Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System
I like to think I am a fairly spiritual person. I've read the secret, I practice manifestation through the law of attraction and I meditate when I find the patience. However, I have always been interested in the chakra system. What is it? And why are people always talking about balancing them? I wanted to learn more and see if it would help me understand myself in a different context. After scouring the internet I came across "Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System" by Anodea Judith Ph.D.
The book acts as a textbook for all things in the modern chakra system. Explaining other historical beliefs as to how many there are and what each one represents. If you want a simple breakdown like I did, this is a perfect book to get you started. However, I suggest doing more research beyond this book if you want to learn more. After briefing you on the history of these vibrational systems, she breaks down each chakra and its elemental affiliations. Starting from the root all the way up to the third eye. It includes meditation practices and explores how chakras can be blocked, deficient or overactive.
The book made me think about how I carried myself throughout the world. Challenging my self-awareness and noticing what my aura exuded when I walked into a room. Learning about astrology, not as a general summary for my day but understanding that I am an Earth sign. Grounded and determined while my boyfriend is a fire sign, hot-headed but loyal. Together we combust in creativity but become our own enemies when we let our doubts stand in the way. The book helped me understand the people around me more by understanding my own imbalances. Noticing what I had to work on and subconsciously seeing subtle behaviors in others that revealed what they had to fight through. Experiences affect the chakras, whether traumatic or not they make an impact on how you see, think, and act.
For example, I have an overactive throat chakra. I'm very vocal and at times become intrusive. I need to sing to put my mind at ease and notice that it is the only form of expression that settles me. As you can see I love to write and have a voice in other ways than just speaking. This could be because I always had to stand up for myself as a child and take action into my own hands when I wanted to get something done. It could also be from my Lolo raising me to sing karaoke always encouraging me to practice. This combined with my thirst for knowledge and love for sharing that I began to notice was too much. I didn't have to share what I had to say every time a thought came to mind. It was quite annoying actually. I went through my past experiences and began to notice the different instances that affected my behavior. It made sense of the way I acted when I was younger and helped clarify who I am now.
The book goes on to suggest different ways to balance the chakras. Healing stones, aromatherapy, sound therapy, mediation, all help with staying aligned. Inspiring me to visit the House of Intuition, a popular bougie healing store with all the tools to balance mind, body, and spirit. Gradually building my beloved altar and understanding more about myself plus the world around me. I came to understand that my spirit is sacred and should be protected from the projections of others who lacked self-awareness.
if you have any book suggestions on chakras please let me know in the comments below! Thanks, Kim.
