How to Open Your Spiritual Chakras

Questions and Answers

According to Hindu and/or Buddhist belief, chakras are vast (yet confined) pools of
energy in our bodies which govern our psychological qualities. There are said to be
seven main chakras in all; four in our upper body, which govern our mental properties,
and three in the lower body, which govern our instinctual properties. They are:

The Muladhara (root) chakra. The Svadhisthana (sacral) chakra. The Manipura (solar
plexus) chakra. The Anahata(heart) chakra. The Visuddhi (throat) chakra. The Ajna
(third eye) chakra. The Sahasrara (crown) chakra.
According to Buddhist/Hindu teaching all of the chakras should contribute to a human's
well-being. Our instincts would join forces with our feelings and thinking. Some of our
chakras are usually not open all the way (meaning, they operate just like when you were
born), but some are over-active, or even near closed. If the chakras are not balanced,
peace with the self cannot be achieved.

Read on to discover the art of becoming aware of the chakras, as well as a very reliable
technique designed to open them.
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Steps
1.

1
Understand that if you are opening your chakras, there is no need to try to make
over-active chakras less active. They are simply compensating for the inactivity of
closed chakras. Once all of the chakras are opened, the energy evens out, and
becomes balanced.
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2.

2
Open the Root Chakra (red). This chakra is based on being physically aware and
feeling comfortable in many situations. If opened, you should feel well-balanced and
sensible, stable and secure. You don't distrust people around you for no reason.You feel
present in what is happening right now, and very connected to your physical body. If it's
under-active: you tend to be fearful or nervous, and easily feel unwelcome. If it's over-
 active: you may be materialistic and greedy. You feel as if you should be secure and are
unwelcome to a change.

o Use the body and become aware of it. Do yoga, walk around the block, or
do some manual house-cleaning. These activities let your body become known to you,
and will strengthen the chakra.

o Ground yourself. This means that you should connect with the ground, and
feel it beneath you. To do this, stand up straight and relaxed, put your feet shoulder
width apart, and slightly bend your knees. Move your pelvis forward a little, and keep
your body balanced, so that your weight is evenly distributed over the soles of your feet.
Then sink your weight forward. Stay in this position for several minutes.
o After grounding yourself, sit cross-legged, as shown in the picture below.
o Let the tips of your thumb and index finger touch gently, in a peaceful
motion.
o Concentrate on the Root chakra and what it stands for, at the spot in
between the genitals and the anus.
o Silently, yet clearly, chant the sound "LAM."
o All this time, let yourself relax, still thinking about the chakra, it's meaning,
and how it does or should affect your life.
o Keep doing this until you are completely relaxed. You may have a "clean"
feeling.
o Visualize a closed red flower. Imagine a very powerful energy radiating it: it
slowly opens showing four red petals full of energy.
o Contract the perineum holding breath and releasing.


3
Open the Sacral Chakra (orange). This chakra deals with feeling and sexuality. If
open, feeling are released with liberty, and are expressed without you being over-
emotional. You would be open to affinity and can be passionate as well as outgoing. You
also have no problems based on sexuality. If it's under-active: you tend to be
 unemotional or impassive, and are not very open to anybody. If it's over-active: you tend
to be sensitive and emotional all the time. You may also be very sexual.

o Sit on your knees, with your back straight, but relaxed.

o Lay your hands in your lap, palms ups, on top of each other. Left hand
underneath, the palm touching the back fingers of the right hand, and the thumbs touch
gently.
o Concentrate on the Sacral Chakra and what it stands for, at the sacral
bone (lower back).
o Silently, yet clearly, chant the sound "VAM."
o All this time, let yourself relax, still thinking about the chakra, it's meaning,
and how it does or should affect your life.
o Keep doing this until you are completely relaxed. Again, you may have a
"clean" feeling.


4
Open the Navel Chakra (yellow). This chakra encircles confidence, especially when in
a group. When open, you should feel in control and have good feeling of dignity in
yourself. If it's under-active: you tend to be passive and indecisive. You could be
frequently apprehensive and this doesn't reward you. If it's over-active: you tend to be
imperious and aggressive.
o Sit on your knees, with your back straight, but relaxed.

o Put your hands before your stomach, slightly below your solar plexus. Let
the fingers join at the tops, all pointing away from you. Cross the thumbs and straighten
the fingers (this is important).
o Concentrate on the Navel Chakra and what it stands for, at the spine,
slightly above the navel.
o Silently, yet clearly, chant the sound "RAM."
o All this time, let yourself relax even more, continuing to think about the
chakra, it's meaning, and how it does or should affect your life.
o Keep doing this until you are completely relaxed. You should have a
"clean" feeling (for every chakra).


5
Open the Heart Chakra (green). This chakra is all about love, caring, and endearment.
When open, you seem to be compassionate and friendly, always working in amicable
relationships. If it's under-active: you tend to be cold and unfriendly. If it's over-active:
you tend to be so "loving" towards people that you suffocate them, and you could be
seen as selfish for it.
o Sit cross-legged.

o Let the tips of your index finger and thumb touch on both hands.
o Put your left hand on your left knee and your right hand in front of the
lower part of your breastbone.
o Concentrate on the Heart Chakra and what it stands for, at the spine, level
with the heart.
o Silently, but clearly, chant the sound "YAM."
o All this time, continue to relax your body, and think of the chakra, it's
meaning, and how it does or should affect your life.
o Keep doing this until you are completely relaxed, and the "clean" feeling
returns and/or intensifies within your body.


6
Open the Throat Chakra (light blue). This chakra is based on self-expression and
communication. When the chakra is open, expressing yourself is easy, and art seems to
be a great way to do this. If it's under-active: you tend not to speak too much, so you are
classified as shy. If you lie often, this chakra can be blocked. If it's over-active: you tend
to speak so much, it annoys a lot of people. You could also be a pretty bad listener.
o Once again, sit on your knees.

o Cross your fingers on the inside of your hands, without the thumbs. Let the
thumbs touch at the tops, and pull them up a bit.
o Concentrate on the Throat Chakra and what it stands for, at the base of
the throat.
o Silently, but clearly, chant the sound "HAM."
o All this time, keep on relaxing your body, thinking of the chakra, it's
meaning, and how it does or should affect your life.
o Keep doing this for about five minutes, and the "clean" feeling will intensify
once again.


7
Open the Third Eye Chakra (blue). Like it's name, this chakra deals with insight. When
open, you have excellent clairvoyance, and tend to dream a lot. If it's under-active: you
tend to look up to other people to think for you. Relying on beliefs too often, you also
tend to be confused most of the time. If it's over-active: you tend to live in a world
 imagination all day long. In the extremes, you could suffer from frequent daydreams or
even hallucinations.

o Sit cross-legged.

o Put your hands in front of the lower part of the breast. The middle fingers
should be straight and touch the tops, pointing away from you. The other fingers are
bent and touch at the two upper phalanges. The thumbs point towards you and meet at
the tops.
o Concentrate on the Third Eye Chakra and what it stands for, a little above
the center of the two eyebrows.
o Silently, but clearly, chant the sound "OM" or "AUM."
o All this time, relaxation of the body should come a bit naturally, and
continue to think of the chakra, it's meaning, and how it does or should affect your life.
o Keep doing this until the same "clean" feeling seems to come back or
intensify.


8
Open the Crown Chakra (purple). This is the seventh and most spiritual chakra. It
encircles a being's wisdom and being one with the universe. When this chakra is open,
prejudice disappears from your To Do list, and you seem to become more aware of the
world and it's connection to yourself. If it's under-active: you tend to not be very spiritual,
and may be quite rigid in your thoughts. If it's over-active: you tend to intellectualize
 things all the time. Spirituality seems to come first in your mind, and if you are really
over-active, you may even ignore your bodily needs (food, water, shelter).

o Sit cross-legged.
o Lay your hand before your stomach. Let the little fingers point up and away
from you, touching at their tops, and cross the rest of the fingers with the left thumb
underneath the right.

o Concentrate on the Crown Chakra and what it stands for, at the very top of
your head.
o Silently, but clearly, chant the sound "NG" (yes, this chant is as hard as it
looks).
o All this time, your body should now be totally relaxed, and your mind
should be at peace. However, do not stop concentrating on the Crown Chakra.
o This meditation is the longest, and should take no less than ten minutes.
o WARNING: don't use this meditation for the Crown Chakra if your Root
Chakra is not strong or open. Before dealing with this last chakra, you need a strong
"foundation" first, which the Root exercises will present to you.
There are believed to be seven major chakras, which are arranged vertically along the axial channel
(sushumna nadi). David Gordon White traces the modern popularity of the seven chakra system
to Arthur Avalon's The Serpent Power, which was Avalon's translation of a late work, the Sat-Cakra-
Nirupana.[7] Below is a description of the seven chakras, with various associations. Each of these
chakras also has its elemental deity (Vasu), demigod of its material element.

From the top down, they are thought to be:

Sahasrara[edit]
Sahasrara (Sanskrit: , IAST: Sahasrra, English: "thousand-
petaled") or crown chakra is generally considered to be the state of
pure consciousness, within which there is neither object nor subject.
When the Kundalini energy rises to this point, it unites with the
male Shiva energy, and a state of liberating samadhi is attained.
Symbolized by a lotus with one thousand multi-coloured petals, it is
located either at the crown of the head, or above the crown of the head.
Sahasrara is represented by the colour white and it involves such issues
as inner wisdom and the death of the body.

Its role may be envisioned somewhat similarly to that of the pituitary

gland, which secretes hormones to communicate to the rest of the
endocrine system and also connects to the central nervous system via
the hypothalamus. According to Gary Osborn, the thalamus is thought to
have a key role in the physical basis of consciousness and is the 'Bridal
Chamber' mentioned in the Gnostic scriptures. Sahasrara's inner aspect
deals with the release of karma, physical action with meditation, mental
action with universal consciousness and unity, and emotional action with
"beingness."[37]

In Tibetan Buddhism, the point at the crown of the head is represented

by a white circle, with 33 downward pointing petals. It is of primary
importance in the performance of phowa, or consciousness projection
after death, in order to obtain rebirth in a Pure Land. Within this state is
contained the White drop, or Bodhicitta, which is the essence of
masculine energy.

Corresponding deity for material element of this state is Dhruva.

Ajna[edit]
Ajna (Sanskrit: , IAST: j, English: "command") or third-eye
chakra is symbolised by a lotus with two petals, and corresponds to the
colours violet, indigo or deep blue, though it is traditionally described as
white. It is at this point that the two side nadi Ida (yoga) and Pingala are
said to terminate and merge with the central channel Sushumna,
signifying the end of duality, the characteristic of being dual
(e.g. light and dark, or male and female). The seed syllable for this
chakra is the syllable OM, and the presiding deity is Ardhanarishvara,
who is a half male, half female Shiva/Shakti. The Shakti goddess of Ajna
is called Hakini.

Ajna (along with Bindu), is known as the third eye chakra and is linked to
the pineal gland which may inform a model of its envisioning. The pineal
gland is a light sensitive gland that produces the
hormone melatonin which regulates sleep and waking up, and is also
postulated to be the production site of the
psychedelicdimethyltryptamine, the only known hallucinogen
endogenous to the human body. Ajna's key issues involve balancing the
higher and lower selves and trusting inner guidance. Ajna's inner aspect
relates to the access of intuition. Mentally, Ajna deals with visual
consciousness. Emotionally, Ajna deals with clarity on an intuitive level.[38]

Vishuddha[edit]
Vishuddha (Sanskrit: , IAST: Viuddha, English: "especially pure"),
or Vishuddhi, or throat chakra is depicted as a silver crescent within a
white circle, with 16 light or pale blue, or turquoise petals. The seed
mantra is Ham, and the residing deity is Panchavaktra shiva, with 5
heads and 4 arms, and the Shakti is Shakini.

Vishuddha may be understood as relating to communication and growth

through expression. This chakra is paralleled to the thyroid, a gland that
is also in the throat and which produces thyroid hormone, responsible for
growth and maturation. Physically, Vishuddha governs communication,
emotionally it governs independence, mentally it governs fluent thought,
and spiritually, it governs a sense of security.[39]

In Tibetan buddhism, this chakra is red, with 16 upward pointing petals.

 It plays an important role in Dream Yoga, the art of lucid dreaming.

Corresponding deity for material element of this chakra is Dyaus.

Anahata[edit]
Anahata (Sanskrit: , IAST: Anhata, English: "unstruck") or heart
chakra is symbolised by a circular flower with twelve green petals called
the heartmind. Within it is a yantra of two intersecting triangles, forming
a hexagram, symbolizing a union of the male and female. The seed
mantra is Yam, the presiding deity is Ishana Rudra Shiva, and the Shakti
is Kakini.

Anahata is related to the thymus, located in the chest. The thymus is an

element of the immune system as well as being part of the endocrine
system. It is the site of maturation of the T cells responsible for fending
off disease and may be adversely affected by stress. Anahata is related
to the colours green or pink. Key issues involving Anahata involve
complex emotions, compassion, tenderness, unconditional love,
equilibrium, rejection and well-being. Physically Anahata governs
circulation, emotionally it governs unconditional love for the self and
others, mentally it governs passion, and spiritually it governs devotion. [40]

Manipura[edit]
Manipura (Sanskrit: , IAST: Manipra, English: "jewel city")
or solar plexus/navel chakra is symbolised by a downward pointing
triangle with ten petals, along with the color yellow. The seed syllable is
Ram, and the presiding deity is Braddha Rudra, with Lakini as the
Shakti.

Manipura is related to the metabolic and digestive systems. Manipura is

believed to correspond to Islets of Langerhans,[41] which are groups of
cells in the pancreas, as well as the outer adrenal glands and the
adrenal cortex. These play a valuable role in digestion, the conversion of
food matter into energy for the body. The colour that corresponds to
Manipura is yellow. Key issues governed by Manipura are issues of
personal power, fear, anxiety, opinion-formation, introversion, and
transition from simple or base emotions to complex. Physically,
 Manipura governs digestion, mentally it governs personal power,
emotionally it governs expansiveness, and spiritually, all matters of
growth.[42]

Corresponding deity for material element of this chakra is Agni.

Svadhishthana[edit]
Svadhishthana (Sanskrit: , IAST: Svdhist hna, English: "one's
own base") or sacral chakra is symbolized by a white lotus within which
is a crescent moon, with six vermilion, or orange petals. The seed
mantra is Vam, and the presiding deity is Brahma, with the Shakti being
Rakini (or Chakini). The animal associated is the crocodile of Varuna.

This chakra is located in the sacrum and is considered to correspond to

the testes or the ovaries that produce the various sex hormones involved
in the reproductive cycle. Svadhishthana is also considered to be related
to, more generally, the genitourinary system and the adrenals. The key
issues involving Svadhishthana are relationships, violence, addictions,
basic emotional needs and pleasure. Physically, Svadhishthana governs
reproduction, mentally it governs creativity, emotionally it governs joy,
and spiritually it governs enthusiasm.[43]

Muladhara[edit]
Muladhara (Sanskrit: , IAST: Mldhra, English: "root support")
or root chakra is symbolized by a lotus with four petals and the color
red. This center is located at the base of the spine in
the coccygeal region. It is said to relate to the gonads and the adrenal
medulla, responsible for the fight-or-flight response when survival is
under threat.[44] The seed syllable is LAM.

Muladhara is related to instinct, security, survival and also to basic

human potentiality. Physically, Muladhara governs sexuality, mentally it
governs stability, emotionally it governs sensuality, and spiritually it
governs a sense of security.[45] Muladhara also has a relation to the sense
of smell.[46]

This chakra is where the three main nadi separate and begin their
 upward movement. Dormant Kundalini rests here, wrapped three and a
half times around the black Svayambhu linga, the lowest of three
obstructions to her full rising (also known as knots or granthis).[47] It is the
seat of the red bindu, the female drop (which in Tibetan vajrayana is
located at the navel chakra).[clarification needed]

The seed syllable is Lam (pronounced lum), the deity is Ganesh,[citation

needed]
and the Shakti is Dakini.[48] The associated animal is the elephant.[49]

Other chakras[edit]

Hridhiya chakra (also known as hrid chakra) is measured from center of Anahata chakra, two
fingers to the left and continue with two finger down, whereby the heart beat can be felt.
[50]
Taluchakra is located at behind of Reticular Formation at Fourth Ventrical before beginning of
spinal cord.[50] There are said to be 21 minor chakras which are reflected points of the major chakras.
[51]
These 21 are further grouped into ten bilateral minor chakras that correspond to the foot, hand,
knee, elbow, groin, clavicle, navel, shoulder and ear. The spleen may also be listed by some
authorities as a location for a minor chakra.

Secret chakras[edit]

There are said to be three chakras that are beyond the physical and the spiritual. They are
called Golata, Lalata, and Lalana and "located on the uvula at the back of the throat, above the
Ajna chakra, and within the soft upper palate".[52] According to Robert Svoboda they defy description
in the sense of the above seven and can only be experienced once Kundalini has fully awakened.

Minor chakras below Muladhara[edit]

There are said to be a series of seven chakras below Muladhara going down the leg,
[53]
corresponding the base animal instincts, and to the Hindu underworld patala. From the top down
they are:

Atala Located in the hips, it governs fear and lust.

Vitala Located in the thighs, it governs anger and resentment.

Sutala Located in the knees, it governs jealousy.

Talatala Translated as "under the bottom level", it is located in the calves and represents a state
of prolonged confusion and instinctive willfulness.

Rasatala Located in the ankles, it is the centre of selfishness and pure animal nature.

Mahatala Located in the feet, this is the dark realm 'without conscience', and inner blindness.

Patala Located in the soles of the feet, this is the realm of malice, murder, torture and hatred, and
in Hindu mythology it borders on the realm of Naraka, or hell.