The Chakras - Part 2

      Just as the earth rests in a subtler body called atmosphere, extending from the surface of the earth as the troposphere to the exosphere 6,000 miles out from the earth’s surface,  our bodies rest in a subtle body.  This subtle body holds the subtler properties of the elements of earth, water, fire, air and space as well as mind and pure consciousness. The connection of the subtle body to the gross physical body is through the chakras. The body’s connection to element of earth connects through the root chakra, the element of water through the sacral chakra. the element of fire through the navel chakra, the element air through he heart chakra, and the element of space through the throat chakra, the mind at third eye, and absolute consciousness at the crown.

      From the yogic teachings we are the evolute of absolute consciousness. Starting from the more subtle element to the gross elements we come into physical being. The body as the most physical form of this evolute of consciousness is infused with absolute consciousness and the primordial energy.  This primordial energy is Kundalini.   However, in our everyday life of interacting on a physical level we do not know ourselves nor our full potential as beings laden with the power to act and the power to know at the level of pure consciousness and primordial energy.  We are content in existing in using minimal energy to allow our body to move, our organs to function, and our brain to sense, feel and think. We are content in knowing where to find the best sales, the most convenient app, and who are our friends and who are our enemies.  We do not spend time to explore the existence of a soul, the origin of light, or the right relationship to earth, other, or self.

      As mentioned in the previous blog, chakra means wheel.  This is a wheel of life force and consciousness.  In the tantric yoga tradition there are seven chakras. The chakras lie in the subtle body, and therefore, cannot be physically detected. By overlaying the subtle body with the physical body there is the association made of each chakra to various parts of the body along the central axis of the spine. The root chakra at the base of the spine the sacral chakra just a couple inches higher at the sacrum.  The navel chakra corresponds at the level of the navel and the heart chakra at the level of the heart, the throat chakra at the level of the throat, the third eye in the region of the eyebrow center, and the crown chakra at the top of the head.  These chakras are portals to the force and consciousness behind each of the elemental properties described in the previous blog(https://somalumina-yoga.mykajabi.com/blog/the-chakras-part-1) from issues of security to expressing our creativity.  If there is a block in the flow of the chakras, then we lack the full expression of primordial energy and absolute consciousness within us. We lose right relationship.

      The yoga practices help us to increase awareness of these forces and to access our own higher inner intelligence.  When the chakras are awakened we balance the elemental forces and act according to an inner intelligence that is the reflection of absolute consciousness. To awaken takes dedication and commitment to yoga practices, especially meditation, everyday for a lifetime (or longer). In the meantime even if awakening is not obtainable, the journey is worth it by bringing many benefits of better health and wellbeing along the way.