A Guide to the Spiritual Body: Exploring the Chakras

Every human being consists of two fundamental aspects: the physical body and the spiritual body. The two are inseparable and function together to create a living human. However, it is important to understand they are two different aspects, with different purposes, but directly influence one another.

The physical body is the biological makeup of molecules, cells, bones, muscular systems, organs, and glands that work together to create life. It is a human’s outermost layer,  a shell that protects the energetic body. The spiritual body, also referred as the “energetic body”, is a subtle layer of the human body felt through sensation, intuition, and emotional patterns. It is comprised of energetic channels, contains all information about an individual’s identity, and is shaped by the interactive undercurrents of subconscious intelligence that establishes a sense of wellbeing.

The History of the Chakra System

One of the body's most essential energy channels is the system of chakras. The chakra system originates from Indian philosophy, beginning in the year 1000 BC. Evidence of the power of the chakras was shared through the Vedas, the sacred spiritual teachings and ancient scriptures of Hinduism.

Knowledge of the chakra system evolved through oral tradition, becoming commonly recognized 2500 years ago with the emergence of the Tantric tradition. Tantra is a diverse set of spiritual practices from India and Tibet, found in Hinduism and Buddhism, focused on using the body, energy, and the material world as a direct path to liberation. It teaches the path for expanding consciousness, often through rituals such as yoga, meditation, mantra, and deity worship. Tantric practices observe divinity in everything, including sexuality, as a tool for awakening rather than renunciation. It emphasizes transforming ordinary experience – including intense emotions and energy – into spiritual realization, contrasting with ascetic paths. 

Prior to the emergence of Tantra, the physical body was believed to be an obstacle obstructing spiritual evolution. Tantric practices embrace the physical body, regarding it as a vessel for enlightenment. It maintains the principle that spiritual transformation occurs through activation of the chakras, cleansing the physical body of impurities and guides the spiritual body to complete enlightenment.

The Formation of Chakras

Chakras are small triangles, formed by the intersection of energy channels, that exist throughout the entire spiritual body. These channels, termed “meridians” in Chinese medicine, transport Prana, known as “life force energy”, through twelve major pathways, and facilitate the flow of prana throughout the whole body. Each meridian is connected to a specific organ system, which best explicates the connection of chakras to the physical body.

The convergences of the channels are believed to form around 80,000 chakras. In areas where there are an innumerable number of intersections, the triangles combine to form larger groups of energy, forming a circular shape, like a wheel, and is a major chakra. This visual clarifies the translation of the Sanskrit  word “chakra”, meaning “spinning wheel”. There are seven major chakras formed in the energetic body and are responsible for moving energy throughout the body – directly influencing overall wellness.

The Seven Main Chakras

The seven major chakras align the physical body along the length of the spine, beginning with the base and ending at the top of the skull. Each chakra is associated with an organ, or gland, and connects to an element of spiritual wellness – blending the relationship between the physical and energetic body. 

The chakras vibrate at different frequencies and directly influence one’s overall wellbeing. The lower three chakras connect an individual to themself through survival, creativity, and action. The middle chakra, the heart center, signifies compassion, and is a gateway between the lower and upper chakras. The upper three chakras connect an individual to the outside and etherical worlds influencing one’s communication, visualization, and spirituality.

T h e  R o o t 

The root chakra, Muladhara (“support”), emanates a bright red color and is located at the base of the spine, connecting to the adrenal gland. This chakra relates an individual to themselves and their survival needs – environmentally, financially, socially, and emotionally.  It can be energetically blocked when one’s foundation is threatened, changes to their environment occur, or if they live with scarcity, anger, or fear.

T h e  S a c r a l 

The sacral chakra, Svadhistana (“sweetness”), radiates an orange aura and is located directly below the belly button, connecting to the gonad gland. When viewing the physical body from head to toe, this chakra is in the exact center. It is connected to the sexual organs and the experience of pleasure, joy, and creativity. This chakra is the expression of sexuality and the stimulation of inspiration, relating one to their ideal pleasures in life. It can be energetically blocked if one stifles  self-expression, overstimulates with pleasure, or experiences guilt for their desires.

T h e  S o l a r  P l e x u s

The solar plexus, Maniupra (“lustrous gem”), is a vibrant yellow color, is located several inches below the chest line, directly above the belly button, and connects to the pancreas gland. This chakra is associated with an individual’s personal power, confidence, and direction in life. It influences decision making, self-image, and personal accountability. Ultimately, it connects an individual’s self-worth and confidence to the roles they uphold in society and can be energetically blocked by shame, insecurities, and self-doubt.

T h e  H e a r t

The heart chakra, Anahata (“unstuck”), emits a deep green aura, is in the center of the chest and connects to the thymus gland. This energetic space connects the lower chakras, pertaining to the relationship one sustains with themselves, to the upper chakras, relating to the dynamic one sustains with the physical and etherical worlds. The heart chakra symbolizes altruism, acceptance, community, gratitude, and self-love. Additionally, this chakra holds the ability to give and receive forgiveness. It can become energetically blocked by grief, resentment, anger, and self-hatred.

T h e  T h r o a t

The throat chakra, Vissudha (“purification”), exudes a turquoise aura, is located at the jugular – connecting to the thyroid gland – and influences communication. This chakra impacts one’s ability to listen, receive information, and articulate coherently. It is associated with an individual’s willpower, self-expression, and authenticity (i.e., articulating one’s needs, thoughts, and feelings).  It pertains to the truth and the courage to follow one’s dharma – an individual’s life duty – honestly and confidently. It can become energetically blocked by dishonesty and self-conscious patterns.

T h e  T h i r d  E y e

The third eye chakra, Anja (“perception”) shines an indigo aura, is located directly between the eyebrows, and is connected to the pituitary and pineal glands. This chakra is connected to one’s intuition and their perception of reality.  It poses the questions, “Who am I and what is my purpose?” and “What is my vision in life?”.  It is responsible for the sixth sense, which is the connection to insight, visualization, discernment, and self-reflection. This chakra can become energetically blocked by illusion and deception.

T h e  C r o w n

The crown chakra, Sahasrara (“thousand-petaled”), radiates a violet aura, is located at the top of the skull, and is connected to the pineal gland – influencing the functions of the brain. The crown chakra is related to celestial energy, connecting one to a higher power, developing spirituality (levels of consciousness) belief systems, values, inner peace, and enlightenment. This chakra can become energetically blocked by attachments, egoism, and arrogance.

Understanding the Purpose of Chakras

Chakras act as gateways between the prana and the channel it travels through. They can be thought of as areas in the body that receive, retain, and distribute energy. Resulting from the complexities of the modern world, chakras can hold energy, stifling the energetic flow within, and become blocked and imbalanced due to external situations, negative habits, and internal limitations. When chakras are free of blockages, they allow prana to pass freely through the meridians. However, if there is a blockage in a chakra, this stagnant energy triggers physical, mental, or emotional imbalances.

Returning to the Wisdom Within

Understanding the chakra system opens a wider lens to the human experience – honoring the physical body and the subtle energetic forces that shape thoughts, emotions, and a sense of purpose. The chakras offer a map of how energy moves, where it stagnates, and how it can be restored. They are a reminder that wellness spans deeper than physical and biological health but is deeply interconnected with an individual’s patterns, habits, and connection.

Learning to recognize the language of the energetic body – through sensation, intuition, and emotional awareness – one can begin to understand themselves with deeper compassion and clarity. Whether through various healing modalities, movement, meditation, breathwork, or simple self-inquiry, nurturing the energetic body and tending to the chakras becomes a practice of returning home to oneself.

Working with the chakras is focused on cultivating presence, balance, and alignment amid everyday life. It is a continuous journey of clearing what no longer serves, strengthening what does, and awakening the innate wisdom that exists within. When your chakras flow freely, you will too – rooted, expressive, empowered, open-hearted, truthful, intuitive, and connected.

--

After diving deeper into the history, formation, and purpose of the chakras, what area sparks interest for you? The comments section is a safe, judgement-free space. Please feel free to share below.

With love --

The JIM