“In one thoroughly researched and beautifully written book you can learn…what it took ancient seekers a lifetime to uncover.” Steven A. Ross, PhD, CEO of the World Research Foundation and author of And Nothing Happened… But You Can Make It Happen
“A shining constellation of timeless wisdom and brilliant insights on chakras. This groundbreaking book is an essential conduit to whole-self healing.” Dr. Deanna Minich, founder of Food & Spirit
“[Cyndi Dale’s] ability to organize and communicate complex material in an easily accessible manner is quite remarkable, leaving the seeker enriched and inspired to proceed along their path. This one belongs in every spiritual library!” Linda Howe, author of Discover Your Soul’s Path Through the Akashic Records
“Cyndi Dale’s new book is a comprehensive, erudite, and extremely readable book that covers every aspect of chakras. Highly recommended for beginners and experts alike.” Richard Webster, award-winning and bestselling author of Spirit Guides & Angel Guardians
L L E W E L LY N ’ S
COMPLETE BOOK OF
CHAKRAS
Ab out th e Auth o r Cyndi Dale (Minneapolis, MN) is an internationally renowned author, speaker, healer, and business consultant. She is president of Life Systems Services, through which she has conducted over 50,000 client sessions and presented training classes throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Visit her online at CyndiDale.com.
L L E W E L LY N ’ S
C O M P LETE BOO K O F
CHAKRAS
Your Definitive Source of Energy Center Knowledge for Health, Happiness, and Spiritual Evolution
Cyndi Dale l l e w e l ly n p u b l i c at i o n s
Woodbury, Minnesota
Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Chakras: Your Definitive Source of Energy Center Knowledge for Health, Happiness, and Spiritual Evolution © 2016 by Cyndi Dale. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including Internet usage, without written permission from Llewellyn Publications, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
first edition
First Printing, 2016 Book design by Rebecca Zins Cover design by Ellen Lawson Cover images: iStockphoto.com/41763132/© Julia Snegireva, iStockphoto.com/30364516/© Fuet, mandala courtesy of Cyndi Dale/Essential Energy Interior ornamental pattern: iStockphoto.com/41763132/© Julia Snegireva Interior illustrations by Mary Ann Zapalac, Elisabeth Alba, James Clark, and the Llewellyn Art Department Llewellyn Publications is a registered trademark of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Dale, Cyndi. Llewellyn’s complete book of chakras : your definitive source of energy center knowledge for health, happiness, and spiritual evolution / Cyndi Dale.—first edition. pages cm.—(Llewellyn’s complete book; #8) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-7387-3962-5 1. Chakras. I. Title. BF1442.C53D355 2015 131—dc23 2015026134 Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd. does not participate in, endorse, or have any authority or responsibility concerning private business transactions between our authors and the public. All mail addressed to the author is forwarded but the publisher cannot, unless specifically instructed by the author, give out an address or phone number. Any Internet references contained in this work are current at publication time, but the publisher cannot guarantee that a specific location will continue to be maintained. Please refer to the publisher’s website for links to authors’ websites and other sources. Llewellyn Publications A Division of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd. 2143 Wooddale Drive Woodbury, MN 55125-2989 www.llewellyn.com Printed in the United States of America
c o n t en t s
List of Exercises…xxxv List of Illustrations…xli Introduction…xlv
Section 1: Chakra Fundamentals and Basic Practices 1 Part 1: What Are Chakras? A Pocket Guide to Your Body’s Points of Light 3 Chakras: One of the Body’s Three Subtle Energy Systems 4
1
Your Spinning Wheels of Light 7 What Is a Chakra? 9 Chakra Structure 11 What Does the Spin of a Healthy Chakra Look Like? 13 The Three Main Functions of the Chakras 15 Chakras Remember 15 Chakras Are Energy Transformers 15 1. Chakras Process Physically 17 2. Chakras Process Psychologically 18 3. Chakras Process Spiritually 19
Contents
Deeper into Chakras and Energy 21 A Scientific Perspective of Chakras 22 Sanskrit: Ancient Language of Beauty, Complexity, and Power 23 Table 1—The Sanskrit Sounds 24
A Thumbnail History of the Chakras 26 Subtle Energy Across Time 28 Basic Energies in the Hindu Universe 29
A Snapshot of the Chakras 32 First Chakra: Muladhara 32 Second Chakra: Svadhisthana 32 Third Chakra: Manipura 33 Fourth Chakra: Anahata 33 Fifth Chakra: Vishuddha 33 Sixth Chakra: Ajña 34 Seventh Chakra: Sahasrara 34
What Is Kundalini? 2
37
The Rainbow Serpent: Climbing the Chakra Ladder 39 The Sheaths of Enlightenment 43 The Love Story of the Chakras: Shiva and Shakti 45 The Benefits—and Challenges—of a Kundalini Awakening 46
Part 2: The Hindu Chakra System 51
3
Hindu Chakras: The Basic Seven 53 What’s in a Chakra? 54 The Hindu Cosmos 60
viii
Contents
The Development and Activation of Our Chakras 62 A Twelve-Chakra Development System 63 Anodea Judith’s Chakra Development System 64 Chakra Development in the Traditional Hindu System 65
The Emotional Challenges of the Chakras 65 The Chakra Powers: Psychic Senses and the Siddhi 66 The Ancient Hindu Siddhi 67
An Outline of Contemporary Psychic Abilities 69 Psychology, Personality, and the Chakras 72
4
The First Hindu Chakra: Muladhara 75 Most Familiar Sanskrit Name and Meaning 76 Other Names 76 Location 76
The Kanda: The Nadi Chakra 77 Purpose 79 Color 79 Chakra Activation 79
The Adrenals: Muladhara’s Endocrine Energy 79 Associated Gland 81 Body Parts Managed 81 Predominant Sense and Sense Organ 81 Action Organ 81 Vital Breath 81 Related Diseases 81 Psychological Functions 81 Associated Archetypes 82 Personality Profile 82 Deficiencies and Excesses of the First Chakra 82 When the First Chakra Is Balanced 83
ix
Contents Muladhara Symbols: The First Chakra Yantra 84 Muladhara’s Component Parts 85 Cosmic Realm or Plane 86 Ruling Goddesses 86 Ruling Gods 86 Ruling Planet 86 Granthi (Knot) 86 Intuitive Abilities 87 Subtle Body Partners 87
The Second Hindu Chakra: Svadhisthana 5
91
Most Familiar Sanskrit Name and Meaning 92 Other Names 92 Location 92
Yuga to Yuga: The Changing Nature of Svadhisthana 92 Purpose 93 Color 93 Chakra Activation 93 Associated Gland 93 Body Parts Managed 93 Predominant Sense and Sense Organ 93
The Gonads: Svadhisthana’s Endocrine Energy 94 Predominant Sense and Sense Organ 95 Action Organ 95 Vital Breath 95 Related Diseases 95 Psychological Functions 95 Associated Archetypes 96 Personality Profile 96 Deficiencies and Excesses of the Second Chakra 96 When the Second Chakra Is Balanced 97
x
Contents Svadhisthana Symbols: The Second Chakra Yantra 97 Svadhisthana’s Component Parts 97 Cosmic Realm or Plane 99 Ruling Goddesses 99 Ruling Gods 99 Ruling Planet 100 Granthi (Knot) 100 Intuitive Abilities 101 Subtle Body Partners 101
The Third Hindu Chakra: Manipura 6
103
Most Familiar Sanskrit Name and Meaning 104 Other Names 104 Location 104 Purpose 104
Does Kundalini Start in Manipura? 104 Color 105 Chakra Activation 105 Associated Gland 107 Body Parts Managed 107
The Pancreas: Manipura’s Endocrine Energy 107 Predominant Sense and Sense Organ 108 Action Organ 108 Vital Breath 108 Related Diseases 108 Psychological Functions 109 Associated Archetypes 109 Personality Profile 110 Deficiencies and Excesses of the Third Chakra 110 When the Third Chakra Is Balanced 110 Manipura Symbols: The Third Chakra Yantra 110
xi
Contents Manipura’s Component Parts 111 Cosmic Realm or Plane 112 Ruling Goddess 112 Ruling God 112 Ruling Planet 112 Granthi (Knot) 112 Intuitive Abilities 113 Subtle Body Partners 113
The Fourth Hindu Chakra: Anahata 7
115
Most Familiar Sanskrit Name and Meaning 116 Other Names 116 Location 116 Purpose 116
Anahata as the Seat of Jivatnam 117 Color 118 Chakra Activation 118 Associated Glands 118 Body Parts Managed 118
The Two Possible Endocrine Glands for Anahata 119 Predominant Sense and Sense Organ 122 Action Organ 122 Vital Breath 122 Related Diseases 122 Psychological Functions 122 Associated Archetypes 122 Personality Profile 123 Deficiencies and Excesses of the Fourth Chakra 123 When the Fourth Chakra Is Balanced 123 Anahata Symbols: The Fourth Chakra Yantra 123 Anahata’s Component Parts 124
xii
Contents Cosmic Realm or Plane 124 Ruling Goddess 124 Ruling God 124 Ruling Planet 125 Granthi (Knot) 125 Intuitive Abilities 125 Subtle Body Partners 126
The Fifth Hindu Chakra: Vishuddha 8
129
Most Familiar Sanskrit Name and Meaning 130 Other Names 130 Location 130 Purpose 130 Color 130 Chakra Activation 130 Associated Gland 130
The Thyroid: Vishuddha’s Endocrine Gland and Its Accompaniment, the Parathyroid 131 Body Parts Managed 133 Predominant Sense and Sense Organ 133 Action Organ 133 Vital Breath 133 Related Diseases 133 Psychological Functions 133 Associated Archetypes 134 Personality Profile 134 Deficiencies and Excesses of the Fifth Chakra 134 When the Fifth Chakra Is Balanced 134 Vishuddha Symbols: The Fifth Chakra Yantra 135 Vishuddha’s Component Parts 135 Cosmic Realm or Plane 136
xiii
Contents Ruling Goddess 136 Ruling Gods 136 Ruling Planet 138 Granthi (Knot) 138 Intuitive Abilities 138 Subtle Body Partners 139
The Sixth Hindu Chakra: Ajña 9
143
Most Familiar Sanskrit Name and Meaning 144 Other Names 144 Location 144 Purpose 144 Color 144 Chakra Activation 144 Associated Gland 145
The Pituitary: Ajña’s Endocrine Gland 145 Body Parts Managed 147 Predominant Sense and Sense Organ 147 Action Organ 147 Vital Breath 147
History of the Third Eye: The Gift of Clairvoyance 147 Related Diseases 150 Psychological Functions 150 Associated Archetypes 150 Personality Profile 150 Deficiencies and Excesses of the Sixth Chakra 151 When the Sixth Chakra Is Balanced 151 Ajña Symbols: The Sixth Chakra Yantra 151 Ajña’s Component Parts 152 Cosmic Realm or Plane 152 Ruling Goddess 152
xiv
Contents Ruling Gods 153 Ruling Planet 153 Granthi (Knot) 153 Intuitive Abilities 153 Subtle Energy Partners 155
The Seventh Hindu Chakra: Sahasrara 10
159
Most Familiar Sanskrit Name and Meaning 160 Other Names 160 Location 161 Purpose 161 Color 161 Chakra Activation 161 Associated Gland 161
The Pineal Gland: Sahasrara’s Endocrine Gland 161 Partners in Perception: The Pineal and the Pituitary 168 What Is Amrita Made Of? 169 Body Parts Managed 170 Predominant Sense and Sense Organ 170 Action Organ 170 Vital Breath 170 Related Diseases 170 Psychological Functions 171 Associated Archetypes 171 Personality Profile 171 Deficiencies and Excesses of the Seventh Chakra 172 When the Seventh Chakra Is Balanced 172 Sahasrara Symbols: The Seventh Chakra Yantra 173 Sahasrara’s Component Parts 176
xv
Contents Cosmic Realm or Plane 177 Ruling Goddess 177 Ruling God 177 Ruling Planet 177 Granthi (Knot) 177 Intuitive Abilities 177 Subtle Body Partners 178
Kundalini Matures: An Overview 181
Part 3: Fundamentals of Chakra Medicine 185 The Benefits of Chakra Medicine 11
187
The Far-Reaching Benefits of Chakra Medicine 188 Chakras Increase Clarity 189
Why Do We Take In the Energies of Others? 190 Chakras Clear Out Negative Beliefs and Emotions 191 Chakras Release Trauma 191 Chakras Access Insight 193 Chakras Relieve Stress 193 Chakras Strengthen Immunities and Boundaries 194 Chakras Clear and Keep Out Others’ Energies 195
Chakra Medicine: Your Lexicon of Terms 196
Chakra Medicine Methods I: Preparation and Analysis 12 The Chakra Medicine Building Blocks from A to Z 200 Physical Tools for Chakra Medicine 202
The Intuition Building Block 205
xvi
199
Contents
The Four Intuitive Styles 206 Physical Intuition 206 Spiritual Intuition 206 Verbal Intuition 207 Visual Intuition 207
Locating the Chakras 207 Evaluating Issues Through the Chakras 208 Backgrounder: A Word About Blocks 209 Chakra Assessment Using a Chakra Chart 213 The Chakra Medicine “Cheat Sheet” 214 Assessing Chakra Health with Pendulum Testing 216
Chakra Medicine Methods II: Healing 13
221
Chakra Cleansing 222 Pulling Out or Moving Chakra Energy 226 Energizing or Charging the Chakras 227 The Light Wand: A Universal Sewing Kit 228 Aligning the Chakras 229 Beliefs and Your Chakra Anatomy 230 Systems 233
Chakra Medicine Practices: Eastern Methods 14
235
The Yamas and Niyamas: The Importance of Living a Clean Life 236 The Five Yamas 236 The Niyamas 236
Pranayama: The Breath of Spirit 237 Poses for Seated Meditation 241 Mudras: Signs of the Soul 243 Eleven Buddhist Mudras to Accomplish Any Goal 247
xvii
Contents
Making Use of the Eyes 252 Secret of the Golden Flower 252
Trataka 253 The Four Bandhas 254 Chakra-Focused Asanas 257
Chakra Techniques: From Mantras to Gemstones 15 and Everything in Between 267
Mantras and More: The Music of the Spheres 268 About Mantras 268 Seed Syllables 269
Yantras: The Shapes and Colors of Light 270 Reiki Symbols for Your Chakras: Another Form of Yantras 274 The Power Reiki Symbol: Cho Ku Rei 274 The Harmony Reiki Symbol: Sei Hei Ki 274 The Completion Reiki Symbol: Raku 275
Archetype Healing Through the Chakras 275 Homeopathy as Chakra Medicine 277 First Chakra Homeopathy 277 Second Chakra Homeopathy 277 Third Chakra Homeopathy 277 Fourth Chakra Homeopathy 278 Fifth Chakra Homeopathy 278 Sixth Chakra Homeopathy 278 Seventh Chakra Homeopathy 278
The Power of Flowers 278 Hindu Flowers Related to Days of the Week 279 Hindu Flowers for Specific Results 279 Flower Essences 280
xviii
Contents The Lotus 280 Essential Oils 282
Chakra Stone Therapy 283 Chakra Flower Essences, Gemstones, and Oils 286 Feeding Your Spirit with Food 288
Section 2: Chakras in Depth—Historical, Scientific, and Cross-Cultural Understandings 293 Part 4: The History of Chakra Knowledge Through the Lens of Ancient India 295 Ancient Vedic Scripture: The Four Canons 16
297
The East Indian Backdrop: The Four Main Vedic Scriptures 298 Dating the Vedic Canons 300 The People Behind Vedic Scripture: Who Was There “In the Beginning”? 302 A Key Philosophy of the Vedic Scriptures: The Yugas 304 The Rig Veda and the Chakras: The First Appearance 306 Chakras in the Atharva Veda 308
Echoes of the Vedas in Other Parts of the World 308 The Evolution of the Hindu Gods 309 Early Vedic Deities 310 The Deities in the Puranas 310 A Fourth Major Deity: Shakti 311 Shakti in Tantric Tradition 311 Additional Gods 312
xix
Contents
Chakras Taking Form: Divining Three Movements 17
from the Upanishads and Other Early Sacred Texts 315 Ancient Tantric and Yogic Developments: A Brief History in Relation to Orthodox Hinduism 317 What Came First: Vedic or Tantric (and Yogic) Traditions? 318
Early Appearances of the Words Tantra and Yoga 319 The Upanishads: Vedic Underpinnings of Chakra Magic 320 A History of the Rainbow Serpent 322 The Earliest Upanishads: Roots of Chakra Consciousness 324 Chandogya Upanishad 324 Prashna Upanishad 325 Yoga Kundalini Upanishad 325
Mid-Range Upanishads 326 Darsana Upanishad 327 Yoga Sikha Upanishad 327 Yoga-Tattva Upanishad 328 Dhyana Bindu Upanishad 330 Brahma Upanishad 331
Pronouncing the Oldest Written Language in the World 331 Non-Vedic Texts from Ancient Times 333 Mahabharata 333 Yoga Sutra of Patanjali 334
The Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga 334
Following the Light of Tantra and Yoga 18 What Is Tantra? 338 A History of Tantra 341 Our Subtle Body Emerges from the Texts 342
xx
337
Contents
A Closer Look at the Divisions of Tantra 343 Avalon Spotlights Three Texts 344
A Review of Vedic and Tantric Traditions 345 A Sketch of Yoga 347
Part 5: The Science of Subtle Energy 351 Your Energy Primer: Understanding Physical and Subtle 19 Energy (And a Few Matters in Between) 355 Critical Definitions 356 A Primer on Energy: Toward a Working Definition 359 The Apple Universe: Classical Physics 361 Level One: Fundamental Concepts 362 Level Two: The “Charge” of Relationships 363 Level Three: Light and Sound 364
The Sound That Created Life on Earth 370 Laws of Classical Physics 371 The Orange Universe: Quanta and More 372 Laws of the Orange Universe 373 Key Figures in Energy History—Who Got Us Here? 374 Explaining Subtle Energy 377 The Many Worlds Theory 378 The Pilot Wave Theory and the Supersonic Nature of Energy 378 Connective Tissue Theory 380 The Virtual Nature of the Vacuum and the Role of Consciousness 380 My Personal “Many Speeds Theory” in Relation to Chakras 382
Various Names for Subtle Energy 384 The Role of Torsion Fields 385 Putting It All Together: A Brave New Model 386 xxi
Contents
The Multidimensional Model: Subtle Levels Between the Physical and Heavenly 390 Levels of Subtle Reality Over Time 391
Did Earlier Peoples Harness Subtle Energy? 392 Did the Hindus Get It Right? 392 Was Atlantis the Source of Energy Knowledge? 394
Chakras as Part of the Subtle Energy Anatomy 20
397
The Big Picture: Meet the Family of Subtle Energy Structures 398 The Subtle Channels 399 Subtle Channels: The Nadis 399
Ida and Pingala in Everyday Life 404 Subtle Channels: The Meridians 406 Subtle Channels: Parallels Between Nadis and Meridians 408 Meridian and Chakra Linkages 409
The Energetic Fields 410 Energetic Fields: The Auric Fields 410 Energetic Fields: The Seven Rays 411
Energy Bodies in Addition to the Chakras 415 Energy Bodies from the Ground Up 416
How the Etheric Body Operates 419 Do Subtle Bodies Instruct the Physical Body? 420 Energy Bodies: The Light Body 422 Energy Bodies: The Dantians 423
A Snapshot of the Energetic Anatomy 425
The Science and Structure of Chakras 21 Chakras as Psychophysiological Organs 428 Chakras and the Nervous System 428
xxii
427
Contents
A Closer Look at Neurotransmitters 432 Chakras and the Endocrine System 437
Chakras and Fields and Frequencies 441 Backgrounder on Fields and Frequencies 442 Measuring Chakras’ Fields and Frequencies 444 A Complete Picture of Chakras as Bands of Frequency 448
The Sound of the Body 451 Chakras in Multiplex: Ladders of Light 452
Chakras and Embryonic Development 455 The Structure of the Chakras 458 Chakras, Structure, and Spin 459
Which Way Is the Chakra Spinning? 465 Chakras and the Famous Lotus 466
Kundalini Rises: The Chakra Serpent 22
467
Kundalini in Indian Literature: The Mother of Love 468 A Homeward Journey 470 The Stages of the Kundalini Climb 470 The First Kundalini Stage: Purification 470 The Second Kundalini Stage: Activation 472 The Third Kundalini Stage: Rising 473 The Fourth Kundalini Stage: Integration 481
The Universal Nature of Kundalini 483 Kundalini in the Body: The Science of the Shakti 489 Distinguishing Prana and Kundalini 489 The Neurology and Hormonal Activity of Kundalini 491 Kundalini’s Electromagnetic Capacities 495 A Summative EMF Theory 497
Beyond the Science: The Snake as Transcendent 498
xxiii
Contents
Part 6: Chakra Systems of Asia 501 Chakra Systems of India 23
503
The Kriya Yoga System: Of Chakras and Kshetras 505 Ayurvedic Marmani and the Chakras: The “Spock” Points 507 Ayurveda: The Science of Life 510 The Marma Points: Lucid and Lethal 511 The Marmani and Chakra Medicine 511
Shaivism: Hinduism Emerging from India 518 Kashmir Shaivism: Trika Science 519 Kashmir Shaivism and the Energetic World 519
Guru Gorakshanath: A Nine-Chakra System 524
Tibet: Indian Tantra Meets Buddhism 24
529
Buddhism: A Backgrounder 530 Theravada Buddhism 531 Mahayana Buddhism 532 Vajrayana Buddhism 533
Tibetan Buddhism and the Channel Wheels 534 An Overview of the Tibetan Buddhist Subtle System 534 The Tibetan Channels and Channel Wheels 536 Mahasukha or Svabhavika Wheel: Great Bliss Chakra 538 Sambhoga Wheel: Enjoyment Chakra 539 Dharma Wheel: Dharma Chakra 539 Nirmana Wheel: Transformation or Manifesting Chakra 539
Meeting the Medicine Buddha: The Tibetan Buddhist Medical System 539 Channel Wheels Versus Chakras: Differences Between Systems 542 xxiv
Contents
The Vajra Diamond Body 543 Kalachakra Tantra: Stars Across Time 545 The Subtle Story of Kalachakra Tantra 547 Digging Deeper: Details About the Subtle Kalachakra Structures 549
Himalayan Bon: A Tibetan Energy System 553 The Subtle World of Himalayan Bon 553
Other Asian Chakra Systems 25
557
Taoist Alchemy and the Microcosmic Orbit 558 The Taoist Tradition 559
Lessons from a Taoist Monk 560 A Featured Hsien: Taoist Grand Master Chang San-Feng 561 The Taoist Subtle World 561 Apples, Oranges, and Taoist Energy 566
Reflexology and the Chakras 568 Zen: Meditation Buddhism 571 The Korean Chakra System 573 First Chakra 574 Second Chakra 574 Third Chakra 574 Fourth Chakra 574 Fifth Chakra 575 Sixth Chakra 575 Seventh Chakra 575
Thai Massage and Energy Lines 576 From Japan: Shiatsu 576 Kubota Healing System: A Chakra Blend 577 Master Choa Kok Sui’s Pranic Healing 577
xxv
Contents
Part 7: Ancient Chakra Systems Across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas 581 The African Continent 26
585
The Kamitic Tree of Life 588 The Meanings of the Spheres 588
Early Egyptian Energetics 589 Egyptian Energy Bodies 590 First Chakra: The Khab 591 Second Chakra: The Khaibit 591 Third Chakra: The Sahu 591 Fourth Chakra: The Ab 591 Fifth Chakra: The Shekem 591 Sixth Chakra: The Khu 591 Seventh Chakra: The Ba 591
The Seven Powers of Egypt 591 First Chakra: Sefekht 592 Second Chakra: Tekh 592 Third Chakra: Ab 592 Fourth Chakra: Kheper 592 Fifth Chakra: Sekhem 592 Sixth Chakra: Mer 592 Seventh Chakra: Ikh 592
Zulu Energy Bodies 592 The Yoruba Chakra System 593 Yoruba Medicine: The Art of Divination 595 Obatala Orisha: First Chakra 597 Elegba Orisha: Second Chakra 597
xxvi
Contents Ogun Orisha: Third Chakra 597 Yemoja Orisha: Fourth Chakra 597 Oshun Orisha: Fifth Chakra 597 Shango Orisha: Sixth Chakra 597 Oya Orisha: Seventh Chakra 597
Chakra Systems of Old Europe 27
599
Scandinavian Chakras: The Vikings Go Esoteric 600 The Creation of the World 601 Chakras and the Scandinavian World 602 Chakras on the World Tree 602
Celtic Chakras 603 Greek Chakras 604 Seventh Chakra: Crown 605 Sixth Chakra: Brain 606 Fifth Chakra: Neck 606 Fourth Chakra: Heart and Lungs 606 Third Chakra: Belly 606 Second Chakra: Gonads 606 First Chakra: Sacrum 607
The Greek Shoulders Upon Which We Stand 607 Traditions Related to Greek and Other Western Thought 608 Hesychasm: Chakras in Eastern Orthodox Christianity 611 Christian Chakras 612
The Middle East 28
615
Zoroastrian Chakras: The Holy Immortals 617 Sufi Chakras: The Lata’f 622 The Chakric Lata’f within the Sufi World (in the Kubrawiyya Lineage) 622
The Naqshbandi Sufi Cosmology 625 The Practice of Sufism 626 xxvii
Contents
The Hriday Chakra: Moving Deeper into the Heart 628 The Jewish Kabbalah and Sephiroth 628 The Vital Energy Bodies: The Tree of the Sephiroth 629 The Ten Sephiroth 631 The Sephiroth and Other Esoteric Systems 635
Chakra Medicine in the Americas 29
637
North American Chakra Medicine Concepts 638 Hopi Chakras 639 Prayer from Father Sun and Mother Earth 641
The Tsalagi (Cherokee) Energy System 641 The Earth Shells and Energy Bodies 642
The Sioux Nation: Energies of Spirit 643 The Iroquois: “The Mystic Potence” 643 Intertribal Centers of Higher Knowing 645 The Ten Eyes 646 The Five Ears 647
Mesoamerican Chakra Systems 647 Huichol Indians and the Light of the Gods 649 The Ancient Mayan Chakra System 651 Mayan Elements 653 The Mayan Factor of José Argüelles 654
South American Chakras: The Andean Chakra Systems 654 Atlantis and the American Continent 656 Basic Andean Shamanism 657 The Qollahuayas: Energies in the Mountains 658 Chumpi Incan Teachings: The World of the Qero 659
Incan Terms: The “Eyes” Have It 663 The Chumpi: Energy Belts 663 The Incan Pukios Model 665 xxviii
Contents First Pukio 666 Second Pukio 666 Third Pukio 667 Fourth Pukio 667 Fifth Pukio 668 Sixth Pukio 668 Seventh Pukio 668 Eighth Pukio 669 Ninth Pukio 669 Andean Chakras: The Nawis in the Feminine Quilagos Tradition 671
Part 8: Modern Western Chakra Systems 677 Early Western Mystics and Esoteric Orders 30
681
A Profile of Paracelsus: A Mystical Light Bridging East and West 682 A Foundational Esoteric Order: The Rosicrucians 683 The Rosicrucian Cosmos 684 Chakras as Psychic Lamps 689
The Psychic Centers and the Garden of Eden 692 The Order of the Freemasons 693 The Early “Easterner”: Johann Georg Gichtel 695 Swedenborgianism: Representing the Spiritual World 698 Mesmerism: Of Hypnotherapy and Animal Magnetism 700 Homeopathy: Like Cures Like 700 The Od: Nature’s Unceasing Natural Force 700 The Golden Dawn 701 Manly Hall Integrates Chakras Across Time 701 Spiritism: Communicating with the Dead 702
xxix
Contents
The Theosophical Society 31
705
An Early Theosophist: Helena Blavatsky 706 The “Soul” Theosophist: Alice Bailey 710 Bailey’s Energetic Universe 710 Bailey and the Chakras: Centers of Force 714
Charles Leadbeater: Theosophical Giant 719 Leadbeater’s Cosmos 721 Leadbeater’s Etheric Chakras 723 The Chakras and Prana: The Vitality Globule 727 Chakras and the Kundalini Force 728 Thoughts and Emotions: Forces in the Chakras and Mental and Astral Planes 729
Two Krishnamurtis Awaken 732
Chakras Come of Age in the West 32
735
The Later “Easterner”: Sir Arthur Avalon 736 Education and Beyond: Rudolf Steiner 737 Steiner’s Theory of Our Threefold Nature 739 Steiner and the Chakras 740
The Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) and the Sleeping Prophet 743 Chakra: First 744 Chakra: Second 744 Chakra: Third 745 Chakra: Fourth 745 Chakra: Fifth 746 Chakra: Sixth 746 Chakra: Seventh 746
xxx
Contents
The “Fourth Way”: The Subtle Anatomy Opens a New Path 748 Psychology Opens Its Doors: Carl Jung 748 The New Age: The Culminating Movement 750 Chakra Psychology: Christopher Hills 752 Putting It All Together: Anodea Judith 753 Spiritual Traditions Front and Center: Carolyn Myss 754 First Chakra 755 Second Chakra 755 Third Chakra 755 Fourth Chakra 756 Fifth Chakra 756 Sixth Chakra 756 Seventh Chakra 756
A NASA Scientist Describes Energy: Barbara Ann Brennan 758 Planes of Reality and the Auric Fields 758 Brennan’s Chakras 759
East Is West: Donna Eden and David Feinstein 762 Chakras Around the Body: My Own Twelve-Chakra System 764 Additional Points, Chakras, and the Spine 766
David Furlong: Adding an Earth Chakra 767 Katrina Raphaell: Transpersonal Chakras Make a Stand 768 The Subtranspersonal Chakras 768 The Hara Line 770 Hara Line Example 1: Transpersonal and Subpersonal Chakras 772 Hara Line Example 2: The Microcosmic Orbit Version 772
Chakra Changes Over Time 775
xxxi
Contents
Part 9: Chakras Et Cetera: Natural and Unusual Chakras 777 Chakras in Nature 33
779
Chakras and the Earth’s Songlines 781 How Earth Grids Are Formed 782 How Earth Chakras Are Formed 783
Do Earth Chakras Signify That We Came From or Have Been Visited By the Stars? 784 What Do Earth Chakras Look Like? 789 The Effects of Earth Chakras 789 Earth Chakra Systems 791 Erickson’s Contemporary Earth System 791 Coon’s Earth Chakra System 792
Legends Linked to Earth Chakras 793 The Keys of Enoch: Chakras and the Egyptian Mysteries 795 Crop Circles and Other Metaphysical Earth Art: Images from the Stars or…? 796 Of Earth and Sky: Rudolf Steiner’s Astrogeographia System 799 Animal Chakras: The Energy of Our Earth Friends 801
New and Unusual Chakras and Chakra Systems 34 Unusual Chakras: A Sign of Times to Come? 806 New Chakras Broadcast in the Energetic Media 806
The Expanded Twelve-Chakra System 811 Spiritual Energy Points 812
xxxii
805
Contents
The Outer Bounds of the Twelve Chakras: The Energy Egg 813 Innermost Layer 813 Middle Layer 813 Outer Layer 813
Chakra Seals 814 The Back Sides of the Chakras 814 The Back Sides of the Seven In-Body Chakras 815 The Back Sides of the Five Out-of-Body Chakras 815
Amazing Energetic Bodies 816 The Silver Cord: Your Link to Life 816 The Vivaxis 818 The Soul Records 819
Emerging Systems of Kundalini 821 A Final Note: An Emerging Paradigm of Unified Energetics 822 Conclusion: Your “Great Perhaps”…825 Acknowledgments…827 Glossary…829 Endnotes…853 Index…975
xxxiii
EXERCI SES
The Two Vital Airs 31 A Grounding Tool for Muladhara 83 Special Muladhara Mudra Through “Knowing Your Nose” 87 Left Nostril Breathing to Activate Water and Moon 98 Increase the Flow of Prana to the Second Chakra 99 Meditating on Svadhisthana 100 Sounding the Universe Through Your Manipura 108 Firing Up Your Manipura 111 Pit Pose for Manipura Chakra 112 Mantra to Create Peace Instead of Fear 121 Wishing Upon the Celestial Tree 127 Resonating the Bija Ham 136 The Khechari Mudra: Opening to the Nectar of the Gods 137 The Five Steps for Grounding 201 Spirit-to-Spirit 202 Finding Chakras with a Pendulum 203 Establishing a Polarity Baseline Using Muscle Testing 204 Establishing Your Sending and Receiving Hands 205 Locating Chakras with Applied Kinesiology 207 Locating Chakras with Hands-On Interaction 208 Locating Chakras Intuitively 208 Testing for Chakra Spin with a Pendulum 217 xxxv
Exercises
Assessing with Applied Kinesiology 218 Assessing with Hands-On Interaction 218 Assessing with Intuition—Four Styles 219 Chakra Clearing with Hands-On Interaction 222 Chakra Clearing with Intuitive Meditation 224 Healing Chakra Blocks 224 Relieving Congestion in a Chakra 227 Charging a Chakra 227 Using a Light Wand 228 Aligning Another’s Chakras 229 Aligning Your Own Chakras 230 Working with Beliefs in Seven Steps 234 Ujjayi Pranayama 239 Bhramari Pranayama 239 Bhastrika Pranayama 239 Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing) 240 Udgeeth Pranayama 240 Sukhasana Pose 241 Padmasana Pose 243 Jnana and the Chin Mudras 244 Shambhavi Mudra 245 Ashvini Mudra 245 Navamukhi Mudra 246 Dhyani Mudra (also called Samadhi Mudra) 247 Vitarka Mudra 247 Dharmachakra Mudra 248 Bhumisparsha Mudra 248 Abhaya Mudra 249 xxxvi
Exercises
Varada Mudra 249 Uttarabodhi Mudra 250 Mudra of Supreme Wisdom 250 Anjali Mudra (also called Namaskara Mudra) 251 Vajrapradama Mudra 251 Karana Mudra 252 Activating the Eyes 253 Trataka 253 Mula Bandha 254 Uddiyana Bandha 255 Jalandhara Bandha 255 Maha Bandha 255 First Chakra Pose: Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I) 257 Second Chakra Pose: Parivrtta Trikonasana (Twisting Triangle Pose) 259 Third Chakra Pose: Ustrasana (Camel Pose) 261 Fourth Chakra Pose: Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) 263 Fifth Chakra Pose: Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) 263 Sixth Chakra Pose: Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog) 265 Seventh Chakra Pose: Savasana (Corpse Pose) 266 The Gayatri Mantra 269 Employing a Yantra 270 A Reiki Chakra Practice 275 Archetype Meditation 276 Lotus Meditation 281 Using Gemstones for Chakra Healing 284 A Guided Meditation to Visit the Heart of Brahman 324
xxxvii
Exercises
A Self-Assessment—Which Siddhis Have You Already Activated? 328 Becoming the Peace of the Ancient Texts 331 Breathing the Kriya Breath 507 Putting Marma Touch Therapy into Practice 518 Meditation on the Shakti Chakra 524 An Experience of Theravada Buddhism 531 Receiving a Tibetan Blessing 541 Meditating on the Vajra Body 544 Clearing Winds Exercise 554 Massaging Away Negative Emotions 567 Chakra Hand and Feet Reflexology 568 Simple Zazen: Being One with Your Breath 571 Strengthening Your Chakras 575 Quick Shiatsu Energy Boost 577 Clearing a Space with Crown Chakra Energy 580 Clearing Your Orishas 598 Entering the Fire Temple 621 Remembrance with the Sufis 627 In Times of Trouble 645 Listening with Your Five Ears 647 Cooling Off with the Kuna Indians 650 Experiencing the Nawis 661 Activating Your Own Chumpis 664 An Incan Chakra Harmony Rite 669 Walking This Good Earth: The Nawis of the Feet 674 Living as a Rosicrucian 690 Rosicrucian Meditation for Chakra Healing and Prayer 691 Healing Techniques Using the Rays 713 xxxviii
Exercises
Perceiving the Colors in the Astral Body 731 Steiner’s Advice for the Fifth Chakra 742 Meditating the Cayce Way 747 The Seven Catholic Sacraments 757 Strengthening Your Hara Line 774 Is There a Vortex in Your Area? 790 Creating Your Own Songline in Your Environment 799 Steiner’s Planetary Energy in Your Body 800 Disembodying the Pain Body 810 The Etheric Mirror: Seeing the Healing 810 The Book of Life: Transforming the Negative to Positive 820
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I L L U S TR A T I O N S
1—Chakras As Vortexes 10 2—The Location and Basic Functions of the In-Body Chakras 16 3—The Plumed Serpent and an Ouroboros 38 4—Kundalini and the Three Main Nadis (left) and the Energy Flow of Ida and Pingala (right) 40 5—The Three Main Granthis 42 6—The Five Koshas 44 7—The Greek Caduceus and Kundalini 49 8—The Endocrine System 56 9—The Seven Hindu Chakras 58 10—The Muladhara and Parts of the Spine 78 11—The Pancreas 106 12—The Celestial Tree Wishing Chakra 127 13—The Thyroid and Parathyroid 131 14—The Lalana Chakra 140 15—The Three Main Secondary Chakras of the Ajña 154 16—The Location of the Pineal Gland 162 17—Sukhasana 242 18—Padmasana 242 19—The Jnana and Chin Mudras 244 20—Navamukhi 246 21—Dhyani or Samadhi Mudra 247
xli
Illustrations
22—Vitarka Mudra 247 23—Dharmachakra Mudra 248 24—Bhumisparsha Mudra 248 25—Abhaya Mudra 249 26—Varada Mudra 249 27—Uttarabodhi Mudra 250 28—Mudra of Supreme Wisdom 250 29—Anjali or Namaskara Mudra 251 30—Vajrapradama Mudra 251 31—Karana Mudra 252 32—First Chakra Pose 256 33—Second Chakra Pose 258 34—Third Chakra Pose 260 35—Fourth Chakra Pose 262 36—Fifth Chakra Pose 262 37—Sixth Chakra Pose 264 38—Seventh Chakra Pose 264 39—The Seven Sacred Geometry Signs of the Chakras 272 40—Reiki Symbols 274 41—Vishnu and the Sudarshana Chakra 307 42—The Greek Omphalos 309 43—Nadis within the Sushumna 403 44—The Auric Fields 412 45—The Seven Rays 414 46—The External Energy Bodies 417 47—The Dantians 424 48—The Human Spine 430 49—Parts of the Brain 438 xlii
Illustrations
50—Close-Up of the Glands 440 51—The Electromagnetic Spectrum 443 52—Gap Junctions 457 53—The Torus, Zero-Point Insert, and the Chakra 460 54—Two-Sided Chakra (left) and the Heart’s Field (right) 461 55—The Rising of Charges 463 56—Bodily Areas Where Emotions Appear in Kundalini Situations 478 57—A Thirteen-Chakra System 506 58—The Kshetram Points 508 59—The Kshetram and Chakra Points in the Brain 509 60—The Five Elemental Areas of the Body 512 61—The Five Koshas in the Body 513 62—The Marmani Related to the Chakras 514 63—The Kalachakra Six-Chakra System 552 64—The Four Taoist Forces 562 65—The Microcosmic Orbit 564 66—The Seven Chakra Points in the Hand 569 67—The Seven Chakra Points on the Foot 570 68—The Korean Dahnjons 572 69—Pranic Healing and the Eleven Major Chakras 578 70—The Kamitic Tree of Life 586 71—The Yoruba Cosmology 594 72—The Yoruba Chakra System 596 73—The “Chakra” Worlds of the Norse 601 74—The Zarathustrian Amesha Spentas 620 75—Physical Location of the Lataf ’a 624 76—The Sephiroth on the Tree of Life 630
xliii
Illustrations
77—The Chakras and the Kabbalah 633 78—The Taoist I Ching and the Kabbalistic Tree of Life 634 79—The Seven Stones of the Sioux 644 80—The Chumpi Energy Belts 662 81—The Hidden Thirteenth Nawi 672 82—The Nawis in the Feminine Quilagos Tradition 673 83—Leonardo da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” 685 84—The Rose Cross Lamen 686 85—The Rose Cross with Seven Roses 687 86—The Power of Ten 688 87—The Rose in the First Chakra Square 688 88—Blavatsky’s Planes Within Planes 708 89—The Theosophical Constitution of the Human Being 720 90—The Shape and Structure of a Chakra 722 91—Leadbeater’s Chakra System 724 92—Brennan’s Planes of Reality and Auric Field Layers 760 93—Brennan’s View of the Chakras 761 94—The Twelve-Chakra System 765 95—Transpersonal Chakras 769 96—The Hara Line Chakras 771 97—The Antakarana Symbol 774 98—Crop Circles and Chakras 798 99—Animal Chakras 802
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in t r o d u c t i o n
If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore…
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I
often think of the chakras as stars that descended to earth and embedded in our human form. In some ways, the story of chakras is similar to that of the stars. As Emerson implies, their presence can be overlooked, ignored, or assumed simply because they are content to exist, seen or unseen, as surely as day follows night. But to explore the chakras is to investigate one of the truly great tales of the universe. I have spent years uncovering its many twists and turns, an array of stories enfolded within the larger tale. I wrote this book to present a compendium of these stories pulled together into a single source, a definitive storybook about chakras. Chakras are energy centers in our bodies that, when perceived by those of us who are blessed to be able to see them, look like wheels of light spinning in and around the body—stars in miniature. Chakras are also “subtle” structures, meaning that, in many ways, they operate under the radar of most people’s perception, on a psychic or spiritual level. But they are also intricately intertwined with our physical and emotional capacities. As key parts of a greater subtle energetic anatomy that you will learn about in this book, they have no less important a job to do than to manage all levels of our existence. Chakras have been studied by hundreds of cultures over thousands of years. These dynamic energy centers are linked with myriad aspects of our being, from the body’s electrical system—measurable to an extent with diagnostic and other medical devices—to subtler categories of vibration such as colors, sounds, and elements. I call this gigantic basket of chakra ideas—and especially the practices associated with them—“chakra medicine.” This term honors the traditional meaning of medicine: the sum total of all knowledge, skills, theories, and practices we can engage in to increase our well-being. Because chakras manage all aspects of life, they can be seen as the key to health, happiness, and prosperity. Chakras have been a subject of study by so many diverse peoples and for so long that writing a book about chakras could take forever—a never-ending account that starts in the early mists of time and slips over the horizon ahead. I have dedicated myself to putting two covers on this eternal story, to serve as markers; hence, I have aimed to make this book a comprehensive compilation of the knowledge of chakras and chakra medicine as it exists today, drawing from sources worldwide, beginning with the xlv
Introduction
ancients and adding information of my own that I have gained through extensive study and my energy healing practice. But never fear: we will unfold this massive tale in bite-sized pieces. The information I will share begins at a basic level and grows in complexity. It is, therefore, an invitation to learn the fundamentals of “all things chakras” and then go deeper, ever deeper. Eventually, through your own explorations, I hope that you will add your own chakra discoveries to our shared wisdom base. As you travel though this book, you’ll discover that I continually return to the theme I already introduced: that the chakras in our bodies can be compared to the stars in our galaxy. I enjoy this beautiful metaphor, but as you dive into the discussions of the nature of energy in later chapters, you will see that this connection is more than symbolic. Like our feelings about the stars, chakras operate at all levels, and most practitioners would agree that they are ultimately spiritual, pointing the way to our souls’ dreams. I’ll start by covering the most fundamental aspects of the chakras and how they perform; this will be the subject of chapters 1 through 15. I open part 1 with a question: what is a chakra? This entire book has been written to fully answer that question, but I will first answer it in basic terms. I’ll include a thumbnail sketch of the history of chakra-related ideas, spanning civilizations and eras, as well as a review of ancient Hindu ideas about energy, as the venerable Hindu system is one of the best known today. This information will help you set your discovery of chakras in a chronological context and reveal the mindset upon which all modern data has been built. Later in the book we’ll explore these Hindu roots in much greater depth. Next I’ll outline scientific thought about the nature of energy. After all, as I mentioned, chakras are essentially energy centers, so it is helpful to get a refresher on what we have learned about the physics of energy. Again, this will be a brief backgrounder that I will expand upon later in the book. As you’ll soon discover, chakras are powerful tools for spiritual transformation. While they do play physical and psychological roles in our lives, ultimately chakras encourage spiritual growth. To begin orienting you to this aspect, I’ll briefly describe an energetic force that awakens the chakras and paves the way toward enlightenment. This force is called kundalini energy. A thorough understanding of chakras requires many more and much deeper layers of understanding, including an exploration of the nature of the energy in our bodies; the psychological, intuitive, and physiological effects of the chakras; the imagery and symbolism people have associated with them; and both traditional and contemporary views of chakras’ aspects that include everything from spiritual icons to archetypes. We will begin this in-depth journey in part 2. Part 2 examines the most familiar chakra model: the Hindu system. We will travel through the seven in-body chakras in order, from the base of the spine to the top of the head. Our first
xlvi
Introduction
goal is to look at how they function in the most fundamental of ways: physically and psychologically. We also will begin to add the layers of knowledge needed for a fuller picture: Sanskrit names, purpose, color, associated gland, and the part of the body that each chakra manages. I’ll outline practical considerations, including related diseases and psychological functions, and move into more esoteric topics such as the gods and goddesses that reign within each bodily star. Symbols, archetypes, intuitive abilities, and explorations of secondary chakras, as well as other features, help round out our chakra profiles. We then turn the corner to engage in part 3, Fundamentals of Chakra Medicine. Here you will learn chakra medicine procedures and techniques. The first chapter in this part introduces the concept of chakra medicine: practices you can follow to work with chakras for greater health and well-being. You will learn various ways chakras can assist you, and I’ll provide a plethora of processes you can use to do everything from locating your chakras to clearing and balancing them. Practices are loosely organized into Western and Eastern approaches. Then it will be time to walk through the next doorway and into section 2, Chakras in Depth: Historical, Scientific, and Cross-Cultural Understandings. Up to this point, you will have spent your time with the book learning and enjoying all the basics of chakra methodology as if peering through a telescope into the great night sky. Section 2 is the equivalent of getting into a spaceship and actually flying to those stars, carrying precise equipment such as spiritual treatises, finely tuned microscopes, and geographic maps. You will embark upon a thorough review of the history of chakra concepts, examining Vedic, tantric, and yogic chakra legends stretching as far back as 12,000 bce. This history, which we’ll cover in part 4, will prepare you for part 5: The Science of Subtle Energy. Part 5 kicks off with a primer on physical and subtle energy that reviews relevant classical and quantum physics and all things scientific about the nature of energy. With a better understanding of the energetic scenery in which chakras grow, you will be ready to picture chakras within their larger familial structure: your entire energetic anatomy. To truly work with chakras, you must also place them within the physical body, which you will examine to better understand the chakras’ unique structure. Finally, you will devote your time to the scientific explanation of kundalini, the force that activates the chakras. Then it’s around the world you go, plunging into a deeply meaningful odyssey in parts 6 through 8. Chakras are not exclusively Hindu in origin; they have appeared in jungles, deserts, mountains, and seasides around the world and across time. In addition, they are the subject of modern academic, spiritual, and philosophical disciplines. Dozens of chakra systems are outlined and explained within the context of their spiritual and cultural surroundings. On this around-the-world tour, you will visit Asia, discover the ancient chakra systems of Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, and investigate modern Western chakra systems.
xlvii
Introduction
Unique and contemporary chakra concepts and systems are the subject of part 9, Chakras Et Cetera: Natural and Unusual Chakras, coverage of the relationship between chakras and the earth, animals, and skies, as well as an analaysis of contemporary and emerging chakra systems. Does the earth itself have chakras? What about animals? This fascinating review is followed by a one-two-three of recent and unusual chakras that are just making their way into our common chakra medicine bag. As will become clear throughout your pilgrimage, chakras are nothing new—and they are always new; we never complete our chakra adventure. These points of light touch every aspect of our lives as embodied reflections of the starry sky we gaze upon when we count our blessings.
xlviii
S ec t i o n 1
C hakra F undamentals
and
B asic P ractices
There is room in the heart for all the affections, as there is room in heaven for all the stars.
Victor Hugo
O
ver the ages, chakras have been described in hundreds of ways. As you’ll discover, they have been depicted as chariot wheels, bodily plexuses, psychological gateways, energetic centers, spiritual powers, and more. At one level every assertion is true, and the seeker of truth about chakras will examine every bit of data available (which is why this book is so large). As an analogy, those who seek to understand the heavens look at everything in the sky. We can’t understand the complexity of the cosmos, however, unless we comprehend the basics. The same is true of chakras, which is why section 1 features fundamental chakra philosophies and practices. Part 1 starts with a bird’s-eye view of chakras, briefly touching on the definition, history, science, and functions of the chakras and their other energetic cohorts. Kundalini is also investigated, as this energetic sidekick makes sure that chakras and other energetic structures operate fully on every level, including physically, psychologically, and spiritually. Part 2 is highly detailed, extensively showcasing the Hindu chakra system. Often called the classic chakra system, this seven-chakra system is the most well known and, because of this, arguably the most fully developed. You can put your newfound knowledge to immediate use in part 3, which showcases chakra-based exercises and techniques. These chakra medicine practices are universal and will also help you benefit from the cross-cultural chakra systems covered in parts 6–8, found in section 2. Just as there is room in the heavens for all the stars, so is there room in the seeker’s mind for all the available knowledge that exists on chakras; but first, the groundwork.
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P art 1
What Are Chakras? A Pocket Guide to Your Body’s Points of Light
Did you say the stars were worlds‌? Thomas Hardy
T
here are worlds within worlds, most of which we cannot perceive with our naked senses. Within our bodies there are cells, and within those cells are an array of component parts. Within each of these are molecules and a humming universe of atoms and subatomic particles. Yet of all the invisible worlds we can investigate and ponder, I find the energy bodies that lie within and around us the most exciting of all, for they are vibrant, like the stars in the sky, and they are part of us. They make us shine. They are vital to our health, happiness, and spiritual evolution. Many scientists and doctors understand the human body only as a conglomeration of tissues, organs, and cells. All of these are localized, meaning they exist where we expect to find them in a single identifiable place, and can be measured using current technology. There are aspects of us, however, that are not localized and that are composed of, lie within, or emanate fields of energy that are harder to measure or can’t be measured at all. This is subtle energy. The most magical of these cosmic forces is the chakra. With its story first told in ancient civilizations and its substantiation in modern science, the chakra is the most powerful energetic force
3
Part 1
within and around the body, useful for performing healing, attracting what we need, obtaining guidance, and expanding and elevating our consciousness.
Chakras: One of the Body’s Three Subtle Energy Systems A chakra is a metaphysical, or “more than physical,” subtle energy center. Subtle energy runs at vibrations outside and beyond those of the physical world. This means we cannot see, touch, hear, or otherwise perceive subtle energy through our physical senses. Nonetheless, subtle energy is all around us. It is the energy that pulses within solid ground and gives direction to our breath. It percolates our coffee, propels our thoughts, flaps the butterfly’s wings, and gives oomph to our emotions. All solid matter incorporates subtle energy, and some scientists believe solid matter is even formed by subtle energy. Compared to physical energy, subtle energy is more like air than clay. Like air, it is present everywhere. Like air, it is vital to our well-being. It is actually the fundamental force that makes life and living possible. And also like air, it follows a set of rules and principles and can be organized systematically. The chakras are one of three main systems that organize subtle energy for human use. These amazing energy bodies actually convert physical energy into subtle energy and vice versa, enabling us to reach into the realms of the subtle universe for support in living our best life. They accomplish this through interaction with the other two main subtle systems: the meridians/nadis and auric fields. The term meridian is typically used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to describe the channels in our bodies through which subtle energy flows, while nadi is an East Indian term for the components of a very similar system. Some people believe these channels are one and the same, while others think they are different. We will explore this disagreement in section 2. Auric fields are one of many sets of energy fields generated by the subtle body. Moving in a progression up the body, like the chakras, they look like bands of energy that start close to the body and move farther away; each level links to a chakra. They are similar to the electromagnetic fields generated by the physical body, yet they are a step up in vibration. All three structures interact, which is a topic for more in-depth discussion further along in the book. The important thing to know for now is that together these three main systems form our subtle energetic anatomy. Because the chakras cooperate with so many parts of us—including the subtle meridians/nadis and auric fields as well as body, mind, and soul—if we are to fully understand their beauty and power, we must explore all of these areas. And we will do so together in this book. All cultural systems are in agreement that we have more than one chakra: some identify only two chakras, while others catalogue dozens of them. Later in the book we will gain an overview
4
Part 1
of numerous chakra systems around the world and explore the various ways in which different cultures have perceived these pulsing and vibrant energy centers. But here, in part 1, we will concentrate on laying the groundwork for understanding all the systems and everything else about chakras there is to know. Part 1, then, is a pocket guide to chakras, designed to launch you on the exciting odyssey that awaits you. Chapter 1 provides a quick snapshot of the chakras and investigates the differences between physical, subtle, and other types of energies. These “big picture” discussions will form the basis of your ultimate understanding of the exquisite intricacies of the chakra system. Also in chapter 1, I’ll outline the similar ingredients and qualities the seven main chakras share that most cultures agree upon: the fact that each regulates vital physical, psychological, and spiritual concerns. But, as you will learn, they do much, much more than this. They also assist us with fully embracing our physical needs while attaining the wisdom necessary to become enlightened beings, filled with unlimited understanding and love. Chapter 1 will also briefly investigate the history and science of the chakras, including some of the Hindu beliefs that have built our chakra knowledge. I will also describe some of the attributes often affiliated with the chakras, including matters about the structure and spin of this swirling organ of light. My goal is to prepare you for part 2 and a deep dive into the seven in-body Hindu chakras. Chapter 2 explores the mysterious world of kundalini, one of the many types of subtle energies that enable us to fully activate and make use of the chakras’ powers. This chapter draws heavily from the ancient Hindu understanding of chakras and how they operate, and our discussion will be fairly basic. But there is much more to learn about kundalini energy, and we will return to it in section 2, updating our understanding with the views of esoteric explorers and scientists. Altogether, my aim in this section of the book is to establish a framework of understanding that the rest of the book will fill in, giving you a high-level introduction to the truly mysterious worlds within worlds that are your chakras. Now let us begin.
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