The “thousand-petaled lotus” blossoming from the crown of the head represents the pinnacle of the journey through the chakra system, yet sahasrara itself is not a chakra.
If we look at the chakras in the traditional yogic system, each one represents a level of consciousness and a world in itself, each one a very particular flavor of reality.
The mysterious third eye, blinking open in the forehead of Shiva or Buddha. The unforeseen intuition and deeper understanding that seems to arise out of nowhere like a flash of lightning. What is the reality of the ajna chakra, the sixth and highest chakra, that gateway to mystical experience reflected in the middle of the forehead?
Welcome to the world of vishuddha chakra!
Located at the throat, the fifth chakra is the point in the chakra system where things start to get a little trippy. It is the first of the upper chakras, representing a level of consciousness beyond the ordinary reality of personal limitations. This can make it a little more difficult to understand and relate with than the lower chakras, but an absolutely fascinating domain to explore.
Anahata holds the middle point in the chakra system, between the three lower chakras governing ordinary human life and the three upper chakras going into transcendence.
Related to the air element, it represents the beginning of true spiritual life and also the ending point, the place from which you live once you’ve already gone to the top of the mountain and seen the complete view, so to speak.
Svadhisthana: that mysterious energetic center of sex and sensuality, emotions and creativity, known sometimes as the “black sheep of the chakra family” or even just the “secret chakra.”
What’s really the deal with the second chakra?
Svadhisthana is a portal to the infinite, to the sacred dimension of your being, just like all the other chakras. However, it has its own particularities and often requires a special approach.
Svadhisthana is the home of the Water element and everything associated with it. Sexuality, yes, but also emotionality, artistic expression, social connectivity and much more. It’s an intense energy, not always the easiest to deal with, and one that we’re all living closely with on a daily basis…
Stability. Vitality. Connection to nature, to the essential life force that enables our existence in this physical form.
That slowness and steadiness that wins the race.
These are the key qualities of the Earth element, and in a human being such as yourself, they’re expressed through the energy of muladhara chakra, the first chakra or “root chakra” located at the base of the spine.
Muladhara may be the “lowest” chakra but it’s extremely important, both in your daily life and yoga practice. Think of it as your base of support, or like your battery that powers your whole system…
The system of chakras and their related elements has in some way become iconic of yoga itself.
In fact, the system of five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether – isn’t unique to yoga. You can find the same five elements or something similar in Tibetan Buddhism, Daoism, Native American shamanic traditions, European alchemy and many other cultures.
Imagine having a potent all-purpose tool to use in life as needed, a kind of magical power. Imagine being able to focus your energy as needed, at various times of the day and life in general.
Welcome to the world of yoga!
The effect of the practice can reach incredible depths, far beyond the physical body…
Do you often feel tired, dull or weak? Do you often get sick? Do you have enough energy for long lovemaking or tend to lose your drive early on?
These are all signs that your vitality, your basic life energy, is low.
Since tantra is a path of energy, it’s extremely important to run on full power. Vitality is important to feel good and stay healthy, but also so you can practice tantric lovemaking and powerful sublimation.
The yogic tradition provides a clear understanding of where this raw vital force comes from and how we can amplify it. Keep reading to learn cultivate your vitality and enjoy more energy, health and spiritual power.