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    History of Chakras

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    The document provides a brief history of chakras from their first mention in early Upanishads from 700-800 BCE through their introduction and interpretation in the West. It discusses how early Indian texts like the Upanishads and Gorakshashatakam referenced chakras and tantric concepts. In the 16th century, texts like the Shri-Tattva-Cintamani provided descriptions of activating the chakras. In the late 19th/early 20th century, Theosophical writers introduced chakras to the West and influenced interpretations, like C.W. Leadbeater associating them with subtle body energies and personality types. More modern works from the 1970s by Christopher Hills linked chak

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    History of Chakras

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    The document provides a brief history of chakras from their first mention in early Upanishads from 700-800 BCE through their introduction and interpretation in the West. It discusses how early Indian texts like the Upanishads and Gorakshashatakam referenced chakras and tantric concepts. In the 16th century, texts like the Shri-Tattva-Cintamani provided descriptions of activating the chakras. In the late 19th/early 20th century, Theosophical writers introduced chakras to the West and influenced interpretations, like C.W. Leadbeater associating them with subtle body energies and personality types. More modern works from the 1970s by Christopher Hills linked chak

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    The document provides a brief history of chakras from their first mention in early Upanishads from 700-800 BCE through their introduction and interpretation in the West. It discusses how early Indian texts like the Upanishads and Gorakshashatakam referenced chakras and tantric concepts. In the 16th century, texts like the Shri-Tattva-Cintamani provided descriptions of activating the chakras. In the late 19th/early 20th century, Theosophical writers introduced chakras to the West and influenced interpretations, like C.W. Leadbeater associating them with subtle body energies and personality types. More modern works from the 1970s by Christopher Hills linked chak

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    318 views3 pages

    History of Chakras

    Uploaded by

    giselabollo1
    The document provides a brief history of chakras from their first mention in early Upanishads from 700-800 BCE through their introduction and interpretation in the West. It discusses how early Indian texts like the Upanishads and Gorakshashatakam referenced chakras and tantric concepts. In the 16th century, texts like the Shri-Tattva-Cintamani provided descriptions of activating the chakras. In the late 19th/early 20th century, Theosophical writers introduced chakras to the West and influenced interpretations, like C.W. Leadbeater associating them with subtle body energies and personality types. More modern works from the 1970s by Christopher Hills linked chak

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    A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE

    CHAKRAS
    Pam Gorst

    Have you ever wondered about the chakra tradition, the


    interpretations of the chakras when mentioned in your yoga
    class, or why they are associated with the rainbow colours
    during visualisations? If so, then read on, you may very well be
    surprised.
    The first known mention of chakras appeared in a number of
    early Upanishads around 7-800 BCE. Later Upanishads
    around 200 BCE 200 CE, namely Shri Jabala Darshana
    Upanishad, Cudamini Upanishad, Yoga-Shikka Upanishad
    and Shandila Upanishad, made reference to tantric
    concepts such as chakras and mantras, and gave both
    locations and symbolism. In the 10th century, the Gorakshashatakam, written by Guru Goraknath, gave
    information on the powers of awakening and meditating on
    the chakras.
    During the 16th century Swami Purananda wrote the Shri-Tattva-Cintamini, the 6 th
    chapter of which is called the Sat-Cakra-Nirupana (investigation of the six centres),
    including descriptions and practices to activate the chakras, as well as the powers
    attributed to each chakra and the movement of kundalini in piercing them on its
    upward journey. This work was translated in the early part of the 20 th century by
    Sir John Woodroofe (alias Arthur Avalon) entitled The Serpent Power, first
    published in 1919. It is not an easy read, but is probably the foremost text on
    chakras and kundalini. Around this period the Theosophical movement were active,
    and introduced chakras to the West through the works of Alice Bailey, whose
    writings over a 30 years period were the result of telepathic communication with
    the Tibetan master Djwhal Khul1; and the publication of C.W. Leadbeaters The
    Chakras, based around the tradition of Madam Blavatsky, as well as his own
    experiences and interpretations.
    Leadbeater took the traditional concepts from tantra and Indian religious culture, but
    interpreted them more freely, no doubt to suit the sensibilities of the time. His influence
    cannot be denied, as he made a number of observations which have been latched onto by

    other Theosophical and New Age writers and clairvoyants, although very few actually
    give him credit for being the first to come up with these ideas. 3 The illustrations in his
    book The Chakras are particularly beautiful, but reflect what the chakras appear to be
    from a clairvoyant perspective. In traditional tantra, particularly that in Tibet, the
    chakras are created as mental exercises. What is now implied is that the chakras have
    an independent objective existence in the subtle bodies that can be perceived by anyone
    who has developed the appropriate faculities. 4 Clairvoyantly, chakras are seen as
    vortices of energy within the auric field, whereas traditionally the chakras are subtle
    centres of consciousness, but have no energy-status of their own. 5 Leadbeater was the
    first to suggested that chakras were transformers of energy or consciousness, which has
    now become a standard interpretation.
    Thirty years ago few had heard of the chakras, whereas now it has come into common
    usage, with a number of set concepts that seem to be embedded into the modern yogic
    mind. Christopher Hills published a book entitled Nuclear Evolution in the early 70s,
    which probably did as much as Leadbeater to influence Western thinking about the
    chakras. One of the most significant areas Hills was responsible for was the relationship
    of the chakras to the spectrum colours, which until that time had not been linked. The
    other contribution he made was relating the chakras to personality types and has now
    become mainstream chakras analysis in New Age and yogic circles. Neither this nor the
    rainbow colours relate to the original intention of the tantric chakra scheme, but now
    seems to be an accepted part of their interpretation.
    Over the thousand or so years of this esoteric tradition and much secret knowledge
    relating to chakras, there has been a shift in perception as this has been shared with the
    West. The chakra system is seen as a gateway to help us understand ourselves not just
    as physical beings but as spiritual ones. The nature of the original symbolism is not
    necessarily relevant to us now, and has evolved to provide meanings that we can
    understand and access. Our need to verify and substantiate the reality of the chakras
    will no doubt continue into the 21st century, with scientific evidence proving or
    disproving their existence.
    Finally, I would like to pose the question: should we accept the New Age interpretations
    of the chakras without question, or return to the traditions that have stood the test of
    time?

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
    Terri Hilder, DCT
    REFERENCES
    1
    Ozaniec, Naomi, The Elements of the Chakras, 1990, p 6
    2-6
    ww/kheper.net/topics/chakras/chakras-TS.htm (accessed Aug 03)

    BIBLIOGRAPHY
    Leadbeater, C.W. The Chakras, Theosophical Publishing House, 1927
    Avalon, Arthur, The Serpent Power, Dover Publications, 1974
    Feuerstein, Georg, Encyclopedic Dictionary of Yoga, Unwin Paperbacks, 1990
    www.annikalangle.com/chakras.htm (accessed Aug 03)

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