A look at Chakras and Chi EnergyWe need to look at the concepts of both Chakras and Chi, before we get into discussions of the different kinds of meditation. Both of these terms crop up in many forms of meditations, Chi more commonly than Chakras, within the context of Martial arts, so it is important to have at least a basic idea of what they mean, as we will be referring to them when we talk about the different types of meditations. So let's have a quick discussion about each - we will start with Chi. Chi - often spelled as Ch'i, also called Qi or Ki This is considered - in the Eastern systems - to be a form of energy that exists in all of us. It can move, or be moved, around from one area of the body to another, and if the Chi is low, then the energy feelings of the body will also be low. One of the best modern comparisons is seen in all of the immensely popular 'Star Wars' movies. Time and time again, in these movies, they talk about "THE FORCE" ....... 'May the Force be with you'.....'Go with the Force, Luke !'...and so on. I think that from these movies you get a very strong idea of what they are talking about - a kind of inner power or energy - that they call 'The Force' - that can be made stronger by training - that has the power to move objects, give incredible internal strength and stability, and resist the influence of evil. This is a very good example of what is meant by Chi in Eastern philosophies, and forms an important part of many of the various martial arts. We can even see that in the names of many of these martial arts - for example;- QI Gong, AiKIdo,and so on. This concept of Chi was probably first started by one of the most famous of the old Chinese leaders, called Huang Di, or more commonly 'The Yellow Emperor.' He is also credited with being the main collector and organiser of most of the knowledge that became to be known as Chinese Traditional Medicine. Much of which is used in the same form today. Thus he was a very important figure in Chinese history, and he reigned around 2500 B.C. There seems to be some confusion and disagreement among various meditation and martial art schools as to the exact nature of Chi - ------ some authorities say that Chi exist as a force separate from matter. ------ others say that Chi arises from matter. ------ and others say that matter arises from Chi.
From the point of view of this website, I don't think that it is important. It is rather like the age old question - 'Which came first, the chicken or the egg ?'..... it is not really important or with any relevance to our studies about meditation. All we need to be concerned about is that there may be a form of energy in the body, that we may not fully understand, that we may be able to influence, especially by being involved in meditation and/or martial arts.
As we shall see in the later sections about various different kinds of meditation, many of them use the idea of Chi as an important part of their teaching. It will become clearer to you when you get to those sections.
Now we need to look at the next important idea, which is that of Chakras
This idea was first developed in Hinduism and some other Asian cultures. The concept of chakras is that there are certain main centres, or areas of focus of energy, within the human body. This idea has been adopted by many of the more New Age movements, and has been used extensively in different forms of meditation, both new and old. In most of the Eastern traditional systems, a list of 7 chakras are given, but a few systems use only 5 or 6, or even up to 8 chakras. The chakras are supposedly aligned in a rising column from the base of the spine, to the top of the head. There is also a link between the idea of the chakras and the main connection points of some of the Meridians, or lines of force or energy, as used in traditional Accupuncture. Similarly, these chakras are also supposedly connected to the system of the various Endocrine Glands in the body, which control the production of all of our hormones. Certainly the chakras and the endocrine glands share approximately the same locations in our bodies, and they also seem to share the same roles in the way that our bodies function. Each chakra is associated with a particular color in the Eastern systems, and each chakra is also always represented as a lotus flower - with a certain number of petals for each one. This whole idea of the chakras was first mentioned in one of the earliest sacred set of books of the Hindus, called the Upanishads, which were thought to have been written probably about 2500 - 3000 years ago. So it is not a new idea !
One more thing that we should mention is as follows;- According to some forms of Yoga, and some other similar systems, the potential energy that is given to each of us at birth (and supposedly is linked to the energy unleashed at creation), lies coiled like a snake at the base of the spine....the so-called Kundalini energy. This coiled Kundalini energy supposedly can be stimulated or aroused through meditation, and then will travel upwards through the chakras - until "Union with God" is reached when the Kundalini reaches the highest one, just above the crown of the head.
Let's consider each chakra in turn. Each one is associated with a particular colour - which will be relevant when we get talking about colour meditations later. Also, each one is associated with a particular endocrine gland, and with a particular emotional energy. We will start with the 1st or 'base' or 'root' chakra, and go up through the others in turn.
The Chakras
1. The Root or Base chakra, also known as Muladhara, is located in the region between the genitals and the anus. It is related to instinct, security, survival and also to the basic human potential. The gland that it is related to is the Adrenal gland (which actually is higher inside the abomen) - this gland secretes Adrenaline - which is the main hormone involved with survival, for example used in the 'fight or fight reaction.' It is represented as a lotus with 4 petals, and its associated color is red, or coral red. It is also connected with the concept of Earth.
2. The Sacral chakra, known as Svadhisthana, is located behind the junction of the pubic bones, deep in the pelvis. It is related to base emotion, sexuality and creativity. It is therefore related to the testicles or the ovaries, the glands that produce the sex hormones involved with reproduction, and which can also cause sudden and severe mood swings (for example as in PMS). Represented as a lotus with 6 petals, its color is orange, and its association is with water.
3. The Solar Plexus chakra, known as Manipura, is located where its name suggests. It is related to mental functioning, power, control, career and freedom to be oneself. Related to the Pancreas and the outer layers of the Adrenal gland, both of which are closely involved in the hormones and enzymes needed for digestion. Represented as a 10 petalled lotus, its color is yellow, and the associaton is with fire.
4. The Heart chakra, known as Anahata, is located in the centre of the chest at the level of the heart. Related to higher emotion, compassion, love, equilibrium and well being. The gland that it relates to is the Thymus, which is involved in the immune system, and can be harmfully affected by stress. Shown as a lotus with 12 petals, its color is green and its associated element is air.
5. The Throat chakra, or Visuddha, is located in the throat at the level of the thyroid gland - to which it is related. The thyroid gland produces hormones that are responsible for growth and maturation among other things. This chakra is similarly related to communication and growth, and also to growth as a form of expression. This time a lotus with 16 petals, its color is azure blue, and its element is life and sound.
6. The Third Eye chakra, or Ajna, is located just above the junction of the eyebrows in the centre of the forehead. It is related to time and awareness and of light. Related to the pineal gland, which secretes the hormone Melatonin, that regulates sleep/awake cycles. (Some authorities believe that the 6th and 7th chakras should have their glands exchanged...the pineal and the pituitary gland) Shown as a lotus with only 2 petals, its color is indigo, and its elements are time and light.
7. The Crown chakra, or Sahasrara, is actually located outside the body, just above the crown of the head. It is related to consciousness and connection with the divine. Its role is like that of the pituitary gland, which secretes hormones that control and regulate all the other glands, and connects to the central nervous system through the hypothalamus. As befits the Master of the chakras, it is shown as a lotus with 1000 petals, its color is white or violet, and it element is space and thought. It is sometimes also thought to 'take on' the color of whatever chakra is dominant at the time.
This is called the Tant'ien or sometimes Dantian
It also has other names for the same thing - in Arabic it is called the Kath, in Japanese the Hara (which also means belly). Basically it is similar to the ideas expressed with the chakras - it is an energy 'centre' from which energy can be moved by using meditation. However there is only the one centre -which also is roughly the actual 'centre of gravity' of the body. It is traditionally located 3 fingers width below and then 2 fingers width inside the belly, behind and below the navel. In Chi Gung (or Qi gung), and in a form of Aikido called Ki Aikido, and a Japanese form called Yogo - it is used as the central point from which one can 'summon' energy and then direct it in the way that you want...either internally or externally. We will come across this later with the specific types of meditation that use this model.
So now we have completed all the basic information that you need to have before being able to understand what I am talking about with the different kinds of meditation, and we can begin to move on to the 'real meat' of the website...Rah ! Rah !!
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