The Science and History of the Chakras in Eastern Philosophy

The chakras have a long and ancient history in yoga practice, and many of the discoveries around the chakras have been now strengthened through modern science. By understanding the historical origins along with the modern science behind the chakras, we can begin to witness the full breadth and depth of the chakras. 

In this article, we will begin with an overview of the history of the chakras, including the Vedic philosophical origins, the chakras in Buddhism and Tantra, and how the chakras have evolved since coming to the Western world. Next, we will explore the science behind the chakras through how the chakras map onto the nervous system, depth psychology, Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development, and modern scientifically based chakra healing methods. Now, let’s dive in! 

The History of the Chakras

Vedic Philosophy Origins of the Chakras

The first mention of the concept of the chakras actually came from the Vedas, a text that is thousands of years old. But in this context, the chakras were not how we now understand them to be. In the Vedas, the word “chakra” refers to a type of wheel related to the wheel of time and the wheel of dharma. 

But in the Vedas, the chakra is not just a philosophical concept; it is also a sacred object that is often pictured with some of the most prominent deities. For example, the deity Vishnu is described as holding a chakra called the Sudarshana Chakra, representing the wheel of time that Vishnu controls as described in the Rig Veda. Later on in the Mahabharata, the supreme deity Krishna is described as using the chakra as a weapon. In these contexts, the chakra symbolizes an object of great power that connects to the divine flow of the universe as well as the material cutting of illusion or maya. 

Tantra and the Chakras

Our more modern understanding of the chakras developed much later during the 1^st millennium ACE. Within ancient tantric Hindu texts, there is actually a great variety in the systems of chakras. Although we commonly refer to the 7-chakra system as the primary system of chakras in yoga philosophy, there are actually other systems with more variable numbers of chakras. 

The popularized 7-chakra system has its origins in Kashmir Shaivism Tantra, but much of our understanding of the chakras today came later on through Western adaptations and influences. 

Buddhist and Jain Chakras

The chakras are not exclusive to Hindu philosophy either. Buddhism and Jainism also have a conception of the chakras. In Buddhism, the original understanding of a chakra was its connection to the wheel of dharma. But later Buddhist texts also describe chakra systems along the spinal cord, similar to those used in Hindu Tantra. Also, in Jainism, the chakras are understood as yogic energy centers. 

The Chakras Come to the West – The Jungian Influence

Perhaps the most significant influence on our understanding of the chakras arose when this philosophy came to the Western world and became heavily influenced by the Theosophical Society of America and the psychologist Carl Jung. Many of these Western scholars based their understanding of the chakras on a translation by Sir John Woodroffe in 1918, which sparked interest in the chakras in the Western world. Unfortunately, many modern scholars have greatly criticized Sir John Woodroffe’s flawed translation, crediting it to many of the misrepresentations of the chakras today. 

The New Age influence continued throughout the 20^th century and into the 21^st century, leading to an explosion in various theories around the chakras. This was around the time that the colors were added to the chakras, along with metals, astrological signs, foods, herbs, gemstones, and other such factors. Although this understanding does not have any basis in ancient yoga philosophy, it still has great value for modern practitioners, and many individuals have reported profound healing from integrating this wisdom into their lives.

The Science Behind the Chakras

Chakras and the Physical Body – Mapping the Nervous System

Each of the chakras is correlated with a specific region of the body. These regions actually have a concentration of nerves within the nervous system or significant endocrine glands connected to them. For example, the manipura chakra is centered around the solar plexus, a concentration of nerves in the abdomen. Another example is the third-eye chakra that many theorists connect to the pineal gland, often called the “Seat of the Soul” in modern science. 

Seeing how the chakras correlate with significant regions of the nervous system can deepen our understanding of the mental and emotional impacts that meditation on the chakras may have. Scientists still struggle to understand the placebo effect, and we cannot deny the power of the mind and human consciousness!  

Chakras and Depth Psychology 

Carl Jung, the founder of depth psychology, was one of the primary individuals in the 20^th century who explored the mental and emotional states related to the chakras. Jung was a pioneer in the field of human consciousness studies and made many significant theories regarding how we approach mental health today. 

Based on this research from the psychologist Carl Jung, we now know that each of the chakras has specific mental and emotional states. For example, the root chakra is often connected to the emotions of fear and survival; the second chakra is connected to shame and guilt, and the fourth chakra is connected to love and compassion. 

Many of these concepts were further deepened by Anodea Judith, who added an additional layer of New Age practices and topics to the chakras. 

Chakras and Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development

Another significant correlation between the chakras and modern psychology is found in its connection to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. Modern psychological theorists conceptualize the chakras as another way of understanding human development throughout the lifespan. 

This process of development begins with the root chakra and Erikson’s developmental goals of Trust versus Mistrust. This then moves sequentially through the chakras, with each stage described below: 

1. Root Chakra (Muladhara Chakra) – Trust vs. Mistrust
2. Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana Chakra) – Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt and Initiative vs. Guilt
3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura Chakra) – Industry vs. Inferiority
4. Heart Chakra (Anahata Chakra) – Identity vs. Role Confusion and Intimacy vs. Isolation 
5. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha Chakra) – Generativity vs. Self-Absorption
6. Third-Eye Chakra (Ajna Chakra) – Generativity vs. Self-Absorption
7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara Chakra) – Integrity vs. Despair  

Effective Chakra Therapies – Color Therapy and Sound Healing

There has also been an ongoing development of scientifically based therapies that have some basis in the chakras. The two most widely used therapies related to the chakras are color therapy and sound healing. 

Color therapy uses some of the psychological explorations into the chakras, the colors, and various emotional states. Exposure to specific colors from light and other objects can have a scientifically proven effect on the mind, resulting in a particular mental state simply from exposure to that particular color. Some color therapists use this knowledge to inform specific chakra therapies through clothing, light, and gemstones. 

In traditional philosophy, each of the chakras has a specific bija mantra or root sound associated with it. These mantras come from the elements connected to each chakra. Ancient yoga philosophy understood that chanting these bija mantras creates a unique vibrational frequency that spreads throughout the subtle energy body, causing profound shifts in consciousness. 

Modern scientific therapy methods have also seen tremendous value in sound healing. Specific vibrational frequencies are frequently used by alternative therapists to influence the mind and emotions. Many individuals report feeling a deep sense of inner peace and calm after a soothing sound healing session. 

Chakras and Energy Healing

Although not necessarily backed by modern science, there have been many profound developments in recent times in the field of energy healing and intangible healing techniques. Many individuals who have experienced energy healing have reported incredible experiences on both a mental and physical level. This type of healing cannot be easily understood or quantified; it can only be experienced! Modern energy healers often bring in the chakras into their work, providing a profound experience of transformation on the subtle energy body. 

Learn More About the Chakras in Our Online Yoga Teacher Training Course

The chakras are an incredibly vast topic that we can only barely scratch the surface in this article today. But the important thing to remember is that with this combination of tapping into the ancient philosophical roots and modern scientific wisdom of the chakras, we can harness a profound energy for healing. Putting some of these theories into practice is what will genuinely cultivate transformation in your life! 

In our online yoga teacher training course, we will explore the chakras in greater depth, along with the specific applications of the chakras in yoga poses, meditation, and breathing practices. With a foundational understanding of yoga in our 200-hour yoga teacher training online course, you can gain the skills to implement chakra healing techniques into your life and share this wisdom with others as well. Reach out to us for more information on how to begin! 

If you want to learn more about the chakras, join us for our Online Chakra Healing Course.

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