Chakra Therapy


Chakras are centres of psychic energy located at points along the spinal cord. They are associated with the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether. Each chakra corresponds to a specific mantra (sound) and geometric pattern (yantra). Through meditation on these chakras we can gain mastery over our body and each corresponding element.

The human organism is not just a physical composition or structure made of molecules but is also composed of energy fields. These energy fields or the centers of psychic energy are popularly known as chakras. There are seven major chakras which are situated along the spinal cord against the points of five major nerve plexuses and endocrine glands. These chakras are very important for energy balance and perfect synchronization of interior and exterior rhythms or HEF (human energy field) and UEF (universal energy field). Chakras are bioplasmic energy fields composed of ions, free protons and electrons. This state is distinct from four known states of matter i.e. solid, liquid, gases and plasma. Hence chakras are fifth state of matter. The energy field of these chakras can be measured by SQUID, EEG and kirlian photography. A normal developed and opened chakra always spins clockwise and gains pranic energy from UEF while counter-clockwise movement of a chakra makes energy flow out which makes a chakra closed, sick and abnormal.

In Chetna Therapy through constant practice of dhyan (meditation), mantra jap (mantra recitation) and darshan (visualization) one can rebalance the distorted energy system of chakras to be free from diseases. For example, in cancer the Manipur and Visudha chakras lose their protective sheath which can be cured by Chetna Therapy.

Muladhar chakra is a yellow square with four vermilion petals. The square represents earth element related to predominant sense smell and sense organ nose. This chakra governs spinal column and kidneys and effects the functioning of adrenal gland. A well balanced and strong Muladhar chakra gives a strong will to live while a weak and imbalanced chakra gives a tendency to suicide, violent behaviour, inferiority complex and feelings of insecurity. In polio and cerebral palsy this chakra bends towards the side of the healthy leg. Persons dominated by this chakra usually sleep on their stomach between ten to twelve hours daily. In Chetna therapy Muladhar chakra is aroused by chanting of the Bija mantra "Lam" 56 times. This should be followed by colour energy by covering the patient with yellow cloth

The second chakra, Svadhisthana, is in the form of a circle with a crescent. The colour is light blue. It represents water element related to predominant sense of taste and sense organ tongue. This chakra controls kidneys, bladder, reproductive organs and large intestine of the body and gonad. It is very closely related to the quality of love and sex. If this chakra is normal the person enjoys mental and physical well being. If it is blocked the individual will be impotent with premature orgasm. In AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases Muladhar and Svadhisthana are clogged. Bladder diseases, enlarged prostrate, hydrocele are associated with this chakra. To arouse this chakra one should first of all concentrate on water or by gazing at the crescent moon for half on hour daily. Repetition of Bija mantra "Vam" 51 times daily definitely enhances sexual vigour and vitality. This chakra is also very closely related to the effectiveness of mental activities, attention, concentration and meditation. Keeping a picture of this chakra in front of you and concentrating on it elevates creative and sustaining energy in the individual and a feeling of peacefulness. A person with an active Svadhisthana chakra sleeps eight to ten hours in a foetal position, often pretends to be a prince or hero maintaining high self esteem. For proper functioning of this chakra one should keep fast on ekadashi (eleventh day of lunar month).

The third chakra, Manipur, is in the form of an inverted red triangle located in a circle of ten petals with a golden colour bijakshar (seed). It represents fire element related to predominant sense, sight and sense organ, eyes. This chakra controls liver, pancreas, stomach, spleen, gall bladder, small intestines and sympathetic nervous system. The proper functioning of this chakra is necessary for the digestion and absorption of food. Anger and frustration causes depletion of this chakra energy. Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer, gall bladder diseases are all associated with a malfunctioned Manipur chakra. Alcohol makes the chakra totally disfunctional. This chakra is also related to the emotional life of an individual. If the chakra is closed and not functioning harmoniously the person will have uncontrolled extremes of emotion which may result in hypertension and adrenal exhaustion. Many times this center acts as a block between heart and sexuality as the center related to health i.e. Anahata is above it and center related to sexuality i.e. Svadishthana is below. If both these chakras are functional and open but Manipur is blocked then a person's sexual life will be without emotional attachment and love and vice-versa. Repetition of Bija mantra "Ram" 108 times daily and wearing a string of rudraksh beads keeps the chakra in harmony and balance. Whenever a person is under heavy stress and tension a mere visualization on this chakra for 5-10 minutes with repetition of seed mantra will give immense soothing effect. Whenever concentrating on this chakra one should concentrate specially on the navel.

The fourth chakra, Anahata, the most important chakra of the body, is in the form of a hexagram of a grey-green colour surrounded by 12 vermilion petals with a golden bijakshara. It represents ailment associated with sense of touch and sense organ skin. Associated with cardiac plexus it controls functions of heart, lungs, thymus and blood circulation. Congestion in Anahata chakra causes heart problem and related diseases. Excess of pranic energy in this chakra causes heart attack. In this case the inner aura may extend up from 6" to 3 feet. Asthma is another example of the hypofunction of this chakra. Within Anahata chakra is an eight petaled lotus in the center of which rests the spiritual heart or anand kanda on the right side very closely related with the physical heart on the left. An increase or decrease in the rate of heart beat serves as a warning signal that there is some abnormality in the anand kanda. The fourth chakra has a lingam also known as banalingam. This lingam radiates golden light and is formed from a mass of tissue in the nerve center at the Anahata chakra clearly visible in kirlian photography. "Om", the unstricken cosmic sound is a wondrous treatment for all heart ailments. Patients can be tremendously benefited by the pure musical tones of "Om". This chakra is also a seat of balance within the body with three chakras above and three chakras below distributing a uniform energy flow in both the directions. The person with an active fourth chakra sleeps from 4 to 6 hours on his left side.

The fifth chakra, Vishudha, is in the form of a crescent of silver within a white circle surrounded by 16 golden petals. It deals with creative energy and sound in the body. It controls voice, oesophagus, vagus nerve, respiratory system, thyroid and parathyroid glands. It represents Akasha element associated with sense of hearing and sense organ ears. Blockage at this chakra causes dumbness, hypofunction of thyroid and sometimes difficulty in swallowing food and water. Sweet and melodious voice of singers is a virtue of harmonized Vishudha chakra. This chakra is also referred to as the professional center because if one is successful and satisfied with his job the center will be full blown. Fear of failure, competition and of not being liked blocks this chakra. Meditation on this chakra gives calmness, melodious voice, leadership traits, command of speech. The seed mantra of this chakra is "Ham", repetition of this mantra 101 times helps to normalize this chakra. Constant meditation on this chakra makes one youthful, free from old age wrinkles or aging defects. The person with active Vishudha chakra sleeps little, generally 6 hours, constantly changing sides.

The sixth chakra, Ajna chakra, is in the form of a white circle with two petals. It controls lower brain, left eye, nose and cerebellum and pineal gland. The seed sound is "Aum". Malfunction of this chakra causes confused mental concepts, mental retardedness and epilepsy. It is very difficult to reactivate this chakra if there is some abnormality because only yogis are able to meditate here and practically it is very difficult for any one to heal it. This chakra and pineal gland are affected directly by waning and waxing cycles of the moon as the Ida (left nostril) and Pingla (right nostril) operate in accordance with these cycles, hence only Pranayam can redistribute the disturbed energy cycle between Muladhara and this chakra.

The seventh and last chakra, Sahasrara, is in the form of a full moon. It controls pituitary gland, brain and right eye. This chakra is related to spirituality and unconscious conscious state. If this center is closed the person probably does not have cosmic feelings (samadhi) which is only associated with yogis. Hence the chakra is rarely used by the common individual.

There are seven major chakras in our body which have been identified with the following nerve plexuses.

Muladhar: in perineum sacrococcygeal nerve plexus

Svadhisthana: four fingers above lumbosacral nerve plexus

Manipur: opposite the umbilicus lumbar plexus

Anahata: over the 6th thorasic spine cardiac plexus

Vishudha: opposite the larynx laryngeal plexus

Ajna: opposite glabella, cerebellum and its lobes

Sahasrara: between third ventricle & pituitary.