by Anne B. Dorsey, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Healing Touch Practitioner

Man has seven major energy centers called chakras that form an energy matrix to support the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of being. In addition, there are minor chakra centers throughout the body and the organs that transport energy. The chakras serve as transformers and transducers of light and energy. They recalibrate universal energy so that the body’s cells for growth, waste disposal, and communication between the cells may use it. This is vital for health and well being.

Native cultures have used their own language and belief system to describe these centers for thousands of years. Sanskrit, Hindu, and Indian writings refer to the energy system and provide symbolic drawings. European mystics were acquainted with the chakras and pictures published in the Theosophia Practica in 1696 were kept secret. Theosophists in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s brought this knowledge to English speaking countries. Now the once secret knowledge guarded by members of the ancient Mystery Schools and Tribal Elders is available to seekers in the west.

Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel or disc-like spinning vortex of energy. They have been pictured as looking like flower petals opening closing in response to changes in our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. They reflect aspects of consciousness and demonstrate the connection between our thoughts, emotions, and body.

Energy Centers form a web-like network, which interface with the body through nadis. This directly influences the endocrine system, which controls and regulates all body systems. Thus, the Energy Centers are the master regulators that govern our physical, emotional, and spiritual life.

The subtle body is a nonphysical energy field that is superimposed upon the physical body. The seven major chakras are in the subtle body. This energy field extends an arm’s length from the body and is composed of eight layers. Each layer corresponds to an aspect of human experience: Physical Level/Health, Emotional Level/Feeling, Mental Level/Thinking, Astral Level/Loving, Etheric Template/Devine Will, Celestial Level/Divine Loving, and the Ketheric Template/ Divine Knowing.

Healing occurs on many levels through this intricate system. As we understand more about the Energy Centers we appreciate the interconnectedness of our mind and body. For example, when depleted energy is restored in the emotional layer this effects our thoughts. Our thoughts affect our physical functioning because each thought is charged with different energy. Positive thoughts stimulate health. Negative thoughts deplete the immune system. The opposite is true. When the physical body is recharged and balanced, we feel better and it is easier to think positive thoughts. Clearing energy blocks in one layer effects levels of our being. Healing the physical level is promoted by healing all the levels of the subtle body.

References: Bulbrook, Mary Jo & Mentgen, Janet, “Healing Touch Level 11 Notebook”, Gerber, Richard, “Vibrational Medicine”, Leadbetter, CW “The Chakras”.

Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine
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