Contents
Guide
INTRODUCTION
Your chakras connect to every aspect of your life. They provide access to the infinite energy of the cosmos, the divine spark within you, and the regenerative qualities of the earth. Chakras are spinning wheels within you that are constantly moving and transforming your energy. When I say energy, Im referring to subtle energy. Subtle energy is the unseen force you sense when your intuition is piqued. It is the energy of emotion, thought, and inner knowing.
You have an entire body system designated to these unseen energies, and your chakras are at the heart of it. Your subtle body is the unseen system thats responsible for the flow of energy within and around you. It holds the pieces of you that are eternal, the parts that will live on when your physical body dies.
Perhaps the idea of an energy body is new to you, or maybe youve always had an inclination that something was there. There are so many forces that work within us and around us that we cant see. Gravity, sound, and magnetism are all invisible but very real energies. Just because you cant see the chakras doesnt mean you can discount their existence.
YOUR CHAKRAS CONTROL THE FLOW OF ENERGY BETWEEN YOUR PHYSICAL BODY AND YOUR SPIRIT BODY.
The chakras, and similar energy centers, have been recognized by humans since the beginning of written history. Many healers claim to be able to see the swirling energy of the chakra system, and anyone can learn how to feel the energy of the chakras. Science is now showing us that even solid objects are made up of energy.
Every person and thing you come into contact with releases energy. The chakra system is constantly filtering through the energy that you encounter, either storing it or releasing it. When the stream of energy within your chakra system is flowing freely, it can move through your body with ease, and all aspects of your mental, physical, and spiritual body will be in alignment. The chakras can work independently, but they are the most powerful when they are aligned and working together.
In this book, I will share a foundation to better understand your subtle body (energy body) and a modern approach to working with the seven main chakras. You will learn how to assess the health and energy of your seven primary chakras and discover tools to engage with them in meaningful ways.
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH THE CHAKRA SYSTEM
You will become the conscious observer of your life and have a better understanding of your purpose on earth.
You will increase your intuitive abilities and find deep peace.
You will learn how to speak openly and honestly to propel the human species into higher states of being.
You will experience a greater sense of love for yourself and others.
You will access an internal fire of energy and strength to transform your life for the better.
You will learn how to flow through the ups and downs of life with ease and access more pleasure.
You will decrease your anxiety and fears through a powerful sense of safety.
The information I share with you is based on my in-depth research of chakras, and most importantly, my personal experiences working with them. However, the best way for you to understand and use these unseen energies is to experience them for yourself. This is why Ive offered recipes or meditations in each chapter to encourage you to experience the energy of each chakra fully. When you understand the unique energy of the seven primary chakras, you will be able to apply their energy to specific life situations.
When you access the energy of your chakras, you, too, will be able to improve your life in every aspect. The benefits you receive from this journey wont stop with you, either: they will spill over into family, friends, and even strangers you encounter. Your healing will cause a ripple effect that will help others heal, too.
The chakras have a rich history, and theres a reference to different energy systems, like the chakras, in nearly every human culture. There are many viewpoints about our modern understanding of chakras. Lets take a quick look at the history of the chakra system to gain a better understanding of modern interpretations.
HISTORY OF CHAKRAS
In Sanskrit, the word chakra translates to wheel, which is first seen in written history within the Vedas, ancient Indian texts that are the basis of Hinduism. The Vedic texts are some of the oldest written scriptures, spanning from 1500 to 500 BCE. Many believe the information shared in the Vedic texts is actually far older because it was passed down orally for centuries prior to being written down.
Even in our modern world, there are few individuals who fully understand Sanskrit. Its not a surprise that there have been many interpretations of the chakra system. Beyond this early written record of the chakras, there are a variety of cultures that reference chakras or similar energy points within the body. Mention of chakras can be found in a variety of Buddhist texts, mysticism from the Far East, and several indigenous cultures.
If you begin to dive deeper into the history of chakras, you will find that the numbers of them vary tremendously. Some texts suggest as many as 114 total chakras, and some suggest as few as two. I point all of this out to impress upon you that the seven-chakra system, as we understand it today, is modern and not definitive.
If youve had a previous introduction to the chakra system, youve probably seen them portrayed in colorful rainbow order. The colors associated with each chakra, as often seen today, is an entirely modern interpretation that came about in the 1970s. Some early drawings of different chakra systems show colors that align with the modern chakra system. Still, many either dont align or dont offer a specific color at all. This is one example of how the chakras have evolved over time.
Knowledge of chakras and subtle energy has traveled over centuries, across continents, and through various languages. Of course, our understanding of the chakra system has changed, and will continue to change, just as we evolve as a species. In this book, I focus on the seven-chakra system from both a Hindu and a modern perspective. Because I am a yoga practitioner and teacher, my education is rooted in Hinduism. And because I was born and live in the United States, my knowledge of the chakra system has been filtered through a modern Western lens.