Chakra, presently gaining popularity and becoming a household word, dates back to the Vedas (1,500 – 500 B.C.) in India. When speaking of Chakra we have to think in terms of energy. This is because it pertains to the seven energy centers in our body where our consciousness and energy system is composed. This is a Sanskrit word which originally means “wheel” referring to the chariot wheels of the rulers or the cakravartin. However, it really signifies the sun which denotes the eternal wheel of time called the kalacakra. Despite its early beginnings, in our generation, the study of chakra has definitely come of age.
What is the significance of studying the chakra system then? How is it useful to us?
The Chakra system consists of seven chakra points or energy centers which function like valves or pumps that regulate the flow of energy through our energy system. This shows the correlation between functioning of our chakras and our decisions / responses concerning life conditions. It has everything to do with our perceptual experience of the world around us. We either open or close these “valves” based on what we think, feel and how we want to embrace life. All these conscious thoughts and states of mind can be categorized into seven chakras associated with one of the seven endocrine glands and a group of nerves called the plexus. The seven chakras are the following: Crown chakra, Brow chakra, Throat chakra, Heart chakra, Solar Plexus chakra, Sex or Orange chakra and Root chakra.
Each chakra represents a particular part and a function within the body and detected by a particular nerve of the plexus associated with that bodily part. So when we have a conscious thought, tension or stress, this is felt by a particular chakra and transmitted by the nerves of the plexus of that particular body part. What started in the metaphysical realm is translated into the physical – there is now a physical symptom that will manifest.
The symptom reflects our mindset, how we create our reality – it shows us what we are doing to ourselves from the level of consciousness. It sort of gives us a feedback on the way our conscious thought molds and creates the physical existence that we have.
Thus, it is clear that it is highly important that we start understanding the chakras so as to understand the relationship between our consciousness and our body. It is advised that we start seeing our bodies as a map of our consciousness in order to gain a better understanding of our own selves and of the people around us. In believing that anything is possible, we are opening ourselves to a physical reality where anything and everything is possible. All these will require a thorough study and understanding of the chakra system and its relevance to us.