What Are Chakras? by Jane Thurnell-Read

People talk about chakras and chakra healing, but what exactly are they and what do they do?

Chakras are part of the subtle energy system of the body. Most people are at least vaguely aware that there is something to us that is more than the physical body + mind + emotions. Some people add a spiritual dimension to this too. But somehow I am still more than all this in a way that is difficult to define. Welcome to the subtle energy system. In this view of what we are there are seen to be inter- related and inter-connected subtle bodies – exactly how many there are is not always agreed but the general divisions and qualities usually are.

These individual subtle bodies have different vibrational rates, and need to be connected in some way. This is one of the functions of the chakras. In Sanskrit chakra means ‘disk’ or ‘wheel’, which is how the chakras often appear to clairvoyants. Chakras can be seen as energy transformers – taking energy in one form and converting it into another.

Most writers in this field suggest that there are seven major chakras: the base chakra, the abdominal chakra, the solar plexus chakra, the heart chakra, the throat chakra, the brow or third eye chakra and the crown chakra. There are also many minor chakras known as nadis. Each chakra is seen as having particular characteristics (such as emotional qualities, colour, sound, and so on) associated with it. Each chakra is also linked to a particular organ of the endocrine system. So, for instance, the throat chakra is related to the thyroid gland (located in the throat) and is associated with the emotions of shyness and paranoia. The brow chakra is associated with the pituitary gland (the master gland of the hormonal system) and with the emotions of anger and rage. Chakras also have other qualities, so, for example, the brow chakra is also associated with intuition.

Chakras connect the different bodies and provide a mechanism whereby the vibrational frequencies of one subtle body can be accepted by another. The chakras are the equivalent of step-down transformers. They change energy from one form to another, thereby allowing interaction between the various subtle bodies.

Chakras are, therefore, important for health – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Some therapists work specially in this area offering chakra healing and clearing. Bringing the chakras back into balance can allow the body to rebalance itself and start the healing process. Chakra meditation can be a useful form of self-help too.

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