What's a Chakra?

Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel, or vortex, and it refers to each of the seven energy
centers of which our consciousness, our energy system, is composed.
These chakras, or energy centers, function as pumps or valves, regulating the flow of
energy through our energy system. The functioning of the chakras reflects decisions we make
concerning how we choose to respond to conditions in our life. We open and close these valves
when we decide what to think, and what to feel, and through which perceptual filter we choose
to experience the world around us.
The chakras are not physical. They are aspects of consciousness in the same way that
the auras are aspects of consciousness. The chakras are more dense than the auras, but not as
dense as the physical body. They interact with the physical body through two major vehicles,
the endocrine system and the nervous system. ach of the seven chakras is associated with one
of the seven endocrine glands, and also with a group of nerves called a plexus. Thus, each
chakra can be associated with particular parts of the body and particular functions within the
body controlled by that plexus or that endocrine gland associated with that chakra.
!ll of your senses, all of your perceptions, all of your possible states of awareness,
everything it is possible for you to experience, can be divided into seven categories. ach
category can be associated with a particular chakra. Thus, the chakras represent not only
particular parts of your physical body, but also particular parts of your consciousness.
When you feel tension in your consciousness, you feel it in the chakra associated with
that part of your consciousness experiencing the stress, and in the parts of the physical body
associated with that chakra. Where you feel the stress depends upon why you feel the stress.
The tension in the chakra is detected by the nerves of the plexus associated with that chakra,
and transmitted to the parts of the body controlled by that plexus. When the tension continues
over a period of time, or to a particular level of intensity, the person creates a symptom on the
physical level.
The symptom speaks a language that reflects the idea that we each create our reality,
and the metaphoric significance of the symptom becomes apparent when the symptom is
described from that point of view. Thus, rather than saying, "# can$t see," the person would
describe it as keeping themselves from seeing something. "# can$t walk," means the person has
been keeping themselves from walking away from a situation in which they are unhappy. !nd
so on.
The symptom served to communicate to the person through their body what they had
been doing to themselves in their consciousness. When the person changes something about
their way of being, getting the message communicated by the symptom, the symptom has no
further reason for being, and it can be released, according to whatever the person allows
themselves to believe is possible.
We believe everything is possible.
We believe that anything can be healed. #t$s just a %uestion of how to do it.
&nderstanding the chakras allows you to understand the relationship between your
consciousness and your body, and to thus see your body as a map of your consciousness. #t
gives you a better understanding of yourself and those around you.
What else is there'
Crown Chakra
!lso known as( Cosmic Consciousness Center, "# !)" Center, Sahasrara
Body Mind Associations:
Location: Top of the head
Color: *iolet
Parts of the body: This Chakra is associated with the top of the head, the brain, and the
entire nervous system
Endocrine Gland: +ineal ,land
Sense: Sense of empathy, unity, experiencing another person$s experience as if you were
inside them, being them.
Consciosness: The Crown Chakra represents that part of our consciousness concerned
with perceptions of unity or separation. -ust as the .oot Chakra showed our connection
with )other arth, this chakra shows our relationship with /ur 0ather in 1eaven. #t
represents our connection with our biological father, which becomes the model for our
relationship with authority, and ultimately, with ,od. #t$s the level of the soul.
When one experiences a sense of separation from their father, they close the crown
chakra, and experience a sense of isolation and aloneness, as if they are in a shell, and
having difficulty with feeling contact with those around them. Thought processes tend
to justify and maintain the sense of aloneness.
The view from this chakra includes seeing one$s Self as the single consciousness
creating all, and paradoxically, thus connected to all, like a dreamer dreaming a dream
and reali2ing that all that is perceived is just an extension of their own consciousness.
Ele!ent: #nner 3ight, which is what one experiences when they are in the deepest part
of their being, as a point of consciousness glowing with intelligence.
!lso called White 3ight. )etaphysically, this is considered the most subtle element of
which the entire physical universe is created.
"he Crown Chakra is associated with the parts of the consciousness concerned with
unity or separation, and just as the .oot Chakra showed our connection with )other
arth, this chakra shows our connection with /ur 0ather, Which !rt in 1eaven. !t first,
it is associated with our connection with our biological father. This becomes the model
for our relationship with authority, and this becomes the model for our relationship with
,od. When there is a sense of separation from our biological father, the person closes
this chakra, and the effect on the consciousness is a sense of isolation and aloneness,
being in a shell, and difficult to make contact with those outside the shell.
The person feels as if they are hiding from ,od, or hiding from themselves, not seeing
what is true for them in the deepest part of their consciousness, the part we call the soul.
This chakra is also associated with a sense of direction.
The parts of the body controlled by this chakra are the pineal gland, the brain, and the
entire nervous system as a system.
The color associated with the Crown Chakra is *iolet, the color of amethyst.
Brow Chakra
!lso known as( Consciousness !wareness Center, Third ye, !jna
Body Mind Associations:
Location: Center of the forehead
Color: #ndigo, )idnight 4lue
Parts of the body: This Chakra is associated with the forehead and temples, with the
carotid plexus
Endocrine Gland: +ituitary ,land
Sense: xtra Sensory +erception, all of the inner senses corresponding to the outer
senses, which together are considered spirit5to5spirit communication. These include, for
example, clairvoyance 6inner sense of vision7, clairaudience 6inner sense of hearing7,
clairsentience 6inner sense of touch7, etc.
Consciosness: This Chakra is associated with the deep inner level of 4eing we call the
Spirit, and with what we consider spirituality and the spiritual perspective, the point of
view from that deeper part of our being that western traditions consider the
subconscious or unconscious. #t is the place where our true motivations are found, and is
the level of consciousness that directs our actions and, in fact, our lives.
#t is also from this point of view that one sees events in the physical world as the
manifestation of co5creation among the 4eings involved in those events.
Ele!ent: #nner Sound, the sound one hears inside that does not depend upon events
outside. /ften considered a pathological condition by traditional medicine, it is also
seen by eastern traditions as a necessary prere%uisite to further spiritual growth.
"he Brow Chakra is associated with the parts of the consciousness concerned with the
spiritual view, and the home of the Spirit, the 4eing within. This level of consciousness
is associated with what western traditions call the unconscious or subconscious, the part
of our consciousness that directs our actions and our life. 0rom this level we are aware
of the motivations behind our actions. We can watch our outer theater from an inner
point of view.
This chakra is associated with the carotid plexus, and the nerves on each side of the
face, and the pituitary gland. 1eadaches in the temples or center of the forehead are
associated with tensions at this level. This chakra controls the entire endocrine system as
a system, and the process of growth.
The 4row chakra, also known as the Third ye, is associated with extra sensory
perception 6S+7, the set of all inner senses that correspond to the outer senses, which
together comprise spirit5to5spirit communication. The element associated with this
chakra is a vibration known as the #nner Sound, the sound that one hears in their ears
that does not depend upon something in the physical world. Some consider it a
pathological condition. #n some of the eastern traditions the ability to hear this is
considered a necessary prere%uisite to further spiritual growth.
The color associated with this chakra is #ndigo, midnight blue, the color of lapis la2uli,
or the color of the night sky during a full moon.
"hroat Chakra
!lso known as( Cornucopia Center, *isuddha
Body Mind Associations:
Location: 4ase of the throat
Color: Sky blue
Parts of the body: This chakra controls the throat and the neck, and the arms and the
hands. #t is associated with the brachial or cervical plexus.
Sense: Sense of 1earing
Endocrine Gland: Thyroid ,land
Consciosness: The aspects of expressing and receiving. xpressing can be in the form
of communicating what one wants and what one feels, or it can be an artistic expression,
as an artist painting, a dancer dancing, a musician playing music, using a form for
expressing and bringing to the outside what was within. xpressing is related to
receiving, as in "!sk, and ye shall receive."
This chakra is associated with listening to one$s intuition, which guides one in an
optimal flow, in which one sees one$s goals manifest, and it seems that the &niverse
provides all their needs with no effort on their part at all. #t$s a state of ,race.
!bundance, therefore, is associated with this chakra, as is the aspect of unconditional
receiving necessary to accept the abundance of the &niverse.
This is the first level of consciousness in which one perceives directly another level of
#ntelligence, and experiences one$s interaction with this other #ntelligence.
)etaphysically, this chakra is related to creativity, creating, manifesting in the physical
world the fulfillment of one$s goals.
Ele!ent: ther, as the crossover between the physical world and the world of Spirit. /n
the physical level, it corresponds to deep space as the most subtle physical element.
0rom the point of view of the Spiritual, it represents the matrix on which physical
reality manifests.
)etaphorically, it represents a person$s relationship with their space, the movie that is
playing around them.
"he "hroat Chakra is associated with the parts of the consciousness concerned with
expressing and receiving. xpressing can be in the form of communicating what one
wants and what one feels, or it can be artistic expression, as an artist painting, a dancer
dancing, a musician playing music, using a form for expressing and bringing to the
outside what was within. xpression is related to receiving, as, "!sk, and ye shall
receive."
The throat chakra is associated with abundance, and with the state of consciousness
called, "grace," where it seems that what you want for you is also what ,od wants for
you. !ccepting what the abundant universe offers you re%uires a sense of
unconditionally receiving.
This chakra is also associated with listening to one$s intuition, and flowing in a
particular way where it seems that the &niverse supports you in all that you do. #t is the
first level of consciousness from which one perceives another level of intelligence
functioning, and one$s interaction with this other level of intelligence.
+arts of the body associated with this chakra include the throat, shoulders, and arms and
hands. and the thyroid gland.
The sense of hearing is associated with this chakra, and the element of ether, the most
subtle physical element, corresponding to what we find in deep space. The ether is the
crossover between the physical and the spiritual dimensions. Someone looking at the
world through this chakra watches the manifestation of their goals. The Will !rm
represents manifesting what you want, and the 0eeling !rm represents manifesting what
makes you happy. 1opefully, the two point to the same thing.
Sky 4lue is the color associated with this chakra.
#eart Chakra
!lso known as( 3iving 3ove Center, !nahata
Body Mind Associations:
Location: Center of the chest
Color: merald ,reen
Parts of the body: This Chakra is associated with the heart and the blood circulatory
system, and the cardiac plexus, as well as the lungs and the entire chest area.
Endocrine Gland: Thymus ,land, controlling the immune system.
Sense: Sense of touch, in its aspect of relating to the person inside the body, and distinct
from the sensation of the /range Chakra, which is more about the sensation one feels
from their own body. 1ugging, therefore, is a 1eart Chakra activity. When one hugs,
one is aware of what the person inside the other body feels, and they are aware of what
you feel inside your body, and there is a sense of relating to the person inside the body.
Sensitivity about being touched indicates heart chakra sensitivity.
Consciosness: +erceptions of love, relationships 6relating7 with people close to your
heart, e.g. partner, siblings, parents, children. 8ifficulty with breathing, or with the
lungs, the organs of air, indicates tension in the 1eart Chakra. ! person$s relationship
with air reflects their relationship with love.
!#8S is a problem with the person$s perceptions of love, since it is the immune system
which is affected. The person feels that their lifestyle separates them from those they
love, often because of societal judgment.
Ele!ent: !ir
"he #eart Chakra is associated with the parts of the consciousness concerned with
relationships and our perceptions of love. The relationships we speak of here are with
those people closest to our heart 5 partners, parents, siblings, children.
The parts of the body associated with this chakra include the heart and lungs, and the
blood circulatory system as a system. This chakra is also associated with the thymus
gland, which controls the immune system. When this is affected, as with !#8S, the
person$s lifestyle separates them from someone they love.
The physical sense associated with this chakra is the sense of touch, in its aspect of
relating to the person inside the body. 0or example, a massage given to someone with no
sensitivity to what the person is feeling inside would be an example of the sensation we
associate with the !bdominal Chakra, but when the masseur seems to have a sense of
what the person inside the body is experiencing, then it includes the aspect of relating
we associate with the 1eart Chakra. When someone experiences extreme sensitivity
about being touched, we would ask what was happening at the level of the 1eart
Chakra.
This chakra is associated with the element of air. When someone has difficulty with air,
with breathing 6asthma, emphysema, tuberculosis, etc.7, we say that their relationship
with air reflects their relationship with love 5 difficulty letting it in, or letting it out, for
example
"he color associated with the #eart Chakra is e!erald $reen%
Solar Ple&s Chakra
!lso known as( +ower Center, )anipura
Body Mind Associations:
Location( Solar plexus
Color( 9ellow
Parts of the Body( The parts of the body associated with this chakra include the
muscular system, the skin as a system, the solar plexus, the large intestine, stomach,
liver, and other organs and glands in the region of the solar plexus. !lso the eyes, as the
organs of sight, and the face, representing figuratively the face one shows the world.
Endocrine Gland( The pancreas
Sense( yesight
Consciosness( +arts of the consciousness associated with this chakra include
perceptions concerned with power, control, freedom, the ease with which one is able to
be themselves 5 ease of being. )ental activity and the mental body is also associated
with this chakra. The solar plexus chakra is also associated with the level of being we
call the personality, or ego.
The relationship a person has with fire, or the sun, can be seen to have its parallels in the
person:s relationship with the parts of their consciousness that this chakra represents.
Someone sensitive about the sun, then, can be seen to have particular sensitivities about
power, or control, or freedom.
Ele!ent( 0ire, the sun.
"he Solar Ple&s Chakra is associated with the parts of our consciousness having to
do with perceptions of power, control, or freedom. #n its clear state, it represents ease of
being, and comfort with what is real for one$s self 5 being comfortable with who you are.
+arts of the body associated with this chakra include the organs closest to the solar
plexus 5 stomach, gall bladder, spleen, liver, etc. 5 as well as the skin as a system, the
muscular system as a system, and the face in general.
The physical sense associated with this chakra is the sense of sight. !nyone with
impaired eyesight experiences tension at the level of their solar plexus chakra about the
issues of power, control, or freedom. ;earsighted people also experience tensions at the
level of the .oot Chakra, and experience the world through a perceptual filter of fear or
insecurity. Those who are farsighted experience tension also at the level of the throat
chakra, and see the world through a perceptual filter of anger or guilt. !stigmatics see
through the emotional perceptual filter of confusion.
The endocrine gland associated with the Solar +lexus Chakra is the pancreas. We can
say that diabetics are keeping sweetness from themselves. When someone gets too close
with sweetness, they feel threatened in their power to be who they are, and an emotion
comes up to create a safe distance again. The emotion is anger. 8iabetes is associated
with suppressed anger.
The element associated with this chakra is fire, and the person$s relationship with the
sun says something about their relationship with the parts of their consciousness
associated with the Solar +lexus Chakra.
The color of the Solar +lexus Chakra is yellow.
'ran$e Chakra
!lso known as( Sensation Center, Spleen Chakra, 1ara, Svadhisthana
Body Mind Associations:
Location: The center of the abdomen
Color: /range
Parts of the body: .eproductive system, sexual organs, lumbar plexus
Endocrine $land: ,onads
Sense: Sense of taste, appetite
Consciosness: This chakra is associated with the parts of the consciousness concerned
with food and sex. #t is about the body$s communication to the 4eing inside, about what
the body wants and needs, and what it finds pleasurable. The person$s ability to have
children is also associated with this chakra. #f there is not a clear relationship with the
element of water, associated with this chakra, the person$s relationship with water is a
reflection of their relationship with the parts of their consciousness associated with this
chakra, i.e. food, sex, or having children.
This chakra is also associated with the emotional body, and the person$s willingness to
feel their emotions.
Ele!ent: Water
"he Abdo!inal Chakra is associated with the parts of our consciousness concerned
with food and sex 5 the communication from the body to the person within it, about
what the body wants or needs, and what it finds pleasurable. #t also is related to what is
happening in their consciousness about having children. When this chakra is in its clear
state, the person is in touch with this communication, and listening to and responding
appropriately to what the body wants and needs.
+arts of the body controlled by the lumbar plexus include the reproductive system and
the abdomen, and the lumbar region of the back.
The sense of taste is associated with this chakra, as is the element of water. When
someone does not have a clear relationship with water 6swimming, for example, or
being on a boat7, this reflects their attitudes about the parts of their consciousness that
this chakra represents.
Tensions on the will side or the emotional side of this chakra indicate tensions in the
person$s consciousness as conflicts between either the will or the emotions with what the
person$s body is asking for.
This chakra is associated with the sense of taste, and with appetite. #t is also involved
with the person$s willingness to feel their emotions.
The second chakra is associated with the color orange.
(oot Chakra
!lso known as( Security Center, )uladhara
Body)Mind Associations:
Location: The perineum, the point between the anus and the sex organs
Color : .ed
Parts of the body: 3ymph system, skeleton system 6teeth and bones7, the prostate gland
in men, the sacral plexus, the bladder and elimination system, and the lower extremities
6legs 5 feet, ankles , etc.7. !lso the nose, since it is the organ of the sense of smell, and
associated with survival.
Endocrine $land: !drenal glands
Sense: Smell
Consciosness: Security, survival, trust, the relationship with money, home, job. !bility
to be grounded, to be present in the here and now. !bility to allow one$s self to be
nourished, in the sense of allowing one$s #nner 4eing to be satisfied. This chakra also
reflects a person$s connection with their mother, and with )other arth. 1ow the person
feels about being on the earth. Connection with the physical body.
Symptoms or tensions in the parts of the body controlled by this chakra indicate
tensions in the parts of the person$s consciousness related to this chakra. Tension here is
experienced as insecurity as a general perceptual filter. )ore tension is experienced as
fear. )ore than that is experienced as terror, or a threat to survival.
Ele!ent: arth
"he (oot Chakra is associated with the parts of our consciousness concerned with
security, survival, or trust. 0or most people, this concerns the parts of their
consciousness concerned with money, home, and job. When this chakra is in its clear
state, the person is able to feel secure, be present in the here and now, and be grounded.
When there is tension in this chakra, it is experienced as insecurity or fear. When there
is more tension, it is experienced as a threat to survival.
+arts of the body controlled by the sacral plexus and this chakra include the skeleton
system, the legs, and the elimination system. Symptoms in these parts of the body
represent, therefore, tensions at the level of the .oot Chakra, and we therefore know
that the person is seeing the world through a perceptual filter of insecurity or fear. The
adrenal glands are also associated with this chakra.
#f one leg is affected, we can see whether it is the male leg or the female leg, and thus
whether it has something to do with trust in a male or trust in a female. We can also see
it as having something to do with trust in the will, or the aspects of trust in the
foundations the emotional being, related to what was happening in the person$s life at
the time the symptom developed.
The physical sense of smell, and therefore the organ of the sense of smell, the nose, is
associated with the .oot Chakra. Symptoms at the level of the nose or affecting the
sense of smell reflect tensions at the level of the .oot Chakra.
ach chakra is associated with an element. The .oot Chakra is associated with the
element of earth, and reflects something about the person$s association with the earth, or
how they feel about being on the earth, which we call )other arth. This chakra is also
associated with our relationship with our mother. When someone experiences a sense of
separation from their mother, or not feeling loved by their mother, they cut off their
roots and experience symptoms of tensions at the level of the .oot Chakra until they can
again open to accept their mother$s love.
When a child comes into the world in the traditional family structure, the mother
provides the nourishment and the father provides the direction. Thus, in the child$s
relationship with its mother, it makes certain decisions about the way things are. The
relationship with the mother thus becomes a model for the person$s relationship with
everything that represents security 5 money, home, and job.
The .oot Chakra is associated with the color red.