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The Chakras

Within the spinal chord, lies the psychic centres called the chakras.

A chakra is a psychic centre that controls all of our physical and mental functioning. Each chakra can also give us access to the spiritual dimensions of our being.

There are 7 main chakras that are located between the base of the spine and the top of the head - 6 chakras regulate all of our human functions and experiences, the seventh - Sahasrara - lies at the crown of the head. It regulates our experience of the transcendental realms beyond normal human experience.

The lowest chakra - Mooladhara - lies in the animal instinctive realms of the human psyche, the lowest rung of human evolution. As we move upward we ascend the hierarchy of instincts and drives, from the gross animal drives of survival and procreation, upwards to the heart, and then into the highest realms of sublime human thought, reasoning and spiritual knowledge.

The Name and Location of the Chakras

All the chakras are located in the spinal chord except for Mooladhara, the base chakra. Except for Mooladhara, each chakra has a trigger point, called a kshetra, located on the front of the body, and which is used to help locate the actual chakra in the spine.

	Sahasrara Chakra (Sa . ha . srar). Sahasrara chakra lies on, or hovers just above the crown of the head.
	Ajna Chakra (ug . ya). Anja chakra lies behind its trigger point at the eyebrow center.
	Vishuddhi Chakra (Vish . oody). Vishuddhi chakra lies behind its trigger point in the throat pit.
	Anahata Chakra (Unna . hut). Anahata chakra lies behind its trigger point in the area of the breast bone.
	Manipura Chakra (Money . pour). Manipura chakra lies behind its trigger point in the navel.
	Swadhisthana Chakra (Swa . dis . thân). 2. Swadhisthana chakra is in the sacrum, the shield of bone between the buttocks. Its trigger point lies just above the pubic bone in the abdominal wall.
	Mooladhara Chakra (Mool . ad . har). Mooladhara chakra is located in the pelvic floor, in the female body, just behind the cervix, and in the male body, in the middle of the pelvic floor close to the prostate. It does not have a trigger point.

  

The eighth point - Bindu - is located at the back of the top of the head, between Ajna and Sahasrara. Bindu is not a chakra, but it is an important psycho-spiritual point.

The Function of the Chakras

Each chakra controls certain functions at the physical, mental and spiritual levels of our being.

Mooladhara and swadhisthana chakras both control the pelvic area, sexual and reproductive functions, and the kidneys. Mooladhara also controls basic survival, the will to live, and basic material security.

Swadhisthana controls sexuality, joy and satisfaction. Manipura controls the digestive system and vitality, as well as the resilience to face the stresses of life with determination and self-discipline.

Anahata controls the chest, heart and lungs, and our feelings of love and compassion, our sense that another being is also an individual with needs, like us.

Vishuddhi controls the throat area and communication, the ability to take thoughts and to turn them into language so that others can know what we are thinking and feeling.

Ajna controls the whole brain and nervous system as well as our mind and all our mental functions. Ajna chakra, is called the command centre. It is the link between the individual and the cosmic existence, between the little self and higher Self. Ajna is the centre at which we can hear the voice of our intuition, or the inner Guru, guiding us.

Purification of the Chakras - Chakra Shuddhi 

To practice Chakra Shuddhe, it is important that you are familiar with the names and locations of the 7 chakras and also the eighth point - Bindu.

Chakra Shuddhi practice:

• purifies, strengthens and awakens the individual chakras.
• removes blockages that reduce health, happiness and freedom.
• improves physical well-being, mental clarity and spiritual awareness.
• hones our body mind into a powerful integrated unit.

Chakra Meditation - Tools to Purify and Rejuvenate

Big Shakti has produced a Chakra guided meditation CD that teaches you the technique of Chakra Shuddhi.

With regular practice you will experience feelings of rejuvenation and a greater self-awareness.

Chakra Meditation CD.