A Journey Through The Chakras I

by Susan Cameron

What are the Chakras?

The Chakra system as we keep hearing and reading about in the New Age Movement still strikes within most of us a chord of mystery and the unknown. Where did this word come from and what does it mean? The chakra system is not new nor is it being manufactured for a placebo effect. It has been a spiritual guide for mystics and yogis for at least four thousand five hundred years, with its origin buried deep within the roots of Hinduism. This series of articles is designed to unveil some of the mystery behind this Sanskrit word which literally means wheel or disk. It can be described as a wheel-like spinning vortex. Chakras are also called lotuses, symbolizing the unfolding of flower petals which metaphorically describe the opening of a chakra. These beautiful flowers are sacred in India. Chakras have also been referred to as the seven spiritual energy centers of the body.

Chakras are not physical entities in and of themselves. Like feelings or ideas, they cannot be held like a physical object, yet they have a strong effect upon the body as they express the embodiment of spiritual energy on the physical plane.

Chakra patterns have a strong relationship with our physical functioning. Just as emotions affect our breathing, heart rate and metabolism, the activities in the charkas influence our glandular processes, body shape, chronic physical ailments, thoughts and behavior.

The chakras are said to have a specific location in the body even though they do not exist in the physical sense. Remember they cannot be seen as material entities but they are evident in the shape of our physical bodies, the patterns manifested in our lives and the way we think, feel and handle life situations. The chakras can be seen everyday by what we create around us.

The energy of the first three chakras is outward directed. These three chakras, which are physically closer to the earth are related to the more practical matters of our life - survival, sexuality and power. They are ruled by physical and social law.

The energy of the four upper chakras is inward directed. These four chakras represent love, communication, intuition and wisdom.

This is just a brief introduction to the chakra system. An intensive seven week course was offered at the Unlimited Thought Bookstore in San Antonio, Texas which went into greater detail by highlighting one chakra per week An audio tape for each class is available for $10.00 per class.

This month's segment will introduce you to the first three chakras which are ruled by physical and social law, next month's article will focus on chakras four and five and the final article will highlight the energy associated with chakras six and seven.