Nurturing the energy body, part 1

Today's article shall be a bit different from the other articles on this blog.

This topic will be covered over three articles, in which we shall discuss the spiritual body or the chakras. The purpose of this article is to allow the readers to have a deeper understanding of their emotions, energies, etc. When we understand the energy body a little bit better, we can also understand our emotions and the physical body a bit better. We can start to see how things are connected, how the physical body and its wellness is related to the spiritual body.

We can use the understanding of the spiritual body or the energy body in great ways, opening ourselves towards our Universe, healing ourselves and those around us, and feeling more connected to our Source.

As we get in touch with our spiritual bodies, we can identify blockages or traumas which has the potential to hold us back from inner peace and happiness. As we work with these energies, healing the traumas and opening the channels, we open ourselves to a deeper sense of reality, a deeper sense of our Self.

The information on this topic comes from the author's friend, Sanjana from India. She has in-depth detail on the topic, and please feel free to post any questions related to this topic in the comments section below. Sanjana would be happy to shed some more detail, where needed. 

Even though the function and the knowledge of our energy bodies are commonly associated with Eastern philosophy or religion, it is in reality not limited to any part of the world. All of us, regardless of our nationality, religion, or belief, have such a spiritual body. They all work the same, and the same knowledge can be applied everywhere.

With that said, let's hear what she has to say about the chakras and their functions - typed in nice colors, as requested by Sanjana :)

Understanding the Spiritual Anatomy: The Chakras 

“Anatomy is destiny”, Freud famously said. In our day-to-day life, most of us try to get acquainted with our physical anatomy for better health. We somehow forget to pay heed to our spiritual anatomy which implies understanding the functioning of Chakras or vital energy centers within our physical body. According to Hindu and Buddhist traditions, the physical and spiritual come together in Chakras. Understanding the chakras gives us self-knowledge at every level of our being.

The word chakra means a “spinning wheel” – an apt metaphor, as the spirit uses the chakras to weave the fabric of life. The chakras shape our emotional life, give expression to our deepest desires, and build the structure of our physical body and personality. These swirling wheels of energy align along the spine connecting our mind, body, and soul and provide subtle energy to the functions of the bodily organs. For our complete well-being, it becomes essential for us to learn about our energy ecosystem – chakras!

Most health concerns, when chakras are understood, can be traced back to their emotional roots which is primarily caused due to energy imbalance in the chakra system. Let us go through an introduction about the chakras, an energetic map, to keep us more healthy and happy.

There are 7 main energy centers or chakras which is distributed along the Spinal Channel, their names, in descending order from upwards to below, are as follows:

Sanskrit name of chakra and Western Name of chakra:

7. Sahasrara chakra or Crown chakra
6. Agnya chakra or Brow/Third eye chakra
5. Vishuddha chakra or Throat chakra
4. Anahata chakra or Heart chakra
3. Manipura chakra or Navel chakra
2. Swadhishthana chakra or Sacral chakra
1. Muladhara chakra or Root chakra

Let us go on a tour of our energetic ecosystem... A detailed study on different chakras, their corresponding functions, knowing the reasons for imbalances and fixing them.

Muladhara or Root chakra

The Sanskrit word Muladhara means connecting to the mul, ie, root. Therefore, this chakra relates to the root of our existence. It is connected to the physical dimensions of our life and corresponds to the Earth element which has a solidified form. It links us to the ground and defines our physical structure of existence.

Every being begins its journey towards enlightenment or universal / God consciousness from the Root Chakra, so it is the foundation Chakra. There is a need to develop this and strengthen it, so the journey ahead can continue only when our root chakra needs are fulfilled. Then, we can move upwards towards higher chakras. When one's consciousness is located in the root chakra, there is a strong sense of egoic I present and the awareness identifies itself with the material world.

There is a need to assert personal identity and acquire personal power in terms of material possessions. In terms of spiritual expansion, one's consciousness is limited to the awareness of one's own body and physical possessions. The sense of separation is so strongly felt. Slowly, as a being moves towards higher consciousness, one's sense of self gets liberated from physical awareness and moves towards universal awareness. We need to understand that movement towards higher chakras does not mean that the aspirant gets negligent about our basic needs, but it means that his or her arena of thinking starts moving beyond the limited desires of the body.

Location: Base of Spine
Colour: Red
Element: Earth
In Balance: We feel grounded, secure, and safe.
Out of Balance: We feel insecure and anxious.
Affirmation: I am always safe at the center of my being

Swadhishthana or Sacral chakra

The Sanskrit word Swadhishthan means “the dwelling place of the self”, and is located above the pubic bone and below the navel and encompasses the genital region and the hypogastric plexus. Sacral chakra is the center of creativity and sexual energy.

As humans, it is part of our nature to create, which is expressed as procreation through the sacral chakra, where procreation is not certainly limited to making babies but also through infinite other forms of expression of creative talent. The way the water takes the shape of the form of the container it is kept in, similarly, our creative energy is very much like flowing water. It is also our pleasure center and our awareness in this chakra rises above the material needs and takes the form of different pleasures that we indulge in for sensory satisfaction.

Man not only focuses on needs but pleasures. There comes a need to balance the energy in this chakra and not overindulging in pleasures. In addition, there is a need to express its creativity and not restrain its creative expression. Playing is also a great way to begin its opening.

Location: Above the pubic bone and below the navel
Colour: Orange
Element: Water
In balance: Feeling creative and abundant with pleasure
Out of balance: Lack of creativity, sexual dysfunction, reproductive issues
Affirmation: I flow with the rhythms of life…

Manipura or Navel chakra 

The Sanskrit word Manipura means, Mani- pearl, jewel, and Pur- city, which together means the city of jewels, alternatively lustrous gems. Manipura is associated with fire and the power of transformation. It is said to govern digestion and metabolism in our body.

According to Ayurveda, fire (pitta) is responsible for our digestion so it’s the center of pitta (fire) and thus responsible for the digestion of food. Manipura is the center of dynamism, energy, willpower, and radiates prana throughout the body. When this center is active, the person feels a strong willpower and sense of determination and will to achieve one's goals. 

Also, once a person reaches this stage of awareness, he not only focuses on the pleasures of life but wants the finest gross pleasures. He or she comes into the zone of tastes and preferences and makes conscious choices of finer tastes of matter. 

Manipura is the last door of physical consciousness after which the sense of awareness expands and one starts thinking beyond oneself, which is represented in the heart chakra.

Location: Navel area
Colour: Yellow
Element: Fire
In balance: Confident, sense of purpose, strong will
Out of balance: Domineering and aggressive
Affirmation: I stand in my power

Getting connected

These were the three lower chakras, covered in some detail. Please keep an eye out for the other two articles, coming soon. Again, as previously mentioned, if there are any questions related to this, please feel free to use the comment section below.

As readers, we are encouraged to not simply believe this as fact or even reject it as some esoteric fiction. We can calm the body, calm the mind, and shift our focus towards these energy centers. Soon, we shall realize that there is 'something' there! Some of us may have never felt the energy moving, or we may have, but we were mistaking it for something else.

For example, the author grew up hearing how people talk about having 'butterflies' in the belly, and it was never considered to be energy until the author inquired into these topics and discovered the true cause of the 'butterflies'.

Please check up, feel these energy points. Once we become aware of them, they open up a whole new reality.

A painting on a wall the author took in India. If we nurture the subtle energies, keeping them balanced and in harmony, we shall experience such a reality too.