Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Chakras uncovered
What are chakras?
Charkas are whirlpools of energy, otherwise also identified as psychic centers situated in the spine. They are not visible to the naked eye but have to be comprehended through deep intuitive visions. Charkas are connected to the brain and when activated, they can unlock particular areas of the brain. The fact that we only use a tenth of our brain’s capacity is further emphasized by the idea that charkas can effectively maximize the brain’s capacity, if activated through the right yogic practices. Once the brain starts to open up, the related or equivalent aspects of the psychic body start getting awakened. Therefore charkas are also seen as gateways to higher consciousness.
The psychic sheath of the human body has innumerable charkas, but seven are most important. They are located along the sushumna nadi which flows along the spinal column. The charkas are linked to a complex set of subtle nerve networks known as nadis.
Charkas are depicted symbolically as lotus blossoms and each lotus has a particular number of petals, a color and other things inscribed into it such as a “seed sound” or “bija mantra”, considered to be a primordial sound vibration that can awaken the chakra. Each lotus is placed in a Yantra or a geometric representation of the space it occupies, a sort of cosmic imprint.
Getting down to brass tacs: examining each chakra in brief
Mooladhara: this is the root chakra situated in the cervix for women and perineum for men. The sense organ associated with this chakra is the nose.
The lotus embodying this chakra is a dark red lotus with four petals. It is ruled by the earth element. The seed syllable for this chakra is “lam”. Mooladhara is the abode of universal energy, also known as kundalini shakti. Kundalini shakti is represented by a red serpent coiled around a shivalinga. One could say that the aim of all yoga is to awaken the dormant energy of kundalini so that it unites with shiva, who according to the sriptures, represents cosmic consciousness.
Swadistana: this chakra is located at the base of the spine, in the tailbone area. This lotus representing this chakra is bright orange and has six petals and a white crescent moon.
It is ruled by water and is awakened by the seed syllable (bija mantra)
“vam”. This ckara is considered the seat of all karmic impressions or samskaras. From this chakra originates our sensory pleasures connected to food, drink and sex. Swadishtana also rules the functioning of all the organs in and around the pelvis. On a deeper level, it is considered the hub of humankind’s primordial instincts and the dwelling place of the unconscious mind. Cleansing the swadishtana is considered the only way to rise above our instinctual nature.
Manipura: This chakra is located on the spine, directly behind the navel. It is the centre of fire and supposedly the epitome of luminosity, vitality and prana. The lotus representing this chakra is a bright yellow one with ten petals. It is ruled by fire and is awakened by the seed sound “ram”. Manipura is associated with drive, ambition and the will. This chakra governs digestions and all organs situated in the area of the solar plexus. Meditating on this chakra by visualizing a ball of fire, golden light or just simply the sun, is supposed to help optimize its functioning.
Anahata: This chakra is located in the sternum area of the chest, right next to the physical heart. Anahata chakra represents the “unstruck” quality of sound, which issues from beyond the material world. It is a primordial sound, which can be heard in states of deep meditation and it manifests through the anahata chakra. It is governed by air and is activated by the mantra “yam”.
It is the home of unconditional love, compassion and creativity. It governs the optimal functioning of all organs situated in the chest such as the heart and lungs. The lotus representing anahata chakra is a blue-green lotus with 12 petals. It holds in it’s center a bright flame which is the representation of the individual higher consciousness.
Vishuddhi: this chakra is situated in the neck, directly behind the pit of the throat. It is represented by purple lotus with 16 petals holding in it’s center a white circle. It is governed by ether and is activated by the mantra “ham”. It is from vishuddi, that such higher qualities such as viveka (discrimination and understanding) originate. This chakra regulates the functioning of the vocal chords and the thyroid and parathyroid glands. It is the center of purification and it provides the space (metaphorically speaking) for one to experience a deathless state by tasting the divine nectar or amrit which falls from bindu.
Ajna: Ajna chakra is located in the middle of the brain and is the psychic equivalent of the pineal gland. It is represented by a silver-grey lotus with two petals. The two petals stand for the opposite energies of the universe, namely male and female. The ajna is considered the bridge between the mind and the universe. The ajna chakra, when activated is known to aid the development of such faculties as intelligence and memory. It is guided by the mantra “om” and the element “mind” (considered even more rare than ether). The eyebrow center is the point at which one meditates in order to activate this chakra.
Bindu: bindu means “point” and is located at the back of the head. This is the center where the nectar of immortality is produced. It is represented by a crescent moon, sailing in the darkness of night. it is considered the center of the primordial sound and certain pranayams can aid one’s ability to grasp this sound or “nada”.
Sahasrara: Sahasrara is represented by a flaming red lotus with a 1000 petals. It is situated in the crown of the head, but it really does not have a physical location on the body. This lotus holds in its center, a luminous linga depicting enlightenment, where the union of matter and consciousness takes place. This is where the kundalini shakti, which lays dormant in the mooladhara reaches, to unite with shiva, once it is awakened.
(Ref: Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha, by Swami Satyananda Saraswathi)
Charkas are whirlpools of energy, otherwise also identified as psychic centers situated in the spine. They are not visible to the naked eye but have to be comprehended through deep intuitive visions. Charkas are connected to the brain and when activated, they can unlock particular areas of the brain. The fact that we only use a tenth of our brain’s capacity is further emphasized by the idea that charkas can effectively maximize the brain’s capacity, if activated through the right yogic practices. Once the brain starts to open up, the related or equivalent aspects of the psychic body start getting awakened. Therefore charkas are also seen as gateways to higher consciousness.
The psychic sheath of the human body has innumerable charkas, but seven are most important. They are located along the sushumna nadi which flows along the spinal column. The charkas are linked to a complex set of subtle nerve networks known as nadis.
Charkas are depicted symbolically as lotus blossoms and each lotus has a particular number of petals, a color and other things inscribed into it such as a “seed sound” or “bija mantra”, considered to be a primordial sound vibration that can awaken the chakra. Each lotus is placed in a Yantra or a geometric representation of the space it occupies, a sort of cosmic imprint.
Getting down to brass tacs: examining each chakra in brief
Mooladhara: this is the root chakra situated in the cervix for women and perineum for men. The sense organ associated with this chakra is the nose.
The lotus embodying this chakra is a dark red lotus with four petals. It is ruled by the earth element. The seed syllable for this chakra is “lam”. Mooladhara is the abode of universal energy, also known as kundalini shakti. Kundalini shakti is represented by a red serpent coiled around a shivalinga. One could say that the aim of all yoga is to awaken the dormant energy of kundalini so that it unites with shiva, who according to the sriptures, represents cosmic consciousness.
Swadistana: this chakra is located at the base of the spine, in the tailbone area. This lotus representing this chakra is bright orange and has six petals and a white crescent moon.
It is ruled by water and is awakened by the seed syllable (bija mantra)
“vam”. This ckara is considered the seat of all karmic impressions or samskaras. From this chakra originates our sensory pleasures connected to food, drink and sex. Swadishtana also rules the functioning of all the organs in and around the pelvis. On a deeper level, it is considered the hub of humankind’s primordial instincts and the dwelling place of the unconscious mind. Cleansing the swadishtana is considered the only way to rise above our instinctual nature.
Manipura: This chakra is located on the spine, directly behind the navel. It is the centre of fire and supposedly the epitome of luminosity, vitality and prana. The lotus representing this chakra is a bright yellow one with ten petals. It is ruled by fire and is awakened by the seed sound “ram”. Manipura is associated with drive, ambition and the will. This chakra governs digestions and all organs situated in the area of the solar plexus. Meditating on this chakra by visualizing a ball of fire, golden light or just simply the sun, is supposed to help optimize its functioning.
Anahata: This chakra is located in the sternum area of the chest, right next to the physical heart. Anahata chakra represents the “unstruck” quality of sound, which issues from beyond the material world. It is a primordial sound, which can be heard in states of deep meditation and it manifests through the anahata chakra. It is governed by air and is activated by the mantra “yam”.
It is the home of unconditional love, compassion and creativity. It governs the optimal functioning of all organs situated in the chest such as the heart and lungs. The lotus representing anahata chakra is a blue-green lotus with 12 petals. It holds in it’s center a bright flame which is the representation of the individual higher consciousness.
Vishuddhi: this chakra is situated in the neck, directly behind the pit of the throat. It is represented by purple lotus with 16 petals holding in it’s center a white circle. It is governed by ether and is activated by the mantra “ham”. It is from vishuddi, that such higher qualities such as viveka (discrimination and understanding) originate. This chakra regulates the functioning of the vocal chords and the thyroid and parathyroid glands. It is the center of purification and it provides the space (metaphorically speaking) for one to experience a deathless state by tasting the divine nectar or amrit which falls from bindu.
Ajna: Ajna chakra is located in the middle of the brain and is the psychic equivalent of the pineal gland. It is represented by a silver-grey lotus with two petals. The two petals stand for the opposite energies of the universe, namely male and female. The ajna is considered the bridge between the mind and the universe. The ajna chakra, when activated is known to aid the development of such faculties as intelligence and memory. It is guided by the mantra “om” and the element “mind” (considered even more rare than ether). The eyebrow center is the point at which one meditates in order to activate this chakra.
Bindu: bindu means “point” and is located at the back of the head. This is the center where the nectar of immortality is produced. It is represented by a crescent moon, sailing in the darkness of night. it is considered the center of the primordial sound and certain pranayams can aid one’s ability to grasp this sound or “nada”.
Sahasrara: Sahasrara is represented by a flaming red lotus with a 1000 petals. It is situated in the crown of the head, but it really does not have a physical location on the body. This lotus holds in its center, a luminous linga depicting enlightenment, where the union of matter and consciousness takes place. This is where the kundalini shakti, which lays dormant in the mooladhara reaches, to unite with shiva, once it is awakened.
(Ref: Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha, by Swami Satyananda Saraswathi)
Sun Salutations
At the outset, the sun salutations look like nothing more than a series of forward and backward bends. On closer inspection, one realizes that it is, at the very least, a dynamic set of postures (a set of 12 postures performed in two cycles) designed to stretch, tone and release muscles and joints, while working on internal organs to optimize their functioning.
At a more psychic level, it is the practice of reverentially acknowledging the sun, which has long been regarded the symbol of cosmic energy and higher consciousness. The regular practice of surya namaskar is considered effective in raising consciousness, expanding self-awareness and increasing the general pranic field of the practitioner. This is because surya namaskar is taught as a complete spiritual practice with asana, pranayama, mantra and visualization all at once.
When used as a tool for introspection, surya namaskar takes us on a journey of self- discovery in a dynamic fashion, weaving together the physical and the psychic most masterfully. It forms a bridge between body and mind and is practiced rhythmically as a reflection of the cycles of the universe and the flow of energy in nature.
The yogis say that surya namaskar has a energizing effect on the solar energy of the body which is represented by the pingala nadi. (ref: Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Sw. Satyananda Saraswati) which when regulated leads to balancing of energy, both physical and mental alike. The performance of Surya Namaskar at a steady pace and in a regular progression reflects the twelve zodiac phases of the year, the 24 hours of the day and the biorhythms of the body. Surya namaskar is distinguished as a practice in yoga that transforms the performer inside out, infusing the person with dynamic energy, which further permeates in all aspects of their life.
At a more psychic level, it is the practice of reverentially acknowledging the sun, which has long been regarded the symbol of cosmic energy and higher consciousness. The regular practice of surya namaskar is considered effective in raising consciousness, expanding self-awareness and increasing the general pranic field of the practitioner. This is because surya namaskar is taught as a complete spiritual practice with asana, pranayama, mantra and visualization all at once.
When used as a tool for introspection, surya namaskar takes us on a journey of self- discovery in a dynamic fashion, weaving together the physical and the psychic most masterfully. It forms a bridge between body and mind and is practiced rhythmically as a reflection of the cycles of the universe and the flow of energy in nature.
The yogis say that surya namaskar has a energizing effect on the solar energy of the body which is represented by the pingala nadi. (ref: Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Sw. Satyananda Saraswati) which when regulated leads to balancing of energy, both physical and mental alike. The performance of Surya Namaskar at a steady pace and in a regular progression reflects the twelve zodiac phases of the year, the 24 hours of the day and the biorhythms of the body. Surya namaskar is distinguished as a practice in yoga that transforms the performer inside out, infusing the person with dynamic energy, which further permeates in all aspects of their life.