Energetic anatomy of the human body (Aura/Chakras/Meridians)
The energetic anatomy of the human body refers to the composition of the human energy field. Every living being has a unique energy field, a vital part of us that is constantly in motion, expanding and contracting. This energy field is also known as the aura, which consists of seven layers. These layers are interconnected with each other, the chakras (energy nodes), the meridians, and the physical body. Each aura layer correlates with one of the seven major chakras. These chakras are connected to the main meridians, which facilitate the flow of energy through the human body. All layers of the aura, the seven basic chakras, and the various main meridians each have their specific properties, shape, vibration, etc.
Aura
| Aura opbouw | Benaming | Gerelateerd aan |
|---|---|---|
| 1st layer (Root Chakra)l | Etheric Body | Physical |
| 2nd layer (Sacral Chakra) | Emotional Body | Emotions |
| 3rd layer (Solar Plexus Chakra) | Mental Body | Thinking |
| 4th layer (Heart Chakra) | Astral Body | Love, balance, dreams |
| 5th layer (Throat Chakra) | Etheric Template Body | Physical on a spiritual level |
| 6th layer (Third Eye Chakra) | Celestial Body | Emotions and/or physical and/or love on a spiritual level |
| 7th layer (Crown Chakra) | Causal Body | Thinking on a spiritual level |
Chakras
In your body, there are seven major energy centers. These are known as Chakras. The word "Chakra" comes from Sanskrit and literally means 'wheel'. You can visualize a chakra as a vortex that allows energy to flow through your body, or in other words, a 'spinning wheel of energy'. There are numerous interpretations and variations of the concept of chakras, depending on tradition and cultural differences. Most traditions recognize the following seven chakras, starting from the base and ending at the crown.
| First Chakra | Root Chakra - I am |
|---|---|
| Name | Muladhara or Root Chakra |
| Element | Earth |
| Color | Red |
| Location | Coccyx (end of the spine) |
| Purpose | Grounding, providing a foundation |
| Based located around | Last trimester of pregnancy to one year |
| Areas of life | Attachment, Grounding, Trust, Safety, Health, Healthy boundaries, Primary life needs (home, food) |
| Orientation | Self-preservation |
| Demon | Fear |
| Balanced charateristics | Good overall health, Vitality, Groundedness, Comfort in your body, Trust in the world, Sense of safety and security, Ability to relax, Stability, Providing for basic needs, Healthy boundaries |
| Deficient characteristics | Disconnection from the body, Anxious, Restless, Extremely mobile/Unable to sit still, Lack of focus and discipline, Weak boundaries, Disorderly, Physically often too light |
| Excessive characteristics | Hoarding, material fixation, Greed, Fear of change, need for control, addicted to certainty, Rigid boundaries, Physically often too heavy |
| Healing strategy | Increase body awareness, Physical activity (conscious walking or running, dancing, yoga, strength training, etc.), Massage, touch, Reflect on early attachment relationship with parents (especially mother) |
| Supportive affirmations | I am safe/Nothing can harm me, I am allowed to exist, I am here and I am real, My body is allowed to exist, I am immersed in abundance, The earth supports me and fulfills my needs |
| Second Chakra | Sacral Chakra - I feel |
|---|---|
| Name | Name: Svadisthana or Sacral Chakra |
| Element | Element: Water |
| Color | Color: Orange |
| Location | Location: Pelvic floor, near the sacrum (about 4 cm below the navel) |
| Purpose | Purpose: Movement and connection |
| Based Located Around | Based located around: Six months to two years |
| Areas of Life | "Movement, Creative power / the desire to create, Emotions, Sexuality and sensuality, Desire, Secondary needs / pleasures" |
| Orientation | Self-fulfillment |
| Demon | Guilt |
| Balanced characteristics | Emotional intelligence, Ability to express needs and experience pleasures, Self-nurturing and nurturing others, Adaptability, Healthy boundaries, Graceful movement |
| Deficient characteristics | Frigidity, fear/aversion to sex, Denial of pleasure, Excessive boundaries, Fear of change/rigidity, Lack of desire, passion, excitement, Overall emotional blockage |
| Excessive characteristics | Sexual addiction or using sex as a tool, General susceptibility to addiction, Excessively strong emotions, Weak boundaries/easily violating others' boundaries |
| Healing strategy | Movement therapy, dancing, Releasing or containing emotions (depending on deficiency vs. excess), Working on sensing, expressing, and protecting boundaries, Doing enjoyable activities, embracing fun, Addressing addictions |
| Supportive affirmations: | I am allowed to have fun, I see the beauty in myself and the world, I move effortlessly, Life is enjoyable, My feelings are allowed to exist, My sexuality is sacred |
| Third Chakra | Solar Plexus Chakra - I do |
|---|---|
| Name | Manipura (Sparkling Jewel), solar plexus or navel chakra |
| Element | Fire |
| Color | Yellow |
| Location | Solar plexus (about 3 cm above the navel) |
| Purpose | Transformation |
| Based Located Around | One and a half to four years |
| Areas of Life | Ego-identity, Self-worth and self-acceptance, Individualization, Assertiveness/drive to take action, Autonomy, Power |
| Orientation | Self-determination |
| Demon | Shame / Uncertainty |
| Balanced characteristics | Responsible and disciplined, Balanced and reliable, Healthy sense of self-worth/self-confidence, Pleasant person to be around/warm personality, Spontaneity, playfulness, humor, Assertive and proactive/does not shy away from challenges |
| Deficient characteristics | Low energy, Weak will, Difficulty finishing things/quitter, Low self-worth, Cold, Victim mentality, Passive |
| Excessive characteristics | Overbearing, sometimes aggressive, Always wanting to have the last word, Manipulative, sometimes narcissistic, Angry outbursts, Extremely performance-oriented, Dominant, Hyperactive |
| Healing strategy | Grounding exercises, Emotional liberation (in deficiency) or emotional containment (in excess), Taking risks (in deficiency) or tension management (in excess), Physical movement: Eastern martial arts |
| Supportive affirmations: | I [name] am allowed to fully exist, I embrace my inner fire and do what I want, with love, I can achieve anything I set my mind to |
| Fourth Chakra | Heart Chakra - I feel |
|---|---|
| Name | Anahata (undefeated) of hart chakra |
| Element | Air |
| Color | Green |
| Location | Heart |
| Purpose | Love and balance |
| Based Located Around | Four to seven years |
| Areas of Life | Soul identity, Self-love, Love for others, Balance, Relationships, Intimacy |
| Orientation | Self-acceptance |
| Demon | Sadness |
| Balanced characteristics | Compassion, Empathy, Self-love, Loving others, Peaceful, balanced |
| Deficient characteristics | Antisocial, cold, Critical, strict with oneself and others, judgmental, Isolation, Depression, Fear of intimacy or relationships, Lack of empathy, Lack of desire, Narcissism |
| Excessive characteristics | Self-sacrificing, Weak boundaries, Dependent, Jealous, Smothering / overly sacrificing / suffocating |
| Healing strategy | Breathing exercises, Exercise: arm exercises, chest opening, shoulder and chest training, Self-exploration / therapy: releasing sadness, practicing forgiveness, addressing fear of commitment |
| Supportive affirmations: | I deserve love, I am loving towards myself and others, I am allowed to desire [XX], I give myself permission to dream. |
| Fifth Chakra | Throat Chakra - I communicate |
|---|---|
| Name | Vishuddha (purification) or throat chakra |
| Element | Sound |
| Color | Light blue |
| Location | Throat |
| Purpose | Communication & creativity |
| Based Located Around | Seven to twelve years |
| Areas of Life | Communication, Creativity / the ability to express oneself creatively, Listening, Finding your own voice |
| Orientation | Self-expression |
| Demon | Lies |
| Balanced characteristics | Full voice, Good listener, Clear communication, Creative / expressing ideas, Good sense of timing & rhythm |
| Deficient characteristics | Stage fright, Weak voice, Difficulty articulating feelings, Introversion, shyness, Poor sense of rhythm / poor musical ear |
| Excessive characteristics | Talking too much, Poor listener, Gossiping, Dominant voice, Interrupting others |
| Healing strategy | Voice liberation, Neck and shoulder massage, Singing, Storytelling, Writing (for example, in a journal), Practicing silence (in case of excess), Engaging in creative activities |
| Supportive affirmations: | I am allowed to voice my opinions, I listen attentively, Creativity flows in and through me |
| Sixt Chakra | Third Eye Chakra - I see |
|---|---|
| Name | Ajna (perception and command) or third eye chakra |
| Element | Light |
| Color | Indigo |
| Location | Third eye (the point between the eyebrows) |
| Purpose | Recognizing patterns |
| Based Located Around | Adolescence |
| Areas of Life | Intuition, Imagination, Creativity, Clear insight, Dreams, Visions |
| Orientation | Self-reflection |
| Demon | Illusion |
| Balanced characteristics | Intuitive, Good memory, Strong imagination, Ability for visual and symbolic thinking, Access to dreams |
| Deficient characteristics | Insensitivity, Poor memory, Lack of imagination, Difficulty contemplating the future, Seeing only one truth or way, Not dreaming / inability to recall dreams |
| Excessive characteristics | Hallucinations, Delusions, Obsessions, Concentration problems, Nightmares |
| Healing strategy | Creative therapy / art therapy, Meditating, Regression therapy, Creating art |
| Supportive affirmations: | I see everything clearly, I am open to my inner wisdom |
| Seventh Chakra | Crown Chakra - I understand/know |
|---|---|
| Name | Sahasrara (thousandfold) or crown chakra |
| Element | Thoughts |
| Color | Violet |
| Location | Crown |
| Purpose | Understanding |
| Based Located Around | Young adulthood |
| Areas of Life | Transcendence, Beliefs, Higher power, Divinity, Unity, Vision, Worldly peace |
| Orientation | Self-awareness |
| Demon | Attachment |
| Balanced characteristics | The ability to perceive, analyze, and disseminate information, Intelligent, Conscious, Observant, Unbiased, Positive critical thinker, Sense of spiritual connection, Mastery, overall wisdom |
| Deficient characteristics | Spiritual cynicism, Rigid beliefs, Apathy, Materialism, greed, dominance over others |
| Excessive characteristics | Presenting oneself excessively intellectually, Spiritual addiction / lost contact with physical reality, Dissociation from the body |
| Healing strategy | Reconnecting with the body (in case of excess) or connecting with the mind (in case of deficiency), Meditating (especially in case of deficiency, with excess focus on body awareness in meditation), Strength training, yoga (in case of excess) |
| Supportive affirmations: | I carry the divine within me, I trust my inner wisdom, The world is my teacher |
Meridians
The meridians facilitate the transport of energy throughout the body. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that within this energetic mass, there are 12 distinct energy pathways (meridians). These 12 meridians serve both a physical and emotional function, acting as channels for the transportation of life energy, also known as "qi" or "chi". Although each meridian is associated with a specific organ, the function of a meridian extends beyond just the respective organ. Each meridian possesses unique properties and functions. Here is a brief description of the 12 main meridians:
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Lung Meridian (Lung): Associated with the lungs, it regulates breathing and influences the emotional aspect of sorrow.
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Large Intestine Meridian (Large Intestine): Linked to the large intestine, it regulates the elimination of waste and has a connection with letting go on both physical and emotional levels.
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Stomach Meridian (Stomach): Connected to the stomach, it plays a role in digestion and influences feelings of worry and overthinking.
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Spleen-Pancreas Meridian (Spleen-Pancreas): Related to the spleen and pancreas, it is involved in digestion and regulating blood sugar levels, with emotional effects on overthinking and concern.
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Heart Meridian (Heart): Linked to the heart, it regulates circulation and influences emotions such as joy and love.
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Small Intestine Meridian (Small Intestine): Associated with the small intestine, it plays a role in digestion and influences decision-making.
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Bladder Meridian (Bladder): Connected to the bladder, it regulates the excretion of fluids and has an emotional impact on anxiety.
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Kidney Meridian (Kidney): Linked to the kidneys, it regulates the body's water balance and influences anxiety and willpower.
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Pericardium Meridian (Pericardium): Related to the pericardium, it regulates circulation and influences emotions related to relationships.
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Triple Burner Meridian (Triple Burner): Has no direct association with an organ but regulates body temperature and influences stress and tension.
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Gallbladder Meridian (Gallbladder): Linked to the gallbladder, it regulates the digestion of fats and influences decision-making.
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Liver Meridian (Liver): Connected to the liver, it regulates the storage and release of blood and influences anger and frustration.
Maintaining the balance of these meridians is considered essential for good health. Various traditional Chinese medicine practices, such as acupuncture and herbal medicine, focus on restoring this balance to promote both physical and emotional well-being.