The human body contains hundreds of locations where there is focused and concentrated energy. There are, however, seven major energy centers, commonly referred to as chakras. Chakra is a sanskrit word which means wheel. The chakras are similar to wheels, in that they are spinning vortexes of energy. They are centers of force, located within our etheric body, through which we receive, transmit and process life energies.
Each chakra in the body is recognized as a focal point of life-force relating to physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energies. The chakras are the network through which body/mind/spirit interact as one holistic system.
The seven major chakras correspond to specific aspects of our consciousness and have their own individual characteristics and functions. Each has a corresponding relationship to one of the various glands of the bodys endocrine system, as well as to one of the seven colors of the rainbow.
The main purpose in working with and understanding the chakras is to create integration and wholeness within ourselves. In this way, we bring the various aspects of our consciousness, from the physical to the spiritual, into a harmonious relationship. Ultimately, we begin to recognize that the different aspects of ourselves all work together, and that each aspect is as much a part of the whole as the others. We must be able to acknowledge, accept and integrate all levels of our being.
The chakras are doorways for our consciousness. They are doorways through which emotional, mental, and spiritual force flow into physical expression. They are openings through which our attitudes and belief systems enter into and create our body/mind structure. The energy created from our emotions and mental attitudes runs through the chakras and is distributed to our cells, tissues, and organs. Realizing this brings tremendous insight into how we ourselves affect our bodies, minds and circumstances for better or worse.
To understand the chakras and their relationship to our consciousness, it is better to understand ourselves. Understanding ourselves will enable us to make our choices and decisions from a place of awareness and balance, rather than being blindly influenced by forces we do not understand.
The most powerful way to open, activate, energize, and balance all of our chakras and keep our bodies and minds in a healthy condition is to love ourselves and others unconditionally. Love is the greatest healer. Love is the vitalizing, nourishing, sustaining electricity of life.
Each one of us are interconnected and a holographic part of All that Is. As we open ourselves into greater expression of love, wisdom and power, we give this gift to all of creation. As one person becomes whole, humanity is that much closer to wholeness. We must remember this and take hold of our personal responsibility to ourselves and to an awakening humanity. Love is the source of all healing, Love Is.
1. Muladhara Chakra: Beginning of Awareness (Base, Root Chakra)
Location: Base of the spine (coccyx)
Color: Blood-red (secondary color is black)
Element: Earth
Function: Gives vitality to the physical body. Life force, self-preservation, instincts.
Qualities & Lessons: Matters relating to the material world, success. Mastery of the physical body. Grounding, individuality, stability, security, stillness, health, courage, patience.
Gems/minerals: Ruby, garnet, bloodstone, red jasper, black tourmaline, obsidian, smoky quartz
2. Swadhisthana Chakra: Dwelling Place of Self (Sacral, Navel Chakra)
Location: Lower abdomen to navel area
Color: Orange
Element: Water
Functions: Procreation, assimilation of foods, physical force and vitality, sexuality.
Qualities & Lessons: Giving and receiving, strong emotions, desire, pleasure seeking, sexual/passionate love, change, movement, assimilation of new ideas. Good health, tolerance, surrender. Working harmoniously and creatively with others.
Gems/minerals: Carnelian, garnet, coral, gold calcite, amber, citrine, gold topaz, peach aventurine, chrysoprase
3. Manipura Chakra: Transformation of Being (Solar Plexus Chakra)
Location: Above the navel, bellow the chest
Color: Yellow
Element: Fire
Functions: Vitalizes the sympathetic nervous system, digestive processes, metabolism and emotions.
Qualities & Lessons: Will, personal power, authority, energy, mastery of desires, self-control. Radiance, warmth, awakening, transformation, humor and laughter.
Gems/minerals: Citrine, gold topaz, amber, tiger eye, yellow sapphire, gold.
4. Anahata Chakra: Healing and Compassion (Heart Chakra)
Location: Center of the chest
Color: Green (secondary color is pink)
Element: Air
Functions: Anchors the life force from the higher self. Energizes the blood and physical body with the life force (breath) and regulates blood circulation.
Qualities & Lessons: Divine, unconditional love. Forgiveness, compassion, understanding, balance, group consciousness, oneness with life. Acceptance, peace, openness, harmony and contentment.
Gems/minerals: Emerald, green and pink tourmaline, malachite, green jade, green aventurine, chrysoprase, kunzite, rose quartz, ruby.
5. Visuddha Chakra: The Expression of Creativity (Throat Chakra)
Location: Throat area
Color: Blue
Element: Ether
Functions: Speech, sound, vibration, communication
Qualities & Lessons: Power of the spoken word. True communication. Creative expression in speech, writing and the arts. Integration, peace, truth, knowledge, wisdom, loyalty, honesty, reliability, gentleness and kindness.
Gems/minerals: Turquoise, chrysocolla, celestite, blue topaz, sodalite, lapis lazuli, aquamarine, azurite, kyanite.
6. Ajna Chakra: The Knowledge of Being (Third-Eye Chakra)
Location: Center of the forehead, between the eyebrows.
Color: Indigo
Element: Light
Functions: Vitalizes the lower brain and central nervous system. Regulates vision.
Qualities & Lessons: Soul realization, intuition, insight, imagination. Clairvoyance, concentration, peace of mind. Wisdom, devotion, perception beyond duality.
Gems/minerals: Lapis Lazuli, azurite, sodalite, clear quartz, sapphire, iolite, tourmaline
7. Sahasrara Chakra: Endless Possibilities (Crown Chakra)
Location: Top of the head
Color: Purple
Element: Thought/Will
Functions: Vitalizes the upper brain
Qualities & Lessons: Unification of the higher self with the human personality. Oneness with the infinite. Spiritual will, inspiration, unity, wisdom and understanding. Idealism, selfless service. Perception beyond space and time. Continuity of consciousness.
Gems/minerals: Amethyst, alexandrite, diamond, sugilite, purple fluorite, clear quartz, selenite.
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