The Truth About Our Energy Centers

We all know that we have emotions and thoughts, even though we can’t precisely measure them. How do we know that we have emotions? How do we know that we have thoughts? With the advent of modern science, can we accurately measure the type and intensity of our emotions? We can certainly see our physical body, which is according to science made out of atoms. This article is meant to encourage a reader to think, and not necessarily agree with information presented.

Should our emotions and thoughts simply be chemical reactions or electrical impulses, we should be able to accurately and precisely decipher and display them. So far, I have not seen an instrument, which could be hooked up to my body and give me an accurate reading of my love, joy and peace intensity. A various physical body tests do not give us that kind of information. We would need an input- our physical body and an output, displaying precisely all human emotions and their intensity on a screen. If we look at the Reiki clinical trials, yes- we can understand the results of a session by measuring blood pressure, body temperature, salivary flow rate, cortisol levels, brain waives and some other physical parameters, but there is no instrument that can define the type of Reiki energy and precisely display its flow and intensity. The human race is yet to discover a pure, primordial energy particle, which is a structural component of our emotions and thoughts. Higgs Boson discovery does not answer this question yet. It might be plausible that primordial energy particles form atoms when a transition to the physical matter is made.

What are our thoughts made of? Where do they reside? How can’t we display our thoughts on a computer screen? It could be said that thought is vibration, and we know that sound is vibration. Hearing range usually describes the range of frequencies that can be heard by humans. The human range is commonly given as 20 to 20,000 Hz, though there is considerable variation between individuals. Several animal species are able to hear frequencies well beyond the human range. Some dolphins, for example, can hear frequencies in excess of 100 kHz. Just because we can’t hear certain frequencies, it does not mean that they do not exist. What can be perceived by our five senses is only a tiny fraction of reality. The visible spectrum is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. Electromagnetic radiation in this range of wavelengths is called visible light. A typical human eye will respond to wavelengths from about 390 to 700 nm. In terms of frequency, this corresponds to a band in the vicinity of 430–790 THz. Our physical eyes can’t perceive the rest of light emission, yet it is real and we use it in a variety of applications: television and radio broadcasts, night vision devices, medical device scanners etc.

Based on the ancient scriptures, the points where our visible and invisible worlds meet are the energy centers. In yoga they are called chakras. Chakras are vortices of energy. Some energy practitioners define chakras as points where un-manifest becomes manifest. The word chakra can be traced back to sacred Hindu texts. The literal translation from Sanscrit is “turning”, “circle” “wheel”,”disk”. The earliest mention from ancient Hindu texts, which is very likely related to chakras, can be found in Rig Veda`s description of “lightnings (powers) with golden wheels.” How can we comprehend the chakras, when they are operating beyond the limits of our habitual sensory perception? Even in those rare moments, when we are truly receptive, we may easily confuse them with other sensations. While chakras can’t be perceived physically, they are connected to the surface of the physical body in specific locations. A Taoist may say that three energy centers “dantians” are more powerful than seven chakras, while a Sufi master may tell us that in fact five “lataif” are necessary for opening of the heart, and the Kabbalist believes that ten “Sefirot” are the answer. Even ancient Greeks had their own understanding of the chakras. Different Hindu yogi’s schools present different functions of each chakra. How a Buddhist sees the energy centers? It depends, if they practice yoga they would work with 7 chakras or if they practice Qi Gong they would work with 3 dantians. Various teachers may claim that their energy system goes much deeper. Is one system better than the other? There are countless ways to open the energy centers. Based on Socrates, feeling of superiority may indicate a lack of wisdom.

Yoga System of Chakras

In yoga seven main chakras are aligned with the centerline of the body:
7. Sahasrara, Crown Chakra, located on the top of the head;
6. Ajna, Third Eye Chakra, between the eyes;
5. Vishuddha, Throat Chakra, laryngeal plexus neck area;
4. Anahata, Heart Chakra, heart area;
3. Manipura, Solar Plexus Chakra, navel area;
2. Swadhistana, Sacral Chakra, prostate (uterus) area;
1. Muladhara, Base or Root Chakra, the coccyx bone.

Each chakra has its own qualities, which influence our physical and emotional well-being.

In the Tibetan Buddhism there are five primary chakras:
5-Crown Chakra, Chakra of Great Bliss, Pale Blue; Afflictive Emotion: Aversion, Antidote: Love (with Patience & Tolerance);
4-Throat Chakra, Chakra of Enjoyment, Red; Afflictive Emotion: Desire-Attachment, Antidote: Detachment;
3-Heart Chakra, Chakra of Dharma, White; Afflictive Emotion: Confusion (Ignorance), Antidote: Wisdom;
2-Navel Chakra, Chakra of Emanation, Green; Afflictive Emotion: Jealousy, Envy, Antidote: Rejoicing in happiness of others;
1-Sacred Chakra, Chakra Maintaining Bliss, Yellow; Afflictive Emotion: Pride, Antidote: Humility;

Dantians in Taoism

Taoism is an ancient tradition of philosophy that is deeply rooted in Chinese customs and worldview. Taoism is about the Tao. This is usually translated as the Way. The Tao is the ultimate creative principle of the universe. All things are unified and connected in the Tao.Chakras and dantians in Taoism share a similar function. Both are spaces within the subtle body where energy gathers. Taoist practitioners of qigong use the lower, middle and upper dantians to gather, refine and circulate energy. Different schools of thought categorize dantians in various manners. Three main dantians are typically emphasized: Generative Energy, Vital Energy, and Spirit Energy.

Generative Energy or Ching also spelled Jing is stored in the lower “burning space” known as a tan-t’ien (elixir field) and when the individual is actively cultivating this area or transforming sexual desires to become empty, it is referred to as “lead flower emerging”. This area relates to the first and second chakras

Vital Energy or Ch’i also spelled qi is stored in the middle “burning space” or tan-t’ien and when the individual is actively cultivating this area or taming the emotions, it is referred to as “silver flower emerging”. This area relates to the solar plexus or third chakra center and the heart or fourth chakra.

Spirit Energy or Shen is stored in the upper “burning space” or tan-t’ien and when the individual is actively cultivating this area or taming thoughts and becoming still, it is referred to as “golden flower emerging”. This area relates to the sixth and seventh chakra.

According to one of the Taoist schools, two of these three treasures, Ch’i and Shen, travel by way of the meridians while Ching moves through the bones. The practice of Tai Chi or Qi Gong is used to develop vital energy or Ch’i because the Taoist believe that body practice is the root of spiritual practice. Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Lok Hup Ba Fa, and other internal martial arts are used by the Taoist much as yoga, in its many forms, is used by the Hindu. These practices transform the body into an energy pump. Spirit Energy or Shen moves through channels known as the “Eight Extra Meridians”. Three of these “Eight Extra Meridians” include du mai, which runs along the spine; ren mai, which runs down the front mid line of the body; and chong mai, which runs through the center of the body from the perineum to the crown. Taoist qigong was China’s first qigong method, from which all other branches of qigong derived their techniques. In ancient China, Taoist meditation adepts, developed their inner awareness of chi flows. They began to create and systematize qigong, the foundation for traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, self-healing energy work, tai chi and therapeutic Qi Gong.

Lataif in Sufism

The Sufi tradition uses the lataif system. Spiritual development involves awakening centers of perception that lie dormant in every person called lataif. The help of a guide is considered necessary to help activate them in a certain order. Each center is associated with a particular color, a general area of the body, and often with a particular prophet. Activation of all these “centers” is part of the inner methodology of the Sufi way. Purification of the elementary passionate nature (tazkiyat an-nafs), cleansing the spiritual heart (tazkiyat al-qalb), becoming a receptacle of divine love (ishq), illumination of the spirit (tajjali ar-ruh), emptying egocentric drives (taqliyyat as-sirr) and remembering the divine attributes, often through repetition of the Divine names, (dhikr) are a process by which the dervish is said to reach a certain type of “completion” in the opening of the last two faculties, khafi and akhfa. Different Sufi orders have associated the lata’if with various locations on the body.

The Naqshbandi order places the five centers in the chest. The heart or qalb is on the left side of the body. The spirit, ruh, is in the corresponding position on the right side of the chest. The subtle center known as secret, or sirr, is on the same side as the heart, but above the breast. Hidden (khafi) is on the right above the breast. Most hidden (akhfa) is in the middle of his chest, between the heart and spirit. Shaykhs of the Naqshbandi order guide the salik (spiritual traveler) in enlightening the lata’if one by one. This is accomplished primarily through muraqabah (meditation). While sitting, the student makes an intention (niyah) to pay attention to a particular subtle center. He or she focuses first on the heart (qalb), then, in sequence, the other lata’if: spirit, secret, hidden, and most hidden (ruh, sirr, khafi, and akhfa). When these are fully enlightened, the student pays attention to the lata’if associated with the world of creation (‘alam’i khalq). Out of the five stations of the Heart, there are four that are related to Creation and the fifth one that is related to the Creator (Allah). 
The first four stations have a special relation to sound while the last station has a special relation with silence. Heart centers are also associated with different prophets in Sufi’s tradition: Adam, Noah, Abraham & Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.

Of the subtle centers connected with the world of creation, only the self or nafs is regarded as corresponding to a particular point on the human body. Its location is in the middle of the forehead. It is the first of the lata’if of ‘lam’i khalq that the student refines, for it is considered the sum total of all the others. After concentrating on the self for some time, the student is guided next to focus on the four gross elements of which the body is constituted – air, fire, water, and earth (bad, nar, ma’, and khak). When these are infused with light, every pore of the body becomes illuminated.

Sefirot in Kabbalah

Kabbalah offers a map of creation, from the first intention down to the swirling mass of matter, which we now understand as the basis of quantum physics. We’ll use the central symbol of Kabbalah, the Tree of Life, as a source of meditation to help us better understand different aspects of ourselves. The Sefirot are ten attributes through which Divine manifests itself. One may say that the Sefirot have two basic functions, one as lights that serve to reveal and express, and another as vessels that define the light so that specific qualities are manifest. By understanding Sefirot interrelationships, we can relate to the process of the Creation and the operation of the universe.The Tree of the Sefirot is considered the link between heaven and earth. The head of Kether is rooted in Ein Sof, the Divine nature of the Creator. Because of this Kether is incomprehensible and indescribable, it is called “the most hidden of all hidden things.” At the moment of manifestation, the Will of the absolute is signified by a dimensionless point of light, coming out of the veil of non-existence. A Crown is the kabbalistic symbol to describe that dimensionless point between manifest and unmanifest. Such a crown is hollow and through its center passes everything that is to come into being – everything that was, is and will be.

1- Kether- crown
2- Chohmah- wisdom
3- Binah- (intellectual) understanding
4- Chesed- loving-kindness
5- Geburah- healthy discernment
6- Tipereht- beauty & harmony
7- Netzach- endurance
8- Hod- gratitude
9- Yesod- foundation
10- Malchut- physical reality

Chakras in Ancient Greece

Did the ancient Greeks have any notions of the chakras or any chakra system? The answer is yes. Classical Greek ideas about the chakras are contained in the writings of Plato, and alluded to in the teachings of Pythagoras and in the Hermetic traditions. The clearest Greek ideas on the chakras come from Plato, who writes about them in his dialogue Timaeus. Plato considered the chakras to be subtle organs that the soul, or psyche uses to relate to the physical body. According to Plato’s philosophy, the soul has three basic parts, or levels of expression:

Nous or Logos – This is the highest part or level of soul expression, which Plato called the psyche, or immortal soul. Its attributes are reason, wisdom and spiritual insight. It finds expression through the Crown and Brow centers.

Thymos – This is the middle level of soul expression, or what Plato called the mortal soul. Its basic attributes are passion, fight and drive. It finds expression through the middle three chakras: the Throat, Heart and Gastric centers.

Epithymia – This is the level of desire and instinct, and is the lowest level of soul expression. It is also concerned with basic survival needs and appetites, and finds expression through the two lowest chakras: the Generative and Root centers.

Obvious parallels can be drawn between Plato’s three levels of soul expression and the three Gunas of yogic philosophy, as well as the ego, id and superego of Freudian psychology.

The Greco-Roman Chakras

The Crown Center, Greek: Koruphe, Latin: Vertex

Plato said that humans stand upright because the divine consciousness incarnate in their brains is naturally attracted to the heavens, and to God. The Sanskrit name for this chakra is Sahasrara, or the Thousand Petaled Lotus.

The Brow Center, Greek: Enkephalos, Latin: Cerebrum
This center Plato considered to be the seat of the psyche, or immortal soul, which the Romans called the genios or anima. In Homeric times, the heart was considered to be the seat of the soul or consciousness in man, but by Plato’s and Hippocrates’ day, the head or brain was seen as the seat of the soul and rational mind. The Sanskrit name for this chakra, Ajna, means, “Command Center”.

The Throat Center, Greek: Trachelos, Latin: Collum 

Plato called this chakra the isthmus or boundary between the psyche, or immortal soul, and the mortal soul, or thymos. The Sanskrit name for this chakra, Vishuddha, means, “With Purity”.

The Heart Center, Greek: Phrenes, Latin: Cor

This chakra contains the thymos, which Plato identified as the higher part of the mortal soul. This thymos is also the essence of the Vital Faculty, the heart and lungs, which concerns pneuma, the Breath or Spirit.The Sanskrit name for this chakra, Anahata, means, “unstruck”, referring to the spiritual sounds and music heard here.

The Gastric Center, or Solar Plexus, Greek: Gaster, Latin: Abdomen
Located in the solar plexus, between the diaphragm and the navel, the Gastric Center is the seat of the lower part of the mortal soul, or what Plato called the Appetitive Soul. It’s also the seat of personal power, ambition and drive. The Sanskrit name for this chakra, Manipura, means, “Jewel City”, since it sparkles with the fire of a million jewels.

The Generative Center, Greek: Gonades, Latin: Genitalia

This is the center of the Generative Faculty and procreative function. Plato says that in this center is made “the bonds of life which unite the Soul with the Body.” The Sanskrit name for this chakra is Swaddhisthana, or, “One’s Own Dwelling”.

The Root Center, Greek: Hieron Osteon, Latin: Os Sacrum

The Greek and Latin names for this center mean, “sacred bone”, since it was believed that the sacral bone was the center of the whole skeleton, and that the whole body could be regenerated from this bone. This center is the seat of consciousness in its most primitive form, which is our basic survival instincts, or a clinging on to life. The Sanskrit name for this center, Muladhara, means, “Root Support”, since, energetically, this chakra supports all the others.

There are many other types of energy systems, like ancient Sumerian, Mayan, Gorinto in Japan, Stupas in Tibet, ancient Egyptian and others, all possibly having the same source. Some Tibetan and other energy systems relate chakras to the elements: earth, water, fire, air or wind and ether or space element.

It’s interesting to note that the subtle energy systems are in most cases based on circular or spherical concepts, teach oneness, and lead to understanding how the universe functions and awakening. We are unique individuals, which require a personalized approach to self-developmentWhat really happens when a teacher initiates the chakras? Depending on a teacher, the initiations are done in silence by use of teacher’s inner abilities. You need to find a teacher who is available to support you in reaching your full potential, as each chakra is associated with the development of a certain quality or virtue, which takes time. Initiating or as some call it activating the chakras does not make one automatically progress spiritually. Chakras activation is not the main goal. While it increases one’s potential, it doesn’t make one successful with a magic wand. Beyond differences on the locality and modalities of energy centers, what is far more important is sincere application and consistent practice once a particular school is adhered to.

At DivineYu at first we bring awareness of the basic seven chakras from an energy perspective, in Reiki 1 and the Opening of the Chakras seminars. Over 30 million people worldwide practice yoga today, and are familiar with the notion of chakras. DivineYu methods for chakras opening are based on years of research in the energy field and ancient scriptures. We advise our students to map their life situations on a scale one to ten, such as their health, relationships, career, prosperity, feelings of peace, awareness and other parameters before the chakra opening classes, and revisit the grid every two months, while practicing and communicating with their teacher.

“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.”~ Nikola Tesla