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| Chakras are energy centers. While they�re Hindu in origin, they�ve been adopted and adapted by all sorts of people with varying degrees of knowledge. Their physical reality or lack thereof is often a point of contention, one which doesn�t really matter. The concept of the chakras works well as metaphor; that�s what�s important. Another point of dissention is color. Different theories present different ideas about what color is or should be associated with each chakra. This, too, is a trivial point to belabor. It matters little whether you hold to one of the ancient Hindu color schemes, adopt the modern notion of a spectrum running the length of the spine, choose some variant in between, or make up your own. If it works for you that�s all that matters. The concept of the chakras is central to and may originate in Kundalini yoga. The idea there is to awaken Kundalini, the serpent goddess who sleeps coiled three and a half times in the root chakra, and encourage/allow her to spiral upward through the chakras. You�ll come across theories about secondary chakras, but the ones that are most important are the seven principle chakras that run more or less along the line of the spine. Each of these carries a particular significance. The first chakra is the root. It�s found at the base of the spine. It represents basic survival. If you have a problem with this one, you have a real problem. It is often termed base in the sense of inferior, ignoble, even materialistic. It is certainly base in the sense of being the foundation of all the others. If you don�t have this to build on, you�re in serious trouble. Cords on the root chakra can drain your life energy and should be kept to a minimum�children under the age of seven, anyone you�ve agreed to care for in a given circumstance and for a given time period, animals you�re responsible for, etc. (�Cords� are attachments which may or may not be voluntary. We may not even be aware of their existence, not a desirable condition. It�s a good idea to check from time to time and see who and what you�re carrying.) The second chakra represents sexual energies. In a woman it�s more or less between the ovaries. It�s exactly what it says�sexuality, reproduction, survival of the species, etc. It too is sometimes termed �base�. The third chakra is power. Sometimes it�s said to be located at the navel, sometimes a bit below. Martial artists talk about one point�about two inches below the navel in most adults, the physical center of gravity of the body. (An Aikidoist I know says he�s given up using two inches since he started doing Aikido with children. With the little ones, two inches below their navels is halfway to their knees. He now says �two fingers�.) This is worldly power of whatever sort, power to accomplish, to do things. It�s called �base� also. Those first three chakras are the physical base, the support, the foundation on which the rest of the system is built. Most men have few problems with them although many never get beyond them. In our society, however, women are taught to devalue them, sacrifice them, ignore them. They�re not supposed to feed their own first three chakras. They�re supposed to devote themselves entirely to giving their energy away. The fourth chakra is the heart. It�s located at about heart level. Not surprisingly, it represents love, compassion, understanding. Women are supposed to focus here�the heart chakra always open and pouring out energy. That constant flow is more than a little overbalancing. If the three base chakras are inhibited, which they will be if our society has anything to say about it, it doesn�t take long to topple her over and lap up the remains�if any. It�s a good metaphor for what�s wrong with a lot of women in our society. The fifth chakra is the throat. It�s located at the base of the throat, about larynx level. It represents communication. People who have trouble speaking (or even understanding) what they think and feel often have a blocked or underdeveloped throat chakra. We speak Truth through the fifth chakra. In a woman who has learned that constant unsupported flow from the heart chakra, the throat chakra is often inhibited, too. She�s not able to speak what she feels or wants or objects to. The sixth chakra is the third eye. It may be the pineal gland. It�s located in the center of the forehead. Campbell says it represents �conditional rapture�. It�s the ability to See and comprehend. It�s often slow to develop. Most small children don�t have it at all. In a woman like the one mentioned above, the third eye often hasn�t had a chance to develop at all. The seventh chakra is the thousand petaled lotus. It�s just above the top of the head. Campbell calls it �unconditional rapture�. A lot of people don�t have it. It�s primarily spirit. Again, a woman who hasn�t managed to develop her lower chakras hasn�t a chance of developing this one. It�s possible to read chakras. A pendulum will work. Or you can pick up the energy flow in the aura. Surprisingly often it�s a useful diagnostic tool�for physical ailments as well as spiritual ones. Some people seem to be able to see them; others feel them. The energy flow is unmistakable. |
| Chakras |