YOGA - The Human Aura and Its Chakras

The Human Aura and its Chakras

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This Booklet deals mostly with the Human Aura and its Chakras. Different authors' views

on the meaning of the major chakras, and how the Aura and Chakras are involved in

healing are presented. Healing through the Human Energy Field (i.e., the aura), is also

covered.

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AURAS

The Webster's New World Dictionary states that an aura is "an invisible emanation or

vapor" or "a particular atmosphere or quality that seems to arise from and surround a

person or thing". The word "chakra" isn't even in this dictionary! I hope that the

following information will give you a fuller understanding of these two words. Please

check the Glossary for a definition of any terms or words that you may be unfamiliar

with.

Although you may read about auras and chakras and think them to be two separate

objects or manifestations, chakras are a component of an aura and each interpenetrates

the other. Chakras are the means through which a physical body communicates with its

aura and vice-versa. For you are not a physical body with an aura surrounding you rather,

your aura and physical body are one unit that together make up only a small portion of

the greater you.

If one thinks of the universe as being a living, energetic and conscious realm, then auras

are the domain of this consciousness and lie in dimensions not usually accessible to us.

By being impenetrable to our normal physical senses, they cannot be scientifically

"proven" to exist. However, recent advances in science, in medicine, and in psychology

have been such that there is much more acceptance of the mind-body relationship in

disease. Perhaps the time is soon coming when society at large can recognize the

credibility, sincerity, and veracity of clairvoyants who "see" in a different manner. In

quantum physics we have discovered that the human observer can affect the observed,

and consequently the outcome of the experiment. Is it too much of a leap to postulate that

human consciousness, or one's spiritual field or aura, can affect matter?

To better understand ourselves and the interactions between our mind (emotions) and our

body, we need to look at the whole person. The higher dimensions (or fields) of

consciousness must then be included. Although we speak of levels or dimensions being

"lower" or "higher", the terms are used only to differentiate amongst them. All

dimensions co-exist within the same space. They are not separate at all and influence and

interact with each other. Dora van Gelder Kunz, in her book The Personal Aura explains

this interaction as being "achieved in somewhat the same way that the unique sound of a

musical chord is created by combining different tones, each of which can be

distinguished by a trained ear. The experience of listening to music is the best analogy I

can think of, because the differences between the subtle fields are essentially harmonic in

nature. Each dimension of consciousness has its range of frequencies, and plays a

particular part in the total orchestration of a human being."

There are as many explanations of the Human Aura and the Chakra System as there are

books on the subject. The following descriptions of the chakras have been taken from a

variety of sources. As in all searches for the truth, please make your own judgements as

to the validity of the material presented.

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CHAKRAS

The word chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel. It is a wheel-like spinning vortex that

interpenetrates the physical body, with the outer ends of each vortex forming a specific

layer of the auric field. The whirling circular motion forms a cavity or vacuum in the

center that draws in anything it encounters on its particular vibrational level. It is then

processed and returned to the auric field. The major chakras of the human body are the

seven chakras that are aligned along the spinal column. Secondary chakras of importance

are located in the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and at major joints in the arms

and legs.

For the people of antiquity - Egyptians, Chinese, Hindus, Greeks, Romans, and

aboriginals of many lands - the chakras were an integrated part of daily lives. As these

ancient civilizations were conquered, vast libraries of knowledge were destroyed. Only a

few remnants of their information on the chakra system have survived - either through the

preservation of ancient texts by sacred priesthoods, or orally from generation to

generation, as in the traditions of many aboriginal peoples.

In any study of the anatomy of the aura it is important to understand the significance of

the chakra system. The chakras exist on all levels of the aura and serve as linking

mechanisms between the auric field and the physical body as well as linking mechanisms

between the different levels of the auric field itself.

It is usually believed that the three lower chakras correlate to basic primary needs - those

of survival, procreation, and will - whereas the four higher chakras are concerned with

our psychological makeup -defining love, communication, and knowledge, and

connection with the spiritual realms.

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The Seven Major Chakras

First Chakra We must balance this chakra before moving on to the others. Otherwise our growth will

be without roots, i.e., ungrounded

Other Names: Root, base, muladhara, Kundalini (Sanskrit)

Situated: base of spine and the pubic bone (but encompasses genitals and reproductive

organs)

Colour: red

Element: Earth

Area of consciousness: physical body

This includes all physical sensations, such as pain, sensuality, pleasure and power. Also,

our survival (as an individual and as a planet), our need for world peace and

environmental balance.

Key Words: stability, solidity, unity and form.

Physical organ association: gonads, also the glomus coccygeum or coccygeal body,

adrenal gland, the kindeys and the spinal column

Relationship: to the solid part of the body, especially the bones

Importance: location of the kundalini

Attributes: athletic, cares about survival, sensuality, pleasure and power

Governs: perception of the physical world, willpower, motivation and intent

Second Chakra Here we encounter change, for without change we cannot grow.

Other Names: Sacral, sexual, svadhisthana (Sanskrit)

Situated: behind and just below the navel

Colour: orange

Element: Water

Area of consciousness: emotional

Change in that we now moving beyond our understanding of ourselves and realize the

awareness of others - desire arises and with it our emotions and sexuality.

Key Words: difference, separation, change, duality, and movement

Physical organ association: spleen ( Peyer's Patches) as well as the kidneys and bladder

Relationship: corresponds to the liquid part of the body - circulation, urinary elimination,

and sexual body fluids.

Governs: feelings of sexuality, and creativity

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Third Chakra Transformation to a new state occurs through this chakra's basic dynamic energy and our

ability to find a balance between extremes.

Other Names: Solar Plexus, manipura (Sanskrit)

Situated:solar plexus, in the V formed by the ribcage, above the navel

Colour: yellow

Element: Fire

Area of consciousness: mental or intellectual body

This includes thoughts, opinions and judgements.

Key Words: combustion, fire, energy, action, power, and will

Physical organ association: adrenal glands, pancreas, liver, stomach, as well as the

nervous system and the bladder.

Relationship: responsible for the regulation and distribution of metabolic energy

throughout the body, as in digestion.

Governs: emotional issues and issues of personal power

Fourth Chakra The task of this chakra is to integrate and balance the realms of spirit and mind with our

physical body (matter).

Other Names: Heart, anahata (Sanskrit)

Situated: midway between shoulder blades (over the sternum)

Colour: Green

Element: Air

Area of Consciousness: astral body

This is the first level beyond 3-dimensional matter. Here we have the bridge between the

dimensions of matter and the dimensions of spirit. Although we may refer to the "lower

chakras" as being concerned with mankind, and the "upper chakras" as being concerned

with spirituality and God, each chakra is no less important than the other. For instance,

the first chakra has a number of frequencies (all within the Red vibration), ranging from

very low to very high. The goal is to rise above a chakra's lower frequencies into its

higher ones.

Key Words: love, compassion, balance

Physical organ association: thymus gland (immune system), and the heart, blood,

circulatory system, immune system, and the endocrine system.

Relationship: to the heart - to love as a state of being.

Governs: love, compassion, and unconditional acceptance for others

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Fifth Chakra Here we have the realm of consciousness where communication occurs, whether that be

within ourselves or to and from another

Other Names: Throat, visuddha (Sanskrit)

Situated: throat area

Colour: blue

Element: Sound

Area of consciousness: etheric body

This etheric body is the template for the physical body, and represents our potential for

perfection.

Key Words: sound, vibration, communication, and self-expression

Physical organ association: thyroid and parathyroid glands, lungs, vocal cords, and

bronchial apparatus.

Relationship: the throat area where sound is created

Governs: communication, expression of thoughts and feelings

Sixth Chakra The essence and function of this chakra is to "see" in the sense that we accept that

complete vision will include both darkness and light.

Other Names: Third Eye, Brow, ajna (Sanskrit)

Situated: centre of head, behind forehead

Colour: indigo

Element: Light

Area of consciousness: celestial body

It is here that we have "sixth sight", or the ability to "see" by way of clairvoyance. We

use this chakra for visualization, receiving insight or inspiration.

Key Words: intuition, imagination and clairvoyance

Physical organ association: pineal (although some believe it is the pituitary gland)

Relationship: the storehouse and viewing screen of all visual input from our two physical

eyes and our "third eye" (the etheric organ of psychic perception).

Governs: spirituality and the search for meaning in life, intuition, visualization

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Seventh Chakra This chakra represents our belief systems, both conscious and unconscious.

Other Names: Crown, sahasrara (Sanskrit)

Situated:top of head

Colour: white (some believe violet)

Element: Thought

Area of Consciousness: ketheric body

This chakra is associated with the spiritual realm. Here is where we merge with God, the

All That Is.

Key Words: enlightenment, knowing and cosmic consciousness

Physical organ association: pituitary gland (although some believe it is the pineal gland)

Relationship: not of the material world but as a gateway to worlds beyond

Governs: our connection to the concept of "God" or a higher intelligence

Secondary Chakras

Rosalyn L. Bruyere writes in her book Wheels of Light that there are 122 smaller

secondary chakras. These have the same characteristics as the major seven chakras,

although they are much smaller. They are located primarily wherever there is a joint in

the body. She further states that it is the connective tissue [Webster's New World

Dictionary defines connective tissue as "tissue found throughout the body, serving to bind

together and support other tissues and organs; it is made up of various kinds of fibrals

(small fibers) contained in a matrix of intercellular material] that is primarily responsible

for carrying electromagnetic energy in our bodies.

Unfortunately we often tend to ignore the lower portion of our bodies, i.e., we are not

grounded. As much of our connective tissue is in our legs and buttocks, the result is that

our internal organs suffer from this lack of incoming energy.

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Glossary

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Allopathic - Refers to contemporary medical approaches (conventional medicine) which

utilize drug therapy, surgery, etc to provide symptom relief.

Astral - This is the layer of the aura or frequency band located just beyond the etheric.

The astral body is affected by emotionality, thus astral energy is often emotionally-

linked. It is to be noted that there are lower, middle and higher astral planes. It is to the

lower plane that we travel in our dreams and project ourselves during "astral travel". To

the clairvoyant, this field appears to extend fifteen to 18 inches beyond the physical body.

It looks like an ovide, luminous cloud of ever changing colours and patterns. The texture

is flexible, often described as fluidic, with a clearly defined periphery (although the

material dissipates imperceptibly into the surrounding auric field).

Aura - An energy field that interpenetrates with and radiates out beyond the physical

body. It is made up of different energy vibrations or frequencies. These, in turn, make up

the physical, etheric, astral, mental, causal, and higher spiritual aspects of the

multidimensional human form. The trained healer "sees", within the aura, indications as

to the spiritual, mental, physical and emotional state of the patient.

Causal - This is the layer of the aura or frequency band located just beyond the mental

level. It is termed "causal" because, according to esotericism, it carries the Self's (Soul or

Spirit) fundamental intentionality to be, and this is the ultimate cause of our existence.

Seen clairvoyantly, the causal body is pale and ethereal, with iridescent colours like those

of a soap bubble. At this level, the Self is not constrained by the usual limits of time and

space and causality, but is able to experience the universality of life and to perceive

meanings and interrelationships which are normally not available to us. This level does

not disintegrate after the death of the physical body as the astral and mental bodies

eventually do. It persists from life to life.

Chakra - A Sanskrit word meaning "wheel". In additional to seven or 8 major chakras

associated with the human body, there are many more secondary chakras that also play a

lesser role. The main function of each chakra seems to be as a step-down transformer for

the higher frequency subtle energies of the aura. These energies are converted into

chemical, hormonal, and cellular changes in the physical body.

Channeling - The phenomenon whereby an individual allows a higher level of

consciousness (higher self, guardian angel, angelic being, etc.), to come through them,

often verbally, as in trance channeling (Edgar Cayce, Seth, Emmanual, etc.), or as

thoughts and messages received internally or through automatic writing, etc.

Chi - Also spelt Ch'i, Qi or Ki, it refers to the nutritive subtle energy that surrounds us,

that enters our physical body through breathing, and flows through the body along the

acupuncture meridians.

Clairaudience - The psychic ability of hearing at higher vibrational levels. It is mediated

through the use of the throat chakra.

Clairvoyance - The psychic ability of seeing higher subtle-energy patterns, i.e. the ability

to see the aura with its colours, thought-forms, shape, etc. It is mediated through the use

of the brow (third-eye) chakra.

Energy Blockage - A general term referring to the interruption of the natural flow of

subtle energy through the human (or animal) energetic system, often due to abnormal

function in one or more of the chakras.

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Etheric - This is the layer of the aura or frequency band located just beyond the physical.

Its most important function is the transfer of subtle energy from the universal field to the

individual field, and thence to the physical body. It acts as a connecting link between the

physical body and the emotional (astral) and mental bodies (fields), and furnishes the

basic pattern according to which the physical body is built. To the clairvoyant, the etheric

body looks like a luminous web of fine bright lines of force which, in a healthy person,

stand out at right angles to the surface of the skin. Its colour is usually blue-gray to violet-

gray and it shimmers like heat waves above the earth on hot days. It extends two to 3

inches beyond the boundary of the physical body.

Holistic - A synergistic approach which deals with the combined physical, mental,

emotional, and spiritual aspects of human health and illness.

Kundalini - The creative energy of spiritual illumination which is stored as potential

energy within the root or base chakra. When properly released, it causes activation and

alignment of all the major chakras of the body.

Mantra - A word or sound which, when repeated to oneself during meditation, helps one

to achieve a deeper meditative state of consciousness.

Mental - This is the layer of the aura or frequency band located just beyond the astral

level, but interpenetrates both the lower astral and etheric bodies (levels). It is the mental

dimension that is in constant interplay with the other aspects of the personality

throughout life, and its energy permeates every experience, even when we are not

engaged in intellectual pursuits or even consciously thinking. It is ovoid in shape like the

astral, but it is considerably larger and less dense. Its colours and quality are good

indicators of the individual's interests and mental powers, whether latent or active, for

sometimes the capacities we are born with do not mature during life. The mental body

extends about 3 feet beyond the periphery of the physical body.

Meridian - A microtubular channel that carries a nutritive subtle energy (chi) to the

various organs, nerves, and blood vessels of the body.

Miasm - An energetic state which predisposes the organism to future illness, often due to

the subtle effects of a particular toxic agent or noxious micro-organism. Miasms may be

acquired or inherited.

Nadis - The thread-like subtle paths of energy flow from the chakras to the various

regions of the physical body. Unlike meridians, which have physical components, nadis

are non-physical.

Prana - An ancient Hindu or yogic term that refers to the nutritive subtle-energy taken in

during breathing. Also referred to as chi or ki.

Quantum Physics - That branch of science which studies the energetic characteristics of

matter at the subatomic level.

Spiritual Healing - A form of healing that is mainly associated with the physical and

etheric levels. However, the emotional (astral), mental and higher spiritual levels do also

play a part in the healing process.

Subconscious - That part of the personality which dwells below the surface of waking

consciousness and which controls automatic human functions. It is subliminally affected

by all information taken in by our senses, and is conditioned or programmed by rewards,

punishments, and messages (such as positive or negative affirmations) that subtly affect

our internal belief system of our worthiness and self-esteem.

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Subtle Body - A term referring to any of the subtle-energy bodies which exist in the

higher frequency octaves beyond the physical, i.e., the etheric, the astral, mental and

causal bodies.

Subtle Energy - A general term that denotes energy that exists outside our physical reality

(often referred to as electromagnetic energy), and thus is not bound by the physical laws.

This energy moves at speeds greater than the speed of light.

Superconscious - That part of the higher soul structure, of which we are not usually

conscious, that nevertheless makes up part of our personality. It is here that we possess

our higher wisdom.

Thought-form - Strong thoughts or emotions produce a manifestation that has an actual

energy structure that can be seen clairvoyantly in the auric field.

Vibration - Refers to subtle or electromagnetic energy in varying frequencies and

amplitudes.