The Chakra System
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Definition of chakra - Sanskrit cakra, literally means wheel
any of several points of physical or spiritual energy in the human body according to yoga philosophy. |
It is important to undergo the journey of healing ourselves and comprehending what our life’s purpose is. This is the journey of individuation and awakening. The chakra system is a wonderful map for this journey. With this map in hand your journey can be more direct, more profound and more deliberate. This system maps onto the body through the human nervous system.
This system maps onto the psyche into developmental stages of childhood and maps onto the spiritual quest through the states of consciousness and transforms the culture through planes of external reality. The chakras are truly a set of portals between the inner and outer worlds. Use this map to help you better understand where your internal focus is required in order for you to commence your inner work, heal your hurts and elevate your consciousness and your vibration.
It is ALWAYS an inside job
Muladhara - Base Chakra
Root
Element - Earth
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Purpose
Foundation Colour: RED Location: Base of the Spine Identity – Physical Orientation – Self Preservation Demon – Fear Basic Rights – To be HERE and to HAVE Developmental Stage – 2nd Trimester – 12 months Issues Roots Grounding Nourishment Trust Health Home Family Prosperity Appropriate Boundaries Developmental Tasks Physical Growth Motor Skills Object Performance Balanced Characteristics Good Health Vitality Well Grounded Comfortable in the Body Sense of trust in the world |
Feelings of safety and security
Ability to relax and to be still Stability Prosperity Right Livelihood Traumas and Abuses Birth Trauma Abandonment, physical neglect Poor physical bonding with Mother Malnourishment, feeding difficulties Major illness or surgery Physical abuse or violent environment Enema abuse Inherited traumas – parents Survival Fears (e.g holocaust survivors, war veterans, poverty conditions) Deficiency Disconnection from body Notably underweight Fearful, anxious, restless, can’t settle Poor focus and discipline Financial difficulty Poor Boundaries Chronic disorganization Excess Obesity, overeating Hoarding, material fixation, greed Sluggish, lazy, tired Fear of change, addiction to security Rigid Boundaries |
Physical Malfunction
Disorders of the bowel, anus or Large Intestine Disorders of solid parts of the body, bones, teeth Issues with legs, feet, base of spine, buttocks Eating Disorders Frequent illness (can be deficient or excess) Healing Practices Reconnect with the body Physical activity (aerobics, weights, running, dance) Lots of touch, massage Bio-energetic grounding Hatha yoga Look at earliest childhood relationship to mother Reclaim the Right to be here Affirmations It is safe for me to be here The earth supports me and meets my needs I love my body and trust its wisdom I am immersed in abundance I am here and I am real |
Svadhishthana - Spleen Chakra
Sweetness
Element - Water
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Purpose
Movement and connection Color – Orange Location – Lower Abdomen/Sacral Plexus Identify – Emotional Orientation – Self Gratification Demon – Guilt Basic Rights – To feel and have pleasure Developmental Stage - 6 months to 2 years Developmental Tasks Sensate exploration of the world Locomotion Issues Movement Sensation Emotions Sexuality Desire Need Pleasure Balanced Characteristics Graceful movement Emotional intelligence Ability to experience pleasure Nurturance of self and others Ability to change Healthy Boundaries |
Traumas and Abuses
Sexual abuse (covert or overt) Emotional abuse Volatile situations Neglect, coldness, rejection Denial of child’s feelings states Lack of mirroring Enmeshment Emotional manipulation Overuse of playpen or restricting normal movement Religious or moral severity (anti-pleasure) Physical abuse Alcoholic families Inherited issues – parents who have not worked out their own issues around their own security, untreated incest cases Deficiency Rigidity in body and attitudes Frigidity, fear of sex Poor social skills Denial of Pleasure Excessive boundaries Fear of change Lack of desire, passion, excitement Excess Sexual acting out, sexual addiction Excessively strong emotions, ruled by emotions (hysteria, bipolar mood swings, crisis junkies) |
Oversensitive
Poor boundaries, invasion of others Emotional dependency Obsessive attachment Physical Malfunctions Disorders of reproductive organs, spleen urinary system, menstrual difficulties Sexual dysfunction, impotence, premature ejaculation, frigidity, non orgasmic Low back pain, knee trouble, lack of flexibility Deadened sense, loss of appetite for food, sex, life Healing Practices Movement therapy Emotional release or containment as appropriate Inner child work Boundary work 12-step for addictions Assign healthy pleasures Develop senate intelligence Affirmations I deserve pleasure in my life I absorb information from my feelings I embrace and celebrate my sexuality My sexuality is sacred I move easily and effortlessly Life is pleasurable |
Manipura - Stomach Chakra
Element - Fire
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Purpose
Transformation Color – Yellow Location – Solar Plexus Identity – Ego Identity Orientation – Self Definition Demon – Shame Basic Rights - To act and be an individual Developmental State – 18 months – 4 years Developmental Tasks Realization of separateness Establishment of Autonomy Balanced Characteristics Responsible, reliable Balanced, effective will Good self-esteem Balanced ego-strength Warmth in personality Confidence Spontaneity, playfulness Sense of humor Appropriate self-discipline Able to meet challenges Traumas & Abuses Shaming |
Authoritarianism
Volatile Situations Domination of Will Physical abuse, dangerous environment Fear of punishment Enmeshment Age inappropriate responsibilities (parentified child) Inherited shame from parent Deficiency Low Energy Weak will, easily manipulated Poor self-discipline and follow through Low self esteem Cold, emotionally and/or physically Poor digestion, collapsed middle Attraction to stimulants Victim mentality, blaming of others Passive, unreliable Excess Overly aggressive, dominating, controlling Need to be right, have last word Manipulative, power hungry, deceitful Attraction to sedatives Temper tantrums, violent outbursts Stubbornness, driving ambition (type A personality) Competitive, arrogant, hyperactive |
Physical Malfunctions
Eating disorders Digestive disorders, ulcers Hypoglycemia, diabetes Muscle spasms, muscular disorders Chronic Fatigue Hypertension Disorders of the stomach, pancreas, gall bladder, liver Healing Practices Risk Taking (deficiency) Grounding and emotional contact Deep relaxation, stress control (excess) Vigorous exercise (running, aerobics, etc) Martial arts, sit ups Psychotherapy: build ego strength Release or contain anger Work on shame issues Strengthen the will Encourage autonomy Affirmations I honor the power within me I accomplish tasks easily and effortlessly The fire within me burns through all blocks and fears I can do whatever I will do |
Anahata - Heart Chakra
Unstruck
Element - Air
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Purpose
Love and Balance Color – Emerald Green Location – Chest, Heart, cardiac, plexus Identity – Social Orientation – Self Acceptance Demon – Grief Basic Rights – To love and be loved Developmental Stages – 4-7 years Developmental Tasks Forming peer and family relationships Developing personality Issues Love Balance Self Love Relationship Intimacy Anima/animus Devotion Reaching out and taking in Balanced Characteristics Compassionate Loving Empathetic Self-loving Altruistic Peaceful and balanced Good Immune System |
Traumas & Abuses
Rejections, abandonment, loss Shaming, constant criticism Abuses to any other chakras, especially lower chakras Unacknowledged grief, including parents grief Divorce, death of a loved one Loveless, cold environment Conditional love Sexual or physical abuse Betrayal Deficiency Antisocial, withdrawn, cold Critical, judgemental, intolerant of self or others Loneliness, isolation Depression Fear of intimacy, fear of relationships Lack of empathy Narcissism Excess Codependency Poor Boundaries Demanding Clinging Jealousy Overly sacrificing Physical Malfunctions Disorders of the heart, lungs, thymus, |
breasts, arms
Shortness of breath Sunken chest Circulation problems Asthma Immune system deficiency Tension between shoulder blades, pain in chest Shortness of breath Sunken chest Circulation problems Asthma Immune system deficiency Tension between shoulder blades, pain in chest Healing Practices Breathing exercises, pranayama Work with arms, reaching out, taking in Journaling, self discovery Psychotherapy: examine assumptions about relationships Emotional release of grief Forgiveness when appropriate, inner child work Codependency work; self acceptance Anima-animus integration Affirmations I am worthy of love I am loving to myself and others There is an infinite supply of love I live in balance with others |
Vishuddha - Throat Chakra
Purification
Element - Sound
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Purpose
Communication and creativity Color – Bright Blue Location – Throat, pharyngeal plexus Identity – Creativity Orientation – self expression Demon – Lies Basic Rights – to speak and be heard Developmental Stage – 7 to 12 years Developmental Tasks Creative Expression Communication Skills Symbolic Thinking Balanced Characteristics Resonant Voice Good listener Good sense of timing and rhythm Clear communication Lives creatively Traumas & Abuses Lies, mixed messages Verbal abuse, constant yelling |
Excessive criticism (blocks creativity)
Secrets (threats for telling) Authoritarian parents (don’t talk back) Alcoholic, chemical dependent family (don’t talk, don’t trust, don’t feel) Deficiency Fear of speaking Small, weak voice Difficulty putting feelings into words Introversion, shyness Tone Deaf Poor rhythm Excess Too much talking, talking as a defense Inability to listen, poor auditory comprehension Gossiping Dominating voice, interruptions Physical malfunctions Disorders of the throat, ears, voice, neck Tightness of the jaw |
Toxicity (due to chakra’s name, which means purification)
Healing Practices Loosen neck and shoulders Release Voice Singing, chanting, toning Storytelling Journal writing Automatic writing Practice silence (excess) Non goal-oriented creativity Psychotherapy: learn communication skills Complete communications Letter writing Inner child communication Voice Dialog Affirmations I hear and speak the truth I express myself with clear intent Creativity flows in and through me My voice is necessary |
Third Eye Chakra - Ajna
To perceive and Command
Element - Light
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Purpose
Pattern Recognition Color – Indigo Location – Forehead, brow, carotid plexus, third eye Identity – Archetypal Orientation – Self reflection Demon – Illusion Basic Rights – to See Developmental stage – Adolescence Developmental Tasks Establishment of personal identity Ability to perceive patterns Balanced Characteristics Intuitive Perceptive Imaginative Good Memory Good dream recall Able to think symbolically Able to visualize |
Traumas and abuses
What you see doesn’t go with what you’re told Invalidation of intuition and psychic occurrences Ugly or frightening environment (war zone, violence) Deficiency Insensitivity Poor vision Difficulty seeing future Lack of imagination Difficulty visualizing Poor dream recall Denial (can’t see what is going on) Mono-polarized (one true right and only way) Excess Hallucinations Delusions Obsessions |
Difficulty concentrating
Nightmares Physical Malfunctions Headaches Vision problems Healing Practices Create visual art Visual stimulation Meditation Psychotherapy: coloring and drawing Art therapy Working with memory Connecting image with feeling Dreamwork Hypnosis Guided visualizations Past life regression therapy Affirmations I see all things clearly I am open to the wisdom within I can manifest my vision |
Sahasrara - Crown Chakra
Thousandfold
Element - Thought
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Purpose
Understanding Color – Violet Location – Cerebral Cortex Identity – Universal Orientation – Self Knowledge Demon – Attachment Basic Rights – To know and to learn Developmental stage - Early adulthood and after Developmental Tasks Assimilation of knowledge Development of wisdom Balanced Characteristics Ability to perceive, analyze and assimilate information Intelligent, thoughtful, aware Open minded, able to question Spiritually connected Wisdom and mastery Broad understanding |
Traumas and abuses
Withheld information Education that thwarts curiosity Forced religiosity Invalidation of one’s beliefs Blind obedience (no right to question or to think for oneself) Misinformation, lies Spiritual abuse Deficiency Spiritual cynicism Learning difficulties Rigid belief systems Apathy Excess in lower chakras – materialism, greed Domination of others Excess Over intellectualization Spiritual addiction Confusion Dissociation from body |
Physical Malfunctions
Coma Migraines Brain Rumors Amnesia Cognitive delusions Healing Practices Re-establish physical, emotional connection (excess) Re-establish spirit connection (deficiency) Learning and study Spiritual discipline Meditation Psychotherapy: examine belief systems Develop inner witness Work with higher power Affirmations Divinity resides within I am open to new ideas Information I need comes to me The world is my teacher I am guided by higher power I am guided by inner wisdom |
Eastern Body Western Mind, Psychology of the Chakra System as a path to the Self
by Anodea Judith
by Anodea Judith
