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| A '''chakra''' is an energy node in the human body as taught in ] and its spiritual systems of ] and some related cultures. |
A '''chakra''' (from the ], ''"wheel"'') is an energy node in the human body as taught in ] and its spiritual systems of ] and in some related cultures. According to these systems, the human body has seven major chakras and countless minor ones. The seven main chakras are described as being aligned in an ascending column from the base of the ] to the top of the head. Each chakra is associated with a certain color, multiple specific functions, an aspect of consciousness, a classical element, and other distinguishing characteristics. The chakras vitalise the physical body and are associated with interactions of both a physical and mental nature. The chakras are loci of life energy, or ], which flows among them along pathways called '''nadirs'''. | ||
| ⚫ | ] relies on a similar model of the human body as an energy system |
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| The following sets forth some distinguishing characteristics of each chakra: | |||
| ==General information== | |||
| A chakra is a locus of life energy. There are seven chakras in the body - each is an interface for the flow of life energy. A chakra vitalises a physical body and is associated with interactions of a physical, mental nature. | |||
| Current technology is not capable of measuring life energy or chakras. | |||
| The seven main chakras are described as being present in an ascending column from the base of the ] to the top of the head. Each chakra is associated with a certain color, multiple specific functions, an aspect of consciousness, a classical element and other correspondences. | |||
| <table border=2> | <table border=2> | ||
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| </td></tr></table> | </td></tr></table> | ||
| Author ] in his book, ''The Ringbearers Diary'' describes the chakras in great detail, including the reasons for their appearance and their exact functions. | |||
| == |
==Origins== | ||
| ⚫ | The earliest known mention of chakras is found in the later ], including specifically the ] and the ]. These vedic models were adapted in ] as ] theory, and in the ] ] theory of chakras. | ||
| ⚫ | The earliest known mention of chakras is found in the |
||
| These vedic models were adapted in ] as ] theory, and in the ] ] theory of chakras. | |||
| ⚫ | == |
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| '''Chakrology''' (from the ] Chakra=wheel and the ] Logos->logy) is a modern word (]), some times used by ] practitioners or esoteric philosophers, for the study of chakras. | |||
| There are many different chakrologies, some of them based on ancient ]n Hindu ] esoteric traditions, ] interpretations, Western ] analyzations etc. There are some references for ancient Greek and Christian chakrologies too. | |||
| As the ]n esoteric philosopher and physicist ] states, it is very difficult to develop a unified coherent chakra science that would integrate all the elements of present chakrologies. | |||
| ⚫ | ==Various models== | ||
| '''Chakrology''' is a ] sometimes employed by ] practitioners or esoteric philosophers for the study of chakras. There are many different chakrologies, some of them based on ancient ]n Hindu ] esoteric traditions, ] interpretations, or Western ] analyses, as well as ancient Greek and Christian references. ]n esoteric philosopher and physicist ] notes that it would be very difficult to develop a unified coherent chakra science that would integrate all the elements of the various present chakrologies. | |||
| ===The Tantric Chakras=== | ===The Tantric Chakras=== | ||
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| ===Hesychastic centres of prayer=== | ===Hesychastic centres of prayer=== | ||
| It is alleged by modern mystics that in ], the '''centres of prayer''' were points of ] or ] on the ] |
It is alleged by modern mystics that in ], the '''centres of prayer''' were points of ] or ] on the ] to be used during the hesychastic ], comparable to the Tantric chakras and similar doctrines in Tibetan Buddhism. This terminology, however, is not used in ] and is not part of Hesychasm as practiced within the Orthodox Churches. | ||
| Hesychasm specifies four centres: | |||
| Four centres were specified (source: ): | |||
| # '''Cerebrofrontal centre''': Positioned between the ]s (compare with ]). | # '''Cerebrofrontal centre''': Positioned between the ]s (compare with ]). | ||
| # '''Buccolaryngeal centre'''. | # '''Buccolaryngeal centre'''. | ||
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| # '''Cardiac centre''': Positioned near the upper part of the ] (compare with ]). | # '''Cardiac centre''': Positioned near the upper part of the ] (compare with ]). | ||
| ⚫ | This compares notably with Tibetan Buddhism, in which the sequence of centres is very similar, beginning with the eyebrows and going down to the heart, which symbolizes the highest ]. | ||
| ===Chinese medicine=== | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | ] also relies on a similar model of the human body as an energy system. | ||
| ==Modern notions== | |||
| The ] movement has led to an increased interest in the West regarding chakras. | |||
| Supporters of the notion of chakras explain the lack of confirmation of their existence in Western medical science by noting that current technology is not capable of measuring life energy or chakras. | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| ⚫ | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| ⚫ | * ] | ||
| ⚫ | * ] | ||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | |||
| ⚫ | * ] | ||
| ⚫ | * ] | ||
| ⚫ | * ] | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * | * | ||
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| ] | ] | ||
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Revision as of 08:53, 17 June 2004
A chakra (from the sanskrit, "wheel") is an energy node in the human body as taught in Hinduism and its spiritual systems of Yoga and in some related cultures. According to these systems, the human body has seven major chakras and countless minor ones. The seven main chakras are described as being aligned in an ascending column from the base of the spine to the top of the head. Each chakra is associated with a certain color, multiple specific functions, an aspect of consciousness, a classical element, and other distinguishing characteristics. The chakras vitalise the physical body and are associated with interactions of both a physical and mental nature. The chakras are loci of life energy, or prana, which flows among them along pathways called nadirs.
The following sets forth some distinguishing characteristics of each chakra:
| chakra | color | primary functions | associated element |
| Root chakra | red | instinct, sexual energy | earth |
| Navel chakra (Hara) | orange | emotion | water |
| Solar plexus chakra | yellow | intellect | fire |
| Heart/lung chakra | emerald green or pink | devotion, love, compassion, healing | air |
| Throat chakra | cyan | speech, self-expression | ether |
| Third eye | indigo | intuition, ESP | time |
| Crown chakra (just above the head) | silvery-white; may assume color of dominant chakra | connection to god | space |
Author Peter Kjaerulff in his book, The Ringbearers Diary describes the chakras in great detail, including the reasons for their appearance and their exact functions.
Origins
The earliest known mention of chakras is found in the later Upanishads, including specifically the Brahma Upanishad and the Yogatattva Upanishad. These vedic models were adapted in Tibetan Buddhism as Vajrayana theory, and in the Tantric Shakta theory of chakras.
Various models
Chakrology is a neologism sometimes employed by Alternative Medicine practitioners or esoteric philosophers for the study of chakras. There are many different chakrologies, some of them based on ancient Indian Hindu Tantric esoteric traditions, New Age interpretations, or Western occult analyses, as well as ancient Greek and Christian references. Croatian esoteric philosopher and physicist Arvan Harvat notes that it would be very difficult to develop a unified coherent chakra science that would integrate all the elements of the various present chakrologies.
The Tantric Chakras
Tantra (Shakta or Shaktism) describes seven primary inner chakras:
Hesychastic centres of prayer
It is alleged by modern mystics that in Hesychasm, the centres of prayer were points of concentration or meditation on the body to be used during the hesychastic prayer, comparable to the Tantric chakras and similar doctrines in Tibetan Buddhism. This terminology, however, is not used in Orthodox Christianity and is not part of Hesychasm as practiced within the Orthodox Churches.
Hesychasm specifies four centres:
- Cerebrofrontal centre: Positioned between the eyebrows (compare with Ajna).
- Buccolaryngeal centre.
- Pectoral centre: Positioned in the upper and median region of the chest.
- Cardiac centre: Positioned near the upper part of the heart (compare with Anahata).
This compares notably with Tibetan Buddhism, in which the sequence of centres is very similar, beginning with the eyebrows and going down to the heart, which symbolizes the highest consciousness.
Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine also relies on a similar model of the human body as an energy system.
Modern notions
The New Age movement has led to an increased interest in the West regarding chakras.
Supporters of the notion of chakras explain the lack of confirmation of their existence in Western medical science by noting that current technology is not capable of measuring life energy or chakras.
See also
External links
- The difficulty of a unified chakra science
- Early chakrologies
- The Hesychastic centres of prayer
- Human Subtle System
- Introduction to Chakras