Tantra Chakras, or wheels of life, are energy centers located along the spine in the etheric body. Each chakra is related to a corresponding endocrine gland. A healthy chakra should be spinning rapidly with each chakra moving the next one along. A weak chakra spins very little, if at all, and can therefore slow down the spinning of the subsequent chakras. When any chakra is halted or slowed down, illness sets in because the flow of energy is impeded. Active, healthy chakras not only stimulate our physical being, but they also keep us healthy and balanced emotionally and mentally.
The study of chakras is based on Tantric philosophy, a branch of early Hinduism referenced to in just about every culture. It is beyond the scope of this article, and there are excellent books out there so we encourage you to learn as much as you can about the subject. Our purpose is to give you a brief overview of the seven chakras that we concern ourselves with in Tantra.
Kundalini, sometimes called life force, ki, chi, prana, energy, shakti, is represented as a sleeping serpent coiled three and a half times at the base of the spine. It mostly remains dormant until awakened. We can safely awaken her by energizing our bodies through our exercises and movements, (such as hatha yoga, meditation, tantric union) and we must be prepared to handle the energy that will begin to flow through our bodies as we progress.
The first chakra, prostate gland in men, and near the cervix for women, is called the Muladhara. The energy here is of the earth element. This chakra rules the physical body. The associations in this chakra have to do with survival, possessions, early life, the "tribe", meaning family, church, teachers and others who influenced us as a child, molded and made us conform to the rules and traditions of acceptable behavior, the status quo. We store all our traumas, and samskaras (early impressions from this or any lifetime) in this chakra. Most of mankind live in this chakra throughout their lives. It is only when the kundalini is awakened that we begin our ascent to the higher chakras.
The second chakra, or Swadhistan, the water element, is located in the testes or ovaries in the area just below the navel. We store our emotions here, conscious or unconscious memories from this lifetime or past lives. This is our reproductive center.
The third chakra is the Manipur, which is located at the navel. Here is our vitality, our willpower, our perseverance, our power, strength.
The fourth chakra, located near the heart, is called the Anahat, and the element is Air. The association is of love and marriage...marriage not only between man and woman, but the marriage of the Yin/Yang energies within ourselves. The experience here is of compassion, surrender, and devotion.
The fifth chakra is located at the throat and the neck. Called the Visshuda, this chakra rules communication, self-expression, hearing and listening to the inner voice. The element is ether, from which all elements came. Clairaudience sets in here. This is the hardest chakra to break through. At the location of the medulla, where the skull meets he spine, great pressure is felt, as “guards” prevent the opening to the next chakra until the aspirant is ready. These “guards” will not open up this chakra until they feel it is safe to let us continue on to the next chakra.
And that chakra is called Ajna, the Third Eye, located between the brows. Ajna has to do with inner vision, intuition, seeing beyond eyes sight. This chakra is related to the pituitary gland, which regulates the endocrine and hormonal glands. When this chakra is opened we develop psychic awarenss and clairvoyance.
The Sahasrara, the thousand-petaled lotus, the seventh chakra, is located at the crown of the head. We associate this chakra with the pineal gland and the brain, the Void, Parama Purusa, Supreme Consciousness, Infinity.
We may experience all sort of phenomena as these chakras open. Please consult a physician before embarking on any form of chakra practice.
