Th e Seven Chakras

The word chakra is Sanskrit for wheel or disk and is meant to mean a disk of light. This term has also come to describe the seven power centers of the human body. It's believed that chakras are reflective of a person's psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being, as well as being tied to the physical health of particular areas of the body. It's been said that chakras carry and direct energy flow in the body. As a result, some people feel that blocked energy in one's chakras can create serious health problems, ranging from cancer to sexual dysfunction to heart problems. Disruptions in the chakra energy have also been associated with various mental disorders.

Historical data indicates that healers have worked with chakras and the body's energy systems for thousands of years. It is from those practitioners and people who have experienced benefits first hand that chakras' validity continues to be accepted. Chakra work, when one unblocks the flow of energy from particular chakras, came into being long before people had statistical methods to evaluate claims about its effectiveness. However, the continued popularity of this healing tool stands as testimony to its usefulness.

T he First Chakra

    

      The first chakra or root or base chakra is located at the base of the spine. This is a source of great energy and is the first of the seven chakras in terms of where it is located on your body .

      Your first chakra is associated with your connection to a tribal force and your sense of belonging in the world. It symbolizes the physical plane of existence — both the earth and your physical body. This being true, it's not surprising that the first chakra is known to be the source of self-preservation and survival. When this first chakra energy is disrupted, you may be more liable to feel alone in the world, be afraid for your safety, and feel disconnected from other people. You're also likely to feel ungrounded, lacking a strong connection to the earth or your body. Energetically, when the first chakra is disrupted you can feel you have no real "roots."

The lessons this chakra represents.                                                             

                                                                                                                           

These are some common themes associated with problems in the first chakra:

·                       Believing that you're holding onto life by a string, like your life is about to fall apart

·                       Feeling that you are in a powerless position

·                       Working diligently to ensure you do not lose shelter, money, or safety

·                       Extreme blame or lack of identification with your family of origin

·                       Fear that you will be rejected and completely alone

·                       Eating for comfort and to ground the body

Disruption in this chakra is also sometimes associated with separation from the mother at birth.

In its ideal state, the first chakra brings health, prosperity, feelings of security, and a vivacious attitude toward life. However, when energy is blocked, it may result in any number of illnesses.

 

Blocked energy in the first chakra is most often associated with problems in the:

·                       Colon

·                       Bladder

·                       Female or male reproductive system

·                       Urethra

Possible psychological problems associated with disruption in this chakra include:

·                       Identity problems

·                       Dissociative disorders

·                       Dependent personality disorder

The Second Chakra

     

                         The second chakra is associated with the element of water. It is often called the sexual chakra, because sexual energy is believed to originate there. But the second chakra is much more than simply a sex chakra; it is the seat of creativity. This chakra is located at the sacrum, which is the densest bone in the spinal column.

When the second chakra is closed or blocked, it can make the entire person appear lifeless. A blocked second chakra can cut you off from your emotions, and you may feel removed from an interest in sexuality. On the other hand, if your second chakra is excessively open, emotions can sometimes rule your being, creating an unbalanced system overall.

     

Some common themes associated with problems in the second chakra are:

·                       Difficulty being a "good loser"

·                       Threatened by dependency on others

·                       Envy and greed dominate thinking

·                       Feelings of entitlement that don't necessarily correspond with actual deserved rewards

·                       Difficulty regulating emotions — either having no access to them or feeling overwhelmed by them

·                       Taking on exaggerated male or female roles

·                       Fear of poverty

In its ideal state, the second chakra brings a sense of fluidity, a depth of satisfaction and feeling, sexual fulfillment, and the ability to go with the flow of life.

Blocked energy in the second chakra is often associated with problems in the:

·                       Kidneys

·                       Lower back

·                       Pancreas

·                       Spleen

·                       Prostate gland

It is also associated with:

·                       Allergies

·                       Diabetes

·                       Diarrhea

·                       Ulcers

·                       Hypoglycemia

·                       Anemia

·                       Leukemia

·                       Premenstrual syndrome

·                       Sexually transmitted diseases

·                       Menstrual problems

·                       Infertility

·                       Vaginal infections

·                       Ovarian cysts

·                       Impotency

·                       Slipped disks

·                       Bladder infections

Possible psychological problems associated with disruptions in this chakra include:

·                       Depression

·                       Sexual difficulties

·                       Borderline, narcissistic, antisocial, or histrionic personality disorders

The Third Chakra

     The third chakra is associated with the element of fire. Appropriately, it is located at the solar plexus in the sternum.

The third chakra is associated with personal power. People who are empowered have high positive energy emanating from their third chakras. Knowing that you can move things forward in your life to order to learn, grow, and live well is closely related to having a clear third chakra. Individual charisma is also generated in this energetic region. Conversely, people who don't trust their own perceptions or feel confident in their own decisions may experience disruptions in this chakra.

When the third chakra is closed or blocked, it can lead to a lack of energy, fatigue, and a yearning to be quiet and shut down. During times when this chakra is blocked, confrontations with others can be very hard to initiate or even tolerate. Blockage can also lead to problems building and sustaining interpersonal relationships based on equality.

Here are some common themes associated with problems in the third chakra:

·                       Inability to stand up for yourself

·                       Low self-esteem

·                       Feeling unable to make necessary life changes or to get unstuck if in a life rut

·                       Feeling easily overwhelmed by real or perceived obstacles in life

·                       Being overly self-critical

·                       Being highly sensitive to others' criticisms or rejection

·                       Preferring to not make your own decisions

·                       Having trouble receiving compliments

·                       Difficulties building respectful relationships with others

·                       Being easily intimidated

·                       Feeling like a victim

·                       Being resentful about having to take responsibility for others

In its ideal state, the third chakra generates a great deal of energy for meeting personal goals. It also encourages a balanced sense of self, deep self-acceptance, and self-respect. These positive feelings carry over to one's relationships with other people.

Blocked energy in the third chakra has been associated with problems in the:

·                       Adrenal glands

·                       Liver

·                       Stomach

It is also associated with:

·                       Digestive difficulties

·                       Ulcers

·                       Addictions, especially to stimulants

·                       Arthritis

·                       Eating disorders

·                       Cancer

·                       Coordination problems

·                       Multiple sclerosis

·                       Obesity

·                       Premature aging

·                       Gallstones

·                       Pancreatic disorders

·                       Diabetes

·                       Hepatitis

·                       Indigestion

Possible psychological problems associated with disruptions in this chakra include:

·                       Obsessive-compulsive disorder

·                       Uncontrollable or overwhelming anger

·                       Bipolar disorder or more mild but still extreme highs and lows in mood

·                       Insomnia

The Fourth Chakra

 

   The fourth chakra is associated with the element of air and is sometimes called the heart chakra. This is due both to its location near the heart and because of the emotions with which it is associated.

 

The fourth chakra is associated with a gradual increasing of consciousness, as it sits between the lower three and upper three chakras. However, primarily, it is the center of unconditional love. When a person becomes disconnected from their heart and the emotions associated with this region, the fourth chakra becomes closed off. This often results in both low energy and shallow breathing. At times when you're feeling a fourth chakra blockage, you might even feel that it's difficult to breathe.

Emotionally, when this chakra is blocked, you're likely to feel wounded or victimized. Often this will be due to trying to work out past problems. People who have studied chakras liken this kind of chakra disruption to a hurt child inside of us, hashing out scenes over and over, trying to get closure on difficult events. If this kind of inner turmoil happens on an ongoing basis without relief, the overall effect can be a feeling of being stuck in the past. When the energy from the fourth chakra is disrupted, you may have trouble protecting yourself from emotional harm because you generally feel raw and emotionally vulnerable.

When the fourth chakra is open and energy is flowing positively, far different feelings result. For example, you are likely to feel open, loving, and compassionate to those around you and to be very accepting of people for who they are.

                                                                                                                           

These are some common themes associated with problems in the fourth chakra:

·                       Feeling stuck and wounded by events from the past

·                       Being unable to forgive someone and holding on to the anger you have toward them

·                       Fear of breaking down emotionally

·                       Being too emotionally vulnerable

·                       Feeling unloved or unworthy of love

·                       Feeling shamed by being rejected

·                       Being resentful of others for the love they receive

·                       Extreme loneliness

·                       Fear of showing affection

In its ideal state, the fourth chakra will radiate love and warmth. It will help also help you feel a strong, centered connection with yourself, so that you can reach out to others with compassion and a lack of judgment. This chakra also helps you to come to new levels of self-discovery. Disrupted energy in the fourth chakra has been tied to problems in the:

·                       Heart

·                       Thymus

·                       Upper back

·                       Lung

·                       Shoulders

It is also associated with:

·                       Vascular difficulties

·                       High blood pressure

·                       Autoimmunity problems

·                       Heart attacks

·                       Enlarged heart

·                       Blocked arteries

·                       Asthma

·                       Emphysema

·                       Bronchitis

·                       Poor circulation

Possible psychological problems associated with disruptions in this chakra include:

·                       Self-destructive behaviors

·                       Suicidal ideology or acts

·                       Trouble emotionally connecting with others

·                       Feeling alienated from others and in opposition to yourself

The Fifth Chakra          

The fifth chakra is associated with acts of communication, including speaking the truth or finding creative ways for self-expression. It is located at the base of the throat and is often called the throat chakra.

This chakra is associated with sound in general. The meaning of your own personal truth is central to this chakra. The more free-flowing the energy of this chakra, the more you are able to speak your truth without fearing the consequences — or at least without letting external forces stop you from doing it. When the throat chakra is too open, you may talk more than other people would like and may not listen closely enough.

On a different level, this chakra is also associated with personal will. When the chakra is very open, your will can be excessively strong; when it is closed, your will can seem nonexistent. However, at times when the fifth chakra is in balance, your will is aligned with divine will. During such periods, you're likely to feel that things are going your way, rather than having to fight against the current in order to reach your goals.

When your fifth chakra is disrupted, personal truths can become harder to express. You may even become afraid to speak your opinions or feel unsure about what you might say. Issues of the will can also come to the fore during these negative times. For example, you may feel that when things go wrong, others are entirely to blame and when things go right, it's solely your will that created the success. Such exaggerated and absolute thinking is often connected to disruptions in the fifth chakra.


Some common themes associated with problems in the fifth chakra are:

·                       Fear of public speaking

·                       Fear of letting go

·                       Feelings of inner rigidity

·                       Fear of exposure

·                       Dishonesty to cover the feared truth

·                       Inability to say what you mean

In its ideal state, the fifth chakra gives you the energy and centering you need to speak the truth. It also helps you to make unique contributions to the world by unleashing creative, self-expressive energy.

Blocked energy in the fifth chakra is sometimes associated with problems in the:

·                       Ear

·                       Lymphatic system

·                       Mouth and teeth

·                       Neck and shoulders

·                       Throat

·                       Jaw

It is also associated with:

·                       Hearing difficulties

·                       Parathyroid complications

·                       Thyroid problems

·                       Sore throat

·                       Jaw misalignment

·                       Stiff neck

·                       Tension headaches

·                       Swollen glands

Possible psychological problems associated with disruptions in this chakra include:

·                       Stuttering

·                       Poor auditory memory

·                       Inability to use words for adequate self-expression

·                       Addiction to drugs

·                       Cigarette smoking

·                       Alcohol overuse

The Sixth Chakra