Chakras
by Wendy Stokes
Science informs us that energy is everywhere. It cannot be created and cannot be destroyed. The harnessing and use of universal energy governs every aspect of our lives, and even a solid object such as a table, is made up of unseen energy particles which are whirling and vibrating at incredible speeds. Originally, knowledge about the human energy system was documented in Hindu and Buddhist scriptures and, over the course of thousands of years, this knowledge spread throughout the world and developed to include many traditions, philosophies and ideologies. This personal energy source is known by many names, such as life force, shakti, prana, chi, ki, qi, bios and aether. In the body, this energy is transmitted through a series of relay stations, known to the ancients as ‘chakras’ or ‘wheels of life’. These are rotating zones of communication that channel information between the physical body, the emotions, the mind and the spirit.
Eastern health methods, such as yoga, acupuncture, Ayurveda (‘Ayur’ means ‘life’ and ‘veda’ means ‘knowledge’) usually specialise in maintaining the wellbeing of these chakra centres as their action affects not only physical, but also mental, emotional and spiritual health. In Western countries, Theosophy and Anthroposophy discovered this Eastern medical model of health and used some of the ancient ideas and developed them into modern forms of therapy, such as Polarity Therapy and therapeutic energy work in general. Today, six chakras are thought to correlate to the endocrine system, matching chakra position and action with releases of hormones secreted by the glandular organs. These secretions significantly affect the physical body, the emotions and the mind, and quite likely affect spiritual life also.
The word ‘chakra’ spoken with a hard ‘ch’ as in church, is an ancient Indian word meaning ‘wheels’ or ‘spinning spheres’, and our word ‘chariot’ originates from the same root. In some traditions, there are seven major chakra centres that control our energy levels, in others, eight or ten. In fact, there are dozens of minor chakras, including at the centre of each palm and each finger tip. The most common Western system recognises six major chakras, and a seventh that circles round about four inches from the top of the head and represents God consciousness. Correct, regular movement and action within these centres will result in increased health and vitality. Incorrect movement and action will result in poor energy production and, if very affected, psychological and/or physical ill health. To maximise energy flow and increase health, these centres need regular cleansing and aligning and the creation of a smooth and harmonious reaction with each other. The combined action of the chakras results in an energy field which envelopes the whole body. This is sometimes called ‘the aura’ and when in poor health this energy field is reduced in size, clarity and momentum. Mediums and clairvoyants can see the auric field and can sometimes diagnose illness from the colours within it. There is a group of people in China who are known as the Falun Gong. They are able to see the chakra system and are very spiritual as a result. Unfortunately, due to the religious prohibitions in China, these people are victimised and their knowledge severely oppressed.
In the East, a complete lifetime would be devoted to working on health promotion in this way. We have less time and can use simple techniques to improve and promote good vibrations. Colour meditation is often used and most traditions are in agreement that the colours of the rainbow are used for meditation in a sequence that starts with the lowest end of the spectrum at the base of the spine and moving upwards to release what is described as the serpent that is coiled in this area. In this way, as the serpent is released so healing flows up the spine and moves throughout the entire body. Music is often used in conjunction with this release of serpent power. Simple musical notes used alongside meditation can be immensely beneficial. Once again, there is some controversy, as each school has their own favourite notation. The notation I have offered is perhaps the most popular method in the West. Gemstones are a favourite aid to use for chakra rejuvenation. The choice of these natural stones is usually based on their colour and follows the rainbow colour chart. This simple colour method is quite useful as only seven stones need to be used, and, as each stone needs to be mined from the earth, pollution of the earth is reduced to a minimum. A mantra or one word of power can be recited using slow inhalations and reciting the mantra on each slow exhalation. Qualities related to the chakra areas register sexual feelings around the basal root area requiring maturity, the solar area registering issues of justice (where someone feels something “in their waters” due to concern), strength of disposition (the colly-wobbles and stomach upsets caused through stress), heart problems due to lack of self discipline (due to over-work or over indulgence), peace registers in the throat area (screaming when shocked for instance), the brow area registers intuition and the highest chakra is for higher aspirations, especially for helping others. Herbs and aromatherapy can also be used to help raise power and for cleansing purposes.
Balancing the Chakras
Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as EFT, has been found an effective way to open, cleanse and invigorate the chakra centres. First rub your hands vigorously together. Then prime your hands by quickly tapping the tip of your thumb and the tip of your index finger of each hand together, then tip of thumb and tip of middle finger of each hand, then tip of thumb and tip of ring finger of each hand, then tip of thumb and tip of little finger of each hand.
Now take your attention to your spine. As you do so, imagine a red light spinning at the base of your spinal column. This is where the root zone is situated. Take in a deep breath and breathe out slowly. As you breathe out, imagine this red light freely spinning from front to back. When it has found a comfortable and stable speed, imagine bright red sparks from this wheel showering throughout your body.
Then move your attention to an area about four inches below your tummy button and imagine an orange wheel in this area. This is the sacral zone. Take in a deep breath, and breathe out slowly. Imagine this wheel freely spinning. When it has found a comfortable speed, align it to the root chakra, not only in size and speed but also in position, imagine this pure orange wheel sending out orange sparks throughout your body. Take your attention to the region just above your tummy button. This is the area of the solar plexus. Imagine a yellow wheel spinning in this area. Align this one with the other two, in position, size and speed. Breathe in and as you breathe out, imagine this wheel sending out yellow sparks to all areas of your body.
Next, take your attention to the area of your heart. This is your heart chakra. Imagine a wheel of pure green light spinning in alignment with the others and at a regular speed. When you get the impression all four are comfortably spinning together, take a deep inhalation and as you exhale, imagine green sparks flying off to cleanse all parts of your body.
Retain this feeling while taking your attention to your throat area. Imagine a beautiful, pure blue colour radiating from this chakra. Align this with the other zones, taking care to make sure that each one feels comfortable and are also working well together. Take in a deep breathe and imagine as you breathe out that blue sparks are radiating throughout your body, renewing and revitalising all they touch.
Keep these going while taking your attention to the brow zone between your eyebrows and imagine a mauve light spinning here. Harmonise this with the others, take a deep breath and imagine the mauve sparks reaching every area of your body and mind.
Lastly, take your attention to an area about four inches above your head. This is the area of the crown and is the largest of all the chakras. It has a pure violet light and moves with consistency and regularity in harmony with all the others. Breathe in and as you exhale, imagine this violet light spending sparks in all directions throughout the world.
This session should take approximately twenty minutes. After you have completed this process, your body should feel energised, your emotions settled, your mind refreshed and your spirit lightened.
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