ORIGINS OF CHAKRAS
Naturally, what we know comes from the earliest writings we have that mention the chakras
The word chakra is derived from the ancient Indian language, Sanskrit word, “chakram” which means wheel or circle
I’ll only consider the history as it relates to how the word chakras and what the chakras represent have been used in Tantric Yoga. Tantric meaning a system, practice or theory
There are other meanings of the word, “chakram”, that relate to religion and politics. Should you be interested enough and look up “chakram”, you may be confused as the chakram (a throwing weapon) comes from the Sanskrit word “cakram” – a Sanskrit word with a similar spelling to “chakram”, but with a very different meaning!
Enough! On with the history of the chakras. . .
The concept of the chakras first appears in the Vedas which comprise many writings from the Indian subcontinent which have been dated between 1700 – 1100 BCE
As I’d already mention, the chakras were associated with Tantric Yoga
The writings show that the number of chakras was not fixed and variations with five, six, seven, nine, ten, twelve, twenty-one or more were practiced
The version often used in the West, has seven or eight chakras and this appears to have its origins commencing from early 20th Century translations of certain Sanskrit writings into English
Since then other books have been written linking the chakras to specific mantras, colours, glands, angels and minerals
WHAT EXACTLY ARE CHAKRAS
The early writings link the chakras to energy centers located at major branches of the nervous system
The chakras were considered degrees of consciousness that reflected states of the soul
In the Tantric Yoga and other practices that work with chakras in India, the chakras are usually visualized as spinning wheels with lotus petals at the edges
Most of these practices work with certain ancient deities which at a minimum include: Ganesh, Brahmā, Vishnu, Rudra, Īśvara, Sadāśiva, and Bhairava
The work to be done when undertaking these practices was to cause the release the Kundalini (the energy unleased at the time of creation) from its sleeping place at the base of the spine and to have the Kundalini rise upwards and pass through each chakra until it reached the divine
THE CHAKRAS TODAY
Sacred Mindz is building on the tradition and practice of creating free-flowing energies within your chakras by creating a beautiful set of eight chakra grids for you to work with
Sacred Mindz chakra grids provide an easy way for you to select the chakra or chakras for which you wish to improve the energy flow and health of the chakras
Sacred Mindz chakra grids have been enhanced with the Flower of Life design on one side and on the other side, gives details of the areas of the body, Archangels and crystals that will help you get the most when energizing and working with your chakras
By using the Flower of Life, Sacred Mindz has created a chakra on which you can place your crystals on at key points to enhance the energy levels and help you achieve the results you desire during your meditations and visualizations
You can visit Sacred Mindz shop here to find out more and to buy these wonderful chakra grids
Written with kindness as a guest blog for Sacred Mindz
JustinKynde with kindwordz