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Psychological Significance of the Chakras
Samya Baghel* and Madhurima Pradhan**
Abstract
According to yoga tradition, the subtle body is a part of us that we can’t see or touch—it’s
where our energy flows. It is also referred to as the energy body. There are seven key points
in the subtle body that are thought to be vortexes of energy, known as chakras. When energy
becomes blocked in a chakra, it triggers physical, mental, or emotional imbalances that
manifest either in psychological symptoms such as anxiety, lethargy, or physical symptoms
such as poor digestion. The more one studies these centres and their nature, the more she
comes to understand the difference between various psychological and therapeutic points of
view. In the present paper, the psychological aspects of each chakra are explored and the
result of the synthesis or integration at each chakra is discussed.
*JRF, Department of Psychology, Lucknow University, Lucknow.
**Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Lucknow University, Lucknow.
Introduction
Yoga is the highest product of Indian Psychology. It is a complete system of therapy, which
includes developing awareness and control of the physical body, emotions, mind and
interpersonal relations. It includes a science of the body, an understanding of the energy level
which governs the body’s functions, a study of the mind and higher states of consciousness as
well as a whole philosophy of the structure and nature of the universe. The many facets of
oneself and the world are coordinated by means of bringing them together within the field of
inner life. By immersing oneself in this inner experience, an understanding of the
coordination between the various aspects of oneself and the universe is achieved.
If one is to explore the world of inner experiences, her thoughts, her emotions, and learn
about herself, she must have some framework within which to do this. The framework
provided by the centres of consciousness gives her a place to do so. Vedic scholars, centuries
ago described the seven energy centres or centres of consciousness in the body from a
spiritual context. These swirling wheels of energy correspond to massive nerve centres in the
body. This paper is an attempt to briefly outline the psychological aspects of these chakras
with the polarities associated with each and how the same can be utilized for psychotherapy.
The Chakras
The word ‘chakra’ means ‘wheel’ in Sanskrit. In yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda, this term
refers to wheels of energy throughout the body. There are seven main chakras, which align the
spine, starting from the base of the spine through to the crown of the head. The chakras
provide a sort of central point, an underlying framework, in which a multitude of factors
interact and intersect. Each chakra represents a duality which needs to be integrated and
resolved in order to lead a balanced life. The first three chakras, starting at the base of the
spine are chakras of matter. They are more physical in nature. Working through the physical
chakras is the way up to opening the higher spiritual chakras more fully. The position and
psychological connotation of each chakra is as follows.
1. Muladhar or the Root Chakra
It is located at the base of the spine and encompasses the first three vertebrae, the
bladder, and the colon. The most primitive responses to life threatening situations
involve energy at this point. As such it is related to very basic fear of being attacked or
injured. From the other side, it is also related to attacking, being aggressive and
searching out prey. One who has an unregulated focus of energy at this chakra is
constantly afraid of being injured or has a strong tendency to hurt and injure others. A
synthesis at the first chakra gives one the quality of stability as one has conquered the
tendency of seeing the world in black and white terms.
2. Svadhishthan or the Sacral Chakra
The second chakra corresponds to the pubic bone, below the navel. Psychologically, it
is concerned with sexual impulses and lustful feelings, and with an emphasis on
sensory pleasure. It is less primitive as, on a gross biological level, it is responsible for
a kind of creativity. A person whose energy is centered in this chakra is preoccupied
with sensual pleasures. The synthesis at this level brings an appreciation of the
meaning of both maleness and femaleness on a deeper level so that one is able to
effectively and genuinely assume her particular role.
3. Manipura or the Solar Plexus Chakra
The third centre of consciousness is located at the level of the navel. The key issue
governed by Manipura is that of personal power. When this chakra is energized, one
has the quality of being dynamic and assertive. However, if unregulated, it leads to
tyrannical kind of assertiveness and preoccupation with controlling others or just the
opposite: very submissive. Successful integration at this level gives one the quality of
being forceful, dynamic and cooperative without being cruelly aggressive or weakly
passive.
The three chakras described above are concerned with self-protection, with propagation of the
species and with functioning effectively in a competitive world. As we move to the fourth
chakra, our energy begins to shift from a focus on the individual self towards a more generous
and altruistic outlook. The direction of energy in the body begins to move upwards in its
desire to reconnect to the greater source of Divine love.
4. Anahada or the Heart Chakra
Located at the heart centre just above the diaphragm, the fourth chakra is at the middle
of the seven and unites the lower chakras of matter and the upper chakras of spirit. The
fourth is also spiritual but serves as a bridge between our body, mind, emotions, and
spirit. The heart chakra is our source of love and connection. The heart chakra is the
meeting point between two separate polarities in the body’s energy field. One that
exists between the chakras above and those below and the other between the right and
left sides. It represents a centre of integration for these polarities. An outflow of
energy or an interaction organized around this centre potentially involves the whole of
the person. Integration at this chakra gives one the ability to be sensitive and to have
compassion and selfless love.
5. Vishuddha or the Throat Chakra
The fifth chakra is located in the area of the throat. It is through here that nurturance in
the form of air and food are taken into the body. Energy focused in this area is related
to receptivity, to taking in what is given. The feeling of being cared for and experience
here varies according to whether one feels open or close to being nurtured. Also, as we
move upward working through the chakras, our awareness is expanded and we come
in direct contact with the vibrations of life. At this chakra these vibrations are
manifested in our communication, self-expression and creativity. Synthesis at this
level gives one the ability to be creative and to recreate herself.
6. Ajna or the Third Eye Chakra
The ajna chakra is located between the eyes, slightly above at the space between the
two eyebrows. Consciousness that is centered at this chakra involves “introspection”
or the “ability to see within”. “Opening the third eye” means integrating the right and
left sides of the brain or bringing together the openness and intuition with the
judgement and discrimination, thereby separating out the contaminants from the pure
experience.
7. Sahasrara or the Crown Chakra
The seventh or the highest centre is located at the vertex or top of the head. Our innate
nature is Divine and as we develop greater awareness of this, our energy is
increasingly drawn upwards towards its desire to unify with our source of Being and
Origin. It is said that highly evolved yogis have access to this centre through samadhi.
At the level of this centre, all the distinctions of ordinary consciousness break down.
Awareness is expanded beyond the point that can be explained in verbal terms.
Though in a sense this experience lies beyond the realm of mental functioning, it
offers a vantage point from which the mind can be most clearly appreciated.
Chakras and Psychotherapy
Technically speaking, Psychotherapy means treating mental ailments with psychological
methods. As such, all Yoga therapy is psychotherapy as its objective is ‘chittavrittinirodh’. It
seeks to cure the psyche by controlling its own vrittis, which may lead it astray. Just as in any
psychotherapy, the first step in healing of chakras is identifying the problem areas and then
selecting the appropriate method or practice, within the yogic tradition to deal with it, for
example, meditation or asanas. However, it is important to note that even if one is not
suffering from any ailment or psychopathology, activating the chakras facilitates our day to
day functioning from good to better and from better to best. It widens the mental perspective,
gives ego strength and control over the lower sensations and passions, resolving unconscious
complexes and elevating the conscious to new heights.
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