Mooladhara chakra:
The Sanskrit word moola means 'root' or 'base'; and adhara means 'substratum' or support'. Therefore, the word mooladhara means 'the basic substratum'; this chakra is the fundamental root or framework of individual human existence. It is the platform from which each person can express himself or herself as an individualized centre of being.This centre is also widely known as the adhara chakra - 'the support centre'. The starting point to bring about transformation through yogic practices is the mooladhara chakra.
This is the centre where people are almost entirely self-centred, where the predominant drives, thoughts and actions are directed towards attaining some measure of security in the world. Even children are produced often with a strong motive of ensuring security by continuing one's family line in the future. People surround themselves with material objects, money, friends, etc. in order to feel secure. All things and all people are regarded as a means to obtaining the desperately sought after security.
Location of Mooladhara chakra
The location of the mooladhara chakra is in the region of the perineum. It is slightly different in man and woman as follows:For males: midway between the anus and the sexual organ, a centimeter or so above the skin surface.
For females: at the cervix, where the vagina and the uterus join.
Swadhisthana Chakra
The Sanskrit word swa means 'one's own' and adhisthana means 'dwelling place', 'residence'. Therefore, swadhisthana means 'one's own abode'. This chakra is regarded as being the substratum, the basis of individual human existence. Swadhisthana is indeed the basis, the abode from which most people express themselves in the world. It is their basis for living life. This chakra is generally associated with the unconscious mind with its storehouse of mental samskaras (impressions). The swadhisthana chakra represents the level of being where one is primarily concerned with seeking pleasurable sensations. One is motivated to obtain pleasure through the sense organs in the form of food, sex, wine, etc. It is very similar to the mooladhara chakra, except here there is more appreciation of the enjoyment of the pleasures in themselves.
As the swadhisthana chakra is the level where samskaras (subconscious and unconscious mental impressions), begin to show themselves. They become manifest very clearly in overwhelming cravings for food, sex, etc. This is the level of man that Freud was very much concerned with. He did not realize that man's nature extends well beyond this level.
Location of Swadhisthana chakra
The physical trigger point of the swadhisthana chakra is at the base of the spine, at the coccyx (the tailbone). If you place your hand on the bottom of the spine, you will feel a small bulb at the lowest point just above the anus. This is the coccyx bone and the region of the physical trigger point of the swadhisthana chakra.Manipura Chakra
The Sanskrit word mani means 'gem' or 'jewel'; and the word pur means 'city'. Therefore, the word manipura can be translated directly as 'the city of gems'. It is so called because of the intensity of the pranic energy at this centre.The manipura is a most important centre and is widely mentioned in traditional scriptures. In Buddhism, it is regarded as the seat of the kundalini, although in reality the kundalini can be regarded as residing in all chakras.
The manipura chakra is indeed the centre of prana within the human framework; it is the centre of the incredibly complex network of subtle energy that permeates and controls the body from behind the scenes. It is the centre that puts man directly in contact with the subtle forces of the cosmos.
Manipura chakra radiates and distributes pranic energy throughout the entire human framework; without this chakra, each person would be lifeless and totally devoid of vitality. This centre is also widely called the nabhi chakra - the navel chakra.
This is the chakra level where people become very active and extroverted. They involve themselves with many external activities whether in work or play. Many people in the world are functioning at this level. They try to impose their will on other people and the world around them. It is the centre where all things and other people are seen as a means to providing personal power and satisfying worldly ambitions.
People at this level are predominantly rajasic (active and intense) in nature. At the level of the manipura chakra people seriously begin to question their attitude towards life and their place in the scheme of existence.
Location of Manipura chakra :
The physical trigger point of the manipura chakra is in the middle of the spine directly behind the navel.Anahata Chakra
The word anahata means 'unstruck' or 'un-beaten'. Therefore, the anahata chakra is the centre of unbeaten sound. That is, the cosmic sound (shabda brahman) is heard at this centre. . . a sound that does not arise as a result of two objects hitting each other as do other sounds. The sound that is heard is uncaused.This chakra is also widely called the hridaya chakra, heart centre, because of its location.Anahata chakra is widely regarded as the centre of consciousness (jivatma) in man. Because of this, many sects say that this is the best place to concentrate during meditational practices.
This centre is so powerful for it is the seat of emotions. These emotions when purified and one-pointed are transformed into devotion. Opening of this chakra produces intense feelings of bhakti(devotion). One's emotional or devotional power flows in one constant stream, in one direction, transforming the being of an individual. The mind becomes overwhelmingly one-pointed which leads to transcendence.
The anahata chakra is the level where one begins to accept and love everyone and every-thing unconditionally. One begins to perceive that though people and objects may have gross aspects and differences, they are really embodiments of perfection. One begins to love people and the objects of the world for what they are. One begins to accept their nature, with its faults and positive qualities, and to realize that everyone and everything is acting according to its swadharma.
Location of anahata chakra :
Anahata chakra is located in the spine directly behind the heart.Visuddhi Chakra
The Sanskrit word vishuddhi means 'purification', therefore this chakra is usually translated as 'the purification centre'. It is the centre that purifies and harmonizes all opposites.This chakra is also widely called 'the centre of nectar' because it is the level of being where poison and nectar, good and bad, are united into a common experience of bliss.
This is the centre or level of awareness where the world begins to become like one's own home. One becomes open to all experiences, whether good or bad. The stage of the world and life in general is regarded as the provider of experiences that lead to greater under-standing. Instead of fighting with life, one begins to flow with the current of life. One ceases to continually avoid or ignore bad experiences or facets of life and seek good experiences.
Location of visuddhi chakra :
Vishuddhi chakra is located in the throat region and comes immediately above the anahata chakra in the ascending order of the chakras.Ajna Chakra
The Sanskrit word ajna means 'command'. This chakra is so called because it represents the level of awareness and harmony where it is possible for direct mind to mind communication between two people. It is the stage of sensitivity where individual minds can meet. It is the centre through which the guru communicates with his disciples and gives them commands. It is the link or bridge between the guru and disciple; therefore, this chakra is often called the guru chakra. It is the gateway to the inner temple of subtle initiation.The ajna is the seat of the mind, the purified buddhi (subtle intelligence). When this chakra is awakened, fickleness of the individual mind is dispersed. Attachment, the cause of lack of discrimination and ignorance, fades away. The mind becomes a perfect instrument.
Ajna chakra is the centre of wisdom. It represents the level of awareness where one begins to see and realize the hidden essence behind all visible things. It is the centre of intuition where one tunes in with the underlying essence, rather than manifested forms. When ajna is awakened, the meaning and significance of symbols flashes into one's conscious perception. Ajna chakra represents the level of revolutionary knowledge.
Location of Ajna chakra :
The trigger point of ajna chakra is located at the top of the spine in the centre of the head. It lies in the region of the medulla oblongata and the pineal gland.Sahasrara Chakra
The literal meaning of the word sahasrara is one thousand'. For this reason, it is said to be a lotus with one thousand petals.It is both formless and with form, yet it is also beyond and therefore untouched by any form. It transcends logic, for logic compares one thing with another. The sahasrara is the totality, so there is nothing to compare with it.
Sahasrara is not a chakra as is often thought. Chakras are within the realms of the psyche. Consciousness manifests at different levels according to the chakra that is predominantly functioning. Sahasrara acts through nothing, and yet again, it acts through everything. It is beyond the beyond (paratparam), and yet it is right here. Sahasrara is the culmination of the progressive ascension through the different chakras. It is the crown of expanded awareness.
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