Within every living body, although on the subtle rather than the gross
or physical level, there are said to be a series of energy fields or centres
of consciousness, which in traditional Tantric teachings are called chakras
("wheels") or padmas ("lotuses"). They are said to be located either
along, or just in front of, the backbone, even though they may express
themselves externally at points along the front of the body (navel, heart,
throat, etc). Associated with the chakras is a latent subtle energy,
called kundalini in Shaktism, and tumo in Tibetan Buddhist
Tantra.
The chakras - or
at least the major
ones - are said to be arranged vertically along the axis of the body. They
are said to be located either along, or just in front of, the backbone,
even though they may express themselves externally at points along the
front of the body (navel, heart, throat, etc). Associated with the
chakras is a latent subtle energy, called kundalini-shakti in Shaktism
or Hindu Tantra, and tumo in Tibetan Buddhist Tantra.
Speculations and
teachings concerning the chakras have occured independently in the
religious, spiritual, yogic, and occult traditions of India, China, and
the West. Although having certain basic points in common, these
also differ in many details. So we have a number of different chakra-doctrines
that have developed in different esoteric traditions to greater or lesser
completeness.
Introduction
