Chakras and the human body

It stands to reason that there are times when we are more acutely aware of certain parts of our body than others, where feelings may be concentrated as pain, emotions, aches, sensation, blockages and pleasure, and this is regardless of our belief system (and whether we consider ourselves as religious, spiritual, agnostic or ‘other’).

There can be excitement in discovering the many links between the different approaches to understanding our physical and spiritual bodies - whether through a more science-based approach to anatomy, physiology and pathology, the mythological or symbolic beliefs of those who followed ancient deities, or through holistic and spiritual beliefs which we often attribute to Eastern cultures. Science has proven that there are areas in our body where key functions are carried out, where there’s a ‘lot going on’ to keep us ticking over. Yet thousands of years ago we already knew that these energy centres existed and that they had an emotional-spiritual impact on our health and well-being.

The Chakra system comes from the belief that we have seven main centres in the body (and many others) where energy moves, turns, passes and is concentrated (the meaning of Chakra is from the ancient Indian word for ‘wheel’). The fundamental belief is that for our body and mind to function efficiently, and for us to have a clear understanding of ourselves, a link with others and beyond the physical world, the Chakras must be kept healthy, spinning and linking to one another. Only then can energy, lifeforce (‘prana’) and breath flow freely through us.

The postures of yoga (āsanas) provide us with one of the steps towards enlightenment, and were a means to assist the physical body to detoxify, to rid the body of impurities by literally squeezing and moving visceral organs, allowing the flow of energy, and enabling us to eventually sit in stillness for meditation, free from discomfort and physical disturbance.

Even the language that we use points to the fact that we may instinctively understand that what is going on somewhere in our body is related to our state of being (whether emotional, physical or spiritual). Sudden realisations may ‘hit us between the eyes’. Fear or horror may make our ‘stomach turn’ or be experienced in the ‘pit of our gut’. Interaction with someone with whom we experience loving, strong emotional connections may make our ‘heart skip a beat’. If we find ourselves unable to speak our minds through fear or emotional pain, the words get ‘stuck in our throat’ and when we sit with sadness, we have a ‘lump in our throat’. When we are inspired into ideas and creativity by something, it has ‘got our juices flowing’. When we want to free ourselves from an emotional burden, we ‘get it off our chest’. If we struggle to function in the real world and our ideas aren’t firmly rooted in realistic ideas, we might ‘have our head in the clouds’. If we connect with another person on whatever level, we feel a sense of alignment with them and may ‘see eye to eye’, and we know that eyes are considered to be the window to something much more than physical.

Just look at how our breath reacts in certain situations to shows that we have an intuitive physical response to the sudden emotions we might experience. When surprised we might gasp and take our hand to cover our mouths, as if trying to retain our breath. Disappointment or frustration can often be accompanied by a sigh, a freeing or letting go of some of that negative energy from our physical bodies. When we are engaged in something that requires concentration or stillness, we might catch ourselves holding our breath. When we are required to exert some physical strength (to lift or push a heavy item of furniture for example) we often take in a deep breath and hold this or exhale with force as we push. If we see something that is touching or sweet, we might make an ‘ahhhh’ sound and take our hands to our heart centre or chest, often without realising it. Our emotions have a huge impact on our physical bodies (something we know well from our understanding of the endocrine system, the way in which hormones are inhibited or released in rapid response to situations). Anxiety can mess with our sleep, our digestion, our libido, our concentration. Happiness can flood us with endorphins.

What strikes me is how we can often find those links when we look closely or experience things intuitively – some of the beliefs are ‘known’ through scientific research and others are believed because of the human experiences taught in ancient Vedic texts, dating back to 1700 BCE, or shared by prophets and sages who were enlightened. It’s no surprise, then, that most of our established and contemporary religions share so much in terms of a fundamental understanding of the body; of our time spent within them (life before physical death); of the ways in which we can live and learn to the best of our abilities; of how we might seek the guidance and support of a higher being; of what happens to our energy once the physical body dies; and of how we are all part of one collective energy that encompasses all things from the smallest atom to the largest planet and beyond.

Symbols play an important part in many belief-systems, whether we see them as simply a tool which helps to remind us of something or whether we attach more importance and value to the symbol. Some of the symbols that we use might be seen as arbitrary (why does a particular colour symbolise a Chakra, for example?), hypocritical (if we are seen to be picking and choosing which teachings or restraints of a particular religion we observe) or even as a problem if we begin to attach an importance to them that leads an over-attachment or reliance. Wearing an Om-pendant around the neck doesn’t automatically make someone Hindu or Buddhist, after all…

Whether these symbols are images, objects, chants, items of clothing or jewellery, I’ve found that anything that can help me on my journey is to be acknowledged (which isn’t the same as relied upon, coveted selfishly, flaunted proudly…) On a busy day, for example, when I can find myself caught up in the stresses or excitement of a ‘normal’ day and become over-involved in the stories that I tell myself, the Om-pendant around my neck (which I often find myself touching automatically) can remind me to be present in the ‘now’, to recognise that the past is gone and the future is not yet here, to remember that the physical feelings and thoughts that I am experiencing are just that…they are not the true self that lies behind and within it all. When the symbol becomes present again in my mind, I can strive to become more grounded, or (conversely) to connect to something much higher, I can choose to be present and engage myself mindfully in the task in-hand, or I can look within to experience intuition and instinct.

Over the coming week I’ll share a simplified table which shows just some of the symbols that have become associated with the seven main Chakras, as well as the bodily systems or functions that we perhaps understand more from a medical perspective (something that is still developing now). My hope is that in amongst those symbols and associations each day, there might be something that helps you on your journey, gives you a ‘hook’ on which to hang a thought, a reminder of something to consider, or simply resonates with you and ignites a spark of interest.