The chakras and what they represent

The chakras are known as psychic centres. They are located at points in the physical body where there is direct interaction between the energies of a specific 'room' or department of the mind and the physical body.

Physically the interaction takes place via the dual media of the nervous system and the endocrine glands. The various departments of the mind, in this sense, are related to different levels and regions of expression and perception.

•Mooladhara, the lowest chakra, located at the perineum in men, and the cervix in women, is associated with self-identity and security, possessions, fears and inhibitions.

•Swadhisthana, located near the sacrum at the bottom of the spine, is associated with the unconscious, sexuality, joy and trust.

•Manipura, located in the spine behind the navel, is associated with personal power, dynamism and self-esteem.

•Anahata, located in the spine behind the heart, is connected to the emotions of love, compassion and forgiveness (as well as their counterparts, hate and revenge).

•Vishuddhi, located at the base of the neck, is associated with the various levels of communication with people, and with self-will, flowing with life.

•Ajna, located at the pineal gland behind the eyebrow centre, is associated with wisdom, intuition and discrimination – all the mental abilities.

Beyond there is Sahasrara, at the crown of the head, associated with our personal spiritual connection to the absolute.

Each centre is a powerhouse of some complexity and many experiences manifest when a chakra becomes more active.

Activation of the centres is a normal and necessary state in our lives, but it often happens in a haphazard fashion with lots of complications. But gentle and systematic stimulation of the chakras can be achieved via various yoga practices, especially mantra. Such gentle stimulation allows our abilities and effectiveness as human beings to increase without creating an overload or imbalance.

Awakening of the chakra energies is awakening of parts of our nature. To deal with the positive nature is easy, but to deal with the negative nature can be very difficult. It is often necessary to seek advice from a competent teacher or guide (guru).

By Swami Poornamurti Saraswati (Australia)

Source (Yoga Magazine: March 2002) Edited