Changes

Fundamentally, any spiritual path can be described as a journey from the base chakra, called the “Mooladhara,” which is located at the base of the spine, to the “Sahasrar,” which located at the top of the head. This journey of movement from the Mooladhara to Sahasrar is from one dimension to another. It may happen in many different ways, and various yogic practices can effect this movement.<ref>https://www.huffingtonpost.com/sadhguru/the-7-chakras-and-their-s_b_844268.html</ref>

Fundamentally, any spiritual path can be described as a journey from the base chakra, called the “Mooladhara,” which is located at the base of the spine, to the “Sahasrar,” which located at the top of the head. This journey of movement from the Mooladhara to Sahasrar is from one dimension to another. It may happen in many different ways, and various yogic practices can effect this movement.<ref>https://www.huffingtonpost.com/sadhguru/the-7-chakras-and-their-s_b_844268.html</ref>

==Seven Main Chakras==

==Seven Main Chakras==

There is only one energy in the body, but it manifests in different forms, in different chakras. Sexual energy, love energy, intellectual energy, sharpness, awareness, anger; all these are related.There are believed to be seven major chakras, which are arranged vertically along the axial channel ([[Nadi (yoga)|sushumna nadi]]).  

There is only one energy in the body, but it manifests in different forms, in different chakras. Sexual energy, love energy, intellectual energy, sharpness, awareness, anger; all these are related.There are believed to be seven major chakras, which are arranged vertically along the axial channel ([[Nadi (yoga)|sushumna nadi]]).  

From the bottom, they are thought to be:

From the bottom, they are thought to be:

===Muladhara===

===Muladhara===

Muladhara (मूलाधार) or 'root chakra' is symbolized by a lotus with four petals and the colour red.  

Muladhara (मूलाधार) or 'root chakra' is symbolized by a lotus with four petals and the colour red.  

Mooladhara is really made up of two terms: "Moola" means the root or source, and "adhar" means the foundation. It is the very basic foundation of life. In the physical body, your energies need to be in the Mooladhara chakra to some extent. Otherwise, you cannot exist. If the Mooladhara chakra alone is dominant, food and sleep will be the predominant factors in your life.<ref name=":1">Lecture of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev http://isha.sadhguru.org/blog/yoga-meditation/demystifying-yoga/the-seven-chakras-and-their-significance/</ref>

Mooladhara is really made up of two terms: "Moola" means the root or source, and "adhar" means the foundation. It is the very basic foundation of life. In the physical body, your energies need to be in the Mooladhara chakra to some extent. Otherwise, you cannot exist. If the Mooladhara chakra alone is dominant, food and sleep will be the predominant factors in your life.<ref name=":1">Lecture of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev http://isha.sadhguru.org/blog/yoga-meditation/demystifying-yoga/the-seven-chakras-and-their-significance/</ref>

Muladhara is related to instinct, security, survival and also to basic human potentiality. This chakra is where the [[nadi (yoga)#Ida, Pingala and Sushumna|three main nadi]] separate and begin their upward movement. Dormant Kundalini rests here.

Muladhara is related to instinct, security, survival and also to basic human potentiality. This chakra is where the [[Nadi (yoga)#Ida, Pingala and Sushumna|three main nadi]] separate and begin their upward movement. Dormant Kundalini rests here.

 

=== Svadhishthana ===

=== Svadhishthana ===

Svadhishthana (स्वाधिष्ठान) or 'sacral chakra' is symbolised by a white lotus within which is a crescent moon, with six vermilion, or orange petals.  

Svadhishthana (स्वाधिष्ठान) or 'sacral chakra' is symbolised by a white lotus within which is a crescent moon, with six vermilion, or orange petals.  

If this chakra alone is dominant, then you are a pleasure seeker. When this chakra is active, you enjoy the physical world in so many ways. If you look at a pleasure seeker, you will see that his life and his experience of life are just a little more intense compared with a person who is only about food and sleep.<ref name=":1" />

If this chakra alone is dominant, then you are a pleasure seeker. When this chakra is active, you enjoy the physical world in so many ways. If you look at a pleasure seeker, you will see that his life and his experience of life are just a little more intense compared with a person who is only about food and sleep.<ref name=":1" />

=== Manipura ===

=== Manipura ===

Manipura (मणिपूर) or 'solar plexus/navel chakra' is symbolised by a downward pointing triangle with ten petals, along with the colour yellow.  

Manipura (मणिपूर) or 'solar plexus/navel chakra' is symbolised by a downward pointing triangle with ten petals, along with the colour yellow.  

If your energy moves into the Manipura chakra, located just below the navel, you are a doer in the world. You are all about action. You can do many, many things.<ref name=":1" />

If your energy moves into the Manipura chakra, located just below the navel, you are a doer in the world. You are all about action. You can do many, many things.<ref name=":1" />

===Anahata===

===Anahata===

Anahata (अनाहत) or 'heart chakra' is symbolised by a circular flower with twelve green petals.  

Anahata (अनाहत) or 'heart chakra' is symbolised by a circular flower with twelve green petals.  

Anahata Chakra is located in the heart area. Anahata literally means the "un-struck." If you want to make any sound, you have to strike two objects together. The un-struck sound is called "Anahata." Anahata is like a transition between your lower chakras and your higher chakras, between survival instincts and the instinct to liberate yourself. The lower three chakras are mainly concerned with your physical existence. Anahata is a combination; it is a meeting place for both the survival and the enlightenment chakras.<ref name=":1" />  

Anahata Chakra is located in the heart area. Anahata literally means the "un-struck." If you want to make any sound, you have to strike two objects together. The un-struck sound is called "Anahata." Anahata is like a transition between your lower chakras and your higher chakras, between survival instincts and the instinct to liberate yourself. The lower three chakras are mainly concerned with your physical existence. Anahata is a combination; it is a meeting place for both the survival and the enlightenment chakras.<ref name=":1" />

The same life energy comes to the Anahata chakra and manifests as three different emotions which are love, hatred and fear.<ref name=":0" />

The same life energy comes to the Anahata chakra and manifests as three different emotions which are love, hatred and fear.<ref name=":0" />

When people feel hatred or fear or love, the sensation is felt in the heart region. When someone’s heart is broken, it means that the love has become sour and turned into hatred. When there is love, there is no fear. When there is fear, there is no love. At any point of time, only one of the three emotions takes the front position while the other two go in the background.<ref name=":0" />

When people feel hatred or fear or love, the sensation is felt in the heart region. When someone’s heart is broken, it means that the love has become sour and turned into hatred. When there is love, there is no fear. When there is fear, there is no love. At any point of time, only one of the three emotions takes the front position while the other two go in the background.<ref name=":0" />

===Vishuddhi===

===Vishuddhi===

Vishuddhi (विशुद्धि) or 'throat chakra' is depicted as a silver crescent within a white circle, with 16 light or pale blue, or turquoise petals.  

Vishuddhi (विशुद्धि) or 'throat chakra' is depicted as a silver crescent within a white circle, with 16 light or pale blue, or turquoise petals.  

Vishuddhi literally means "filter" and is located in the area of your throat.<ref name=":1" />  

Vishuddhi literally means "filter" and is located in the area of your throat.<ref name=":1" />

The same life energy rises to the Vishuddhi chakra and it symbolizes grief and gratefulness. When you feel grief, the throat chokes, and when you feel grateful also, the throat chokes.<ref name=":0" />

The same life energy rises to the Vishuddhi chakra and it symbolizes grief and gratefulness. When you feel grief, the throat chokes, and when you feel grateful also, the throat chokes.<ref name=":0" />

If your energies move into this chakra, located between your eyebrows, you are intellectually enlightened. You have attained to a new balance and peace within you. The outside no longer disturbs you, but you are still experientially not liberated.<ref name=":1" />

If your energies move into this chakra, located between your eyebrows, you are intellectually enlightened. You have attained to a new balance and peace within you. The outside no longer disturbs you, but you are still experientially not liberated.<ref name=":1" />

===Sahasrara===

===Sahasrara===

Sahasrara (सहस्रार) or 'crown chakra' is generally considered to be the state of pure consciousness, within which there is neither object nor subject. When the Kundalini energy rises to this point, it unites with the Shiva energy, and a state of samadhi is attained. Sahasrara is located at the crown of the head.  

Sahasrara (सहस्रार) or 'crown chakra' is generally considered to be the state of pure consciousness, within which there is neither object nor subject. When the Kundalini energy rises to this point, it unites with the Shiva energy, and a state of samadhi is attained. Sahasrara is located at the crown of the head.  

The same energy goes to the Sahasrara and manifests as sheer bliss. That is why in any sanctuary experiences, when you feel total bliss, the mind immediately goes to the top of the head. Something shoots up to the top of the head and you feel blissful.<ref name=":0" />

The same energy goes to the Sahasrara and manifests as sheer bliss. That is why in any sanctuary experiences, when you feel total bliss, the mind immediately goes to the top of the head. Something shoots up to the top of the head and you feel blissful.<ref name=":0" />

===Closing remarks on Chakras<ref name=":1" /> ===

===Closing remarks on Chakras<ref name=":1" /> ===

To move from Mooladhara to Agna, from the lowest of these seven chakras to the second highest, there are many procedures, methods and processes through which one can raise his energies. But from Agna to Sahasrar, the sixth chakra to the highest chakra, there is no path. You can only jump there. In a way, you have to fall upward. So, the question of going step by step to that dimension does not really arise. There is no way.

To move from Mooladhara to Agna, from the lowest of these seven chakras to the second highest, there are many procedures, methods and processes through which one can raise his energies. But from Agna to Sahasrar, the sixth chakra to the highest chakra, there is no path. You can only jump there. In a way, you have to fall upward. So, the question of going step by step to that dimension does not really arise. There is no way.

It is for this reason that spiritual traditions have emphasized the significance of a guru's role in one's realization; guru literally means "dispeller of darkness." You can only jump into an abyss -- the depth of which you do not know -- if you have an absolutely insane heart, or if your trust in someone is so deep that you are willing to do anything in their presence. Most people, due to a lack of either of these two aspects, just get stuck in the Agna chakra. When this happens, peacefulness is the highest state they will know. It is only from this limitation that there has been so much talk about peace being the highest possibility. But for someone seeking their ultimate nature, peace is only the beginning; it is not the ultimate goal.

It is for this reason that spiritual traditions have emphasized the significance of a guru's role in one's realization; guru literally means "dispeller of darkness." You can only jump into an abyss -- the depth of which you do not know -- if you have an absolutely insane heart, or if your trust in someone is so deep that you are willing to do anything in their presence. Most people, due to a lack of either of these two aspects, just get stuck in the Agna chakra. When this happens, peacefulness is the highest state they will know. It is only from this limitation that there has been so much talk about peace being the highest possibility. But for someone seeking their ultimate nature, peace is only the beginning; it is not the ultimate goal.

== References ==

== References ==

<references />

<references />