The Chakras: A Blueprint for Success

Throughout history, many Eastern-based ancient cultures, including India and China, have hypothesized the existence of a universal energy that flows through the physical body of all living things. On the basis of spiritual traditions, they believed that a subtle energy body surrounded all living creatures and was responsible for sustaining the life of organs, cells, tissue, and blood and was considered to be the connective flow to their creator. Associated with this idea was the concept of energy centers situated in various locations within the energy body functioning as pumps, regulating the flow of the universal energy. In order to describe the nature of the energy body and energy centers, various energy and spiritual models were developed. One such model, popularized over recent years, is the chakra model. Originating in India, this model recognizes that each energy center, known as a chakra, represents specific physical, psychological, and spiritual functions of a person. The model proposes that if the chakras of a person are healthy and balanced, then that person will be physically, psychologically, and spiritually healthy.

So what does the chakra model have to do with manifesting success in life, whether it is in business, relationships, or some other personal endeavor? If we examine closely the psychological qualities associated with each chakra, we will see that they form an excellent psychological blueprint for success. While it is generally accepted that there are seven chakras, particularly among yoga schools, there are numerous systems that deal with different seven major chakras. Therefore in our discussion we will be looking at psychological functions of eight chakras, including the basic, sex, naval, solar plexus, heart, throat, ajna, and crown. Please note that this is not a definitive list but rather the chakras pertinent to the psychological traits for achieving success.

To start with, the basic chakra, located at the base of the spine, is associated with our ability to survive in the physical world. This means being well grounded and having a practical and realistic approach to life rather than floating off into space. It also means having a good understanding of how the world works, allowing us to exist and operate effectively in today’s environment.

The sex chakra, located in the pubic area, is linked with high creativity and capacity to generate ideas. Creativity is an impetus for innovation and can assist us in finding solutions to difficult problems by thinking outside the square. The sex chakra is also associated with the desire to maintain control and power over the external environment, including people and money. Having a positive influence over people is vital for effective leadership and management, while financial wealth allows us make the most of our opportunities.

The navel chakra, located on the naval, is connected to our personal power, that is, our level of self-esteem and self-confidence within ourselves. Naturally, the more belief we have in ourselves and our abilities, the more likely we will be in succeeding. Self-confidence enables us to easily silence the negative voices that arise in our heads, replacing negative statements like “no I cannot” with positive affirmations such as “yes I can!”

The solar plexus chakra, located in the solar plexus, is associated with courage, perseverance, motivation, and the desire to win. Courage and perseverance are keys to overcoming the many obstacles inevitably encountered along the way, such as fear and adversity. Motivation and desire to win serve as the necessary fuel to “fight” on, especially during those critical moments when the challenge appears to be just too great.

The heart chakra, located in the heart, is linked to our ability to love, to feel compassion, to be considerate and act in kindness. Such attributes are very important when it comes to relationships and dealing with people on a personal and professional level. The heart chakra is also the center of our passion. The more passionate we are about our goals and beliefs, the higher the chance of success.

The throat chakra, located on the throat, has an obvious association with our ability to express ourselves and communicate with others via words and actions. Naturally, this is central to achieving mutual understanding in relationships and team environments. The throat chakra is also related to being organized and methodical, that is, our ability to manage tasks and people. Such characteristics are fundamental to the successful management of complex tasks and team-based projects.

The ajna chakra, also known as the Third Eye, is located between the eyebrows. This chakra is related to our intellectual ability, that is, our ability to think logically, comprehend concepts, and solve problems. The benefits of this are obvious. It is also related to our ability to learn from previous experiences, enabling us to make better decisions in the future. Furthermore, it is associated with our level of willpower, stamina, and discipline. Such qualities are typically relied on during the most difficult or tedious parts of a challenge or project.

Finally, the crown chakra, which is located at the top of the head, represents our connection to our soul and creator. It is through this connection that we are able to understand our purpose in life, why we are here. Having a clear vision of the bigger picture means that the goals we will endeavor to achieve will inevitably be far more fulfilling. The crown chakra is also the origin of intuition and inspiration, serving as another useful tool in making decisions and acting quickly on opportunities.

Now if we were to do an honest stock take of ourselves on each these qualities, we would discover, as expected, that we are strong in some areas but not so strong in others. Typically, there are two types of people. There are those that are naturally strong in qualities originating from the lower chakras, that is, the basic, sex, naval, and solar plexus chakras. Such people tend to have the required ability to execute but may lack connection with others or have no sense of purpose and fulfillment. The other group of people tend to be strong in traits found in the higher chakras, including the heart, throat, ajna, and crown. This group may have the required intelligence, a strong sense of purpose, and, in some cases, are highly intuitive, but they lack the capability to execute effectively. What type of person are you?

It is obvious that the key to success is achieving the right balance. Our challenge, if we are to become truly successful in all facets of life, is to develop those qualities that are lacking and continue to enhance further the other traits that come more naturally. Ideally, if we can have our heads in the stars while our feet are firmly planted on the ground, success will inevitably come our way. It is also essential to note that the qualities located in the higher chakras should always exceed those located in the lower chakras; otherwise, we are in danger of being controlled by our lower desires and emotions, such as greed and fear. As the saying goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

I wish you all the best in the development of your success traits.

** This article is one of 101 great articles that were published in 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life. To get complete details on “101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life”, visit http://www.selfgrowth.com/greatways3.html