Hindu Chakras

Chakra Energy Centers, a construct based in ancient traditions, found its way into Western culture because these Energy Centers describe an organization of interlocking energy flow in the unfolding consciousness of human beings. The word Chakra derives from Sanskrit; it means both a blossoming flower and a revolving wheel. In the West chakras or foci of energy in the body are considered interior stars or precious alchemical metals. Chakras are purported to vitalize the physical body. They are associated with interactions on all layers of functioning.

In his book The Eastern Mysteries, David Allen Hulse says:

Though in the Eastern tantrik tradition the human body contains seven orthodox chakras, or vortices of energy, within it, there exist literally thousands of such centers. These myriad centers of energy have their counterpart in China as Acupuncture points.

Kundalini, the energy latent at the base of the spine, traverses the pathway of the chakras from the first or lowest chakra, Muladhara, to the last or highest chakra, Sahasrara. Kundalini is symbolized by a serpent coiled 3 1/2 times around an upright lingam in the center of the Muladhara chakra. Through tantrik yoga meditational techniques, each of the chakras is pierced by the rising kundalini until the lowest is united with the highest. (p. 254)

 

In the human body, historically, there were thought to be seven main spinning energy centers aligned in an ascending column from the base of the spine to the top of the head.

 

 

Each chakra is associated with a certain color, sound frequency, specific functions, aspects of consciousness, and other distinguishing characteristics. They are the loci of life energy, chi or prana, flowing through the energy channels of the body.