Dharm Ke Rang by Sumiran Morje

Dharm Ke Rang

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to express my gratitude to the many people who saw me through this book; to all those who provided support, talked things over, read, offered comments, and assisted in the proofreading and design. Above all I want to thank my faculty, Dr. Umapathy, who supported and encouraged me. I would also like to thank my faculties, Mr. Menon and Shiva Nallaperumal, for assisting me in the the publication design.

PREFACE

Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in India and Nepal. It also exists among significant populations outside of the sub continent and has over 900 million adherents worldwide. In some ways Hinduism is the oldest living religion in the world, or at least elements within it stretch back many thousands of years. Yet Hinduism resists easy definition partly because of the vast array of practices and beliefs found within it. It is also closely associated conceptually and historically with the other Indian religions Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism has no single founder, no single scripture, and no commonly agreed set of teachings. Throughout its extensive history, there have been many key figures teaching different philosophies and writing numerous holy books. For these reasons, writers often refer to Hinduism as ‘a way of life’ or ‘a family of religions’ rather than a single religion. According to Hinduism a person is born into the higher class because he/she must have done good deeds in past life whereas a person is born into poverty and shame because of misdeeds in past life. Central to Hinduism are the concepts of reincarnation, the caste system, merging with Brahman, finding morality, and reaching Nirvana (the peaceful escape from the cycle of reincarnation). According to Hinduism the paths to salvation include rituals, devotion and the way of knowledge (realization of reality and self-reflection). If the practitioner follows the paths of these ways, salvation can be achieved. The main Hindu scriptures are Sruti (what is heard), Smriti (what is remembered) the Vedas, the Brahmanas, the Upanishads, the Puranas and epics. The Sruti include deeply religious things communicated to a seer and recorded. The Vedas, the religious writings, include mantras (hymns of praise), brahmanas (sacrificial rituals) and Upanishads (108 sacred teachings). The Smriti include the law (books of laws), puranas (myths, stories, legends) and epics (sets of holy myths including Ramayana and Mahabharata).

COLO URPS YCHO LOGY

WHAT IS COLOUR PSYCHOLOGY ? The psychology of color is based on the mental and

emotional effects colors have on sighted people in all facets of life. There are some very subjective pieces to color psychology as well as some more accepted and proven elements. Color is often associated with a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emotions. Color may also influence a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mental or physical state. Colors not only define what we see but have also been proven to induce emotions and generate thoughts that can drastically change our state of being. There are also variations in interpretations, meanings, and perceptions between different cultures.

In art therapy, color is often associated with a persons emotions. Color may also influence a persons mental or physical state. For example, studies have shown that some people looking at the color red resulted in an increased heart rate, which then led to additional adrenaline being pumped into the blood stream. There are also commonly noted psychological effects of color as it relates to two main categories warm and cool. Warm colors such as red, yellow and orange can spark a variety of emotions ranging from comfort and warmth to hostility and anger. Cool colors such as green, blue and purple often spark feelings of

calmness as well as sadness. Color symbolism in art and anthropology refers to the use of color as a symbol in various cultures. There is great diversity in the use of colors and their associations between cultures and even within the same culture in different time periods. The same color may have very different associations within the same culture at any time. Diversity in color symbolism occurs because color meanings and symbolism occur on an individual, cultural and universal basis. Color symbolism is also contextdependent and influenced by changes over time.

SYMBOLI CCOLORS ININDIA

F or the Hindu, colors

play a very important role in the religion and culture and have a very deep significance, transcending purely decorative values. Hindu artists use color on the deities and their dresses signifying their qualities. There is great diversity in the use of colors and their associations between cultures and even within the same culture in different time periods. Symbolic representations of religious concepts or articles may include a specific color with which the concept or object is associated. There is evidence to suggest that colors have been used for this purpose as early as 90,000 BC. Because of the obvious diversity in its population, India is home to myriad interpretations and representations of symbols and colors. Colors represent different emotions to people living in different regional, geographical, and religious divides. And perhaps certain colors that have a special place in a particular area may not necessarily enjoy a similar status elsewhere. Some of the universally celebrated colors find their origins in the spices that are used widely across geographic and religious divides. 8

From the deep orange marigold flowers that bejewel almost every celebration to the deep hues of red that deck up the bride on her most important day, color in India has, over time, become synonymous with religion â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an expression of faith and beliefs. In a country where a deep understanding of the prevalent diversity is perhaps the only common thread that ties its people together, India is a magical experience that ought not to be missed. In a country as diverse and culturally vibrant as India, it is perhaps the common, simple expressions of color that hold together the multitudes of outlooks, lifestyles, and traditions. The symbolism of color stands out and controls every aspect of life in India, be it religion, politics, festivals, or celebrations. In India, be it the north, south, west, or east, color and culture go hand in hand. Just like many other cultures across the world, there are some typical classifications of color to be found in India and religions. 9

White is the absence of color, and is the only color widows are allowed to wear. It is the acceptable color at funerals and ceremonies that mark death in the family. It reflects the basic quality of the color itself, in principle; white, as a color, repels all light and colors and therefore, when a widow wears white, she disconnects herself from the pleasures and luxuries of active and normal participation in society and life around her. White is also widely accepted as the color of peace and purity and is diametrically opposite to red, the color of violence and disruption in the southern half of India.

Black in India has connotations with lack of desirability, evil, negativity, and inertia. It represents anger and darkness and is associated with the absence of energy, barrenness, and death. Black is used as a representation of evil and is often used to ward off evil. This can be found in an age old custom amongst Indians where an infant or, for that matter, anyone looking really spectacular is often traditionally blessed with a little black dot on the chin or under the ear to ward off the evil eye. And while white stands for everything desirable in the west, in India it takes on a more somber connotation.

Red is dynamic and constantly breathing fire in the eyes of the beholder. It incites fear and is the color associated with one of the most revered goddesses in Hindu mythology- Durga. Her fiery image is enhanced by her red tongue and red eyes. Red also stands for purity and is the preferred color for a brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garment. Red has a deep meaning in the Indian psyche. It commemorates the union between two people and is visible right from the wedding, where the bride is decked in brilliant hues of red and tikka (spot on forehead) that she adorns after the wedding as a sign of her commitment. It is perhaps why red also symbolizes fertility and prosperity. It is the color of the fertile clay that reaps harvests and better lives and is used widely in prayer ceremonies and offerings. And India could hardly be celebrated as the land of spices without its most feisty ingredientchilies. And while red symbolizes fertility and purity, it connotes a certain sensuousness and demands positive energy.

Turmeric, is used for cooking in both the north and south, is also used in ceremonies offering prayers and marriages. Yellow symbolizes sanctity and is an essential herbal ingredient applied on the body and face by women in the sub continent. In a country steeped in religious beliefs, the origin of most colors lies in the powers and mythical lives of its gods.

The color blue, is associated with Lord Krishna, perhaps one of the most favored gods in most parts of India. Green symbolizes nature and is a manifestation of God himself. India is steeped in tradition, culture, and a rich and a fabulous history. Kings and kingdoms, saints and followers, rebels and fighters have traversed the paths of its glorious

past and have all played a small but significant role is ascertaining the perception of color today. And, as is obvious for any agricultural economy, green symbolizes a new beginning, harvest, and happiness. It is also the revered color of Islam, a large religious presence in India, thus also being a religius colour.

Some of the glaring differences between the perception of color in the West and the East are due to the simplest elements in history. Royalty, in the West and in the Christian culture, is represented by a deep, mystical shade of purple, while in India, it is the deep hues of red and ochre that symbolize wealth and grandeur. Perhaps one of the most poignant factors in the perception of colors in

the Indian psyche is the religious undertones that coexist at almost every phase of an “Indian’s life.”Today, colors are used as symbols of fear, conformity, and blind faith across the country monopolized by the contorted ways of politics. Yet India remains colorful and vibrant in more ways than one. It stands strong as perhaps the most stoic example of unity in a world so divided. And the colors

that hold it together are the colors of faith, pride, and love – feelings that overcome all differences. The colors of India have mesmerized rulers, outsiders, and visitors – perhaps more so because of the stories and legends that bind its people, its culture, and its beliefs. The “rani” pink of mystical Rajasthan, the pastel hues of southern India, the joyous, bright hues of the northern frontier,

and the balmy bright colors of the east offer a kaleidoscopic insight into an almost perfect blend of history and modernism. And perhaps a trip down its many roads will lead you to an understanding of its pulse. Maybe you’ll take the road untaken and bring home a whole new hue to your life.

THREE GUNAS

The Bhagavad-Gita helps achieve excellence in the world.

It also takes us beyond, to the state of Enlightenment. The Gita makes a thorough analysis of the human being, identifies the areas of weakness and removes them. Every human being is made of matter and Spirit. The Bhagavad-Gita helps us sieve out matter. What remains is Spirit. Matter is of three distinct hues. These are called gunas or qualities. The gunas are sattva (purity), rajas (passion) and tamas (ignorance). The gunas determine the quality of thoughts, emotions and actions in a person. Together they bind us to the world. Like the three primary colors – red, yellow and blue - that mix to create all colors, the combinations of the gunas create the infinite variety in the world. Tamas is a state of inertia and indifference. In this state the best qualities get shrouded and our inherent talent is prevented from manifesting. Rajas are a state of stress and agitation brought about by greed, craving and lust. The incessant desire-driven activity and its resultant agitation of the mind result in mediocrity. Sattva is tranquility of mind when one functions at one’s best. This is the state that all executives, sportspersons and professionals in every field of activity strive for – being in the ‘zone’, performing at peak levels. However, nobody knows how to achieve this, much

less remain in this superlative state of being. The BhagavadGita spells it out clearly and simply so that everyone can operate out of one’s sattva while marginalizing and eventually eliminating the rajas and tamas within. The chapter deals with the three gunas. It details the traits of sattva, rajas and tamas and how they bind the human being. Every human being has all three gunas. We come up with peak performance when sattva predominates. When rajas prevails greed, disquiet and hankering weigh us down. And when tamas reigns supreme, we get overcome with delusion, heedlessness and inertia.The relative strengths of the gunas also determine the environment one goes to after death. A sattvika person progresses, the rajasika one moves within a narrow band while a tamasika person goes downhill.The mission of life is to go beyond the three gunas and get liberated from the traumatic cycle of birth, death, decay and sorrow. We are born in the world to attain Immortality. In the last portion, Lord Krishna mentions the traits of a person who has transcended the gunas and tells us how to become Brahman. When we see how the gunas function, remain undisturbed by their effects and understand that which is beyond them, we reach the exalted state of Enlightenment.

ROLE OF THE GUNAS

The gunas are born from Prakriti. The Self does not reside in them but they reside in him. Before creation, they remain inactive and in a state of perfect balance in the Primordial Nature mula Prakriti. When their balance is disturbed, creation sets in motion, and the diversity of objects and beings come into existence, each possessing the triple gunas in different proportions. The admixture panchikarana of the gunas and the elements mahabhutas is well explained in the Paingala Upanishad. Beings in the higher worlds contain the predominance of sattva. Beings in the lower worlds the predominance of tamas, and those in the middle worlds contain the predominance of rajas. In humans, all the three gunas are present in different degrees of predominance according to their spiritual purity and progress. Sinners who are beyond redemption possess the predominance of tamas, pious people who abide by Dharma possess the predominance of sattva, while worldly people who are driven by selfish desires possess the

predominance of rajas. According to the Bhagavadgita, God is the real Enjoyer. He brings forth the entire creation for his joy ananda. It is Purusha only who, seated in Prakriti, enjoys the qualities produced by Prakriti. The gunas are responsible for the diversity of nature. Because of the gunas qualities only the division of reality and unreality arise. When the gunas are manifested in creation, the individual souls come under their influence and begin their onward journey into the world of matter and death.God Isvara does not act under the influence of any of the three. He is made up the Purest Sattva suddha sattva, which is not of this world. Among the gods, Brahma has the predominance of rajas, Vishnu the predominance of sattva and Shiva the predominance of tamas. However, all the three gods are pure beings shivam. They are not bound to them or to Nature. For the purpose of creation and the order and regularity of the worlds they manifest the gunas to perform their obligatory duties while they themselves are transcendental.

HOW THE GUNAS INFLUENCE BEHAVIOR The gunas are responsible for the behavior and natural propensities of all living beings. Human beings are also subject to their influence. Under their control people lose their ability to discern truths, their essential nature or their true Selves. They fail to see their oneness with God and the rest of creation or the presence of God amidst them. In the fourteenth chapter of the Bhagavadgita, Lord Krishna gives us a very detailed description and definition of the three gunas, which is summarized below. Sattva is pure, without impurities, illuminating and free from sickness. It binds the soul through attachment with happiness and knowledge. Rajas is full of passion ragatmakam and is born out of thrishna thirst or intense desire and sanga attachment. It binds the soul through attachment with action Tamas is the darkness and the crudeness in man. It is ajnanajam born of ignorance and mohanam he cause of delusion. It binds the soul through recklessness, indolence and sleep. In the beings the three gunas compete among themselves for supremacy and try to suppress each other. Sattva predominates by suppressing Rajas and Tamas. Rajas predominates by suppressing Sattva and Tamas, and Tamas

by suppressing both Sattva and Rajas. How to know which quality is predominant in a person at a particular time? According to the Bhagavadgita when sattva is predominant, from all the gates of the human body radiate the illumination of knowledge. When Rajas is predominant, greed, worldliness, striving for worldly ends and a penchant for selfish activities arise. With the increase of tamas, one can see the flourishing of darkness, inactivity, recklessness and delusion.Upon death, a sattvic person attains higher worlds. When he returns, he takes birth among pious people or in a pious family. After death, a rajasic person remains in the middle worlds. When he is reborn, he takes birth in the family of those who are attached to actions. As for the tamasic person, he sinks to lowest regions on dying, and when reborn takes birth among the ignorant and the deluded. The gunas also influence faith, resolve, professional choices and nature of relationships. The division of human beings into the four categories is also due to the influence of gunas only. hey govern every aspect of human life and the world in general. In the eighteenth chapter we come across a detailed description of how men with these three qualities act and behave differently and engage themselves in different religious and spiritual activities.

THE RESOLUTION OF THE GUNAS

The purpose of such an elaborate description of these three qualities in the Bhagavad-Gita is not to encourage us to become sattvic or eliminate other qualities. Whether it is sattva or rajas or tamas, the gunas are part of Prakriti and responsible for our ignorance, delusion, bondage and suffering on earth. When they are active, we remain bound to one thing or another. We cannot be free, until they are fully resolved. Therefore, the Bhagavadgita suggests that we should try to transcend them rather than cultivate them. By knowing the nature of the three gunas and how they tend to keep us in bondage and illusion, we should become wiser and strive to transcend them. Sattva is purity and beneficial. However, for those who strive for liberation, even cultivation of sattva should be not an end in itself for sattva also binds us to the

duality of pleasure and pain. Sattvic people want to enjoy pleasure and avoid pain. They are pious and knowledgeable but prefer leading a life of luxury and comfort. Thereby, they engage in desire-ridden actions and become bound. Even though it is pure, sattva is but an instrument of Prakriti, which is meant to serve its ends by keeping us bound to the worldly life under the sovereign control of its sovereign master. Hence, one may cultivate purity sattva to suppress the other two, but in the end must rise above all the three and become stabilized in equanimity, sameness, and oneness of the Self. One should go beyond the three gunas to attain immortality and freedom from birth, death, old age and sorrow.

THE QUALITIES OF A PERSON WHO TRANSCENDS THE GUNAS

What are the qualities of the person who has transcended the three gunas guna-atitah. How does he behave, and how does he truly achieve it. The Bhagavadgita answers these questions also. When a person overcomes the three gunas, he neither likes nor dislikes purity light, passion and delusion, which are the predominant modalities that arise from the gunas namely sattva, rajas and tamas respectively. He does not detest them when they are present nor desires them when they are absent. He remains indifferent, undisturbed by the gunas, knowing

that it is the gunas which are acting in all beings but not the Self which is present in them. Therefore, he remains alike in pleasure and pain, stable and equal towards a lump of earth or gold, the pleasant and the unpleasant, criticism or praise, honor or dishonor, and friend or foe. Since he rises above the gunas, he does not take sides in any dispute, show any favor or preference for the dualities of life and renounces the ambition and the initiative to perform tasks.

THE PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF THE GUNAS

A good understanding of the gunas can help you make wise decisions and remain on the right side of life. For example, the Eightfold Path of Buddhism, the Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali, the rules and restraints for novices and advanced practitioners in Jainism and Buddhism are meant to cultivate sattva or inner purity, without which the mind cannot be stabilized in contemplation or in mindfulness. Cultivation of purity is at the root of all spiritual traditions of ancient India. In todays world, where tamas and rajas predominate, it is even more important. Apart from spirituality, knowledge of the gunas is also helpful in worldly life. The following are a few examples, where you may use the knowledge to safeguard yourself from potential problems. The profession you choose. Choose your profession carefully according to your nature and what you want to achieve in life. Certain profession can lead to your spiritual downfall. Marriage and friendship. It is important to consider the play of gunas in choosing your friends or marriage partner. You have to see in those relationships whether you want to balance or complement your own nature. Education and specialization. If you pursue your academic career according to your nature, you will not suffer from conflicts or stress, and you will have better chances of succeeding in your professional career.

Parenting. Parents have to help their children cultivate the predominance of sattva, so that when they grow up they will not only have pleasant and positive personalities but also right discretion in making their choices. Food and lifestyle choices. They must be conducive to the cultivation of sattva, since sattva improves the vigor and the brilliance of the mind and the body. In spiritual life, the knowledge of the triple gunas is imperative. A correct understanding of the three qualities of Nature is essential to overcome your bondage to earthly life and attain liberation. By knowing the distinction among the three gunas and by developing the quality or mode of sattva in abundance a person can purify his mind and body and experience peace and equanimity. Through desireless actions, selfless service, devotional worship, self-study, sattvic knowledge, sattvic speech, right discernment, sattvic faith, behavior and sacrifice he can increase sattva and develop the divine qualities daiva sampattih which are enumerated in the sixteenth chapter of the Bhagavadgita to become a perfect yogi and earn the love of God. By performing his obligatory duties without any desire and attachment, offering the fruit of his actions to God, surrendering himself completely to him, fully devoted to him, and absorbed in him, he surely achieves liberation and union with the Supreme Self.

CHA KRA

The word ‘chakra’ is derived from the sanskrit word meaning ‘wheel’. Literally translated from the Hindi it means ‘Wheel of spinning Energy’. A chakra is like a whirling, vortex-like, powerhouse of energy. Within our bodies, you have seven of these major energy centres and many more minor ones.

The Chakras are the energy centres in our body in which energy flows through. They are charged and recharged through contact with the stream of cosmic energy in the atmosphere in much the same way that your home is connected to a central power source within a city – the only difference is that this cosmic energy source is free. Imagine this, a vertical power current rather like a fluorescent tube that runs up and down the spine, from the top of the head to the base of the spine. Think of this as your main source of energy. The seven major chakras are in the centre of the body and are aligned with this vertical “power line. ”

Chakras connect your spiritual bodies to your physical one. They regulate the flow of energy throughout the electrical network (meridians) that runs through the physical body. The body’s electrical system resembles the wiring in a house. It allows electrical current to be sent to every part, and it is ready for use when needed. Sometimes chakras become blocked because of stress, emotional or physical problems. If the body’s ‘energy system’ can not flow freely it is likely that problems will occur. The consequence of irregular energy flow may result in physical illness and discomfort or a sense of being mentally and emotionally out of balance.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MAIN CHAKRAS IN THE BODY These swirling wheels of energy correspond to massive nerve centers in the body. Each of the seven main chakras contains bundles of nerves and major organs as well as our psychological, emotional, and spiritual states of being. Since everything is moving, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s essential that our seven main chakras stay open, aligned, and fluid. If there is a blockage, energy cannot flow. Think of something as simple as your bathtub drain. If you allow too much hair to go into the drain, the bathtub will back up with water, stagnate and eventually bacteria and mold will grow. So is too with our bodies and the chakras. A bathtub is simple; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physical so the fix is easy. Keeping a chakra open is a bit more of a challenge, but not so difficult when you have awareness. Since mind, body, soul, and spirit are intimately connected, awareness of an imbalance in one area will help bring the others back into balance. Take for example, a wife, who has recently lost her husband. She develops acute bronchitis, which remains in the chest, and then gets chest pains each time she coughs. The whole heart chakra is affected in this case. If she realizes the connection between the loss and the bronchitis, healing will occur much faster if she honors the grieving process and treats that as well as the physical ailment.

Chakras are centers of energy, located on the midline of the body. There are seven of them, and they govern our psychological properties. The chakras located on the lower part of our body are our instinctual side, the highest ones our mental side. Chakras on the midline of the bodyThe chakras can have various levels of activity. When they're "open," they're considered operative in a normal fashion. Ideally, all chakras would contribute to our being. Our instincts would work together with our feelings and thinking.

However, this is usually not the case. Some chakras are not open enough (being under-active), and to compensate, other chakras are over-active. Each color reflects a type of vibration or frequency radiating through the chakras. This classic color chart is based on yogic traditions, as well as contemporary healing schools of thought. Although the exact color of each energy center may vary, there is a general agreement about a rainbow-colored representation of the chakra system.

WHAT DO CHAKRA COLORS MEAN?

While the chakra colors reflect different frequencies of light and energy associated with each energy center, their meaning may be related to the function of its associated chakras and general symbolism. When you see or use the following colors, you could make the following associations:

1. ROOT CHAKRA

3. NAVEL CHAKRA

Red is the color of the root chakra (first chakra); it symbolizes safety, survival, grounding, nourishment from the Earth energy. The Root chakra is about being physically there and feeling at home in situations. If it is open, you feel grounded, stable and secure. You don’t unnecessarily distrust people. You feel present in the here and now and connected to your physical body. You feel you have sufficient territory.

The color of the solar plexus chakra (third chakra); it symbolizes mental activities, intellect, personal power, will. The Navel chakra is about asserting yourself in a group. When it is open, you feel in control and you have sufficient self esteem.

If you tend to be fearful or nervous, your Root chakra is probably under-active. You’d easily feel unwelcome. If this chakra is over-active, you may be very materialistic and greedy. You’re probably obsessed with being secure and resist change.

2. SACRAL CHANKRA Orange is the color of the sacral chakra (second chakra); it carries meanings associated with emotions, creativity, sexuality, and is associated with water, flow. The Sacral chakra is about feeling and sexuality. When it is open, your feelings flow freely, and are expressed without you being over-emotional. You are open to intimacy and you can be passionate and lively. You have no problems dealing with your sexuality. If you tend to be stiff and unemotional or have a “poker face,” the Sacral chakra is under-active. You’re not very open to people. If this chakra is over-active, you tend to be emotional all the time. You’ll feel emotionally attached to people and you can be very sexual.

When the Navel chakra is under-active, you tend to be passive and indecisive. You’re probably timid and don’t get what you want. If this chakra is over-active, you are domineering and probably even aggressive.

4. HEART CHAKRA Green is the color of the heart chakra (fourth chakra); it is connected with love, relating, integration, compassion. The Heart chakra is about love, kindness and affection. When it is open, you are compassionate and friendly, and you work at harmonious relationships. When your Heart chakra is under-active, you are cold and distant. If this chakra is over-active, you are suffocating people with your love and your love probably has quite selfish reasons.

5. THROAT CHAKRA Blue is the color of the throat chakra (fifth chakra); it symbolizes self expression, expression of truth, creative expression, communication, perfect form and patterns. The Throat chakra is about self-expression and talking. When it is open, you have no problems expressing yourself, and you might be doing so as an artist. When this chakra is under-active, you tend not to speak

much, and you probably are introverted and shy. Not speaking the truth may block this chakra. If this chakra is over-active, you tend to speak too much, usually to domineer and keep people at a distance. You’re a bad listener if this is the case. It is concerned with the senses of inner and outer hearing, the synthesising of ideas, healing, transformation and purification. Blockage can show up as creative blocks, dishonesty or general problems in communicating ones needs to others.

6. THIRD EYE CHAKRA Purple (or deep indigo blue) is the color of the third eye chakra (sixth chakra); it evokes intuition, extrasensory perception, inner wisdom. The Third Eye chakra is about insight and visualization. When it is open, you have a good intuition. You may tend to fantasize. If it is under-active, you’re not very good at thinking for yourself, and you may tend to rely on authorities. You may be rigid in your thinking, relying on beliefs too much. You might even get confused easily. If this chakra is over-active, you may live in a world of fantasy too much. In excessive cases halucinations are possible. This Chakra is used to question the spiritual nature of our life. It is the Chakra of question, perception and knowing. It is concerned with inner vision, intuition and wisdom. Your dreams for this life and recollections of other lifetimes are held in this Chakra. Blockage may manifest as problems like lack of foresight, mental rigidity, ‘selective’ memory and depression.

7. THE CROWN The Crown chakra is about wisdom and being one with the world. When this chakra is open, you are unprejudiced and quite aware of the world and yourself. If it is under-active, you’re not very aware of spirituality. You’re probably quite rigid in your thinking. If this chakra is over-active, you are probably intellectualizing things too much. You may be addicted to spirituality and are probably ignoring your bodily needs. It is associated with the cerebral cortex, central nervous system and the pituitary gland. It is concerned with information, understanding, acceptance and bliss. It is said to be your own place of connection to God, the Chakra of Divine purpose and personal destiny. Blockage can manifest as psychological problems. 31

You can look at symbolic associations and the chakra system chart to determine the meaning of a specific color. Yet, the color of someone’s energy field is likely associated with the activity of one or several chakras. When paying attention to the auric field, it’s important to remember that colors do not necessarily have a definite, set meaning, but rather reflect the activity of the energy centers and their frequency or vibration. For example, seeing purple around someone’s upper body while they are describing their calling in life might be due to a strong emphasis coming from their third eye chakra, an energy center we commonly rely on when we envision our purpose or use our intuition. Similarly, if you see flashes or a haze of pink around someone’s upper body, the heart might be involved and contributing to coloring the auric field. One more thing... Restoring the power of your chakras is about how you can take back control of your health and wellness by learning to work with energy. This is life-changing material.

The aura can be seen as the electromagnetic field that surrounds the body. Its colors reflect the energy flowing through the chakras and can be correlated to the state of the various bodily functions, as well as emotions and other psycho-spiritual elements. Even though the chakras are typically represented with specific colors, they may appear with different tints and shades in the auric field depending on the situation and the individual. Healing traditions provide a rich palette of colors when depicting energy centers in the human body. For instance, even though heart energy may generally be depicted as green, it sometimes radiates in shades of pink when one feels into strong emotional qualities of love and compassion. Red, which is generally associated with the root chakra, can be colored differently depending on the strength and quality of the energy in this center. It could for example go from deep burgundy red to a lighter orange red.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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