The Human Life-Energy System
Below is a simple diagram of the human chakra system, the spinning vortexes by which we take in and give off life force energy. It's through the chakras that we sustain life itself.
In a healthy energy system, all the chakras are balanced and strong. Energy flows freely, clear of blocks. Excess, deficient, or blocked energy in our chakras can actually result in physical sensations. In the case of butterflies in our stomach when we're nervous, we're actually feeling a disruption in the third chakra, known as the center for 'flight or fight'. Ever described yourself as so happy you thought your heart would burst? That's your fourth chakra, known as the 'heart center', expanding with the flood of positive energy you're feeling! Ever feel choked up and unable to talk? That's your fifth chakra known as the 'center for communication' being blocked, actually affecting your vocal chords.
You might find it interesting to recall sensations of 'fullness' or 'blockages' you've experienced in each of your major chakras. By becoming familiar with chakra sensations, you will better understand and manage how you relate to yourself, others, and various life situations.
There are seven major energy centers aligned with our pineal and pituitary glands then continuing down along the area of our spine (denoted by the circles in my diagram). There are innumerable other chakras in our body. Significant chakras exist in the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet, for instance. (In Reiki I class, the new practitioner learns how to channel pure life-force energy from their hands to help heal themselves, others, and things.)
It's helpful to at least be familiar with the seven major chakra centers:
(Please allow me a personal note: The New Testament indicates that Mary Magdalene was healed of seven demons. The churches chose to teach that her demons were of a sexual nature. It's indicated nowhere that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute, and has been erroneously associated with the woman being stoned for adultery and the woman of ill repute who washed Jesus' feet. I present to you that the seven demons were the ones indicated in the chart below: Fear, guilt, shame, grief, lies, illusion and attachment ~ issues we all share. For a fascinating, unemotional, historical research on how her name became so defiled, and for some truth about who she really was, see Susan Haskin's book, 'Mary Magdalene, Myth and Metaphor', a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
