| On Chakras Randy Robertson, c. 2006 (a supplementary article for the Metaphysical Lexicon) The presence and use of chakras (SHAH-krahz) is a fundamental concept in many ancient traditions as well as a majority of the New Age traditions. However, the application and explanation of the term and their characteristics often causes contradiction and confusion, especially since almost every tradition refers to them in a slightly different way. * What Are They? * The term is an ancient Hindu word meaning wheel, and they have often been visualized (both metaphysically and artistically) as small spinning disks located along a vertical line in the human body. Chakras are believed to be either a source or a conduit of metaphysical energy, and are key to a proper spiritual or metaphysical development. * Where Are They? * Different traditions argue how many chakras there are and where they are located. Most forms of yoga (especially the kundalini yoga tradition) believe they lie along the spine, while other non-yoga traditions believe they are more or less central in the body. Though they may disagree about the horizontal position, almost all traditions agree on their vertical locations. From bottom to top, the primary chakras are located at the base of the spine, at the solar plexus, at the heart, at the throat, at the forehead and at the crown of the head. A majority of traditions, mainly those of strongly Eastern influence, also identify at least three more chakras in a line above the head. * What They Do? * The oldest descriptions of chakras stem from a Hindu origins, and there are a wide variety of ideas. In most traditions, each chakra has it's own character and purpose, though they all function as part of a whole system. But in their most basic form, chakras are reservoirs of spiritual or metaphysical energy called prana or chi. Various meditative and exercise techniques have been developed to release this energy into a free-flowing intensified state called pranotthana, originally in an effort to assist in spiritual enlightenment. Other traditions embrace the concept that chakras are not the source of the prana, but merely important nexus conduits for it, something similar to the body's nerve clusters, or like the heart is the nexus of the circulatory system. The energy flows freely throughout the body, but the chakras are central points where that energy can be manipulated and strengthened. In both approaches, it is thought that when the chakras are out of balance with each other, it causes melancholy, depression, and physical illness. Getting the chakras balanced and energized is believed to encourage physical and mental health. Various traditions place different importance on different chakras. In most of the younger traditions, the fifth chakra is of greatest importance. This is often called the Third Eye, and the "opening" of that chakra is felt to be a major milestone in the development of a person's spiritual growth. However, in the older Buddhist view, it is the third "heart chakra" that is vital to enlightenment. Many tantric traditions hold the sixth "crown chakra" as the vital link to spiritual unification with the divine. Kundalini yoga holds a similar view, though it also stresses the importance of the external chakras in this pursuit. * What Else Do They Do? * Setting aside the spiritual importance, chakras are also seen as vital in a person's metaphysical growth, contributing tremendously to the development and strength of many phenomena commonly called psychic powers. Kundalini yoga in particular is ripe with stories about masters who have achieved powers of levitation, ESP, spiritual healing, and even teleportation. Even among the less skilled, good development and maintenance of the chakras are reported to have a profound and immediate effect on performance levels. However, practitioners are highly advised not to put to high a value on these abilities, and some are discouraged from pursuing them at all, since they are felt to be a distraction from the path of true enlightenment. Certainly, some of the techniques for manipulating the chakras amount to little more than cheap thrills with no practical applications. * Are There Dangers? * On the paranormal side of the issue, opening the chakras unleashes a flood of metaphysical energy. There is no gradual increase like turning on a water faucet. It's more like throwing a dam's floodgates wide open. This can have unforeseen effects on the practitioners, especially those who are unprepared for the sudden rise in ability. Everyone has dreams of lifting and moving objects with their minds, but telekinesis rapidly stops being fun when you have no control over it. You may have tried for years to hear more than a faint whisper of telepathy, only to suddenly find your mind filled with thousands of screaming voices that you can't shut off. Yes, those are extreme examples, but you get the point. On the physical side, the dangers are comparatively minor, but still of concern. The most serious have been reports of chronic migraine headaches, nosebleeds, heart flutters, muscle spasms, increases or drops in blood pressure, impotence, hot and cold flashes, disorientation, and so on. No doubt, some of these can be serious issues, but the majority of physical effects are minor annoyances and even those are quite rare. Psychologically, the dangers are far greater. These are not exclusive to chakra manipulation, and can be caused by any meditative technique, but are most common in people who have been doing chakra-enhancing techniques. The ancient traditions called it "Wind Illness," and modern medicine calls it "Kundalini Syndrome." Common effects include depression, mood swings, irrationality, heightened stress (and the effects that stress can bring on it's own), personality shifts or personality loss, the inability to distinguish the actual from the perceived, and sometimes a growing desensitization and dehumanization of the sufferer. In rare cases, manic episodes and random violent outbursts have been reported. And keep in mind that a large number of psychological problems can also manifest as physical problems as well. Therefore, and I cannot put enough emphasis in this... BE FREAKING CAREFUL when you perform any chakra-related exercises, and DO NOT DO IT without the assistance and advice of someone with many years of experience. Many practitioners of metaphysical techniques are self-taught and take pride in an individualistic approach to their personal development. But when it comes to chakras, THIS IS A BAD IDEA!!! You really do want somebody watching your back because your own perceptions may become impaired to the point that you won't realize it when you get in trouble. Consider that your official notice. |