Reiki and Chakras

 If you’ve been around any Bodyworkers, Massage Therapists, or other Holistic Health therapists you may have heard words that sounded somewhat unfamiliar to you.  As you know, each profession has its own language and those in Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) are no different. Words like Astral Flight, Etheric Energy fields, Chakras, Auras, Meridians, the Human Energy Field, or even the statement that someone needs to have their Chakras balanced, are often sprinkled throughout a conversation between holistic health practitioners.

You may also have been in a discussion where a CAM (Complementary & Alternative Medicine) practitioner specifically mentions Auras and Chakras. Energy Healers believe that, in addition to our physical anatomy with its various systems, there is present a subtle unseen anatomy surrounding our body.  This subtle anatomy encompasses our Aura, a constantly moving configuration of luminous colors, and the Chakras, the major centers of vital energy.  You may also have heard the word Chakra used more often so let’s discuss it.  You may ask what they are. Do they really exist?  What do they look like?  Where are they located? What is their purpose? How are they used?  Who uses them and where are mine?

The Charkas

Chakras are considered to be the seven major energy centers of the subtle body.  It is said that they were described and mapped out on the body thousands of years ago. They are often described as gray silver dollar size wheels of spinning energy located in the midline of the body, or to be more specific along the sides of the spinal column.  It is also believe there are openings in both the front and back of the Chakra which allow access for entry of the Universal Life Energy. It is also believed there are additional other smaller energy centers located throughout the body which help in maintaining the flow of energy.  The major energy centers start at the base of the spine and move upward to the top of the head. Or, you may hear that they start at the top of the head and move downward to the base of the spine.  Regardless of the starting point, there are seven (7) major energy centers in everyone’s body at all times which when aligned and opened in a spiritually developed individual, these Chakras will pulsate, glow and allow a great amount of energy to flow through them.

It is with the Reiki treatment that Chakras are opened and purified for revitalization to occur.  The Reiki energy when applied to a Chakra opens it to the flow of the Universal Life Force Energy.  Each Chakra has an assigned color, a musical note, sound or vibration, an endocrine gland or organ and specific issues. You may have heard the expression “so and so has such a heavy heart”.  A CAM practitioner would interpret that statement as the Heart Chakra is blocked by some issue or event and needs to be opened for the energy to again flow.

Chakras and Their Locations

The first Chakra, also called the Base or Root Chakra, is located in the coccygeal area in men and between the ovaries in Women. The 2nd Chakra, or the Sacral or Sexual Chakra is positioned just below the navel or belly button.  The Solar Plexus or 3rd energy center is positioned just above the navel, while the 4th or Heart Chakra is located at the level of the Heart.

Continuing upward on the body would bring you to the 5th or throat Chakra, which is concerned with communication. You may have heard of someone unable to get an issue off his or her chest.  This would then mean that the individual had a blockage in the 5th Energy Center and is possibly uncomfortable in communicating their true feelings about an issue or situation.

The 6th Chakra, located in the middle of the forehead just above the brow line, is often referred to as “the mind’s eye”, which means a person’s Third eye which is intuitive in nature and extra-sensory in perception.  The Final or 7th Chakra is located on the top of the head; a very interesting location especially if you were to discuss the Reiki Healing hand positions with someone from a totally different or primitive culture. You might be surprised to hear that some cultures believe that no one is allowed to touch the top of the head of a child, because that is where his or her soul is located. Any disturbance to this area could cause the loss of the soul, which would then require the services of a Shaman to perform a soul retrieval ceremony.

Additional Characteristics of Chakras

The lower three Charkas, the Base, Sacral, and Solar Plexus, are considered to be masculine in nature and the remaining four Chakras are interpreted as Feminine.  In addition, the first and second Chakra – the Root and Sacral Chakras - are considered to be Physical in nature whereas the 3rd, 4th and 5th Chakra – the Solar Plexus, the Heart and the Throat - are Emotional Chakras.  The remaining two Chakras, the 6th and the 7th, are identified as the Spiritual Chakras.

If you were to add the concept of an Aura, the right side of the body would be considered as the Physical Charkas, the Spiritual Chakras would be over the head, and the Emotional side of an aura would be on or over the left side of the body.

Balanced Chakras

Balance is the major goal of a Reiki Treatment, and when all seven Chakras are balanced and in alignment and harmony, an individual would exhibit positive thoughts or outward actions resulting from the free flow of energy throughout his body.  These comments or thoughts could consist of the following:

Now that you know the locations of the Chakras, what about those other associated characteristics mentioned – the glands, the body parts, the body organs, the colors, the musical notes, the Planets, the metals. Read the article entitled “Chakra’s Influence on Health and Well-being” to find out more.