Stop existing and start thriving: Chakras as your life map

A chakra with 24 spokes finds pride of place in the centre of India's national flag. Also called the Ashok Chakra due to its appearance on a number of edicts of Emperor Ashoka the Great, it is meant to symbolise constant movement and progress - that there is life in progress and death in stagnation. But how much do we know about the chakra system of ancient India, which is also gaining popularity around the world, and seems to convey this very same timeless message?

The chakra system is a major contribution of yogic and meditative traditions, that originates in ancient Indian literature, particularly the Vedas and Tantric texts originating in ancient Indian spiritual texts and practices. These chakras are defined as energy centers within our subtle body, which influence our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

To understand what chakras really are, you need to first understand what our subtle body is. Essentially, the subtle body is understood as the non-material aspects of our being – energetic, mental, emotional and spiritual.

The Vedantic philosophies divide our being existence into five layers. You may consider it the answer to ‘who am I’ in its totality! The layers are as follows:

·       Annamaya Kosha (physical body of flesh, bones, organs)

·       Pranamaya Kosha (energy body that controls our vital processes like breathing, circulation and digestion)

·       Manomaya Kosha (mental body that is the seat of emotions)

·       Vijnanamaya Kosha (correlates with intellect, intuition and wisdom)

·       Anandamaya Kosha (Soul, atman or true self, your eternal, unchanging essence beyond time, space and causation)

Now the subtle body comprises of the three middle layers – Pranamaya, Manomaya and Vijnanamaya Koshas. Apart from this, the subtle body also comprises the following:

1)       Nadis: Energy channels that distribute life force energy. There are said to be 72,000 nadis, with three primary ones:

·       Ida (cooling, left side, lunar energy).

·       Pingala (heating, right side, solar energy).

·       Sushumna (central channel, associated with spiritual awakening).

2)       Chakras: Energy centers aligned along the spine that regulate physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

3)       Prana (Life Force Energy): The vital energy that sustains life and connects the physical and subtle realms.

Logically if you make the connection, the subtle body literally lies in the centre of the physical body and the eternal soul! Therefore, it is considered the bridge between your body and spirit. Your energies flow through the nadis and chakras, thereby sustaining life. Your mind and intellect are the storehouse of impressions, thoughts and emotions, thereby influencing your behaviours and karmic activity.

This is very similar to scientific theory which asserts that the subconscious mind, which operates below our conscious awareness, comprises memories, beliefs, emotions, habits and learned patterns. Therefore, it influences our automatic responses, actions and decisions without us realizing it.

For instance, if you have had a big failure in business, you may view every next business idea with way more suspicion than required. That is because your filter works that way. People may start doubting themselves endlessly with a job loss on one end. But on the other, there are people who can overcome joblessness plus crushing debt, because they do not define themselves by their situations. Similarly, you may be inclined to think a particular community is good or bad, depending on the world view that you have grown up with.

Whether positive or negative, both Hinduism and Buddhism believe that samskaaras carry on from one life to the next, thereby influencing the circumstances, nature and experiences of the next birth. When you wonder why even twins are so different in their nature since very early in their lives, this may be a point to contemplate on.

So now coming back to the chakras, there are seven chakras in the human body that are situated along the spine, from the root to the head. The attributes of each chakra have physical, emotional and psychological implications for a person.

1. Muladhara (Root Chakra)

Location: At the base of the spine, near the tailbone.

Meaning: "Muladhara" translates to "root" or "foundation." It is associated with the most basic, grounding aspects of life.

Attributes:

Physical: Survival instincts, safety, security, and stability.

Emotional: Feelings of groundedness, stability, and connection to the physical world.

Psychological: Fear, trust, and security are linked to this chakra. A well-balanced Root chakra fosters confidence and a sense of belonging.

Color: Red

Element: Earth

Mantra: "LAM"

The Root chakra governs your connection to the Earth and your sense of security, both physically and emotionally. Blockages here can manifest as fear, insecurity, or a feeling of being disconnected from life’s basic needs.

2. Svadhisthana (Sacral Chakra)

Location: Below the navel, around the lower abdomen and pelvis.

Meaning: "Svadhisthana" translates to "one’s own place" or "sweetness." It is the center of creativity, pleasure, and sexuality.

Attributes:

Physical: Reproductive organs, sexual health, and the digestive system.

Emotional: Creativity, emotional balance, and pleasure.

Psychological: Emotional expression, sensuality, and a healthy relationship with pleasure.

Color: Orange

Element: Water

Mantra: "VAM"

This chakra is associated with your creative energy, sexual identity, and how you relate to others emotionally. Imbalances can manifest as emotional instability, sexual issues, or a lack of creativity.

3. Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra)

Location: In the upper abdomen, around the stomach area.

Meaning: "Manipura" translates to "lustrous gem," referring to its connection with the energy and light within us.

Attributes:

Physical: Digestion, metabolism, and the muscular system.

Emotional: Personal power, self-esteem, and confidence.

Psychological: The ability to assert one’s will, the inner fire of self-confidence, and strength.

Color: Yellow

Element: Fire

Mantra: "RAM"

The Solar Plexus chakra is associated with your personal power, confidence, and will. A balanced Manipura supports your ability to take charge of your life and act with authority. Blockages can lead to issues with low self-esteem, lack of confidence, and difficulty asserting oneself.

4. Anahata (Heart Chakra)

Location: In the center of the chest, near the heart.

Meaning: "Anahata" means "unstruck," symbolizing pure, unconditional love and compassion that is not tainted by external circumstances.

Attributes:

Physical: Heart, lungs, thymus gland, and circulatory system.

Emotional: Love, empathy, compassion, and forgiveness.

Psychological: The ability to form loving relationships and experience self-love.

Color: Green (sometimes pink)

Element: Air

Mantra: "YAM"

The Heart chakra is the center of love, compassion, and emotional healing. It governs how we relate to others and ourselves. Imbalances can lead to feelings of isolation, inability to give or receive love, or emotional wounds.

5. Vishuddha (Throat Chakra)

Location: At the throat, in the area of the vocal cords.

Meaning: "Vishuddha" translates to "purification," as it is the center of communication and self-expression.

Attributes:

Physical: Throat, mouth, teeth, tongue, and vocal cords.

Emotional: Communication, self-expression, and truth-telling.

Psychological: The ability to express oneself clearly, speak with authenticity, and listen deeply.

Color: Blue

Element: Ether (Space)

Mantra: "HAM"

This chakra governs communication and the ability to express oneself authentically. When balanced, it allows one to speak the truth, listen, and be heard. Blockages can result in difficulty expressing oneself, fear of speaking, or communication problems.

6. Ajna (Third Eye Chakra)

Location: Between the eyebrows, slightly above the space between the eyes.

Meaning: "Ajna" translates to "command" or "perception," often referred to as the center of intuition and inner wisdom.

Attributes:

Physical: Eyes, brain, and nervous system.

Emotional: Intuition, insight, and imagination.

Psychological: The ability to see beyond the physical world and understand deeper truths.

Color: Indigo (dark blue or purple)

Element: Light (also called the “inner light”)

Mantra: "OM"

The Third Eye chakra is linked to intuition, wisdom, and perception beyond ordinary sight. It helps in developing spiritual insight and understanding one’s true nature. Imbalances here may lead to confusion, lack of direction, or an inability to trust one’s intuition.

7. Sahasrara (Crown Chakra)

Location: At the top of the head, or slightly above it.

Meaning: "Sahasrara" translates to "thousand-petaled" and represents the connection to the divine or higher consciousness.

Attributes:

Physical: The brain, the pineal gland, and the central nervous system.

Emotional: Spirituality, connection to the divine, and transcendence.

Psychological: Consciousness, enlightenment, and self-realization.

Color: Violet or White (sometimes gold)

Element: Thought (cosmic consciousness)

Mantra: Silence (or a silent connection with the divine)

The Crown chakra is considered the center of spiritual enlightenment, unity, and self-realization. When balanced, it allows one to experience oneness with the universe, peace, and connection to the divine. A blocked or imbalanced Crown chakra can manifest as a sense of spiritual disconnection, confusion, or a lack of purpose.

Many spiritual practices, including yoga, meditation, breathwork, and energy healing, aim to clear blockages in the chakras, bringing about balance and harmony in the body, mind, and spirit.

I do wonder often, why our MBA courses would not teach this framework of human evolution, at least in conjunction with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. And I will just explain why.

If you look at Maslow’s hierarchy, it presents a person’s needs from a Western psychological perspective. On the other hand, the chakra system is a model of Eastern spiritual evolution – from earthly desires and stability to ultimate self-realization.

Maslow’s hierarchy appears to say that humans will logically follow a predictable path to the top of the pyramid. But it is true that some people may naturally be evolved towards the higher chakras or conversely stuck at the lower end of selfish desires. On the other hand, spiritual traditions assert that these chakras can be activated through a variety of techniques – physical practices, breathing exercises, meditation and visualization, affirmations and mantras, music, crystals & gemstones, diet and nutrition, energy healing practices like Reiki and even journaling & self-reflection. It could be a natural outcome of your karmic journey. There is virtually an entire ecosystem of personal growth practices to be explored.

 “Education means enabling the mind to find out that ultimate truth which emancipates us from the bondage of dust and gives us wealth not of things but of inner light, not of power but of love. It is a process of enlightenment. It is divine wealth. It helps in realization of truth,” Rabindranath Tagore

Students need not be convinced about the truth about the chakra theory or of the various techniques to balance or awaken the chakras. But they should be encouraged to explore certainly, for their personal development. In fact, it is also true that chakra balancing has found some correlation with holistic healing and certain areas of medical science, particularly in psychology, neurobiology, and energy medicine.

Just like the Indian national flag, the chakra system also encourages us to strive for constant change and progress in our life journey. Clearly, these practices should also be a part of the MBA curriculum and even part of manpower development programmes in organisations. Evolving your chakras enhances qualities such as confidence, resilience, emotional intelligence, and effective communication, which are all essential for career success. They will help you build strong interpersonal relationships, make better decisions, and stay motivated.

Balancing your energy centers allows you to remain focused, creative, and adaptive, leading to improved performance and productivity. You would be able to manage stress better, maintain emotional stability, and cultivate a sense of peace, all of which contribute to a more fulfilling and productive career. Finally, you develop a deeper sense of purpose, wisdom, and alignment with your true self, rather than sleepwalking through life.

Article authored with inputs from ChatGPT. This article is for information purposes only. The author does not claim the accuracy of the facts presented and does not intend to promote or prescribe any particular belief system or practice. Readers are encouraged to explore and interpret the content in their own capacity.