In this episode of Swami Ji, the OG we talk through the seven chakras. We will discuss where they are located and the main qualities of each. We will also learn about what the gunas are and how they play a role in the chakras.

On Episode 8 we are talking about the seven chakras and how the three gunas influence each one. To listen to the full episode, click here.

The word chakra means “wheel”.  In yoga it is believed to be a vortex of energy within the psychic body – a place where the physical, energetic, mental, intellectual and spiritual dimensions are joined.  These dimensions of being are called koshas. In ancient times these centers of energy were delineated through meditation as the points whereby the whole self is regulated. Interestingly, in our modern era medical science has found that these locations correlate with major nerve plexuses and endocrine glands, the two bodily systems that are primarily responsible for regulating the body.  There are seven major chakras within the body.

The gunas or qualities of nature. The word guna means quality and there are three qualities that exist in everything that is manifest in the universe.

1. Tamas – inertia, darkness, depression, stability, stuck

2. Rajas – movement, dynamism, action, and influenced by ego

3. Sattwa – balance and luminosity

 

Mooladhara, the “root” chakra, is located within the perineal area deep in the pelvis. The main quality that is functioning in mooladhara relates to survival in all of its manifestations: procreating, having food to eat, a roof over our heads, and dealing with our fears. One word: security.

Tamasic

• lowest sense of security

• life is lived with an ongoing sense of fear

• avoidance of situations that may increase anxiety

• hypervigilant

Rajasic

• take care of security in a direct way

• acquire not just to hoard but to secure relationships

• need for progeny

• strong element of selfishness

Sattwic

• these people are secure at all levels

• have experienced divine grace

• things fall into place as they need to

The next chakra is Swadhisthana, “one’s own abode”, and is located at the junction of the tailbone and the sacrum at the base of the spinal column.  Swadhisthana is all about desire, cravings, tastes, and how we can satiate them.

Tamasic

• extreme sadness & inability to enjoy life

• all that can be perceived are the negatives of life – sad memories & pessimism

• may be suicidal or at least need medical interventions

Rajasic

• effort, drive, optimism & flexibility as long as things going their way

• tend to be joy-seeking

• sense of humor, but can be hurtful

Sattwic

• these people are joy & see the funny side of life

• they light up a whole room just by walking in

 

Manipura, “city of jewels” is located within the lumbar spine at the level of the navel.  The qualities associated with manipura include work and personal power.

Tamasic

• inertia, lethargy, laziness, fatigue

• feeling blocked from their quality of being able to take action

• ultimate procrastinators

Rajasic

• active and courageous

• able to accomplish the normal tasks of life

• activities are still done to support the ego

Sattwic

• perform their actions for the benefit of others and the world

• instruments of divine grace

• they put the pieces of work together and grace creates all of the circumstances for manifestation

 

Anahata, the place where “unstruck sound” manifests, is located within the thoracic spine at the level of the breastbone.  It is at anahata that unconditional love unfolds, with devotion and acceptance.  

Tamasic

• emotionally isolated

• no awareness about the needs of others

• may see other’s kindness as stupid and take advantage and exploit them

Rajasic

• capable of loving and being loved

• unable to feel love for self, so always looking for someone to love them

• when love relationships waiver, they feel empty, resentful, jealous, angry

Sattwic

• this person is love

• express compassion and love in a way that other people feel it in their presence

• animosity dissipates in their presence

 

Vishuddhi, the “purification center”, is located within the cervical spine at the level of the Adam’s apple. One develops a keen sense of hearing within the mind, not the ears, hearing sat or “truth”.

Tamasic

• recluse, isolated from others

• suspicious

• verbally inept – may lead to feelings of persecution

Rajasic

• communication flows easily, good conversationalists

• they like to relate to others

• their conversation partners are often those who can further their ambitions

Sattwic

• information flows through the person from higher levels of awareness – intuition & wisdom

• communication is no longer just an intellectual exercise

• an audience recognizes a level of truth in some part of their being

 

Ajna, the “guru command center”, is located above the spinal column behind the eyebrow center. It is here that the “eye of intuition” opens. One word: Intuition.

Tamasic

• difficulty thinking & often realize it

• tamasic qualities dull ability to think clearly

• often come to the wrong conclusions

Rajasic

• intellectually competent & logical in every day matters

• still think about their own desires & ambitions & those of their family & friends

• average person in this day and age

Sattwic

• in contact with the higher mind, accessing intuition & wisdom

• behavior is based on what is right in a big picture way

• may have psychic powers, but never use them for personal gain

At the crown of the head is sahasrara, “one thousand petals”.  It is here that samadhi occurs.  This is where the ego dissolves into the transcendental state of supreme consciousness and the individual loses all sense of identity, becoming one with the universe.  Here the individual is no longer under the influence of the gunas.

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