The flow of energy through the seven chakras
Chakra is a Sanskrit word literally meaning wheel or circle which describes the whirlpools or vortices of energy located in the astral spine in our body. The chakras are a part of what might be called our spiritual anatomy.
The seven chakras with their location within the body are described below:
- Muladhara (Sanskrit: मूलाधार, Mūlādhāra) Base or Root Chakra (last bone in spinal cord *coccyx*)
- Swadhisthana (Sanskrit: स्वाधिष्ठान, Svādhiṣṭhāna) Sacral Chakra (ovaries/prostate)
- Manipura (Sanskrit: मणिपूर, Maṇipūra) Solar Plexus Chakra (navel area)
- Anahata (Sanskrit: अनाहत, Anāhata) Heart Chakra (heart area)
- Vishuddha (Sanskrit: विशुद्ध, Viśuddha) Throat Chakra (throat and neck area)
- Ajna (Sanskrit: आज्ञा, Ājñā) Brow or Third Eye Chakra (pineal gland or third eye)
- Sahasrara (Sanskrit: सहस्रार, Sahasrāra) Crown Chakra (Top of the head; ‘Soft spot’ of a newborn)
Every karmic action or thought, creates a subtle vortex of energy within self, the more spiritual a vortex, the higher the center around which it settles; the more materialistic a vortex, the lower the center.
Inner struggle to grow and change spiritually takes place between the pull of the soul from above, and the pull of matter and material involvement from below. Ego is basically the downward flow of energy down to the Muladhara chakra at the base of the spine, while spiritual consciousness is the upward flow of the same energy, eventually out of the Ajna chakra or third-eye to the entire universe. Ego energy draws one to seperation or individuality, while god consciousness draws one to oneness in all.
Srila Prabhupada, founder of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), talks on the Science of God.
I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self.
— Aristotle
Hare Krishna Maha Mantra - Yamuna Devi, an early Krishna devotee of Guru Srila Prabhupada, founder of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), joins George Harrison of the Beatles in singing this melodious rendition, the lyrics of the maha mantra below:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
