Chapter 3The System of the Chakras · The Centres and the Planes

Chapter One The centres or Chakras are seven in number — (1) The thousand-petalled lotus on the top of the head. (2) In the middle of the forehead — the Ajna Chakra — (will, vision, dynamic thought). (3) Throat centre — externalising mind. (4) Heart-lotus — emotional centre. The psychic is behind it. (5) Navel — higher vital (proper). (6) Below navel — lower vital. (7) Muladhara — physical. All these centres are in the middle of the body; they are supposed to be attached to the spinal cord; but in fact all these things are in the subtle body, s¯uks.ma deha, though one has the feeling of their activities as if in the physical body when the consciousness is awake.

* Chakras The thousand-petalled

Chakra or centre of the higher

(head) lotus

will and knowledge The lotus in the forehead

Will, vision, mental dynamism The lotus in the throat

Expression — external mind The lotus of the heart

Emotion, dynamic vital feeling

(behind the heart is the seat of the psychic being) The lotus of the navel

Higher vital The lotus of the abdomen

Lower vital The lotus at the end of

Physical consciousness

the spine (Muladhara)

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