Intro to the Chakras

The art displayed above is by GlassFractals on etsy: https://www.etsy.com/in-en/listing/703659691/seven-kundalini-chakras

Welcome!

Today, I’d like to talk about the chakras, an ancient Indian energy system composed of seven wheels of spinning light that go up along our spine, from the base to the crown of the head. These seven main chakras each have colors that work together to create a beautiful, illuminating rainbow. They both receive and express prana-- life force energy, linking our psychological programming with physical manifestations. The chakras are tools to look inwards and heal our psychological and spiritual wounds, often having a positive effect on the physical ailments that arise from chakras that may be blocked. 

The lower chakras, the root, sacrum, and solar plexus, deal with our connection to the earth and our physical bodies. It is through these chakras that we establish our groundedness, sense of safety, and confidence in ourselves and the outside world. The heart chakra links our lower three and upper three chakras, creating a bridge between the physical world and our consciousness. The current of liberation moves earth energy upwards to the chakras that connect us to the spiritual world, Downwards, there is a current of manifestation that keeps us connected to reality and empowers us to follow our path in the universe. As we integrate the body, mind, and spirit, we are facilitating the embodiment of our higher selves in a rooted, individual way. 

As a result of personal and cultural trauma, chakras can become blocked, deficient, or excessive. This impacts our psychological and physical health as we can develop a deeply rooted habit, often from childhood, of holding, resistance, and desensitization. 

The seven chakras:

Chakra #1: root chakra/muladhara

This chakra develops in early infancy, as we are establishing our basic sense of survival and safety in the world. Its element is earth and in order to find that solidity, we must first develop our right to be here. Development of this chakra relies largely on basic needs being met and physical comfort, creating the physical identity. 

Chakra #2: sacral chakra/svadhisthana

The sacral chakra reflects our right to feel and develop our emotional identity. Another right of this chakra is the right to want and desire, reflecting on our sexuality. Its element is water, which allows us to access the flow of emotions. This chakra awakens as the child discovers that they are an individual, beginning to feel but not yet understanding. The emotional identity forms at this stage. 

Chakra #3: solar plexus/manipura

The solar plexus guides our right to act. This is where we find freedom in our power and execute our actions based on our emotions and desires. As a child develops their personal will, they seek control and the conscious self awakens. This chakra guides us towards controlling our destiny. Its element is fire and it awakens our ego identity. 

Chakra #4: heart/anahata

The heart chakra develops as the child overcomes their stubborn pursuit of power and is able to look outside themselves and develop relationships with those outside their familial circle. As this chakra awakens, we develop intelligent love for others and our social identity. Our right to love and be loved stems from this chakra, awakening our social identity. It’s element is air and aims to balance and find compassion. 

Chakra #5: throat/vishudha 

This chakra purifies thoughts, creating clear communication and the right to speak and be heard. In Vishudha, we find our creative identity and ability to express ourselves, giving us the ability to contribute to conversations and the larger systems of life. When a child has a solid sense of themselves, they can expand and experiment with their creativity and power of expression. 

Chakra #6: third eye/ajna

The third eye allows us to gain clarity in our perception of the world. It is our right to see, observe, and interpret. Here we expand our archetypal identity, transforming our ego and developing an understanding of ourselves as part of a larger consciousness. Through the ajna, we can recognize our place in the world based on patterns of cultural and spiritual archetypes. It’s element is light.

Chakra #7: crown/saharara

The development of the crown chakra brings awareness and helps us develop our relationship with the divine. Our right to know brings our inner truths to the forefront that inevitably grow throughout our lives. This allows us to find our universal identity, finding our spiritual understanding of ourselves and the world. The awakening of the crown chakra expands our consciousness and integrates our individual selves with the collective whole.