The following is a copy'n'paste short history of chakras told by those who have studied and worker with this Life Art for years. I personally discovered I had chakras when I was fifteen or sixteen ( if I remember correctly, not sure as I started my aware journey at fourteen so it could have been as early as that ) , so I have been at them for twelve years, but for me it's always been about the experience not so much the history, so this assignment will be fun for all involved. ;)♥•☆.•*´¨`*•.☆♥
HISTORY OF CHAKRAS
What are Chakras?
Chakra derived from the Sanskrit "cakraṃ" चक्रं, word that translates as "wheel" or "turning". Texts describing the chakras go back as far as the later Upanishads ( 6000 BC to 200 BC ).Chakra is a concept referring to wheel-like vortices which, according to traditional Indian medicine, are believed to exist in the surface of the etheric body of men and women.
The Chakras are said to be "force centers" or whorls of energy permeating from a point on the physical body. Rotating vortices of subtle matter, they are considered the focal points for the reception and transmission of energies.
The word Chakra is also used in various subsidiary, derivative and symbolical senses, just as is its English equivalent; as we might speak of the wheel of fate, so does the Buddhist speak of the wheel of life and death; and he describes that first great sermon in which the Lord Buddha propounded his doctrine as the Dhammachakkappavattana Sutta (chakka being the Pali equivalent for the Sanskrit chakra) which Professor Rhys Davids poetically renders as “to set rolling the royal chariot-wheel of a universal empire of truth and righteousness”. That is exactly the spirit of the meaning which the expression conveys to the Buddhist devotee, though the literal translation of the bare words is “the turning of the wheel of the Law”.Different systems posit a varying number of chakras; the most well known system in the west is that of Seven Chakras.
What do Chakras look like?
The chakras or force-centres are points of connection at which energy flows from one vehicle or body to another. Anyone who possesses a slight degree of clairvoyance may easily see them in the Etheric Body, where they show themselves as saucer-like depressions or vortices in its surface. When quite undeveloped they appear as small circles about two inches in diameter, glowing dully in the ordinary man; but when awakened and vivified they are seen as blazing, coruscating whirlpools, much increased in size, and resembling miniature suns. We sometimes speak of them as roughly corresponding to certain physical organs; in reality they show themselves at the surface of the etheric body, which projects slightly beyond the outline of the dense body. If we imagine ourselves to be looking straight down into the bell of a flower of the convolvulus type, we shall get some idea of the general appearance of a chakra. The stalk of the flower in each springs from a point in the spine, so another view might show the spine as a central stem, from which flowers shoot forth at intervals, showing the opening of their bells at the surface of the etheric body.
When a people begin to develop their senses, so that they may see a little more than everybody sees, a new and most fascinating world opens before them, and the chakras are among the first objects in that world to attract their attention. His fellow-men present themselves under a fresh aspect; he perceives much with regard to them which was previously hidden from his eyes, and he is therefore able to understand, to appreciate and (when necessary) to help them much better than he could before. Their thoughts and feelings are expressed clearly before his eyes in colour and form; the stage of their development, the condition of their health become obvious facts instead of mere matters of inference. The brilliant colouring and the rapid and incessant movement of the chakras bring them immediately under his observation, and he naturally wants to know what they are and what they mean. It is the object of this book to provide an answer to those questions and to give to those who have not yet made any attempt to unfold their dormant faculties some idea of at least this one small section of what is seen by their more fortunate brethren. ~ C. W. Leadbeater in "The Chakras: A Monograph"All these wheels are perpetually rotating, and into the hub or open mouth of each a force from the higher world is always flowing- a manifestation of the life-stream. That force is sevenfold in its nature, and all its forms operate in each of these centres, although one of them in each case usually predominates over the others. Without this inrush of energy the physical body could not exist. Therefore the centres are in operation in everyone, although in the undeveloped person they are usually in comparatively sluggish motion, just forming the necessary vortex for the force, and no more. In a more evolved person they may be glowing and pulsating with living light, so that an enormously greater amount of energy passes through them, with the result that there are additional faculties and possibilities open to the person.
Root Chakra ( Red Primordial Centre)
1st Chakra: Base or Root Chakra: Kundalini: Root Chakra: Located at the base of the spine.Earth, survival, grounding, stillness. Contains the primary 8 cells that have all of the knowledge of creation and remain the only cells in your body that do not change in your lifetime. It grounds us in the physical world.
This chakra is the first of the yang or ascending energy centres, and according to Mantak Chia one of its roles is to transform and refine sexual energy and Universal earth (Yin) Chi before they enter the higher centres.
The four petals of the Root Chakra correspond to the psychological states of greatest joy, natural pleasure, delight in controlling passions, and blissfulness in concentration. All these qualities represent the bliss of realising the Divine in the physical body. The highest and most complete forms of spirituality do not reject the body, but see it as the vehicle for the transmutation of the body and the spirit together.
Abdomen Chakra ( Orange Life-Force Centre )
2nd Chakra: Spleen: Located just beneath the navel, and related to our sexual and reproductive capacity. It is the major emotional centre of the being, as well as being the main storage battery for chi-energy. It is our first connection (in the womb) with the external world, and this connection continues beyond the cutting of the umbilical cord. Thus it represents the strongest connecting link to other people on the feeling level. The Navel Centre absorbs, transforms, balances and distributes life-force from both the macrocosm (Heaven and Earth Chi) and the microcosm (the other centres and organs within our body).
Blockage manifests as emotional problems or sexual guilt.
Solar Chakra ( Yellow Emotion Centre )
3rd Chakra: Solar Plexus: Seat of Emotions. The third chakra rules your self-direction, self-control, personal will and physical energy.
Located in the area of the solar plexus, navel, and the digestive system, the fiery third chakra is called Manipura, the “lustrous gem.” Associated with the color yellow, this chakra is involved in self-esteem, warrior energy, and the power of transformation; it also governs digestion and metabolism. A healthy, spirited third chakra supports us in overcoming inertia, jump-starting our “get-up-and-go” attitude so that we can take risks, assert our will, and assume responsibility for our life. This chakra is also the place of our deep belly laughter, warmth, ease, and the vitality we receive from performing selfless service.
Blockage manifests as anger or a sense of victimization.
4th Chakra: Heart Chakra.
The fourth chakra, the heart chakra,rests in the center of the chakra system, at the core of our spirit. Its physical location is the heart, upper chest, and upper back. The fourth is the balance point, integrating the world of matter ( the lower three chakras ) with the world of spirit ( the upper three chakras ). Through the heart chakra, we open to and connect with Harmony and Peace. The health of our heart center registers the quality and power of love in our life. In Sanskrit, the heart chakra is called Anahata, which means “unstruck” or “unhurt.” Its name implies that deep beneath our personal stories of brokenness and the pain in our heart, wholeness, boundless love, and a wellspring of compassion reside.
Blockage can manifest as immune system or heart problems, or a lack of compassion.
Throat Chakra ( Blue Communication Centre )
5th Chakra: Throat: Tied to creativity and communication. The fifth chakra rules your communication, creativity, connection and personal intention.
Since the heart chakra is the bridge between the lower, more physical energy centers and the upper, more metaphysical ones, as we ascend through the chakras, the fifth is the first primarily focused on the spiritual plane. The throat chakra, Visuddha, is associated with the color turquoise blue and with the elements sound and ether, the field of subtle vibrations ancient Indians believed pervaded the universe. Located in the neck, throat, jaw, and mouth, the throat chakra resonates with our inner truth and helps us find a personal way to convey our voice to the outside world. The rhythm of music, creativity of dance, the vibration of singing, and the communication we make through writing and speaking are all fifth chakra ways to express ourselves.
Feels pressure when you are not communicating your emotions properly.
Third Eye Chakra ( Indigo Intuition Centre )
6th Chakra: Third Eye Pineal Gland: Often connected to the forehead. Is a physical eye at the base of the brain with the capabilities of looking upward. Clairvoyance, psychic abilities, imagination, dreaming
Can you recall last night's dream? Can you imagine how you would like your body to feel tomorrow? These imaginative abilities—visualizing the past, creating positive pictures of the future, and fantasizing—are all aspects of the third eye Chakra, whose Sanskrit name (Ajna) means both "the perception center" and "the command center." Associated with the element light and the color indigo blue, the sixth chakra is located between and just above the physical eyes, creating the spiritual third eye. While our two eyes see the material world, our sixth chakra sees beyond the physical. This vision includes clairvoyance, telepathy, intuition, dreaming, imagination, and visualization.
The Third Eye Chakra is involved in both the creation and perception of art and in the recognition that what we see has a powerful impact on us. Even when we're not aware of it, we're all sensitive to the images we find in our environment.
Blockage can manifest as difficulty imagining, overly intellectual (only able to deal with concrete concepts), overly linear or rational thinking. Lack of concentration, tension, headaches, eye problems, bad dreams, and being overly detached from the world.
7th Chakra Crown: Connects you with message from higher realms. Can be experienced as a pressure on the top of the head. Spiritual connection, understanding, knowing, bliss, God.
The Sanskrit name of the seventh or crown chakra is Sahasrara, which means "thousandfold." Although this chakra is represented by a thousand-petaled lotus (the symbol of purity and spirituality), the number 1000 is not meant literally; instead, it implies the infinite nature of this chakra, which provides us with our most direct connection with the Divine. Although some teachers associate this chakra with the color violet, it is usually associated with white, a combination of all colors, just as this chakra synthesizes all the other chakras.
The crown chakra is located at the crown of the head and serves as the crown of the chakra system, symbolizing the highest state of enlightenment and facilitating our spiritual development. The seventh chakra is like a halo atop the head. In art, Christ is often depicted with a golden light surrounding his head, and the Buddha shown with a lofty projection on the top of his head. In both cases, these images represent the awakened spirituality of the Sahasrara Chakra.
The element of the crown chakra is thought, and this chakra is associated with the highest functions of the mind. Even though the mind cannot be seen or felt concretely, it creates the belief systems that control our thoughts and actions.
Blockage can manifest as lack of inspiration, confusion, depression, alienation from The Divine, hesitation to serve, senility, the detriment of the already mentioned above positive qualities and lessons.
That's it for chakras for now, to know more check out the sources. Happy searching!
Spirit Science Explains Chakras:
Sources:
http://www.spiritual.com.au/articles/healing/seven-chakras.htm http://www.kheper.net/topics/chakras/
http://www.anandgholap.net/Chakras-CWL.htm
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