TheChakras

Eachofthechakrashas"basicrights,""identities,"and"demons"associatedwithit.

Basicrightsaredefinedasthebasicinalienablerightassociatedwitheachchakra.Lossoftheserights
blocksthechakra.Reclaimingtheserightsisanecessarypartofhealingthechakra.

Identities:Ifourrightsremainintact,orifwehavemanagedtoreclaimthem,thenwehaveagood
chanceatembracingoursevenbasicchakraidentities,eachofwhichbuildsupontheonebelowinan
everexpandingpatternoflargersystems.

Theidentitiescanbeseenasmetaphoriclayersofclothing,aswaystocovertheessentialsoul
underneath.Itisnotaproblemtohaveclothingweneeddifferentoutfitsfordifferentoccasions.It
isaproblemifwethinktheclothingiswhoweactuallyare,andneverremoveit.

WhenwearesoimmersedintheseidentitiesthatweconfusethemwiththeunderlyingSelf,thenwe
havegottenstuckataparticularlevel.Wehaveconfusedtheclothingforthebodyitselfunwillingto
removeit,scaredtoexposethenakednessunderneath.If,ontheotherhand,wecannotidentifyatall
withalevel,thenweknowwehavesomeworktodothere.

Thechakraidentitiescanbepositiveornegative,liberatingorimprisoning.Theyaresimultaneously
realandfalse.Theyarerealinthattheyarerealparts,yettheyarefalsebecausetheyarenotthe
whole.

Demons:EachoftheChakrashaswhatIhavecometocallaspecificdemonthatinterfereswithits
healthandunderminesitsidentity.Iusetheworddemonnottodenotesomekindofevilcreature,
butasawayofnamingthecounterforcethatseeminglyopposesthenaturalactivityofthechakra.
ThereasonIsayseeminglyisthatthedemonsarisetoteachussomething.Acounterforceusually
resultsinstrengtheningwhateveritopposes.Thepresenceofthedemonkeepsthechakrafromdoing
itsjob,butthatchallengealsoforcesustobringmoreawarenesstothatjob,soeventuallywecando
itbetter.

Whenunacknowledged,thedemonskeepusfrommovingforward.Theyfixateourenergyata
particularchakralevel,shortcircuitingouractivitiesandexpression,blockingresolution.Ifwe
acknowledgethedemonandexploreitsreasonforbeingthere,wegainadeeperunderstandingof
ourselves.Toacknowledgethatwehavefear,forexample,enablesustofacethatfearand
understanditsorigins,eventuallymakingusmoreconfident.Toacknowledgegriefenableshealing,
andallowsthehearttolighten.

Reprinted for Kundalini Awakening Systems 1

From: Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith.

FirstChakra

"Ifyou'reanalivebody,noonecantellyouhowtoexperiencetheworld.Andnoonecantellyouwhat
truthis,becauseyouexperienceitforyourself.Thebodydoesnotlie."StanleyKeleman

Name:
Muladhara/Root

Element:
Earth

Purpose:
Foundation

Issues:
Roots,Grounding,Nourishment,Trust,Health,Home,

Family,Prosperity,AppropriateBoundaries

Color:
Red

Location:
BaseofSpine,CoccygealPlexus

Orientation: SelfPreservation

Archetype: EarthMother

BasicRight:
ToBeHereandHave

Tofindsolidityinthefirstchakra,wemusthaveaninstinctualsenseofourrighttobehere.
Withouttherighttobehere,fewotherrightscanbereclaimed.Dowehavetherighttotakeup
space?Dowehavetherighttoestablishindividuality?Dowehavetherighttotakecareofourselves?

Therighttobehereisourrighttoexisttherightthatisthefoundationofoursurvivalandsecurity.

Affirmations:

"Itissafeformetobehere."
"Theearthsupportsmeandmeetsmyneeds."
"Ilovemybodyandtrustitswisdom."
"Iamimmersedinabundance."
"I'mhereandI'mreal."

Identity:Ourfirstidentitylevelisknownasthephysicalidentity,anditsjobisselfpreservation.
Herewelearntoidentifywiththebodywhenmybodyishungry,Iamhungry,whenithurts,
Ihurt.Thebodycloakstheinvisiblesoul,andrevealsitsshapeandexpression.Whenwe
identifywiththebody,weidentifywiththesoul'sexpressioninphysicalform,aswellasits
physicalqualitiesofmale,female,young,old,fat,thin,healthy,orsick.

Physicalidentificationisnecessaryfordealingwiththephysicalworld.IfIdonotrealizethatI
cannotliftonehundredpoundsofpaperinacarton,Icanseriouslyhurtmyback.IfIdonotre
cognizewhenIamhungryorneedtorest,Icanseriouslycompromisemyhealthovertime.
Togowithoutthisidentityistobedissociatedfromthebodyanddisconnectedfromthe
physicalworld.

Reprinted for Kundalini Awakening Systems 1

From: Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith.

Demon:Fear

Whensurvivalisthreatened,wefeelafraid.Fearheightensourawarenessandfloodsthebody
withnaturalchemicals(suchasadrenalin)toenergizeitforaction.Fearbringsourattentioninto
thehereandnowtoaddressthethreat,butfocusestheattentionoutwardandupwardtothe
chakrasofperceptionandmentalactivity.Webecomehypervigilant,restless,anxious.We
cannotsettle,relax,orletdown.Itisasifwearejumpingrightoutofourskins.

Althoughfearisthedemonofthefirstchakra,itisalsoasacredadversary,apresencethathas
muchtoteachus.Fearexistsasanallyofselfpreservation,teachingusofourownimportance
andtheneedtotakecareofourselves.Onlywhenweacknowledgethisdemonasanallycanit
betrulymastered.

ErnestHolmes,whofoundedtheScienceofMindphilosophy,describesbothqualitiesoffearand
faithashavingsimilarqualities.Fearisabeliefthatsomethingawfulmighthappen,whilefaithis
abeliefthatsomethinggoodwillhappen.Althoughtheresultsaredifferent,thecausesarethe
samebotharebeliefsthatgovernourbehaviorandinfluencethewaywefeel.Ifwecanreplace
unreasonablefearwithreasonablefaith,thenwehaveanaturalantidotetoourfirstchakrademon.

ReclaimingtheTempleoftheBody

TheFoundationoftheTemple

Allfoundationsrestupontheearththeuniversalgroundforallthatwedo.Ourbodiesarethe
earthofourspirit,thefoundation,thehome.Toconnectwiththebodyistoconnectwiththeearth,
tobegroundedinthebiologicalrealityofexistence.

Situatedatthebaseofthespine,thefirstchakraisthefoundationfortheentirechakrasystem.
Itisherewebuildthefoundationfortheentirechakrasystem.Itisherewebuildthefoundation
forthetempleofthebodytheanchorfortheRainbowBridge.Withoutastrong,rootedfounda
tion,littleelsecanbeaccomplished.Wemusthavesoilfirmenoughtoprovidestability,yet
yieldingenoughtobepenetratedbyroots.Theanchoringofthistempledigsdeepintotheearth,
foritsSanskritname,muladhara,meansroot.

Thefoundationcontainsthetemple'senergybydefiningitsscope,edges,andboundaries.It
definesaplace,asabasiccontextofallthathappenstous.Itgivesusaground,ahome,an
anchorpointforourexperience.Thefoundationlargelydeterminestheshapeofthestructure
above,determiningwhatitcanhold,howhighitcanbuild,whatkindofstressesitcanwith
stand.Thusdamagetothischakraisreflectedineachandeverychakraabove.

Tobuildastrongfoundationistogainsolidity.Solidityallowsustobefirmandmakeboundaries.
Solidityhasconsistency,repetition,accountability.Ourbodiesarethesolidformofourexistence;
theyhavedefinableboundaries.Tobesolidistofacewhatisinfrontofuswithoutflinching,to
remainanchoredintruthinthefaceofopposition,andtoremaincalmandsecure.

Reprinted for Kundalini Awakening Systems 1

From: Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith.

SecondChakra

Loseyourmindandcometoyoursenses.FritzPerls

Name:
Svadhisthana(sweetness)

Element:
Water

Purposes:
MovementandConnection

Issues:
Movement,Sensation,Emotions,Sexuality,Desire,Need,Pleasure

Color:
Orange

Location:
Lowerabdomen,sacralplexus

Orientation:
Selfgratification

Archetype:Lover

BasicRights:
ToFeelandHavePleasure

Aculturethatfrownsuponemotionalexpressionorconsiderssensitivityaweaknessinfringes
uponourbasicrighttofeel.Youhavenorighttobeangry.Howcanyouexpressyouremo
tionslikethatYoushouldbeashamedofyourself!Boysdontcry.Thesekindsofinjunctions
infringeuponourrighttofeel.Fellingisthewayweobtainimportantinformationaboutourwell
being.Whentherighttofeelisimpaired,webecomeoutoftouchwithourselves,numb,and
disconnected.Acorollaryofthisrightistherighttowant,sinceifwecannotfeel,itisverydiffi
culttoknowwhatwewant.Ourrighttoenjoyhealthysexualityisintimatelyconnectedwithour
righttofeel.

Affirmations: Ideservepleasureinmylife.

Iabsorbinformationfrommyfeelings.

Iembraceandcelebratemysexuality.

Mysexualityissacred.

Imoveeasilyandeffortlessly.

Liveispleasurable.

Identity:Beneaththesurfaceofthebodychurntheemotions.Theemotionsaretheclothing
ofourfeelings.Whenweexperienceastrongemotion,wefeelouralivenessandoftenidentify
withthefeelinginvolved.Evenourlanguagemakesthisidentification:Iamangry,Iamscared.
(Otherlanguagessay,Ihavefearoranger.)Thisistheidentitythatsays,IfeelthereforeIam,
andwhateverIfeeliswhatIam.Somepeopleidentifytheirmainsenseofselfinthisway.

Thesecondchakra,then,isouremotionalidentity,anditsjobisselfgratification.Emotion
emergesfromthephysicalidentityandyetbringsinanaddeddimension.Wehavetofeelour
bodiesinordertofeelouremotionsandlearntointerprettheirmessages.Emotionalidentity
expandstheexperienceofthebodyandgivesitdimensionandtexture,connectingustothe
flowoftheworld.

Reprinted for Kundalini Awakening Systems 1

From: Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith.

Demon:Guilt

Guiltcurtailsthefreeflowofmovement,largelybytakingthepleasureoutofit.IfIfeelguilty
aboutwhatIamdoing,Idonotfullyenjoyit.Icannotfullysensetheexperienceasonepartof
meisfrozenoff,restrictingortryingtocontrolwhatIamdoing.

Guiltpolarizesthepersonality.Itdivideslightagainstdark,goodagainstbad.Wearewonderful
onedayandhorriblethenext,allbecauseofsomethingwedid.Thebrighterthelight,thedarker
theshadow.Thegreatertheguilt,themorewetrytoemancipateourselvesbyflawlessbehavior.
Flawlessbehaviorinhibitsthenaturalflowofenergymovingupfromthelowerchakrasandtends
topolarizemindandbody.Apolarizedpersonalityischaracterizedbyeitherorthinking.With
outthemultiplicityoftherainbow,wefindourselveslockedinblackandwhitechoices.

Thereis,orcourse,ahealthyplaceforguilt:asafeelingthatallowsustoexamineourbehavior
before,during,orafterouractions.Whenitsnotdistorted,guilttellsuswheretheboundariesare
andwhereweneedtomakechange.Initsappropriateplaceasfeedback,guiltisnotademon
butaguide.Itisonlywhenguiltbecomesexcessive,habitual,internalized,andtoxicthatitdom
inatesthefreeflowofmovementandthefullsensateexperienceoflifethatissonecessarytothe
secondchakra.Guiltisateacherwhenitguidesus,butademonwhenitbindsus.

SwimmingintheWatersofDifference

DivingintheWaters

Asweenterthesecondchakra,weencounterthewateryrealmofemotionsandsexuality.Where
wehaveworkedforgroundingandstabilityinthefirstchakra,wenowcultivatefeelingsandmove
ment;wherewehavebeenconcernedwithsurvivalandstructure,wenowfocusonsexualityand
pleasure.Ourassociatedelementhasshiftedfromearthtowater,fromsolidtoliquid.Inthistrans
mutationweencounterchange.Throughconsistency,consciousnessfindsmeaning;through
changeitfindsstimulationandexpansion.

Ifwethinkofthebodyasavesselforthesoulandspirit,thentheelementofearthinchakraone
providessupportandcontainmentforthefluidessenceofchakratwo,muchlikeacupholdswater.
Withoutappropriatecontainment,waterflowsoutandthecuprunsdry.Withexcessivecontain
ment,however,watercannotflowatallandbecomesstagnantanddull.Ideally,wewanttohave
acupthatiscapableoffilling,holding,andemptying.Thetaskofthefirstchakrawastobuildthis
container.Nowwelooktoitscontents.

Tofindconsistencywithinchangeistoembracetheunfoldingflow.Wherewedevelopedground
ing,stability,focus,andstillnessinthefirstchakra,nowoursecondchakrachallengeisjustthe
opposite;toletgo,flow,move,feel,andyield.Onlybymovingdoesourconsciousnessexpand,
andonlythroughchangeisourconsciousnessstimulated.Movementandchangestimulate
awakening.

Movementovercomestheinertiaofchakraone.Throughmovement,weextendourfieldofper
ception,increasingoursensoryinput.Bymovingthebody,webuildmuscletissue,increase
circulation,stimulatenerveendings,andgenerallyenhanceourflexibilityandaliveness.Theflow
ofpleasureandexcitationthroughthenervoussystembathestheorganisminsensationand
awarenessandawakenstheconsciousnesswithin.Movementbecomesitsownpleasure.

Reprinted for Kundalini Awakening Systems 1

From: Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith.

Bypayingattentiontothewaywemove,wecanuncoverpreviouslyburiedissuesandfeelings.
Inthefirstchakra,thestructuralformsofthebodygaveuscluestounconsciousprocess.In
thesecondchakraweobservethewaytheseformsmoveandmakecontact.

Thesensesaretheessentiallinkbetweentheinnerandouterworlds.Onlythroughthesenses
dowetranscendisolationandmakeconnectiontoalargersphere.Sensateexperienceissimul
taneouslyphysical,emotional,andspiritual.Thesensesarethegatewaybetweentheinternal
andexternalworld.Sight,sound,touch,taste,andhearinggiveusaconstantlychanginginner
matrixoftheworldaroundus,throughwhichweformourbasicbeliefsystems,copingstrategies,
andthoughtprocesses.Thesensesarethedatainputofouroverallsystem.Theyorientusinthe
world,allowustoconnect,givemeaningtoourexperience.Throughoursenses,wedifferentiate
betweenpleasureandpain,weexpandorcontract,moveforwardorbackward,reactorenact.

Whenthereispainoremptiness,oursensesshutdown.Whenthishappens,werestrictinform
ationenteringourconsciousness,andcutourselvesofffromtheworldaroundus.Sensesarethe
onlymeanswehaveofexperiencingconnection.

Thecomplexcombinationofsensationandfeelinggivesustheemotionaltextureofexperience.
Senses,asthelanguageoffeeling,formthebasisofourvalues.Howweperceivesomethingand
howwefeelaboutitarethewaysthatwedeterminevalue.Withoutasensualconnectiontowhat
isaroundus,weloseoursenseofvaluesanddistinctions.

Reprinted for Kundalini Awakening Systems 1

From: Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith.

ThirdChakra

Nohumanbeingcanstandtheperpetuallynumbingexperienceofhisownpowerlessness.RolloMay

Name:
Manipura(lustrousgem)

Element:
Fire

Purpose:
Transformation

Issues:
Energy,Activity,Autonomy,Individuation,

Will,Selfesteem,Proactivity,Power

Color:
Yellow

Location:
Solarplexus

Orientation:
Selfdefinition

Archetype: Hero

BasicRights:
ToActandBeanIndividual

Cultureswithnarrowlydefinedbehaviorpatternsimpairtherighttoactthroughfearofpunishment
andtheenforcementofblindobedience.Mostpeoplefollowinthefootstepsofothers,afraidto
innovate,afraidtobefree.Whentherighttoactisrestricted,willandspontaneitygowithitand
ourvitalitydecreases.Thisdoesnotimplythatthethirdchakraprofitsbysenselessorwhimsical
acts,butthatwedoneedfreedomtodevelopourinnerauthority.Acorollarytothisrightisthe
righttobefree.

Affirmations: Ihonorthepowerwithinme.

Iaccomplishtaskseasilyandeffortlessly.

Thefirewithinmeburnsthroughallblocksandfears.

IcandowhateverIwilltodo.

Identity:Inthethirdchakra,weidentifywithourwill,behavior,andouractions.Thisiswhere
werealizethatweareaseparateentitywiththepowertochooseourownactionsandconse
quences.Thisistheegoidentity,orientedtowardsselfdefinition.Thistypeofidentification
says,IamwhatIdo.Whenwedosomethingrightorachievesomethingdifficult,wefeelgood
aboutourselves.Whenwemakemistakesorfail,thewethinkwerebad.Wethinkthatwhat
wedoisastatementofwhoweare.Egoidentityemergesfromphysicalandemotionalidentity
andcanbethoughtofastheinnerexecutive,asitexecutesourintentions.Thisistheidentity
mostoftenincharge.Butwehavetorememberitisonlyamiddlemanager.

Demon:Shame

Shameisinverselyproportionaltopersonalpowerthegreatertheshame,thelesswefeel
powerfulandtheharderitisfortheegotoformitself.Shameblockstheliberatingcurrentand
preventsenergyrisingfromthelowerchakrasfromformingintoeffectiveaction.Wefeel
ashamedofourselves,andhenceofourbasicinstincts,whichmustthenbecontrolledbythe
mind.Asaresult,shameboundpersonalitiesfeelstuckandmayfallintopatternsofcompulsive

Reprinted for Kundalini Awakening Systems 1

From: Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith.

repetitionandaddiction.

Whentheascending,liberatingcurrentgetsstuckatthethirdchakra,themanifesting,downward
currentofconsciousnessisincreased.Themindrunstheshow,bindingthebiologicalenergy
intocontrolledpatterns,creatingthetermshamebound.Shameboundpeoplehonortheir
thoughtsmorethantheirinstincts,especiallytheinternalvoicesthatconstantlytellthemhow
worthlessandinferiortheyare.Spontaneityislimitedbyinternalscrutiny,whichfindsanddis
empowersthewill.

Asnaturalinstinctscanneverbefullyrepressed,theyperiodicallyeruptinshadowformsthat
onlyincreasethesenseofshameandinadequacy.Whenwemisbehave,loseourtemper,fall
apart,orhavelapsesinourvigilantselfcontrol,wearedriventodeepershame.Examplesinclude
thedieterorsubstanceuserwhorepeatedlybingesortheentrepreneurwhosabotagesworkand
successthroughprocrastinationandpassiveaggressivebehavior.Theblockinthewillkeepsthe
downwardcurrentfromenteringthesecondchakrawithitsorientationtowardpleasure,sothese
activitiesseldomhaveanyrealpleasuretothemShamefindsitspenanceinsuffering,andthe
needtorecreatemiseryandfailurekeepsoneinaveryunhappyfalsestateofequilibrium.

BurningOurWayIntoPower

EnergyandActivity

...Torestructurethewaywethinkofpowerandtochannelandcontainthatpowerwithinourown
beingisthechallengeofthethirdchakra.Ittransformsus,ignitingourlifewithpurpose.Tohave
truepoweremanatingfromwithinrenewsthejoyofbeingalive.

Whatisneededtoreclaimourpoweristoenterintoanentirelynewdynamic,anewdefinition
ofpowerthatliftsusoutofstruggleandintotransformation,outofpastandintothefuture,one
thatinspires,strengthens,andempowersindividualswithoutdiminishingothers.

Thedynamicsofpowerwithinthechakrasystemarealsobuiltonduality,butinawaythat
emphasizescombinationandsynergyratherthanseparationandstruggle.Rawenergyiscreated
fromacombinationofthefirstandsecondchakra'sattributesofmatterandmovement.Theex
pressionofthatenergyasactionismotivatedbysurvivalandpleasure,theinstinctualforcesthat
combinetocreateourascendingliberatingcurrent.

Transformingtheinstinctualimpulsesintowilledactivityismadepossiblebythedescentof
consciousnesswhichgivesformanddirectionthroughunderstandingasitmeetsandmediates
theascendingcurrentofliberation.Whentheascendinganddescendingcurrentscombine,the
rawenergyofpowerisfocusedintoactivity.Onlythroughthiscombinationdowerealizethatthe
truepurposeofpoweristransformation.

Soweenterthethirdchakrathroughthegatesofduality.Bysuccessfullyintegratingbothsides
ofpolarity,weemergeintoathirdrealmthatsimultaneouslyincludesandtranscendspolarityby
creatinganewdynamic.Herewereachbeyondtheoscillatingrealmsofeither/or,win/lose,
black/white,andentertherainbowrealmofmultiplicity.Oncewehaveventuredouttowardthe
middleoftheRainbowBridge,ourchoicesexpand,ourhorizonswiden.Asouroptionsincrease,
sodoesourstrengthandourfreedom.

Reprinted for Kundalini Awakening Systems 1

From: Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith.

Asweexercisechoice,weinitiatethewill.Throughexercisingourwill,wedevelopourindividu
ality,discoverourstrengthsandweaknesses,andbegintobuildthepowerthatwillsteerour
lives.Weleavetherealmofsafetyandsecurity,carryingoursafetywithinthegroundofourown
body.Somanypeopleinrecoveryareunderstandablyconcernedaboutfeelingsafe.Butpower
isnotcreatedfromstayingsafe;powercomesfromthewillingnesstoleavetheworldofsafety
andmoveforwardintotheunknown.Aswemeetchallenge,itstrengthensusbyforcingusto
grow.Power,likeamuscle,willnotincreasebydoingnothing.

Inthechakrasystemasawhole,thepurposeofthethirdchakraistotransformtheinertiaof
matterandmovementintoaconsciousdirectionofwilledactivity.Earthandwaterarepassive
anddense.Theymovedownward.Chakrasoneandtwoareinstinctual.Theyfollowthepaths
ofleastresistance.Thefireofchakrathreeisdynamicandlight,risingupwards,movingaway
fromgravity.Thischangeisnecessarytoreachtheupperchakrasandcompleteourjourney.

Wemustbewillingtoleavepassivitybehind.Wemustbewillingtoleavethewayithasalways
been,totransformourhabits,setanewcourseandenterchakrathree.Wemustbewillingto
individuatetostepoutofthefamiliarandexpectedandconfrontthechallengeofuncertainty.
"Thustobeindependentofpublicopinionisthefirstformalconditionofachievinganythinggreat,"
saysHegel."Youmustbethechangeyouwishtoseeintheworld,"saysGandhi.

Frictionmakessparks.Firetransformsmattertoheatandlight,andgivesustheabilitytosee
andtoact.Fireawakensusfromourpassiveslumber,sparkingconsciousnessintounder
standing.Understandingtempersthefire,bindingrawenergyintopower,direction,andtrans
formation.ThusweenterthefieryyellowsectionofourRainbowBridgeontheunfoldingjourney
frommattertoconsciousness.

Reprinted for Kundalini Awakening Systems 1

From: Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith.

FourthChakra

Drivenbytheforcesoflove,thefragmentsoftheworldseekeachothersothattheworldmaycome
intobeing.PierrreTeilhardDeChardin

Name:
Anahata(unstruck)

Element:
Air

Purposes:
Love,Balance

Issues:
Love,Balance,Selflove,Relationship,Intimacy,

Anima/Animus,Devotion,Reachingoutandtakingin

Color:
Green

Location:
Chest,heart,cardiacplexus

Orientation:
Selfacceptance,acceptanceofothers

Archetype: Healer

BasicRights:
ToLoveandBeLoved

Inafamilythiscanbedamagedbyanydysfunctionintheparentsabilitytoloveandcarefor
theirchild.Culturally,thedamageappearsinjudgmentalattitudestowardmenlovingmenand
womenlovingwomen.Therighttoloveisfurtherdamagedbyracialstrife,culturalprejudice,
war,oranythingthatforcesenmitybetweengroupsaswellasbypoorselfesteem,brokenwill,
andinabilitytofeelorcommunicate.Asthecentralchakrainasystemofseven,therighttolove
isharmedwhenanyoftheotherrightsarelostordamaged.

Affirmations: Iamworthyoflove.

Iamlovingtomyselfandothers.

Thereisaninfinitesupplyoflove.

Iliveinbalancewithothers.

Identity:Inthefourthchakra,wecreateasocialidentity,alsoknownasthepersona.The
personaisthepersonalitycreatedtointeractwithothersitisthepartofourselvesthattheego
allowstoriseabovethesurface,separatedofffromtheshadow.Oursocialidentitymaybethe
compulsivehelper,theseductivelover,thepleaser,ortheentertainer.Inourfamilieswemaytake
ontheroleofthelostchild,thehero,thegoodgirl,ortherebel.Initially,ourselfconceptis
basedonhowothersreacttouswhetherwearepopularoranoutcast,admiredorcriticized,
lovedorrejectedidentifyingourselvesprimarilythroughourrelationships.Aswemature,the
identityshiftstoincludehowweperceiveourroleofservicetoothers,orhowwehavelearnedto
giveandembraceaworldbeyondouregoorientedself.Thisbecomesourbasisfor
selfacceptance.

10

Reprinted for Kundalini Awakening Systems 1

From: Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith.

Thesocialidentityhastheegoasitsbase,yetcontinuallyexpandsbeyondtherealmorself
centeredneedstoembraceanawarenessofothers.AsItranscendmyegoidentitytocaremore
aboutothers,mysocialidentityemerges.Yet,howIpresentmyselftoothersdependsagreat
dealonunderlyingegostrength.

Demon:Grief

Astheresidentdemon,griefsitsontheheartchakralikeastone.Whenourheartisheavywith
grief,itshardtoopen,evenhardtobreathe.Whengriefisdenied,webecomenumbtoour
feelingsandouraliveness.Webecomehardandcold,rigidanddistant.Wemayfeeldead
inside.Whengriefisacknowledgedandexpressed,however,wefindavitalkeytoopeningthe
heart.Tearsareshed,truthexpressed,andtheheartlightens.Thebreathdeepens.Thereisa
senseofspaciousnessthatemerges,allowingmoreroominsideforourspirit.Hopeisreborn.
Comingtotermswithourowngriefleadsustowardcompassionforothers.

Whenwefallinlove,westripourselvesofdefenses.Weopentoanotherandtotheworld.We
expandandgrow.Whenwearehurtinmattersoflove,wearehurtinourmostvulnerable,
trustingaspects.Thepurestformofselfiswounded.Itnolongerseemssafetobeauthentic.
Oursystemwoundedattheverycoreshutsdownandwelosenotonlyourloverbutourselves
aswell.Thisisthedeepestloss.

Ifweconsiderthatlovemayindeedbethemostimportantelementofwellbeingandspiritual
growth,thenanyimpairmentinourabilitytofindloveisaprofoundwound.Whenwefurther
considerthatthisimpairmentaffectshowwetreateachotherinthelargersocialsphere,wehave
notonlyapersonalproblem,butaseriouscollectivesituationaswell.Wheregriefisthewound,
compassionisthehealer.

FindingtheBalanceinLove

TheMysteryofLove

Ridingonthegoldenflamesofourpowercenter,wenowarriveattheheartofthechakrasystem.
Here,inabandofgreen,liesthecenteroftheRainbowBridge,themidpointofourjourney.Like
thegreen,growingplantswhichpushtowardtheheavensfromtheirrootsintheearth,wetoo,
reachoutwardintwodirectionsanchoringthemanifestingcurrentdeepinourbodiesandex
pandingtheliberatingcurrentaswereachbeyondourselves.Intheheartchakra,thesecurrents
cometoperfectbalanceinthecenterofourbeing.Fromthatsacredcentertheheartofthe
systemweenterthemysteryoflove.

Thebasicissuesthatweencounterintheheartchakradealwithbalance,love,andrelationship.
Throughbalancewefindacenterfromwhichwecanlove,throughloveweformrelationships,
andthroughrelationshipswehavetheopportunitytoawakentheselfcenteredegoofthelower
chakrasintoawarenessofthelargerrealminwhichweareembedded.

EachISSUEiscoveredinthebook.Hereisasampling:

BALANCEistheunderlyingfoundationoflongevityinallthings.Ancienttantricdiagramsdepict
theheartchakraasalotusoftwelvepetalscontainingasixpointedstar,madeoftwointerlacing
triangles.Thisrepresentsthedownwardmovementofspiritintomatterandtheupwardliberation
ofmatterintospirit,meetinginperfectbalanceintheheart.Morethanjustameeting,thisisan
interpenetrationwhosefinalgoalisintegrationofspiritandmindwithbodyandsoul.

11

Reprinted for Kundalini Awakening Systems 1

From: Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith.

Sincetheheartchakraisthemiddlepointinasystemofsevencenters,balanceisanessential
principleatthislevelofintegration.Thisimpliesbothinternalbalancebetweenvariousaspectsof
ourselves(mindandbody,personaandshadow,maleandfemale),aswellasbalancebetween
ourselvesandtheworldaroundus(workandplay,givingandreceiving,socializingandbeing
alone).Findingthisequilibriumsupportsthebasicissuesofloveandrelationship,forwithout
balancewithinourselvesitisdifficult,ifnotimpossible,toachievehealthyandlonglastinglove
relationships.

INTIMACY,asThomasMooresoaptlypointsoutinSoulMates,isaboutbringingforthdeeply
interioraspectsoftheself.Inordertohaveintimacywefirstneedtohaveasenseofself.We
needtobeintimatewithourowninterior,toknowourneeds,wishes,fears,boundaries,and
hopes.Throughknowingtheselfwithin,wecanhonortheselfthatliveswithinanother.Weneed
tobeabletoloveourownselfenoughtoofferitopenlytosomeoneelse.Withoutselflove,this
cannothappen.

COMPASSIONmeanstohavepassionwith.Inthesecondchakraweencounteredpassionin
therealmoffeelings,throughthedesiresofthesoulreachingforwardtomeetitsownneeds.In
theheartchakra,wenowreachbeyondourselvesandexpandthatpassiontoincludeanunder
standingofanother'sneeds.Theego,whensecureinitsownautonomyandpower,cannow
surrenderwillinglytowardaltruism.Ifourownneedshavebeenmetandsatisfied,wecannow
shareourfullnesswithanother.

Theabilitytohavecompassionforothersdependsfirstonourabilitytobeintouchwithour
yearningsandpain.Expansionofspiritisoneofthesilverliningsofhardship.Painopensus
todeeperunderstandingofothersandexpandsourownlimitedbeing.Onlybyexperiencing
ourowntrialsandtribulationscanwesharewisdomandunderstandingfromthetenderlevelof
feelings.Thuscompassionisanexquisitebalanceofupperandlowerchakraexpression.
Compassionremainscentered,yetopen,anditquietlyholdsthespaceforchangetooccur,
providingboththestabilityofacontainerandthefreedomofrelease.

Loveistheessencethatheals.Patience,skill,training,andtalentallplaytheirpart,butwithout
lovetheyaremerelytechniques.Allwoundscryfortheuniversalmedicineoflove.Asthecosmic
glueoftheuniverse,loveistheforcethatbridgesthegapsthatcutusasunder.Inthegap
betweenHeavenandEarth,loveisthebindingforcethatholdstogetherthemanycoloredsteps
oftheRainbowBridge.

Unfortunately,duetothedamagewehaveeachreceivedinourlives,wearenotalwayssurehow
toapplylovetothewoundswithinourselvesandothers.Wedonotknowwhatreallovelookslike
orhowtocreateit.

FORGIVENESSissaidtobetheultimatestepinhealing.Forgivenessusesthecompassionof
thehearttounderstandsituationsintermsoftheforcesthatwereactingonbothourselvesand
others.Wemaystillvehementlydisagreewiththeactionstaken.Wemaysay,rightfully,thatwe
wouldneverhavedonesuchathing.Wemayevenneedsomethingfromtheotherpersoninorder
toallowforgivenessanapology,somekindofrestitution,oranacknowledgementofharm.Butin
theend,forgivenessallowsthehearttolightenandmoveon;itistheredemptiveactionofthe
heart.

Forgivenesssoftensthehardeningoftheheartandsorenewsopenness.Itisnotmeantasa
processwhichallowsthesamethingtohappenagain,butitwillallowgreaterawarenesstoevolve
insituationsthathavegoneawry.Itallowsustounhooktheenergyfromthenegativepastand
freeitupforamorepositivefuture.

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Theheartchakrabringsustoaplaceofacceptanceandopennessthatallowsthespiritinside
tobestillandfindpeaceandstabilitywithoutconstriction.Ifthethirdchakrabelowhasdoneits
workcorrectly,wehavecreatedaplacewherethefourthchakracannowletgoandjustbe.The
stateofbeingasopposedtodoingisthequalitativedifferencebetweenchakrasfourandthree.

Healingtheheartinvolvesattendingtothemostvulnerableandsacredaspectswithinourselves.
Onlythroughattendingtotheirtruthcanwedroptheprotectivearmorthatkeepsusboundto
theego,boundtosmallerpartsofourselves.Manipulation,derision,criticisms,orcommand
willnotwork.Wecanonlymeltthearmorwiththecombinationoffeelingandunderstanding
thatislove.

Throughloveweareabletoexposeourinstinctualcoreandevolvetothenextstepofexpressing
ourtruth.Throughloveweareabletoembraceandhealthelargerworldaroundus.Relationship
furtherstheevolutionofindividualsoulsandthecollectivesoulofourplanet.

(HereisawonderfulShortMeditativeMovieon"YouAreLove"http://www.youarelovemovie.com/)

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FifthChakra

Ifitistruethatyouarewhatyoueat,itmayjustasaccuratelybesaidthatyouarewhatyoulistento.
StephenHalpern

Name:
Vissudha(purification)

Element:
Sound

Purpose:
Communication,Creativity

Issues:
Communication,Creativity,Listening,

Resonance,FindingOnesOwnVoice

Color:
Brightblue

Throat,Pharyngealplexus
Location:

Orientation:
Selfexpression

Archetype: Artist

BasicRights:
ToSpeakandHearTruth

Thisrightisdamagedwhenwearenotallowedtospeaktruthfullyinourfamily.Donttalktomelike
that,youngman!Wedontdiscussthatsubjectinthisfamily.Thisincludesnotbeingheardwhen
wedospeak,keepingfamilysecrets,andnotbeingspokentohonestly.Whenourparents,culture,or
governmentlietous,thereisabuseofthisright.Learningclearcommunicationisessentialto
reclaimingthisright.

Affirmations: Ispeakandhearthetruth.

Iexpressmyselfwithclearintent.

Creativityflowsinandthroughme.

Myvoiceisnecessary.

Identity:Thefifthchakraisthecenterofourcreativeidentity.Hereweidentifywithourself
expressionwhatwesayandproduce.Initially,weidentifywithourwordthroughthecommitmentswe
make.Inthisidentity,wetakeresponsibilityforwhatwesaybyembodyingitinouractions.Throughour
creativity,weidentifyourselvesasartists,teachers,entrepreneurs,politicians,mothers,orfathers.(We
mayalsoidentifywithourmistakesandfailures.)Thecreativeidentityexpandsoutward,throughits
abilitytocontributeandgivebacktothelargersystem.

Asthislevelmatures,webegintoidentifywithlargerpossibilitiesandreachforinspirationfromthegreat
worksofcivilization,fromtheinspiringactsofheroesandsaints,poetsandpainters.Asweexpandinto
thecreativefluxoftheworldaroundus,weidentifywithourpath.Ourpathistherealizationofour
personalcontributiontothelargersystem.Ideally,thepathleadstoaneverexpandinggrowthof
consciousnessandaneventualtranscendenceofthepersonalselfintothetranspersonalself.Its
foundationisahealthyego,socialconfidence,andasenseofcompassionforothers.

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Demon:Lies

Liescanbetoldwithwords,buttheycanalsobetoldwithactionsorheldbythebody.WhenIam
afraidtoshowsomeonehowexcitedIam,Irestrictthemusclesofmyfaceorholdmyarmsdownby
mysides.Iamthenlyingwithmybodyandoutofresonancewithmyownfield.Mynaturalprocess
getsfrozen.

Whenweliveinourtruth,thereisaresonantcontinuitybetweenourselvesandothers.Whenthis
resonanceisinterrupted,weexperiencediscontinuity.Perpetualdiscontinuitybreaksdownour
health.Justasanengineneedsallofitsvibratingpartstobecoordinatedsmoothly,sotoodoesour
basicresonance.Thisallowstheforwardprogressionoftheselftooccurgracefully.

VibratingIntoExpression

TheSubtleWorldofVibrations

Asweentertheethericlevelofthethroatchakra,weenteraparadoxicalrealmofgreatsubtletyyet
powerfulinfluence.Weleavebehindthebalancedmiddlegroundofthegreenrayandreachintothe
ethericrangeofturquoiseandbluethatresonatewiththethroatchakra.Theenvelopingelementof
airstillsurroundsus,yetwereachbeyonditintotheunknownethertherealmofvibrations,sound,
communication,andcreativity.

Wehavepassedthehalfwaypointinourrainbow.Inthedancebetweenliberationandmanifest
ation,wearenowleavingtheyinbalanceoftheheartandtofocusmoreheavilyontheupperchakras.
Wearebreakingfreefromgravity,freefromthewaythingshavealwaysbeenandfromthestructure
andrestrictionofmanifestedform.Webecomemoreabstract,yetbroaderinourscope.Inthefirst
fourchakrasweconcernedourselveswithform,movement,activity,andrelationshipthingsthatare
easilyobserved.Inchakrafive,ourattentionmovestovibrations,asthesubtle,rhythmicpulsations
thatmovethroughallthings.

EnteringtheSymbolic

Thesymbolstrikesitsrootsintothemostsecretdepthsofthesoul;languageskimsoverthesurfaceof
theunderstandinglikeasoftbreeze...Wordsmaketheinfinitefinite;symbolscarrythemindbeyondthe
finiteworldofbecomingintotherealmofinfinitebeing.J.J.Bachofen

Asweentertheupperchakratriad,weenterthesymbolicworldofthemind.Symbolsarethebuilding
blocksofconsciousness,thelinkbetweentheeternalandthetransient.Words,imagesandthoughts
(chakrasfive,sixandseven)areallsymbolicreflectionsofthemanifestedplane.Eachwordweuseisa
symbolforathing,concept,feeling,process,orrelationship.Eachimageinourmindisamental
symbolforsomethingrealandeachthoughtisacombinationofthesesymbols.Withsymbolswecan
domorewithless.IcantalkaboutatruckeventhoughIcannotliftone.Icandescribeaspiralgalaxy,
eventhoughIcannottraveltoone.IcanshowyouapictureofamaneasierthanIcandescribehim.

Symbolscanbeseenasthevibrationalessenceofwhattheyrepresent.Theyarethebuildingblocksof
communicationandconsciousness.Theyarelikepacketsofmeaningthatcanbestoredinonemind
andsharedwithothers,eachpacketenhancingconsciousness.Whenasymbolreallyspeakstous
whenitisfullofmeaningthenwearesaidtoresonatewithit.

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Resonance

Alllifeisrhythmic.Fromtheriseandfallofthesuntotheriseandfallofourbreath,fromthebeating
ofourheartstotheinfinitevibrationsofatomicparticleswithinourcells,weareamassofvibrations
thatmiraculouslyresonatetogetherasasinglesystem.Infact,ourabilitytofunctionasaunified
wholedependsuponthecoherentresonanceofthemanysubtlevibrationswithinus.Thetaskofthe
fifthchakraistoenhancethisresonance.

Resonancerequiresacertainbalanceofflexibilityandtension.Astringneedstobebothtauntand
flexibleinordertosoundanote.Inourbodies,weneedtohaveenoughflexibilitytoresonatewith
differentfrequencies,yetmaintainenoughtensiontocreatearepeatingpattern.

Thestateofresonancewithinthebody/mindisastatementofourhealthandvitality.Whenwecannot
resonatewiththeworldaroundus,wecannotlinkwithit.Weareunabletoexpand,respond,or
receive.Webecomeisolatedandill.Openingtoresonancerequiresbothgroundingforthe
establishmentofform,andanopennessofbreaththatyieldssoftnessandflexibility.Thisbalanceisa
deliciouscombinationoflettingandwillingthatallowsustobothlistenandrespondatthesametime.

Communication

Communicationistheexchangeofinformationandenergy.Whileresonanceistheunderlying
principlebehindthefifthchakra,communicationisitsessenceandfunction.Asselfexpression,itisa
gatewaybetweentheinnerworldandtheouter.Onlythroughselfexpressiondoestheouterworld
gettoknowwhat'sinsideofus.Onlythroughselfexpressiondoweputforthwhatwehave
previouslytakenin.

Selfexpressioninthefifthchakraisacounterparttothesensatereceptioncominginthroughthe
secondchakra.Inthesecondchakra,weopenedagatethatallowedtheworldINthroughoursenses.
Inthefifthchakra,weopenagatethatallowsourinnerselftogetOUTintotheworld.

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SixthChakra

"Wedon'tseethingsastheyare.Weseethingsasweare."AnaisNin

Name:
Ajna/ToPerceiveandCommand

Element:
Light

Purpose:
Patternrecognition

Issues:
Images,Intuition,Imagination,Visualization,

Insight,Dreams,Visions

Color:
Indigo

Location:
Forehead,brow,carotidplexus,thirdeye

Orientation:
Selfreflection

Archetype: Seer

BasicRight:
ToSee

Thisrightisdamagedwhenwearetoldthatwhatweperceiveisnotreal,whenthingsaredeliber
atelyhiddenordenied(suchasparentaldrinking),orwhenthebreadthofourvisionisdiscounted.
Whenchildrenseethingsthatarebeyondthescopeoftheirunderstanding,orwhenangryor
frighteningscenesoccurfrequently,childrendiminishtheirownabilitytosee.Thismayaffect
bothphysicalvisionandsubtlerpsychicperceptions.

Affirmations: Iseeallthingsinclarity.

Iamopentothewisdomwithin

Icanmanifestmyvision.

Identity:Inthesixthchakra,weexpandintoourarchetypalidentity,transformingtheindividualI
intosomethingtranspersonal.Ourpersonalstoryisnowseenasaneventinalargerstory.Ifwe
sufferedfrompoormotheringbecauseourmotherswerenotsupported,wecarryapieceofthe
archetypalstoryofthedegradationoftheMotherGoddessthelossofthearchetypalMother.
Thepowerthatourmotherslackedwasthesamepowerthathasbeenstrippedfromwomenover
millennia,strippedfromthearchetypeitself.Thosewhosufferedfromdistantfatherscarryapiece
ofthelargerstoryofindustrialrevolution,ofdisempoweredmenremovedfromtheirfamilies,and
thedistantFatherGodarchetype.

WeenlargeourunderstandingofSelfaswefindourownlifethemesreflectedinfairytales,
mythology,movies,andnewsstories.Weexperienceselfreflectioninthelargersystem.We
realizeweareplayersinamuchlargerdrama,ridingthewavesoftheculturaltidesebbandflow.
Aswematureatthislevel,weconsciouslyembracetheevolutionofthearchetypalsymbolsthat
speaktous.Ifwetakeonacrusadeforthepreservationoftheancientforests,wearedoingmore
thanjustsavingtreeswecontributetoalargerarchetypalcause.

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Demon:Illusion

Illusionwrestsourconsciousnessfromopenmindedperception,fixingituponafrozenimage.An
illusionisastaticimage,displacedinthestreamoftime,andisforthatreasonunreal.Theillusion
Iholdofhowsomethingshouldbeisusuallyanimageofwhatitcurrentlyisnot.Myattachmentto
itpullsmeoutofpresenttime,whereImightseerealistically.Myfixationonmybodytenpounds
thinnerfailstoappreciatemybodythewayitisnow.Myillusionofhowarelationshipshouldbe
makesmecriticizealltheplacesmyrelationshipfallsshortofthatimage,andIfailtoseethe
meaningtheseissuesmighthaveforme.

Illusionsareheldinplacebyaninvestmentofpsychicenergy.Whenwefixateonanimage,
everythingbecomesfoodforitsembellishment.Ifwethinksomeonedislikesus,wetakethe
slightestdisharmonyasproof.Ahypochondriactakestheslightestacheasproofofillness.
Whenweinvestinanillusion,ittiesupourenergyandperpetuatestheattachment.Themorewe
areattached,ofcourse,themoreenergyweneedtoinvest,anditisherethatwerunintothe
dangerofobsession.Sinceillusiondoesnotfeedbacktheenergyweinvest,itdoesnotbring
satisfactionorcompletionand,likeanaddiction,continuestolureusintoitsfalsepromises.

Whenillusionisfedbyasixthchakraexcess,itbecomesobsessionordelusion.Obsessions
fixanunusualamountofenergyonaparticularissue;delusionassembleselaborateillusions
aroundacentraltheme.Removedfromthegroundedconnectionofthefirstchakra,theupper
chakrasspinwildly,likeanenginewiththeclutchdisengagedlotsofactivitywithnoforward
movement.Themoreweinvestinanillusion,theharderitistoletgoofit.Sealedin,weare
trappedintorepetitivecyclesthatkeepusfromtrueunderstanding.

SeeingOurWayThrough

OpeningtheThirdEye

Asweenterthebrowchakra,welookbackatthestepsbehinduswithnewvision.Adding
indigotooureverexpandingbridgewenowhaveenoughcolorstoseethatweare,indeed,
buildingarainbow.Onceweseewhatthepatternisbecoming,wecanintuitthesteps
necessarytocompleteit.Oursightgivesusguidance.Wecanseewherewehavebeen,
wherewearenow,andpredictwherewearegoing.Thisconsciousnessletsusknowwhatto
do,whichexplainswhythesenseofsightisclassicallyrelatedtothethirdchakra,eventhough
thesixthchakraisaboutseeing.Withoutvisionouractionsaremereimpulses,butwithvision
theybecomecreativeactsofwillintheserviceoftransformation.

Theelementofthischakraislight,ahigherandfastervibrationthanthatofsoundinthechakra
below.Throughlight,weareblessedwiththeabilitytosee,totakeinfromadistancetheshape
andformofthingsaroundus.Thismiraculousactofseeingisthebasicfunctionofthischakra,
butthisimpliesfarmorethanseeingwithourphysicaleyes.Physicalperceptiontellsusthat
somethingexists,butonlytheinnersightcantelluswhatitis.

Whileourphysicaleyesaretheorgansofouterperception,thesixthchakrarelatestothe
mysticalthirdeyetheorganofinnerperception.Thethirdeyewitnessestheinternalscreen
wherememoryandfantasy,imagesandarchetypes,intuitionandimaginationintertwineon
endlessdisplay.Bywatchingthecontentsonthisscreen,wecreatemeaningandbringitto
consciousness.Thepurposeofthesixthchakraistoseetheway,andbringthelightofcon
sciousnesstoallthatexistswithinandaroundus.

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Thefinaloutcomeofworkingthroughthesixthchakrawithitsarchetypesandimages,dreams
andfantasies,symbolsandillusionsistheemergenceofapersonalvision.Asweseemoreand
moreofourselves,weseemoredeeplyintopeopleandsituationsaroundus.Asweexpandour
internalpictureintoalarger,morecomprehensiveworldview,weinevitablybegintocreateavision.
Thisvisioncanaddressworldproblemsandhowtheymightbechangedforthebetter,oritmay
onlyaddresssomethingwithinourownlives.Itmaybeaslargeasavisiontocreateanew
society,orasfocusedasoneaboutrelatingtoourspousedifferently.Itisnotthesizeorscope
ofthevisionthatisimportant,buttheabilitytoseeanewwayofbeing.

Ascendingtothesixthchakraopensustotranscendentrealmsbeyondordinaryawareness.
Thisexpansioncanradicallyshiftourperspectiveofdailysituationsandbringprofoundinsight
andvision.Itcanalsoelevateourunderstandingtobroaderlevels,allowingustoembraceamuch
largersystemofbeingthanwehaveeverencountered.Inexpansionofconsciousness,chakrasix
takesustoabeautifulworldofcolorsandsymbols,dreamsandfantasy,archetypesandimages.
Thepossibilitiesexpandthroughimaginationwhichstimulatescreativity.Ournewvistagivesus
increasedunderstanding,aswenotonlyperceivethepatternsaroundus,butalsoperceiveour
ownplaceandpurposeinthem.

ChakrasixpreparesusforthefinalpassageontheRainbowBridge.Withitsfocusonarchetypes,
itlaysthegroundworkforunderstandingtheintricatedanceofdivinityandconsciousnessthatwe
shallencounterinthenextchakra.

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SeventhChakra

WearenolongerconcernedwiththedualisticoppositionbetweenGodandman,butwiththe
immanenttensionintheGodimageitselfThisinnernonequilibrium,thegloriousimperfectionoflife,
istheeffectiveprincipleofevolution.Godisnotthecreatorbutthemindoftheuniverse
C.G.Jung

Name:
Sahasrara(thousandfold)

Element:
Earth

Purpose:
Understanding

Issues:
Transcendence,Immanence,Beliefsystems,
HigherPower,Divinity,Union,Vision

Color:
Violet

Location:
Cerebralcortex

Orientation:
Selfknowledge

Archetype: Sage/Mastger

BasicRights:
ToKnowandtoLearn

Thisincludestherighttoaccurateinformation,therighttotruth,therighttoknowledge,andthe
righttosimplyknowwhatsgoingon.Certainlyeducationisanimportantpartofknowledge.
Equallyimportantareonesspiritualrightstherighttoconnectwiththedivineinwhateverway
wefindmostappropriate.Toforceonanotheraspiritualdogmainfringesuponourseventhchakra
personalandspiritualrights.Todenyinformationandeducationistoclosedownthenatural
questingoftheseventhchakra.

Affirmations: Divinityresideswithin.

Iamopentonewideas.

InformationIneedcomestome.

Theworldismyteacher.

Iamguidedbyhigherpower.

Iamguidedbyinnerwisdom.

Identity:Inthecrownchakra,wecometothefinalandlargestidentity:ouruniversalidentity.The
moreourconsciousnessexpands,thelargerouridentitycanbecome.Aswerealizethemagnificent
scopeofthecosmos,wehavetheopportunitytotranscendoursmaller,morelimitedworld,and
identifywiththeentireuniverse.Thisisacommonthemeinmysticalexperienceswherethe
identificationwiththesmalleregostatesgiveswaytorecognitionofaunitaryidentitywithalloflife,
indeedallofcreation.InEasternphilosophy,thisisthebasisoftrueselfknowledgetheknowledgeof
divinitywithin.

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Demon:Attachment

Whileattachmentisnecessaryformakingandmaintainingcommitmentsessentialtothelower
chakras,itinhibitsourabilitytoexpandinthecrownchakra.Attachmentdeniestheconstantlyfluid
stateoftheuniversalsystem.Itkeepsusanchoredintime,unabletomoveforward,trappedina
smallplace,unabletoembracealargerspace.InEasternreligions,attachmentisseenasthebasisof
suffering.

Forsome,lettinggoofattachmentissynonymouswithlettinggoofresponsibility.Itcanbecomea
meansofescape.Whenthegoinggetsrough,wesimplyletgoofourconnectionratherthanwork
throughstickyissues.Insodoing,weexperiencefreedombutsacrificegrowth.

Inthetruersenseoftheword,lettinggoofattachmentisabouthowwedirectourpsychicenergy.To
letgoofattachmentistoreleaseourfixationuponsomethingexternal,torelinquishourneedto
control,ourdesireforacertainoutcome.Attachmentisourwayofnottrustingthewisdomofthe
universewhileitactuallytriestoteachussomething.Westayattachedbecausewearedefending
againstoursuffering,ratherthanseeingthatsufferingasateaching.Attachmentsayswearecertain
weknowwhatisbest.Itdoesnotallowthehumilitythatopensustosomethinglarger.

OpeningtotheMysteryofHeaven

TheSeparationofSpiritandMatter

Westerncivilizationisfoundedonthebeliefsystemthatspiritandmatterareseparateanddis
tinct.TheEarthistreatedasaninanimateobjecttobeusedwastefully,atourownlackof
discretion.Scienceexaminestheworldrationallyandmethodically,pointedlyavoidingthemore
nebulousissueofspirit.Corporationsarebuilttoenhancetheireconomicprowess,oftenwith
littleregardforthespiritualwellbeingoftheirworkersortheenvironment.

Peoplewhogivespiritualityahighpriorityareoftenconsideredfringemembersofsociety.
Formanyseekersandrespectedmasters,spiritualpracticeisseenasantitheticaltomundane
existence.Monksleavetheirhomesandfamiliesandrenounceallworldlypursuitsinorderto
obtainenlightenment.NunscloisterthemselvestobeclosertoGod.NewAgeascensionphilo
sophyadvisestranscendingthebodyandbecomingnothingbutlight.Easternphilosophytells
ustoletgoofworldlyattachments.

Theseparationofspiritualityfromtherestoflifeleavesusspirituallyhomeless.Inreflectionofthe
archetypaldivorcebetweenEarthMotherandSkyFather,wearetaughttoseekenlightenment
bydenyingthebasicnatureofourbiologicalexistence.ThischasmbetweenHeavenandEarth
createsacorrespondingabyssbetweenspiritandsoulintowhichmanyfallastheyengagein
asceticpractices,signtheirwillovertogurus,anddisengagefromtheworld.Denyingourbasic
natureinordertoachieveunityisacontradictionsteepedindualisticthinkingwhichwillneverlead
tounityorwholeness.

Theseventhchakraisaboutmergingwithdivineconsciousnessandrealizingourtruenature.The
pettyconcernsthatoccupythebulkofourwakinglifeoftendistractusfromrememberingwhowe
trulyarebeneaththejobsandthecars,thekidsandtheclothes.Itisimportanttoknowthatwe
arechildrenofthedivineseekingourwaybackhomethatthereisadeepermeaningtolifethan
isnormallyperceived.

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Whatisvalidaboutthismythofseparationisthatwedoneedtodisconnectfromtheillusionsand
attachmentsweplacebetweenourselvesandthedivine,fromthesubstitutionsweusetofillthe
emptinessofoursoul.Ibelievetheultimatesourceofthesesoulwoundsstemsfromstrippingour
ordinaryexistenceofitsspiritualmeaning,leavingtheaveragepersonwithoutpurposeordirection.

Thecrownchakraisthethousandpetaledlotus.Mostpeoplethinkofthepetalsasreachingup
intotheheavens;actually,thelotuspetalsturndownwardlikeasunflower,drippingnectarinto
thecrownanddownthroughthechakras.Inthisway,thetwoendsofthespectrumareprofoundly
connected.HowcansalotusbloomwithoutrootsintheEarth?HowcanitreachHeavenifits
rootsarenotdeepandwide?

TheRainbowBridge,likeanybridge,isaboutconnection.Thetwoendsofthespectrumconnect
theindividualselfwithuniversalcreation.Themiddlesectionofthebridgetakesthecombination
outintotheworld,throughappropriateaction,rightrelationship,andcreativecontributions.Our
purposeintheseventhchakraistocontactthedivine,butalsotomanifestdivinityinourbodies
andactionsandsotransformtheworld.Intheseventhchakra,weseedivinityinallmatterandin
allitsinfinitearrangements.CrossingtheRainbowBridgeisaboutstretchingtoconnectthelimited
withtheinfinite,whilestillretainingbothqualities.Itisthroughthatstretchthatwegrow.

Toarriveatthefullybloominglotuscrownchakra,ourstemneedstobeconnectedallthewayto
Earth,ourrootsdeepintheground.Throughthisconnection,ourlotusisnourishedandcontinues
tobloom,itspetalseverunfolding.Ourpurposeisindeedtoliberatethespirit,butifwearetoavoid
gettinglostintheinfinitewemustretainahometowhichthespiritcanreturn.Thisisthechallenge
ofapsychologicallybalancedseventhchakra.

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ShortSynopsis

ChakraSeven:
Thought,Universalidentity,orientedtoselfknowledge
Thisisthecrownchakrathatrelatestoconsciousnessaspureawareness.Itisourconnectiontothe
greaterworldbeyond,toatimeless,spacelessplaceofallknowing.Whendeveloped,thischakra
bringsusknowledge,wisdom,understanding,spiritualconnection,andbliss.

ChakraSix:
Light,Archetypalidentity,orientedtoselfreflection
Thischakraisknownasthebrowchakraorthirdeyecenter.Itisrelatedtotheactofseeing,both
physicallyandintuitively.Assuchitopensourpsychicfacultiesandourunderstandingofarchetypal
levels.Whenhealthyitallowsustoseeclearly,ineffect,lettingus"seethebigpicture."

ChakraFive:
Sound,Creativeidentity,orientedtoselfexpression
Thisisthechakralocatedinthethroatandisthusrelatedtocommunicationandcreativity.Herewe
experiencetheworldsymbolicallythroughvibration,suchasthevibrationofsoundrepresenting
language.

ChakraFour:
Air,Socialidentity,orientedtoselfacceptance
Thischakraiscalledtheheartchakraandisthemiddlechakrainasystemofseven.Itisrelatedtolove
andistheintegratorofoppositesinthepsyche:mindandbody,maleandfemale,personaand
shadow,egoandunity.Ahealthyfourthchakraallowsustolovedeeply,feelcompassion,haveadeep
senseofpeaceandcenteredness

ChakraThree:
Fire,Egoidentity,orientedtoselfdefinition
Thischakraisknownasthepowerchakra,locatedinthesolarplexus.Itrulesourpersonalpower,will,
andautonomy,aswellasourmetabolism.Whenhealthy,thischakrabringsusenergy,effectiveness,
spontaneity,andnondominatingpower.

ChakraTwo:
Water,Emotionalidentity,orientedtoselfgratification
Thesecondchakra,locatedintheabdomen,lowerback,andsexualorgans,isrelatedtotheelement
water,andtoemotionsandsexuality.Itconnectsustoothersthroughfeeling,desire,sensation,and
movement.Ideallythischakrabringsusfluidityandgrace,depthoffeeling,sexualfulfillment,andthe
abilitytoacceptchange.

ChakraOne:
Earth,Physicalidentity,orientedtoselfpreservation
Locatedatthebaseofthespine,thischakraformsourfoundation.Itrepresentstheelementearth,
andisthereforerelatedtooursurvivalinstincts,andtooursenseofgroundingandconnectiontoour
bodiesandthephysicalplane.Ideallythischakrabringsushealth,prosperity,security,anddynamic
presence.

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Reprinted for Kundalini Awakening Systems 1

From: Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith.