The Centers of Energy

By: Bhanumathi Narasimhan

There are seven centers of energy or Shakti in the body called Chakras. Different emotions are linked with each of these energy centers.

The first Chakra, Muladhara, is located in the base of the spine. Here, the energy manifests as inertia or enthusiasm.

The second Chakra, Swadhistana is the sex center just four inches above the base of the spine. Here energy manifests as pro-creativity or creativity.

The third Chakra, Manipura, is the navel center where energy manifests as four emotions: Generosity, joy, greed and jealousy (two positive emotions and two negative emotions)

The fourth Chakra, Anahata, is located in the chest region. Here, the energy manifests as three emotions- love, fear and hatred.

The fifth Chakra, Vishuddhi, is located in the throat region and is the center where energy manifests as two emotions – gratitude and grief.

The sixth Chakra, Ajna, is located between the eyebrows and is the center where energy manifests as anger and alertness.

The seventh Chakra, Sahasrara, is located in on the top of the head and is the center where energy manifests as bliss. The Sahasrara is also called Brahmarandhra.

When we lead a Sattvic (pure and disciplined) life, the Chakras are properly activated.

Divine intelligence is a combination of intelligence and intuition. Ojas is the intuitive power – the Sattvic field of energy which is present or developed only by Sadhana.

When the Kundalini Shakti is invoked, the Ojas travels through the Sushumna nadi (channel for energy flow) along the six chakras to the Brahmarandhra giving ride to Siddhi or a state of perfect equilibrium.

The upward and downward movement of energy through these Chakras give rise to the play and display of consciousness as the various positive and negative emotions. Sadhana, self-effort or practice, and Satsang, the company of the wise, facilitates the upward movement of the energy through the various Chakras and enables us to maintain a pleasant state of mind.