CHAKRAS AND THE TREE OF LIFE

Part 1 -  

WHAT IS A CHAKRA?

In our quest for a better understanding of the nature of reality, it is important to try to see how humanity fits into the grand picture. How do we relate to this universe of energy? How does the human condition interface with the rest of reality? In this section we'll attempt to answer these questions by looking at two different yet related ancient schools of thought, the Tantra and the Qabala. Both of these schools of thought have things to say about how each human individual is connected to the rest of the vibratory universe, and how consciousness manifests into reality. They also speak, in their own ways, about the process of enlightenment, or the process of healing.

Many cultural traditions view the human body as consisting of both gross and subtle manifestations of energy; many cultures, including the Hopi and the Chinese, see the body in terms of a hierarchy of 'levels' of energy. In the ancient Hebrew traditions, these levels of energy appear in the Qabala as the Tree of Life. In the Tantric philosophy these levels have become known as the chakra system.

As part of the yogic philosophy, which is based on the ancient Vedas and Tantras, the chakra system is enjoying renewed interest in today's modern era. Many of the recent alternative healing methodologies that are emerging are based on a good understanding of this ancient knowledge. Healers are increasingly recognizing that no pathology or diagnosis can be complete without an understanding of the ways in which the human body interacts with the energies in the cosmos, and with consciousness. Studying the workings of the chakra system can provide such an understanding. There are many useful books, under-standable to the lay person, about the science of chakras: 'Anatomy of the Spirit', by Caroline Myss, 'The Book of Chakra Healing', by Liz Simpson and 'Way of Chakras', by Caroline Shola Arewa. Although I recommend any of these books, my favourite is 'Wheels of Life' by Anodea Judith.

Although there are several takes on this type of information, with some minor conflicting points, the model that I will present here seems to be emerging as the dominant. Before we get into this model, lets take some time to try to formulate a definition of a chakra and to get a rough idea as to how they work. As with most of the information in this chapter, that is not the easiest thing to do, as we are dealing with a non-physical phenomenon that is difficult to explain and to envision. The idea that they do in fact exist, however, is becoming more and more accepted. Modern technology has been able to detect them and to accord with descriptions given by those who have encountered them psychically. Developed in the 1980s by Robert Dratch, a 'holographic spectrum analyzer' is a machine that can detect and read a body's radiant frequencies with precision.

The word 'chakra' is Sanskrit, meaning 'wheel'. In this context it has come to represent a spinning wheel or vortex, a point on the human body that interfaces with different frequencies of cosmic energy. As previously mentioned, the universe consists of an enormous range of frequencies of energy vibration (Energy is the same as information). Each of us humans can interact with only a limited number of these frequencies, with a more enlightened individual being able to access more frequencies than one who is less enlightened. Chakras are points on the body at which these interactions can take place. They 'step down' or 'filter' the totality of information, allowing only that which our awareness can handle at this level of experience. If a typical human, a Player in the third realm, was exposed to the total information of reality, it would be completely overwhelming and would cause a type of 'circuit meltdown'. The chakras allow access to only that amount of energy/information that the individual can handle. The process of enlightenment involves the removing of blockages and an incremental opening, so that more and more information can be accessed. More on this later. 

Next month's essay will be on the subtle, non-physical bodies.