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Chakras
are centres of psychic energy located at points along the spinal
cord. They are associated with the five elements: earth, water, fire,
air and ether. Each chakra corresponds to a specific mantra (sound)
and geometric pattern (yantra). Through meditation on these chakras
we can gain mastery over our body and each corresponding element.
The
human organism is not just a physical composition or structure made
of molecules but is also composed of energy fields. These energy
fields or the centers of psychic energy are popularly known as
chakras. There are seven major chakras which are situated along the
spinal cord against the points of five major nerve plexuses and
endocrine glands. These chakras are very important for energy balance
and perfect synchronization of interior and exterior rhythms or HEF
(human energy field) and UEF (universal energy field). Chakras are
bioplasmic energy fields composed of ions, free protons and
electrons. This state is distinct from four known states of matter
i.e. solid, liquid, gases and plasma. Hence chakras are fifth state
of matter. The energy field of these chakras can be measured by
SQUID, EEG and kirlian photography. A normal developed and opened
chakra always spins clockwise and gains pranic energy from UEF while
counter-clockwise movement of a chakra makes energy flow out which
makes a chakra closed, sick and abnormal.
In
Chetna Therapy through constant practice of dhyan (meditation),
mantra jap (mantra recitation) and darshan (visualization) one can
rebalance the distorted energy system of chakras to be free from
diseases. For example, in cancer the Manipur and Visudha chakras lose
their protective sheath which can be cured by Chetna Therapy.
Muladhar
chakra is a yellow square with four vermilion petals. The square
represents earth element related to predominant sense smell and sense
organ nose. This chakra governs spinal column and kidneys and effects
the functioning of adrenal gland. A well balanced and strong
Muladhar chakra gives a strong will to live while a weak and
imbalanced chakra gives a tendency to suicide, violent behaviour,
inferiority complex and feelings of insecurity. In polio and cerebral
palsy this chakra bends towards the side of the healthy leg. Persons
dominated by this chakra usually sleep on their stomach between ten
to twelve hours daily. In Chetna therapy Muladhar chakra is aroused
by chanting of the Bija mantra "Lam" 56 times. This should
be followed by colour energy by covering the patient with yellow
cloth.
The
second chakra, Svadhisthana, is in the form of a circle with a
crescent. The colour is light blue. It represents water element
related to predominant sense of taste and sense organ tongue. This
chakra controls kidneys, bladder, reproductive organs and large
intestine of the body and gonad. It is very closely related to the
quality of love and sex. If this chakra is normal the person enjoys
mental and physical well being. If it is blocked the individual will
be impotent with premature orgasm. In AIDS and sexually transmitted
diseases Muladhar and Svadhisthana are clogged. Bladder diseases,
enlarged prostrate, hydrocele are associated with this chakra. To
arouse this chakra one should first of all concentrate on water or by
gazing at the crescent moon for half on hour daily. Repetition of
Bija mantra "Vam" 51 times daily definitely enhances sexual
vigour and vitality. This chakra is also very closely related to the
effectiveness of mental activities, attention, concentration and
meditation. Keeping a picture of this chakra in front of you and
concentrating on it elevates creative and sustaining energy in the
individual and a feeling of peacefulness. A person with an active
Svadhisthana chakra sleeps eight to ten hours in a foetal position,
often pretends to be a prince or hero maintaining high self esteem.
For proper functioning of this chakra one should keep fast on
ekadashi (eleventh day of lunar month).
The
third chakra, Manipur, is in the form of an inverted red triangle
located in a circle of ten petals with a golden colour bijakshar
(seed). It represents fire element related to predominant sense,
sight and sense organ, eyes. This chakra controls liver, pancreas,
stomach, spleen, gall bladder, small intestines and sympathetic
nervous system. The proper functioning of this chakra is necessary
for the digestion and absorption of food. Anger and frustration
causes depletion of this chakra energy. Indigestion, irritable bowel
syndrome, peptic ulcer, gall bladder diseases are all associated with
a malfunctioned Manipur chakra. Alcohol makes the chakra totally
disfunctional. This chakra is also related to the emotional life of
an individual. If the chakra is closed and not functioning
harmoniously the person will have uncontrolled extremes of emotion
which may result in hypertension and adrenal exhaustion. Many times
this center acts as a block between heart and sexuality as the center
related to health i.e. Anahata is above it and center related to
sexuality i.e. Svadishthana is below. If both these chakras are
functional and open but Manipur is blocked then a person's sexual
life will be without emotional attachment and love and vice-versa.
Repetition of Bija mantra "Ram" 108 times daily and wearing
a string of rudraksh beads keeps the chakra in harmony and balance.
Whenever a person is under heavy stress and tension a mere
visualization on this chakra for 5-10 minutes with repetition of seed
mantra will give immense soothing effect. Whenever concentrating on
this chakra one should concentrate specially on the navel.
The
fourth chakra, Anahata, the most important chakra of the body, is in
the form of a hexagram of a grey-green colour surrounded by 12
vermilion petals with a golden bijakshara. It represents ailment
associated with sense of touch and sense organ skin. Associated with
cardiac plexus it controls functions of heart, lungs, thymus and
blood circulation. Congestion in Anahata chakra causes heart problem
and related diseases. Excess of pranic energy in this chakra causes
heart attack. In this case the inner aura may extend up from 6"
to 3 feet. Asthma is another example of the hypofunction of this
chakra. Within Anahata chakra is an eight petaled lotus in the
center of which rests the spiritual heart or anand kanda on the right
side very closely related with the physical heart on the left. An
increase or decrease in the rate of heart beat serves as a warning
signal that there is some abnormality in the anand kanda. The fourth
chakra has a lingam also known as banalingam. This lingam radiates
golden light and is formed from a mass of tissue in the nerve center
at the Anahata chakra clearly visible in kirlian photography. "Om",
the unstricken cosmic sound is a wondrous treatment for all heart
ailments. Patients can be tremendously benefited by the pure musical
tones of "Om". This chakra is also a seat of balance within
the body with three chakras above and three chakras below
distributing a uniform energy flow in both the directions. The person
with an active fourth chakra sleeps from 4 to 6 hours on his left
side.
The
fifth chakra, Vishudha, is in the form of a crescent of silver within
a white circle surrounded by 16 golden petals. It deals with
creative energy and sound in the body. It controls voice, oesophagus,
vagus nerve, respiratory system, thyroid and parathyroid glands. It
represents Akasha element associated with sense of hearing and sense
organ ears. Blockage at this chakra causes dumbness, hypofunction of
thyroid and sometimes difficulty in swallowing food and water. Sweet
and melodious voice of singers is a virtue of harmonized Vishudha
chakra. This chakra is also referred to as the professional center
because if one is successful and satisfied with his job the center
will be full blown. Fear of failure, competition and of not being
liked blocks this chakra. Meditation on this chakra gives calmness,
melodious voice, leadership traits, command of speech. The seed
mantra of this chakra is "Ham", repetition of this mantra
101 times helps to normalize this chakra. Constant meditation on this
chakra makes one youthful, free from old age wrinkles or aging
defects. The person with active Vishudha chakra sleeps little,
generally 6 hours, constantly changing sides.
The
sixth chakra, Ajna chakra, is in the form of a white circle with two
petals. It controls lower brain, left eye, nose and cerebellum and
pineal gland. The seed sound is "Aum". Malfunction of this
chakra causes confused mental concepts, mental retardedness and
epilepsy. It is very difficult to reactivate this chakra if there is
some abnormality because only yogis are able to meditate here and
practically it is very difficult for any one to heal it. This chakra
and pineal gland are affected directly by waning and waxing cycles of
the moon as the Ida (left nostril) and Pingla (right nostril) operate
in accordance with these cycles, hence only Pranayam can redistribute
the disturbed energy cycle between Muladhara and this chakra.
The
seventh and last chakra, Sahasrara, is in the form of a full moon. It
controls pituitary gland, brain and right eye. This chakra is related
to spirituality and unconscious conscious state. If this center is
closed the person probably does not have cosmic feelings (samadhi)
which is only associated with yogis. Hence the chakra is rarely used
by the common individual.
There
are seven major chakras in our body which have been identified with
the following nerve plexuses.
Muladhar:
in perineum sacrococcygeal nerve plexus
Svadhisthana:
four fingers above lumbosacral nerve plexus
Manipur:
opposite the umbilicus lumbar plexus
Anahata:
over the 6th thorasic spine cardiac plexus
Vishudha:
opposite the larynx laryngeal plexus
Ajna:
opposite glabella, cerebellum and its lobes
Sahasrara:
between third ventricle & pituitary.
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