Chakras and Further Reading

Energy healing and post-quantum physics

‘A human being is a part of the whole, called by us the ‘universe’, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest – a kind of optical illusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from the prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security.’ Albert Einstein, quoted in the New York Post, November 28, 1972.

Modern physics recognises that at the sub-atomic level, the universe is composed of vibrating ‘strings’ – tiny pulses of energy. Since 1972, physicists have been conducting experiments to demonstrate that non-locality or non-separability is a global or universal dynamic of the life of the cosmos. (The Non-Local Universe, Robert Nadeau and Menas Kafatos, OUP, 1999.)

What does that mean? Nadeau and Kafatos explain it thus (page 81). ‘Virtually everything in our immediate physical environment is made up of quanta that have been interacting with other quanta in this manner from the big bang to the present. Even the atoms in our bodies are made up of particles that were once in close proximity to the cosmic fireball, and other particles that interacted at that time in a single quantum state can be found in the most distant star. Quantum entanglement grows exponentially with the number of particles involved in the original quantum state and there is no theoretical limit on the number of these entangled particles. If this is the case, the universe on a very basic level could be a vast web of particles, which remain in contact with one another over any distance in ‘no time’ in the absence of the transfer of energy or information…… There is little doubt among physicists that non-locality must now be recognized as a fact of nature.’

The fact that there is an unseen energy and connectedness throughout the universe, has been recognised for at least three thousand years. In the Upanishads, Indian ‘seers’ listed five layers of energy ‘sheaths’ surrounding the self-luminous Spirit or Atman or Self, representing progressively higher levels of vibratory existence.

These layers are the physical sheath, (anna-maya-kosha), the energetic sheath, (prana-maya-kosha), the mental sheath, (mano-maya-kosha), the intellectual sheath, (vijnana-maya-kosha) and the blissful sheath (ananda-maya-kosha). The energetic sheath is alternatively called the astral body, etheric double or plasma body.

The life force energy is known as Ki in Japan, Chi in China and Prana in India and Eastern Medicine has always recognised and worked with this energy, which flows through the etheric body in a system of channels, or nadis, superimposed on the physical body.

Opening these energy channels is possible through a variety of practices, such as Reiki, kundalini yoga, meditation, acupuncture, tai chi and chi-gong.

Ki and the Chakras

Prana/Chi/Ki is not evenly distributed in the energetic sheath enveloping the physical body. It forms several vortices or funnels that seem to be connecting points between the etheric field and the nervous system of the physical body. These vortices are called chakras, literally translated as wheels. They are sometimes also referred to as padmas or lotuses, because they somewhat resemble the appearance of lotus flowers.

The first chakra is called the root or base or root-prop wheel chakra (Muladhara-chakra). It is associated with the colour red, the element earth and the physical sense of smell.

Emotionally it is the place of birth and rebirth, and parts of the consciousness concerned with security, survival and trust. These frequently manifest as concerns about money, home or job, not feeling at home, not being grounded, or difficulty being present here and now, wanting to live or die.

The root chakra also stores information about each person’s relationship with their mother, which sets the pattern for relationship with everything that represents security. Blockages in the red chakra therefore may derive from a feeling of separation from mother, not being loved or nourished by her. This separation leads to viewing the world from a position of insecurity or fear.

Physically it is linked to the endocrine system through the adrenal glands. It is associated with the lymph system and the skeleton system, the prostate gland, the sacral plexus, the bladder and the lower extremities. Due to its connection with smell it is also associated with the nose. Emotional problems stemming from the red chakra are therefore experienced as symptoms in one of these parts of the body.

The second chakra is called the sacral or self-standing wheel. (Svadhishthana-chakra). It is associated with the colour orange, the element water and the physical sense of taste and appetite.

Emotionally it is related to sexual choosing and creativity, which may manifest themselves as tensions about food, sex or having children, relationships or suppression of emotion.

Physically it is linked to the uterus, spleen, testes, ovaries, kidneys and lumbar plexus, plus the tongue through taste and appetite.

The third chakra is called the solar Plexus or jewelled-city wheel (Manipura-chakra). It is yellow, the element is fire and its relationship to the sun, and it is associated with the physical sense of sight.

Emotionally the solar plexus is associated with issues of power, and other ‘lower emotions’ based on fear, anxiety, insecurity, jealousy, anger, control, freedom. These are ego issues and tension in the third chakra can also be a sign of conflict between ones ego or personality and one’s higher self.

Physically such emotional problems will manifest in the pancreas, liver, gall bladder, large intestine, middle back, muscular system or skin as a system. As food is assimilated here, diseases include digestive problems, alcoholism, food issues (anorexia etc).

The fourth chakra is called the heart or wheel of the unstruck sound (Anahata cakra). It is associated with two colours - green and rose, with the element air, and with the physical sense of touch.

Emotionally the heart is the place of love, the soul, inner guidance, and the ‘higher emotions’ based on unconditional love, empathy, compassion and friendship.

Physically, problems in the heart chakra manifest in the thymus gland, (which controls the immune system), the cardiac and pulmonary nerve plexuses, the heart itself, or the lungs, bronchial tubes, or upper back. How we feel about being touched will help identify emotional problems in the heart chakra.

Breathing problems may reflect difficulty in making decisions about letting love in and out. Problems with the thymus may be related to HIV/AIDS, as sufferers may perceive that their lifestyle separates them from people they love. Breast cancer may be indicative of emotional concerns about being a woman or mother.

Opening the green chakra is often about a process of self-acceptance, replacing self-judgement with self-love.

The fifth chakra is called the throat or purity wheel (Vishuddhi chakra). It is light blue, and the element is ether, the emptiness or void. The physical sense is of hearing and the ears.

Emotionally the blue chakra is associated with communication and expression, truth, the true expression of the soul and creativity. It is linked to our beliefs concerning manifestation of our goals. It is associated with the process of listening to intuition and the state of consciousness we experience when we flow with that process – often referred to as abundance, or grace.

Problems with the fifth chakra show up in the thyroid, ears, nose, throat, arms or hands - the aspects of expressing and receiving. Tension in these areas can represent holding back from achieving goals, resistance to expressing what is wanted or felt.

The sixth chakra is the third eye or command wheel (Ajna chakra). It is indigo and the element is vibration – the inner sound. It is associated with all the inner senses that correspond to each of the outer physical senses, such as clairvoyance, clairaudience, etc.

The sixth chakra is the centre of our psychic perception, consciousness, awareness, intuition and soul knowledge.

Physically it is associated with the pituitary gland (the master controller of the endocrine system), hypothalamus, brain, eyes and face. Dysfunction is the sixth chakra may also be associated with problems of physical growth as our biological structure changes in accordance with and as the effect of our perceptions.

The seventh chakra is the crown or thousand-spoked wheel (Sahasrara chakra). It is represented by a violet or white, multi-petal lotus. Its element is spiritual vibration – the inner light, and it’s associated with the sense of empathy.

The crown is regarded as being the centre of our cosmic consciousness and spirituality and it represents the soul – the part of us that travels through lifetime after lifetime. At this level of consciousness we are all connected in what is variously called the universal consciousness, the Oneness or the Akashic Records.

Problems manifest in the pineal gland, the brain and the entire nervous system. Symptoms affecting the nervous system as a whole reflect tension in the violet chakra, as can problems with the hair and nails.

Our consciousness is often concerned with perceptions of unity and separation, which may reflect difficulties in our relationship with the father and authority. A sense of separation from the father can lead to closing of the violet chakra, creating sense of isolation which in turn may manifest as the lack of a sense of direction. The solution in this case is to open to father’s love.

Completing the kundalini channel

Beyond the crown is the transpersonal point, clear in colour, representing the God or Goddess within.

Below the feet is the Earth or Grounding Chakra, which is black and represents our connection with the planet.

Ki, the connecting link between the physical, energy and spirit bodies, appears to rise from the Grounding Chakra, rising through the nadis, before exiting through the Crown and then circling around the physical body to re-enter through the feet. This creates the aura or energy field surrounding each person.

View from Macchu Picchu

Evelyn BrodieShamanic, Craniosacral & Reiki Healing

Energy healing and post-quantum physics

Further Reading

Evelyn Brodie
Shamanic, Craniosacral & Reiki Healing