Subtle Energy & The Chakra System

This blog entry will focus on the chakra system – an Eastern approach to organizing the subtle energy of the body. The concept of “subtle energy” in itself may seem foreign and abstract, and is often best explained experientially. I invite you to read this blog with curiosity and see if you can find links to where you witness energy and your chakra system in your daily life.

One way to sense your energy is by thinking about a time where something made your heart “swell” with pride or joy. The ineffable, but undoubtedly present sensation that your heart fills with is exactly the energy that this article will be discussing. The subtle energy present in our bodies can be organized into 7 main “energy centers”, called chakras.

“Like feelings or ideas, [chakras] cannot be held like a physical object, yet they have a strong effect upon the body as they express the embodiment of spiritual energy on the physical plane… Just as the emotions can and do affect our breathing, heart rate, and metabolism, the activities in the various chakras influence our glandular processes, body shape, chronic physical ailments, thoughts, and behavior” – Anodea Judith

All seven chakras work together to receive and process the different energies that we encounter throughout our lives. Each chakra has a primary function – for example, the throat chakra is typically associated with self-expression. Every chakra also correlates with a major endocrine gland and a nerve plexus in the body. The chakras are represented through symbols, pictures, and even different sounds throughout Eastern traditions (see the image below for the placement and color for each chakra).

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Why are chakras important?

You can think of attending to your chakras as a way to “check in” with different aspects of your mind and body. Ideally, energy is balanced evenly throughout all seven chakras of the body, although it is possible for energy to temporarily concentrate at specific chakras based on certain external events. An example of shifting energy between chakras is if someone is unable to feel safety in their environment. They may compensate by finding security in living in their imagination, instead. In this case, energy has shifted from the root chakra up toward the third eye chakras. When too much or too little energy is distributed at a particular chakra, the chakra is considered to be “excessive” or “deficient,” respectively. Imbalance in a particular chakra, if long-term, can lead to mental or physical disease. Oftentimes, one can find relief from these ailments by restoring balance to the affected chakras.

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Can I feel my chakras?

Chances are that you’ve probably already had an awareness of at least one of your chakras. For example, have you ever felt something well up in your throat when you have tried to hold back tears? If so, you’ve experienced an excessive amount of energy in the throat chakra. Oftentimes, our bodies self-regulate and balance our chakras on their own (I would imagine that, after venting to a friend or having a good cry, your throat went back to “normal”). With dedicated attention over time, you can learn to sense your chakras more frequently and learn how to balance them intentionally.

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What can I do to stay balanced?

There are many ways to work with the chakras (exercise, meditation, art, and therapy, to name a few…). The specific method used to balance your energy depends on which chakra you are working on. Each article in this series will discuss the physical and psychological components of a different chakra, and will provide balancing techniques for you to try out. I suggest experimenting with different approaches until you find what resonates with you, and of course, I welcome any questions or comments that you may have about the chakra system and its relation to psychotherapy.

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Stay tuned for the following posts:

  • Chakra One: Root (Safety)
  • Chakra Two: Sacral (Feeling)
  • Chakra Three: Solar Plexus (Will)
  • Chakra Four: Heart (Love)
  • Chakra Five: Throat (Communication)
  • Chakra Six: Third Eye (Awareness/Intuition)
  • Chakra Seven: Crown (Spirituality/Connection)

 

 

 

emotions as signals

Emotions As Signals

Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. ~Author Unknown

We are under a lot of pressure to navigate and control our emotions. We are told to express our emotions fully, but also to focus on the positive. But what happens when we are feeling our emotions fully, but they are “negative”? With these mixed messages, it’s no wonder that people cover up or run away from their feelings.

The truth is, we are never going to get rid of sadness, or hurt, or anger. But we can change the way that we approach those emotions when they – inevitably – come up. Pema Chodron, a Buddhist teacher and author, writes:

Feelings like disappointment, embarrassment, irritation, resentment, anger, jealousy, and fear, instead of being bad news, are actually very clear moments that teach us where it is that we’re holding back. They teach us to perk up and lean in when we feel we’d rather collapse and back away. They’re like messengers that show us, with terrifying clarity, exactly where we’re stuck. This very moment is the perfect teacher, and, lucky for us, it’s with us wherever we are.

There’s a basic procedure for harnessing the power of our emotions:

  1. The first step is to learn how to identify your emotions. Where and how do they live in your body? What behaviors or actions do you take when a particular emotion comes up for you?
  2. Once you have identified them, approach your emotions as an opportunity for learning. What is the message or “call to action” that they are trying to communicate to you? You can channel the emotion, which may not necessarily be pleasant, into something that brings you a sense of fulfillment. Staying present to an emotion, though certainly uncomfortable at times, is often what is needed to help it fade away.

Here are a couple of common “negative” emotions, and suggestions for how to interpret their signals, and how to use them as an opportunity for growth:

  • Anger is an uncomfortable emotion for many people – particularly because we live in a society that links anger with stories of fear and violence. Next time anger comes up for you, instead of pushing it down, try to stay present in the anger, but try interpreting the “call” that anger brings as a simple signal to you that one of your boundaries has been crossed. Perhaps someone did something that didn’t align with your values, or you overextended yourself and now are feeling resentful.
  • Often, guilt can be a signal from your body to let you know that you have not lived up to one of your own standards. According to Anodea Judith, guilt “allows us to examine our behavior before, during or after our actions.” When you notice guilt arise in your body, view it as an opportunity to identify which of your standards have been violated. You may find that you are holding yourself to an unrealistic expectation and, once you realize that, you can simply allow the guilt to fade away. You may also face the hard truth that you did make some sort of mistake, and can then take appropriate action to make amends.
  • Sadness, though uncomfortable, is often present to let us know that there is something to be learned from the outcome of a certain situation. Perhaps you have experienced a rupture in one of your relationships, or something didn’t go the way you expected. Try to identify the “dream” behind the sadness – what were you aiming for, and what is important to you? Identifying the values that are motivating your sadness can help you clarify, and eventually move in the direction of, your goals.

Remember that the process of interpreting your emotions is not always enjoyable – you may come face to face with sensations and truths that you have been avoiding. If at any point you feel overwhelmed, or are not sure what to do next, you can always consult a therapist who can help guide you through your process.

When you are willing to embrace the entire spectrum of your emotions, you will be on the path to lead a richer, fuller and more meaningful life.