The Seven Chakras
In an earlier chapter I referred to the two aspects of the kundalini, an outer aspect, which is essentially the whole of creation, and an inner aspect which is the one referred to when talking about a kundalini arousal or awakening. The kundalini is often associated with the chakras or centres within the individual and initially lying dormant at the base centre but when awakened passing up through and stimulating the other six centres. In this chapter I want to take a closer look at the centres themselves.
As a person evolves in consciousness, there is a subtle and gradual shift in perception from an instinctual awareness through to divine awareness. This change in awareness can be seen to move through seven stages, each corresponding to a centre within the etheric counterpart of our physical body known as the vital body. As our spiritual awareness increases each of the centres found within the vital body gradually unfolds.
Each centre is associated with a gland within the endocrine system, and each gland in turn controls one of the seven major areas of the physical body. The endocrine system is responsible for the correct functioning of the entire organism and produces both physiological and psychological effects. I will also discuss the planetary energies associated with these different energy systems within the person. These associations are given in Table 5.1.
Energy within a person is distributed by four means:
1. The etheric vehicle governed by the Moon veiling Vulcan. This underlies the physical body of a person. The seven centres are found within the etheric vehicle and are the focal points of reception and distribution of seven types of energy. The etheric vehicle is the mediating point between the physical and spiritual aspects of a person and their respective energies.
2. The nervous system is the outer expression of the network of energies and forces of the etheric body. It is ruled by Venus.
3. The endocrine system is governed by Saturn and is the exoteric expression of the vital body and its seven centres.
| Crown centre | Pineal gland |
| Ajna centre | Pituitary gland |
| Throat centre | Thyroid gland |
| Heart centre | Thymus gland |
| Solar plexus centre | Pancreas |
| Sacral centre | The gonads |
| Base centre | Adrenal glands |
4. The blood stream is governed by Neptune and carries the life principle and the combined energies and forces of the etheric body and the nervous and endocrine systems.
Together these four systems form one integrated whole. They are the manifestation of the four aspects of matter; fire, earth, air and water. Each of these four systems is essentially dual in nature corresponding to the ray of the soul and the personality. Each has a positive and a negative aspect combining matter as the static negative quality and Spirit as the fluid positive quality that substands it. Eventually these will reach a perfect synthesis in the perfected person, when the soul has been 'initiated' into physical plane existence and represents the appearance of the fifth kingdom of nature, the Kingdom of God on Earth. The third initiation can therefore be looked at as a dual initiation, the realisation by a person of his Soul and the realisation by the Soul of the art of functioning as a human being.
The Seven Major Centres
Discussing the seven centres I will look at their full potential, a potential that blossoms as the centre becomes increasingly active and energised by an awakened kundalini. In addition the five lower centres will also be looked at in relation to 'speech,' as the kundalini is considered in Hindu philosophy as the 'Goddess of speech,' as well as their rulership over one of the five senses.
The word OM created, and continues, the manifested universe. At a deep level of meditation the sound of OM can be heard. It is referred to in the Bible with "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made" (The Gospel According to John, vs.1-3). Essentially every word or sound has power and it is believed that in the ancient Sanskrit language the words have meaning according to the object or idea represented. The power of words can be seen in the ancient mantras which when repeated over and over, accompanied by meditation on their meaning, invokes the deity of the mantra and consequently produce the desired effect. The Gayatri is considered the most powerful mantra of all and invokes the spiritual Light behind the sun. Its repetition can stimulate the higher intellect and ultimately lead to spiritual fulfilment.
Each centre controls one of the five senses:
| Throat centre | Hearing |
| Heart centre | Touch |
| Solar plexus centre | Sight |
| Sacral centre | Taste |
| Base centre | Smell |
In order to function within the physical realm we have our five senses. All of these operate regardless through which centres our awareness is predominantly functioning. Each of the five lower centres controls one of these five senses and the level of awareness of the sense increases according to our own level of awareness.
Centre
Ray
Gland
Organ
Exoteric Planet
Esoteric Planet
Crown
1
Pineal
Brain
Pluto
Vulcan
Brow
5
Pituitary
Eyes, ears, nose
Venus
Venus
Throat
3
Thyroid
Vocal cords, lungs
Earth
Saturn
Heart
2
Thymus
Heart
Sun
Jupiter
Solar Plexus
6
Pancreas
Stomach, liver, gall bladder
Mars
Neptune
Sacral
7
Gonads, ovaries
Reproductive systems
Uranus
Uranus
Base
1
Adrenals
Spinal column
Pluto
Pluto
Table 5.1 Centres and their Relationship to Ray, Gland, Organ. Exoteric Planet and Esoteric Planet
Note: In EH p.151 it is stated that for disciples the head centre is ruled by Uranus, the ajna centre by Mercury
and the throat centre by Saturn.
Shakti Kundalini -- the Goddess of Speech
An individual mantra can also be given to a person by the guru that will
be appropriate to the 'note' of the particular person, repetition of which greatly assists spiritual growth. It
is like being given a key to unlock the doors to increased spiritual awareness.
Speech relates to communication and understanding and the power behind the word or any form of communication is
Shakti or Kundalini. Conscious awareness is equivalent to the level of unfoldment of one's chakras. This is more
easily understood if awareness is seen as a characteristic of consciousness expanding to higher levels of understanding,
the highest level being that characterised by the Divine Mind.
The Base Centre -- Muladhara Chakra
Found at the very base of the spine this centre supports all the other centres. It is controlled by the will-to-be in incarnation and directs the life principle in matter and form. It is roused into activity at the third initiation by an act of the will of the enlightened initiate. When this happens the will of cosmic consciousness in the crown centre activates the will-to-be of the base centre arousing the spiritual energy, the kundalini, which until now has lain relatively dormant, so that it can pass through the prepared centres in the etheric body to meet in spiritual union. The positive and negative aspects of creation merge in divine union and the purpose of creation is fulfilled within a person. These centres have been gradually prepared by the life and energy which, through time, has been unfolding the centres of the evolving person.
According to Bailey (1993, p.182) the base centre is therefore where spirit and matter, the duality of manifested divinity, meet, and life is related to form. The kundalini at this centre has slowly been transformed from the serpent of matter to the serpent of wisdom and ultimately into the 'dragon of living light.' All of this takes place while nurtured by the life and energy coming down through the etheric equivalent of the spinal cord. Along with this downpouring is a simultaneous uprising life. Together they produce a gradual awakening of the centres according to the ray types increasing man's consciousness according to his needs and the service of the Hierarchy and Humanity.
The sense of smell is controlled by the base centre. Smell is very important for recognising the aroma of food, whether it is the appreciation of good food or knowing that something is off. At the instinctual level the sense of smell can assist the sex impulse.
Talking with no conscious awareness of any power in the words simply
to communicate ideas, thoughts, motives and desires is representative of speech at the level of the base centre.
Speech not only refers to what is said but also to how it is said. The tone of voice can be expressive of a whole
range of emotions both in the giving and in the receiving. Silence and control of speech, on the other hand, can
be the reflection of a power greater than one's own.
The most highly refined expression of any of the senses is that of intuition.
The Sacral Centre -- Svadhisthana Chakra
The sacral centre corresponds to the physical sun. It controls the sex life and the generative processes. It is related to conception and form building, whether a human being, an idea, an organisation or higher. It is the centre through which the forces of Impersonality will eventually express themselves and the problem of dualism be solved. Thus the link with the throat centre through which a higher creation is achieved (Bailey, 1993, p176-7).
There is a flow of energy between the spleen, the sacral centre and the centre at the base of the spine. This triangle of force is connected with creation, vitality and form building within matter. The higher correspondence of this triangle is between the pituitary body, the throat centre, and the pineal gland (Bailey, 1993, p.177).
The sacral centre and the ajna centre together, create a functioning duality productive of the personality. It has as its physical externalisation the gonads.
The sacral centre represents an increased refinement in speech coupled with a greater awareness. For example, we may talk of divine mind which although we may not understand exactly what it means we do know it represents a level of awareness far different to that of human mind. It would not be accurate to refer to a prayer as a mantra or even to assume that the love of a child for its mother is the same as that of the devotee for his guru. Somehow the language needs to be penetrated to some extent to understand the deeper meaning. This requires a degree of intuitive perception, a listening within for the meaning behind the words, that is of a higher level than gained from ordinary speech.
How often have we found that when we try to communicate our beliefs to another it is met with criticism or hostility due to a misunderstanding? How can we communicate our beliefs or ideals to another completely when the means of communicating this understanding is mere words, relying on the other person's understanding for interpretation. If someone asks you "Do you believe in God" and your reply is "Yes," what understanding has actually been communicated? There comes a point when communication needs to go beyond the actual words spoken or at least one needs to be aware of the inability of words to communicate completely what is being said.
The sense of taste is controlled by the sacral centre. Besides taste in relation to food and drink there is also taste in the sense of a discrimination in our dress, manners, appreciation of art and so on.
The Solar Plexus Centre -- Manipura Chakra
For humanity as a whole this is the most active centre. It is particularly related to the heart and ajna centres. There is a downflow of energy to the heart from the soul via the ajna centre. This is facilitated by the advanced development of the solar plexus. At the same time there is an evocation of the heart centre in the head.
For the average person it is the predominant centre in the personality and is his connection with the astral body. A person needs to learn to control his desires and transmute them into aspiration.
The centres below the diaphragm are related to the personality and have little to do with initiation. The solar plexus is the clearing house for all the energies below the diaphragm.
The solar plexus is the important centre through which the average person lives most of the time conditioned by his desires and ambitions. It is also the centre through which most mediums and clairvoyants work. When mediums and clairvoyants are eventually polarised in the ajna centre, then they will have clear perception rather than clairvoyance.
The continual disturbance going on in the area below the diaphragm is the major cause of stomach and liver complaints. Transference of energy from one centre to another puts strain on the physical body and the organs related to the centres which leads to many of the ills affecting disciples.
In the solar plexus centre the level of speech takes on more of the colour of one's needs. One may compulsively criticise, compulsively demand attention, and gratification of one's needs. This centre represents language born of the unconscious mind. Our unconscious needs and desires are often expressed in our words. This is the level at which the majority of people operate and is reflected in the counselling approaches that attempt to explore these unconscious drives. Psychoanalysis relies on the power of words to reveal the unconscious processes, particularly through free association of words or dream analysis.
The solar plexus controls the sense of sight. With our increasing awareness there is a difference between "looking" and "seeing." To what extent does the mind interpret our visual impressions, and to what extent are we influenced by our emotions?
The Heart Centre -- Anahata Chakra
The heart centre comes into more complete activity after the second initiation. It corresponds to the "heart of the sun," the spiritual source of light and love. Hierarchical energy is distributed via the soul through the heart centre enabling humanity to be regenerated and a closer contact to be achieved between the Hierarchy and Humanity.
A fully opened heart centre enables a person to think with the heart rather than to feel with the heart. This happens when the desires of the solar plexus centre are transmuted into love through highly developed mental faculties.
As soul and personality are integrated then personality consciousness is replaced by soul and group consciousness allowing the inflow of hierarchical energy.
As the heart centre becomes more and more active the aspirant experiences two expansions of consciousness which can be seen as events. Firstly, he is accepted as a disciple of one of the Masters. He joins with the Master's ashram due to the increasing alignment with his own soul and there is also a contact with the Master who is the heart centre of his 'ashram.' Secondly, increasing alignment with his soul draws him into more service for humanity. Eventually he will also become the heart centre of a group or organisation.
The heart centre involves one with the meaning of words, the definition of words such as consciousness and spirituality requiring an ability which is severely limited without direct experience. The real meaning of the words cannot be limited, only our understanding of them.
A refinement of our senses leads to the expression of speech through poetry or sometimes prophetic poetry. In cases of spiritual emergence or kundalini arousal the individual often finds an automatic desire to express the heightened awareness through poetry on the splendours of creation and divinity. Here the sound is of the heart and through the refined senses.
The highest expression of word power is the mantra, the sound of which purifies the mind and one's immediate environment. This area of influence expands with time as the mantra is repeated. Eventually a point is reached where the mantra's power becomes self-generating and waves of joy and peace engulf the aspirant along with a great surge of energy. Feelings of devotion and surrender to divinity are experienced. The heart centre is one's temple to divinity and it is here that this communion with the divine takes place. If the ego is allowed to gain control the loving feelings subside.
The heart centre controls the sense of touch, but also has a special relationship to air. At this level, touch is particularly associated with a kind of feeling, not to be mistaken with feeling as an emotion which is more indicative of the solar plexus. Touch is more in line with the effect one has on another without the need for any return -- a spontaneous action from the heart.
The Throat Centre -- Vishuddha Chakra
This centre is related to the mind or mental aspect of a person and is very powerful and well developed in the average person. Astrologically it is ruled by Saturn. It is related to the thyroid gland.
The throat centre is related to the first initiation and is highly active once the individual has passed through the initiation and is on the path of probation as a spiritual aspirant.
The creative energy of the third ray of active intelligence now has the throat centre as its primary focus whereas, before, its focus was in the sacral centre. After the third initiation the focus of the third ray will be the ajna centre.
The throat centre is related to the personality by the creative thread, to the soul by the thread of consciousness and to the Monad by the sutratma or life thread. Once man's creative life is centred in the throat then the first stages of the building of the antahkarana are possible. Now the intelligence aspect of humanity begins to focus creatively through the throat centre. The throat centre is the organ of the creative WORD registering the intention or creative purpose of the soul.
When one's awareness has reached the throat centre perception beyond words is achieved. This may be indicated as a 'knowing of the heart' or simply a 'knowing.' Someone who speaks from the heart may use words but there is an added dimension to what is being communicated. The receiver of the communication might likewise hear words but be aware of the deeper meaning also.
When one's awareness is largely from this centre, others may be receptive to the sound of your voice as their natural form of knowing. Even the movements of your hands and other gestures will instil in others an awareness of strength and energy.
Before a full realisation of the creative energy (kundalini) is possible, it is necessary to give up all worldly desires, to shift one's focus from the solar plexus to the heart and the ajna centre. When one's gaze is fully on divinity then all karma has been burnt up. At this point it is impossible to put into everyday speech the realisation one has from this level of awareness, thus the misinterpretation made by people of the timeless truths written in all the sacred scriptures.
Spiritual experience is beyond the mind and beyond the control of the aspirant even though there may be stimulation of the senses and accompanied background noises in the mind. There may also be psychic experiences, yet these are still of the mind. The spiritual experiences are an encouragement to go on and create enthusiasm to do so, they are not an end in themselves, cannot be repeated at will, and should be approached with surrender and humility. These experiences are not yet of the kundalini, they are indicative of times when the habit of mechanical thinking, habitual responses and reactions has momentarily ceased.
Hearing is controlled by the throat centre. At the level of this centrem, hearing would reach the awareness of the cosmic sound AUM, the peak of experience of this sense. The difficulty we have in truly hearing is the interference of our own thoughts. There is a real skill in really hearing what another has to say without distorting it with judgement, our own experiences, self-defence and self-justification. Listening to the still small voice within, is also dependent on our ability to quieten the mind.
The Ajna Centre -- Ajna Chakra
The ajna centre is located in the forehead slightly above and between the eyebrows. It corresponds to the physical sun and is the expression of the integrated personality, fully functioning at the time of the third initiation. It is the true persona or mask. Astrological rulerships given to the ajna centre are Mercury or Venus.
The ajna centre distributes the energy of the third aspect of divinity, that of active intelligence, and is related to Spiritual Love, or Buddhi, and is the eye of the Son or soul and related to ray 2, love-wisdom.
Through its relation to the personality by the creative thread of life, it is closely connected with the throat centre which is the centre of creative activity. Together, the active interplay of the ajna and throat centres produces a creative life expressing the divine idea. The ajna centre focuses the intention to create, whereas the throat centre is the organ of creation. It also fuses these creative energies with the true love of the heart. This produces the highest manifestation of "fire by friction," the kundalini fire. Whereas the head centre relates the Monad and the personality, the ajna centre relates the spiritual triad (Atma-Buddhi-Manas, or spiritual will, intuition, and higher mind) to the personality.
The ajna centre is referred to as the eye of the soul. When the crown centre, ajna centre and alta major are operating together then one is able to see with the 'eye of the soul.' When all three eyes are "seeing" together the initiate has insight into divine purpose, the disciple has intuitive vision of the plan, while the Master has a spiritual direction of the resulting creative activity. The physical externalisation of the ajna centre is the pituitary gland.
The Head Centre -- Sahasrara Chakra
The head centre is located at the top of the head and is often known as the crown centre. Other names for it are the thousand-petalled lotus or the Brahma-randhra. Astrologically, rulerships given to the head centre are Uranus (Bailey, 1993, p.151), Vulcan and Pluto depending on the point of conscious evolution one has attained. It is the highest centre and is related to spiritual will or the atma. It is the eye of the Father or Monad and is related to ray 1, will and power. It functions after the third initiation distributing monadic energy and the will aspect of divinity and corresponds to the central spiritual sun.
The head centre is related to the triple personality by the antahkarana, which is fully operational after the fourth initiation when the causal body, the vehicle of the soul, has been disintegrated, and the atma is consciously embodied in form. It is dynamic in quality registering purpose. It corresponds to the 'electric fire' aspect of the kundalini.
The pineal gland is the physical externalisation of the head centre, which is active during infancy while the will-to-be is established and again towards the end of man's evolution when the will energy of established Being reaches accomplishment.
Between the third and fourth initiations it synthesises the three aspects of manifested life, i.e., the spiritual triad, the threefold egoic lotus and the triple personality.
Copyright © Charles Attfield, 1999 - 2002