representing the negative qualities of anger, hatred, jealously, cruelty, desire, and pride.
The element associated with Svadhishthana is water which represents hidden danger. Just as water may be manipulated positively, it also holds immense and unpredictable power like unchecked emotions can. When they rush to the surface of consciousness without regard, it can result in creating an unbalanced being and surroundings.
Its color is orange and is symbolic of the sunrise depicting a rising level of consciousness. Orange represents activity, purity, and the positive qualities gained from this chakra being Joy, Self-confidence, and faith. The mantra for the Svadhishthana Chakra is “VAM”.
The Most Precious Jewel: Manipura Chakra
The third Chakra is the Manipura Chakra. Its word comes from the Sanskrit words “Mani” meaning jewel and “Pura” meaning place or city. It resides near the navel or bellybutton earning its western name as Navel Chakra, Center Chakra, or Solar Plexus.
When the Manipura Chakra has been reached the negative aspects of the Muladhara and Svadhishthana Chakras have been overcome and the individual’s consciousness has been able to reach the Manipura’s level. It is believed that the Manipura Chakra unlocks clarity, self-assurance, knowledge about yourself, wisdom, and the ability to make correct decisions. These are the “precious jewels” depicted in the Manipura Chakra’s name.
The color associated with this Chakra is yellow, and its element is fire symbolizing the heat within the body’s core or solar plexus/sun center and the source of one’s vitality. The Manipura Chakra controls the balancing of energy to give strength and health, acting as a magnet of energy attraction. If this Chakra is unbalanced health problems such as digestive disorders, blood pressure irregularities, and pancreatic problems may present, in addition to negative energies that can infiltrate the mind and body.
The activation of the Manipura Chakra will free an individual from negative energies and bring in strength and balance within the mind and body. Its mantra is “RAM”.
Authors and Poets: Anahata Chakra
The fourth Chakra is the Anahata Chakra. It is derived from the Sanskrit phrase “Anahata nada” meaning eternal sound. It is found in the chest closest to the heart, earning itself the western name of Heart Chakra.
This chakra is rooted in the pureness of one’s heart through thoughts, actions, and intentions. When an individual has been able to work through the first three charkas raising an individual’s consciousness to the Anahata Chakra may bring divine qualities of the heart such as peace, harmony, bliss, understanding, love, empathy, compassion, kindness, and forgiveness.
“Love is in the AIR!”
The Anahata Chakra’s color is light blue, the color of the sky, and its element is Air. Air represents freedom and expansion, the ability of our consciousness to expand infinitely. It is believed that Anahata is the birthplace of poesy, the talents of a poet or author. Sankalpa Shakti is a power that may arise with the energization of this chakra, it is the power to fulfill desires within the heart. The purer one’s Anahata Chakra, the more swiftly the desire will be fulfilled. Its Mantra is “YAM”.
Breath In and Breath Out: Vishuddhi Chakra
The fifth Chakra is Vishuddhi and is situated in the throat thus earning it the westernized name of the Throat Chakra. Its name is created from the Sanskrit conjunction of “Visha” meaning poison and “Suddhi” meaning purify.
Once the previous four chakras have been aligned, the Vishuddhi is energized through breathing. It is believed that all “swallowed”, or repressed thoughts, feelings, and actions are kept in the subconscious creating a poisonous influence on the body and mind. Through breathing and meditation, those repressed influences can be purified. Mastering this chakra brings feelings of happiness and freedom and is sometimes said to positively influence one’s ability to sing and speak.
When the Vishuddhi Chakra is blocked individuals may experience anxiety, a feeling of restriction or lack of freedom, and speech problems, as well as swallowing difficulties. Vishuddhi associated color is purple and its Mantra is “HAM”.
Peace and Clarity: Agya Chakra
The sixth chakra is the Agya Charka and is located in the middle of the forehead and between the eyebrows, thus earning it the westernized name of the Third Eye Chakra. It is believed to be the center of one’s peace and clarity and the boundary between the human and divine consciousness. This chakra can be reached once the five previous chakras have been raised.
This chakra is unlocked when the individual’s consciousness can understand that wisdom and knowledge are intertwined in all actions. Its symbolic picture has a lotus with two petals to represent that at this level of consciousness only two exist, Atama (self) and Paramatma (God). The color associated with the chakra is white and its element is Anupada Tattva meaning “Of the Mind”. Its Mantra is “OM”.
The Moon and The Nectar of Immortality: Bindu Chakra
The seventh Chakra is known as the Bindu Chakra meaning “point” or “drop” in Sanskrit. It is situated beneath the crest of hair at the tip of the head, just above the Agya Chakra. It is often overlooked in western teachings of the integral Chakras. But it makes sense that if the Muladhara and Svadhishthana Chakras are 3cm apart at the foundation of the core chakra alignment, then two other chakras are very close together right before an individual reaches enlightenment.
The Bindu Chakra is associated with the moon. It aids in physical and mental recuperation and benefits eyesight and the quietening of the mind. This chakra is intertwined with the Manipura Chakra because the Bindu Chakra is said to drip the nectar of immortality that is caught in the fire of the Manipura. Certain meditations are used to catch the nectar within the Vishuddhi Chakra to redistribute the Bindu Chakra’s nectar throughout the body. The color associated with the Bindu Chakra is transparent or colorless and its Mantra is “ShivoHAM”.
Knowledge, The Knower, and The Object of Knowledge: Sahasrara Chakra
The eighth chakra is the Sahasrara Chakra located at the top of the skull earning it its westernized name of the Crown Chakra. Its Sanskrit translation means “thousand” or “infinite”. This chakra is said to influence brain functions enhancing memory, concentration, and intelligence. It is associated with pure light which holds all colors of the rainbow. This chakra is said the be unlocked when the energies of all other chakras before it flow together as one into it. Once the chakra is opened the individual is said to have gained a conscious understanding of themselves and God and can find fulfillment in the union of knowledge, the knower, and the object of knowledge. Its element is Adi Tattva meaning the supreme or spiritual tattva and its mantra is “OM”.
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Please be advised that this information is only a slight dip into Chakra's beliefs and understanding. For more information and insight please tune into the Meta Psyckicks Podcast where Em and Liv discuss this information in more detail and with much more thought-provoking discussions!
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