“Chakra” is a Sanskrit word which means a “wheel”. These centers were named as such because of the circular shape to the spinning energy centers which exist in our subtle etheric body, the non-material energetic counterpart to our physical body. We can also call it the life force. There are traditionally seven main chakras and they are located along the spine. Each chakra has a number of specific qualities or we can say a certain task which corresponds to the refinement of energy from the base-level material-self-identity, located at the first chakras, up to the higher vibration spirit-level awareness of being at our crown. Our intention in studying them is to learn how to master each chakra’s essence and unite them all into a unified field of brilliance. As such, we re-unite our disparate parts into a radian light of full self-awareness.
The chakras are formed at the junction of three connected energy shafts that ascend the spine, one on each side of the central channel, the Shushumna. The two lesser channels of energy – the Pingala on the right and Ida on the left – run parallel to the spinal cord. Chakras both take up and collect prana (life force energy) and transform and pass on energy. Our material bodies could not exist without them for they serve as gateways for the flow of energy and life into our physical bodies.
Each chakra is associated with a certain part of the body and a certain organ which it provides with the energy it needs to function. Additionally, just as every organ in the human body has its equivalent on the mental and spiritual level, so too every chakra corresponds to a specific aspect of human behaviour and development. Our circular spirals of energy differ in size and activity from person to person. They vibrate at different levels relative to the awareness of the individual and their ability to integrate the characteristics of each into their life. The lower chakras are associated with fundamental emotions and needs, for the energy here vibrates at a lower frequency and is therefore denser in nature. The finer energies of the upper chakras corresponds to our higher mental and spiritual aspirations and faculties.
The openness and flow of energy through our chakras determines our state of health and balance. Knowledge of our more subtle energy system empowers us to maintain balance and harmony on the physical, mental and spiritual level. All meditation and yoga systems seek to balance out the energy of the chakras by purifying the lower energies and guiding them upwards. Through the use of grounding, creating “internal space”, and living consciously with an awareness of how we acquire and spend our energy we become capable of balancing our life force with our mental, physical and spiritual selves.
In order for us to become fully self-realized and in harmony with our physical and spiritual nature our denser lower energies need to be harmonized with the lighter energies of the upper centers. This is to say our survival and base tendencies have to be raised to incorporate a heartfelt spiritual focus expressed in all areas of our being. Indeed, each of the upper-level energies corresponds and refines a lower level counterpart: 7th with 1st, 6th with 2nd, 5th with 3rd. In the center of our being is full integration into the heart.
Each center has an integral function in creating our energetic balance. It is through the study of our energetic and physical being that we can create health, emotional stability and spiritual bliss. The following chart maps outline the primary qualities of each chakra, its corresponding location in the body, color, physical and emotional realms of influence, and its greater significance.
In the Akasha Healing system we include some extra chakras beyond the traditional seven. The need for that is a consequence of the rapid change in the collective energy and vibration on the planet. More info about this below.
The Earth Chakra is located about a foot and a half below the surface of the ground. It ensures our connection with the earth. Because it works primarily with the energies of the earth, it is very physical in nature. It participates to our physical well-being and connects us to the grounding energies of the earth and our environment. Just like the first (or root) chakra, it is useful to heal any bone and bone marrow- related issues. It can also play a role in any DNA-related or hereditary issues. Like all the chakras, the Earth Star Chakra is a vibrating field of light that is imperceptible to the human eye.
A powerful way to begin to connect to your Earth Star Chakra is to meditate outside, somewhere you can touch the earth, or connect with the water or air. In this outdoor space find a quiet clear spot and lie down where you will not be disturbed. Begin by thanking Mother Earth for all she has given you. Relax your entire body and slowly visualize bright white light entering each of your chakras. Feel your Earth Star Chakra about one foot below your feet close to the earth. Imagine a silver and gold cord moving through your body and connected it to the center of the earth. Sit silently in the space for as long as you can. Ask Mother Earth if she has anything to share with you. Allow yourself to connect to the deeply healing and restorative energetic nature of this chakra.
Activating, cleansing and balancing your Earth Star Chakra is only the first step. Think of your chakras like one of the one of the major muscles or organs of your body. You need to exercise daily and feed yourself nurturing foods and thoughts in order to keep your physical body in order. Your etheric body works the same way. Spend some time every day or every second day using the Akasha symbols. You can use level 1 symbols only or add more if you need.
Each step you take on the earth can be made as a sacred prayer to Mother Earth and silent clearing and blessing of your Earth Star Chakra.
Take an entire day and focus on connecting to Mother Earth with every step you take. As you walk on her, she gives you her power and strength, as you open your senses up to accepting her power, it will grow and expand within you.
Next will be the feet chakras below the soles. They are the connection between the Earth Chakra and the chakras along the spine. They also need cleansing and need to be kept open for the energy to flow.
The Root Chakra is about stability in life. Security and basic needs. It is located in the base of the spine and establish the deepest connection to the physical body and the Earth Star.
Some call it the survival center and our connection to the instincts. Our connection to our animal origin. The root center provides the will we need to survive during hard times by connecting us to the memory of our ancestors and their experience during physical violence, natural disasters and other life threating events. Memories which bring about unconscious reaction patterns of how to survive. When this chakra is open we feel safe and fearless.
Another way to understand the root center’s task is to perceive the archetype energy that binds us together as a society. Family structure’s and so on. A society is often based on some rules- written down or not, which guides the members of society. The derived problems are typically related to manifestation, inherited rules, shame and taboos. They are collectively created convictions and inherited from generation to generation for the purpose of maintaining society. Any family or generation have taboos, which to some extent block the personal expansion of members of the society.
The energy of honor and shame is in general connected to individual freedom and is often linked to sexuality.
Crystalized root chakra energy has great power to maintain and manifest both war and love, thus creating energy blockages and/ or healing energy blockages in the individual.
I would recommend to work with opening of the Heart center and 3. Eye. For that kind of issues.
The Stomach Chakra is situated right below the naval and has to do with our creativity and sexuality. This center is about how to have joy in life. It motivates us to seek pleasure and joy in our life and have experiences about pleasure, sensuality, intimacy etc. it is also the chakra that provide us with the experience of how life is right here and now.
A blocked stomach chakra may be the cause for issues with expressing our feelings. Enjoying sex and/ or sensuality. Or simply to enjoy our own body.
This center is also behind creativity. Never mind what you create; painting, designing a life plan or a book the passions behind comes from this chakra.
The Solar Plexus Chakra is situated right below the breastbone and represent our source of power. It is the core behind our personality our identity or ego. It is the center of your self-esteem and will. It allows us to sense our personal power and feeling of being confident. The art of using this power in a balanced manner can be the challenge for us. The open solar plexus chakra make us be proactive instead of reactive.
People with excessive solar plexus energy tend to react to life circumstances with emotional outbursts and are often stressed out.
People with blocked or deficient third chakra tend to remain passive and inactive - allowing life to pass by while they do nothing.
People with a strong solar plexus have the ability to move forward in life with confidence and power. The ability to make conscious choices and choose to act.
It is the center of your self-esteem.
Every time you judge or criticize yourself, you deplete this chakra and weaken your willpower. Instead you can become better to love yourself or accept yourself. And by doing that strengthen your possibilities to express yourself in a loving and powerful way knowing that you have freedom to make your own choices and set your own direction in life.
The Hand Chakras function as the channel for healing energy. They needs to be open to make sure that you can flow healing energy into you own chakras or to another person.
The Heart Chakra is our source of love and connection between the three lower centers and the three higher centers. It is located in the middle of the chest and flow compassion, warmth and joy. It is the center for deeper contact to others and our sense of caring and compassion. Also our center for loving our self. For respect, generosity and kindness.
The Heart chakra is an integrating chakra and our center of healing force.
It also provides us to understand that we truly are part of a something much larger than ourselves. That we are one with the energy that runs through all life and the whole Universe.
You may sometime hear phrases like “Open Your Heart” and the “way of the heart” that means that we can live from this energy of love. It means that we can live with respect and compassion to everything. It means that we inspire others just by example.
When your Heart Chakra is fully open and flowing energy freely, you are flowing love to others and you are also loving yourselves. Further you also know your own needs. Some teachers claim the Heart Chakra is the most important of all centers even if they all need to be balanced and open. Most ancient traditions regard the love as the unifying force, the most fundamental energy of the Universe and ourselves.
Opening up to thru love make us open to our thru essence, spirit and soul.
The Throat Chakra is located in the throat. This chakra is about communication. It opens for us to express ourselves and also to speak our highest truth. Physically it includes the neck, thyroid and parathyroid glands, jaw, mouth and tongue. It is the first of the spiritual chakras. The energy of this chakra allows you to seek true knowledge beyond time, space and culture. It is your chakra of personal integrity allowing you to seek creativity and share the truth. Share what you really believe in and be totally honest. And at the same time listen to others. Allow others to be heard.
The 3rd Eye Chakra is located in between the eyebrows and a little higher and is the center of our intuition. Opening of this chakra make us pay attention to the intuition and listen to it. It also gives us an overlook of life and transcends time. Opening of this chakra make us have clear thoughts and spiritual contemplation. It allows us to access our inner guidance, to move beyond illusions and have the deeper truth – beyond the mind. To be able to move to the observer position and become the witness. To move beyond the duality of “good or bad” both for ourselves and in assisting others to have the deeper meaning.
The fully opened 3rd eye also balances the two hemispheres of the brain - right and left. We can call it the center of wisdom and it is also the center of conscience. When it is open you don’t only see what is going on you also know the meaning of it. And you have a sense of right and wrong – our inner ethics.
The Crown Chakra is located at the top of the head. It gives us spiritual connection and make us experience unity – that everything is connected at a fundamental level. An open crown chakra allows us to experience a kind of connection and oneness with others and nature itself. You may get an understanding that there is a deeper meaning of life that underlies all of existence. It is going beyond the ego and get this knowing of all of creation is interconnected at a fundamental level. This level is sometimes called “Akasha” or “The Field”. It is sometimes called the meeting point between the finite (body and ego) and the infinite (Universe and soul). It is the meeting point of timelessness and time and death and eternal life. This allows us to leave behind fear and anxiety and live our lives with gratitude, faith and trust. This center also needs to remain balanced so we still have the deep root connection. To live our life with “feet in the soil and head in heaven”.
The Casual Center is located slightly above the crown chakra, about 1 inch above it and more towards the back-head. It is about entering other realms transcending space and time. It is about opening to parallel universes. It gives access to the realm of the Akashic records and the sphere of potentialities in the making.
It is a useful center for shamanic healing and communication with spirit guides.
The Soul Star – Located further above the crown chakra and is said to be the “seat of the soul”. It can be seen as the door to archetypal energies or patterns that play an important role in shaping your destiny. The Soul Star Chakra is all about letting go and allowing Divine light to fill your life. It represents Divine love, spiritual selflessness, spiritual compassion and Divine unity. It is also connected with the origin of ascension and enlightenment. The Soul Star Chakra is the point where we connect to our Higher-Self. It may also be the place where you have stacked all the karmic residues from previous lifetimes and which can be transformed at any time. So it is an important center to pay attention to. To transform old karma and loosen up for the divine light. When The Soul Star Chakra is active and open, it links to other transcendental chakras located above your head.
Stellar Gateway is located on the outskirts of the chakra system, it allows us to stretch beyond our common sphere of understanding into universal unity with all that is. It is said that it’s the chakra of mastery of the soul’s purpose through our human existence. It communicates with light beings and gives access to Infinite Energy and ascension. This center becomes the direct line to the Divine Source. It will begin channeling divine light into the Soul Star to be filtered throughout the entire body. This chakra is a cosmic doorway to all of the Light Densities. It enhances communication with enlightened beings existing beyond the physical realm. Will facilitate conscious access of the Ascension Chakras. Functions to receive, filter and harmonize the extra-physical bodies with the energy from the stars.
Summary: Keeping the chakras balanced and open is important. This is how we maintain our health and maintain our connection to the spirit world. At the same time the energy inside us are in constant movement so it isn’t always so easy to know if a chakra is out of balance or blocked. The key is to keep your awareness focused on that and from time to time use the pendulum to check it out. I can recommend to make a daily ritual where you check your chakras and balance by the use of symbols.