Hi all, this is something that happened upon my mind several times, but I have always forgotten to ask it.
There are many on this forum that believe in the existence of the Chakras. I was wondering what the basis for believing in them was; I know that there is mention of them in the Upanishad Vedas, though they are normally translated as "rotating wheel", or some such in English; they also appear in New Age essays and treatises, but this does not say much, as they are not always 100% reliable.
I am fairly certain of the metaphysical nature of OBE, however I was wondering if anyone has any personal or empirical reason for believing in the Chakral system. I am certainly not saying they do not exist, but rather that I don't really have enough information to have an opinion. Instances such as, "I began thinking about Chakras and my life changed" must be taken in stride, as in such cases it is difficult to isolate the possible activity of Chakras from some mental resolution to change one's life for oneself. On the other hand, I leave open the possibility of useful anecdotal evidence.
Let me just mention that this is not a trial, my belief system is something entirely separate and non-dependent on minor issues, which is just to say this is a matter of curiosity for me.
Thank you!
I've read accounts of "reliable sources" clairvoyantly observing the chakras (Charles W. Leadbeater, Robert Bruce), so I do believe they exist... But I have not yet experienced anything that would prove their existence...
I can't really provide an interesting answer, but I am working hard towards developing a clairvoyant ability... Hopefully one of these (days/months/years), I will be able to see the world in all its splendor and draw everything I see... Until then, all I can do is read :p
I'm not a 'believer' in chakras (or much else) but once I was meditating with my husband, we were sitting crosslegged face to face in the dark, and I was guiding the meditation (chakra visualization; it wasn't using tactile imaging that time) and when I was done I opened my eyes, and lo-and-behold- for a moment I could see the spots where chakras are (forehead and chest, mainly) have a soft glow in colors. This only lasted a moment, but enough for me to think that this was experienced by someone else before. So now I give the idea more credence. And no, he didn't see anything.
Could it be suggestion? Sure. But it was cool.
I suggest that anyone with a partner try this to see if someone else can replicate this. This could be a fun project.
QuoteI've read accounts of "reliable sources" clairvoyantly observing the chakras (Charles W. Leadbeater, Robert Bruce), so I do believe they exist... But I have not yet experienced anything that would prove their existence...
I can't really provide an interesting answer, but I am working hard towards developing a clairvoyant ability... Hopefully one of these (days/months/years), I will be able to see the world in all its splendor and draw everything I see... Until then, all I can do is read :p
Yes, I think I have also read articles to the same effect, but the thing to remember, as it seems you do, is that during clairvoyant exercises, some of what is seen is invoked subjectively by the individual. Thanks!
QuoteI'm not a 'believer' in chakras (or much else) but once I was meditating with my husband, we were sitting crosslegged face to face in the dark, and I was guiding the meditation (chakra visualization; it wasn't using tactile imaging that time) and when I was done I opened my eyes, and lo-and-behold- for a moment I could see the spots where chakras are (forehead and chest, mainly) have a soft glow in colors. This only lasted a moment, but enough for me to think that this was experienced by someone else before. So now I give the idea more credence. And no, he didn't see anything.
Could it be suggestion? Sure. But it was cool.
That is an interesting little episode, particularly told first-person. Indeed, it is difficult to separate suggestion from the event, but I suppose the premise of the topic is a bit difficult to test. Thanks!
I don't know of the historic origins of the chakra system, but I see striking similarities between it and other systems such as the Kabala. Both systems have nodes and paths (the kabala can be mapped to the body i.e. the middle pillar) and both map the macro and the micro to each node. The chakra system in the west seems to be moving away from these associations into more of a meditative object.
It seems that such systems map the psyche to specific abstract ideas (nodes), mapping the cosmos to such nodes too and drawing associations between them.
I see this as a tool for spiritual advancement because when the associations between the chakras/nodes and the underlying psychological/physiological is strong enough, working on the chakra system as a visualisation would actually effect change to the associated systems. The mind works well with abstract concepts, and visualisation of energy cleansing and charging chakras would have the intended positive effect on associated part so of the mind and body etc.
In this respect, I see the chakra system as a belief system which one can reinforce to work more easily with areas of the human psych/body on an abstract level, rather than an innate structure in all life.
As alluded to above, it seems the western ideas of chakras in the mainstream are simply chakras being energy nodes without the underlying associations taking place – this will render the system weak at best. Belief might derive some benefits from it, but it's the belief rather than the system doing the work.
I think this may be the most likely explanation, and that if there are physical or metaphysical effects, they are the result of belief affecting some truly present structure or mechanism.
QuoteI don't know of the historic origins of the chakra system, but I see striking similarities between it and other systems such as the Kabala.
I am not sure what this Kabala is, but I know the Jewish Kaballah has mention of something like Chakras, so maybe this is what you mean.
I have also heard that the Chakras have a 1 to 1 correspondence to endocrine (horomone) glands, so maybe there is also a connection here, whatever cause-effect direction or otherwise.
Quote from: Stillwater on January 09, 2007, 22:07:11
I am not sure what this Kabala is, but I know the Jewish Kaballah has mention of something like Chakras, so maybe this is what you mean.
The spell checker respelt Kaballah for me and i didn't notice :p. I do mean the jewish mystical system. If you look at such exercises as this:
http://www.davedavies.com/splanet/magic3.htm
It shows a direct mapping of the tree of life to the body. Very similar to the idea behind the chakra system.
I can clairvoyantly see chakras on sitters in readings .There are usually 8 or more in the spinal chakral column . There are 7 on an unaware basal human . Chakras are first referred to in the Hindu esoteric writings called the Vedas and the Upanishads which become the basis of Buddhism and an important source for Taoism also .
Off the top of my head , and I may stand corrected on this point these ancient documents derived in mystic visions list 5 energy centres instead of 7 . Imho , the human slowly evolves and the number of the chakras is one measurement of this development .
Chakras are referenced as the 7 lampstands in the Kaballahistic Tree of Life in Exodus of the Bible and occur in many books of the NT and OT . Imho , they are a universally held esoteric truth accepted by Christian , Jewish , Islamic , Buddhic , Hindu , Taoist Scholars and by new age metaphysicists . RB does not actually see chakras but he does feel the energy centres and aptly described the newly manifested 8th chakra as 4 vortices of energy beneath the red chakra in the genitalia in a recent book of his called MAP. I see this chakra as rose coloured .