The Chakra System

Our bodies are living matrixes of energy.

Energy as a Healing Force: A Cross-Cultural Concept.

Many ancient models of wellbeing include the concept of a vital force or energy. Examples include: qi (chi) in Chinese medicine, ki in Japanese medicine, and prana in Ayurveda. Similar concepts are also found within Native American, Sufistic, and Kabbalistic traditions. More recently, Sigmund Freud used the word libido to describe his concept of a life energy force. And, psychologist, Wilhelm Reich, called it orgone energy and saw it as a healing force that can become trapped by behavior patterns, under the body’s armor.

Chakras in Modern American Culture.

Chakras (Sanskrit for wheels) were originally associated with gods, symbols, and mantras. When we look at ancient text, we see as few as four chakras and as many as 49 chakras. The concept of chakra system was introduced to American culture by the Theosophical Society in the 1870s. Chakras, which were originally conceptualized by advanced yogis as focused meditation points within the human body. were reimagined to include metaphysical constructs regarding the nature of consciousness and its interaction with mental, emotional, and physical systems (Jain et al, 2015). Over time, the chakra system evolved to represent the fusion of multiple schools of thought - including the work of psychologists Carl Jung & Abraham Maslow, mythologist Joseph Campbell, Western scholars of Indology, the Esalen Institute, energy healers, and a group of esotericists associated with the Theosophical Society. Over the last century, the seven charka system, with its rainbow of colors, has become much more accessible for regular folks; however, it is less connected to its roots.

Today, these concepts are most commonly found in the field of transpersonal psychology, a school of thought attributed to psychologist William James and reflected in the work of psychologist Carl Jung (both of whom embraced integration of Eastern influences within Western psychology).

Lifespan Development.

The chakra system has been reimagined to correlate with many Western theories of lifespan development, including Erickson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development and Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development.

In Vedic tradition, however, human development is conceptualized as unfolding within seven-year chakra cycles. The resources, here, include references to seven-year cycles and are loosely correlated with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. However, these should not be considered “fixed”. Life rarely unfolds in a predictable, structured way. People tend to manage different developmental needs simultaneously, often influenced by personal experiences. Instead these resources are offered as tools for exploring personal development and needs.

The seven chakras are positioned throughout the our bodies - from the base of our spine to the crown of our head. Each chakra has its own vibrational frequency, color, and governs specific functions.

Crown | Sahasrara - spiritual connection, wisdom, bliss

Third Eye | Ajna - intuition, purpose, vision

Throat | Vishuddha - authentic communication, truth, self-expression

Heart | Anahata - connection, love, empathy, compassion

Solar Plexus | Manipura - confidence, self-esteem, personal power

Sacral | Swadhisthana - emotions, sexuality, creativity, joy, pleasure

Root | Muladhara - safety, security, trust, stability