The chakras of the human energy field are the organs of consciousness. Each of these is a different vehicle of consciousness with its own orientation, needs and approach to life.Although the modes of consciousness of each chakra are different, ranging from the densest, most physical modes of consciousness to the most refined, transpersonal modes of consciousness, we can also understand these chakras as interconnected and falling into broader categories. Our understanding of each chakra is expanded by understanding its relationship to the others and the interactions between the whole.
Body, mind, soul
The chakra system can be naturally divided into three groups according to the categories of Body, Mind and Soul.
The Root, Sacral and Solar Plexus chakras relate to the individualized consciousness of the body and the separate, finite personality. Here we find our most basic drives and instincts, our emotions and feelings about the body and ourselves, and all the consciousness that concerns our relationships with other people and within groups. Much of the consciousness of the lower centers is subject to the fluctuations of the endocrine substances in the body.
The Solar Plexus is the bridge between body and mind. The Solar Plexus, Heart and Throat Chakras fall within the Mental Centers category. Through these centers we rise above the prejudices of personality and instincts to a higher level of objectivity, distilling kernels of Knowledge from personal experience. Through these centers we separate what is opinion from what is real, what is useful from what is harmful. This contributes to the formation of a personality that is less primitive and instinctive, and more conscious, deliberate and ethical.
The throat chakra is the bridge between mind and soul. The spiritual centers include the throat, third eye and crown chakras. In these centers we experience the transpersonal dimension of our individuality and our connection to higher powers. As the mind grants us access to knowledge, the spiritual centers grant us access to the truth. The mental centers are associated with duality, while the spiritual centers are associated with unity and infinity. Here we can look beyond the physical world and experience the metaphysical world: the realm of meaning.
Active and receptive
Because all reality is vibration, it is subject to the laws of electromagnetism. Vibration is polarized in the yin/yang, receptive/active, feminine/masculine pairs.
The chakras can also be grouped by function. The chakras alternate as we move from root to crown or crown to root, with each chakra receiving or being received by the chakras above and below it.
In the chakra system, the yang function is associated with the left brain activities of analysis, logic, wisdom, intellect and action. The yin function is associated with intuition, holistic awareness and unity.
The first, third, fifth and seventh chakras are active. These chakras help us cultivate wisdom. The activities of these chakras are projective, creative or transmissive and radiate outward from the body or mind. The function of the body (Root), ego (Solar Plexus), self-expression (Throat) and gateway to Deity (Crown) is fundamentally assertive.
The second, fourth and sixth chakras are receptive. These chakras help us cultivate love. The activities of these chakras are receptive, accepting, and allowing, drawing in from the outside. The function of the emotional nature (Sacral), the integrative capacity (Heart) and observer (Third Eye) is fundamentally receptive.
Because the chakras alternate from active to passive, a blockage in one center often affects the chakras directly above or below it. We may even misdiagnose a problem because we notice the symptoms at a different level than that of the root cause. For example, every physical problem is not fundamentally a physical problem originating in the Root Chakra, but is in fact an energy imbalance in the Sacral Chakra of the emotional body.
Concentric pairs
The chakras can also be grouped in pairs, moving in concentric circles from the outer to the inner centers.
The Crown is linked to the Root Chakra.
The Third Eye Chakra is linked to the Sacral Chakra.
The Throat Chakra is linked to the Solar Plexus Chakra.
The Heart Chakra, which is a center of receptivity, lies at the center of everything.
We can view these pairs as therapeutic complements, each providing a necessary counterbalance to its opposite. If there is a blockage in one, we can find the key to healing this blockage in its complement.
For example, if we are overly materialistic (Root), we would benefit from opening ourselves to the spiritual (Crown). When we are overly spiritual (Crown), we benefit from grounding through practice, routine, and material commitment (Root).
When we have low self-esteem (Sacral), we find healing in the broader perspective of the transpersonal Observer (Third Eye). When we cannot see the way forward or find any meaning in our lives (Third Eye), we discover orientation through a deep exploration of our emotions (Sacral).
When we are overly aggressive or power hungry (Solar Plexus), we balance this with increased communication (Keel). When we suppress our personal truth (Keel), we balance it by working on self-confidence and self-affirmation (Solar Plexus).
In the center of these circles lies the Heart Chakra, which is involved in all chakras and plays a role in every blockage. Our Heart Chakra indicates our ability to receive and accept at every level of consciousness.
At the level of the Root Chakra we accept the needs and circumstances of the body. At the level of the Sacral Chakra we accept the needs and circumstances of the emotions. At the Solar Plexus level we accept the other. At the level of the Throat Chakra we accept the personal truths of others. At the level of the Third Eye we accept the truth of all that is, and at the level of the Crown we receive the divine.
A blockage in any center brings a blockage in the heart center, because it is somehow difficult to integrate stimuli at that level of consciousness. So healing any center is always a matter of opening and softening the heart, and healing the heart chakra is a matter of healing all other blockages in the energy system.
