Jaina Doctrine Of Karma: The Nadis and Chakras

Prana energy operates in the body as an open system, which is not limited to the body’s physical, mental or emotional systems. As we breathe, prana is drawn into the nose and is distributed into the body by specific unseen channels called Nadis. There is the main Nadi system which connects the 7 major Chakras (consciousness centers) to each other and 72000 other different Nadis. The 72000 Nadis are divided into 2 different types of channels:

1. The invisible channels, which are the channel mind.
2. The visible channels, which include the nerves, muscles, arteries, veins, cardio vascular system, lymphatic system and the acupuncture meridians in the body.

The Chakras work with both visible and invisible energies. The 7 major Chakras reside and work in the cerebrospinal (brain-spine) system inside the spinal column and are connected to the main Nadi system (Shushumna). This is where the Chakras control the functioning of the entire body.

The Shushumna is centrally located and is the only Nadi that passes through the spinal column. This main Nadi system is divided into 3 Nadis of which one channel rises in the spinal column and two channels reside in the brain. The Shushumna usually remains dormant when other Nadis are active and subsequently flows when the other Nadi, are restrained. This happens when we breathe in prana through both nostrils. We only breathe through both nostrils about ten breaths in every hour, at dawn and at dusk. Chakras are active at all times. They are influenced by the energy elements of water, fire, earth, air and void space (akasha). The energy elements produce different physical, emotional and psychic states. The elements move inside the body through the breath and produce chemical changes via the endocrine glands, which mix these secretions into the blood instantaneously.

The first 5 major Chakras, located in the spinal cord, are the building blocks of psychophysical existence for the five senses, vision, taste, sound, smell and touch. Chakras have a definite relationship to the physical body and its functions. Each of the first five major chakras is connected to a specific sense organ and stores psychophysical energy, which then flows to all 7 major chakras from one chakra to another when activated by the breath.

A major Chakra resembles a spinning wheel when looking directly into the Chakra. However, viewed from the side it looks more like an energy vortex somewhat resembling the shape of a tornado. This energy funnel is tight and compact near the surface of the skin, and gradually widens as it extends outside the physical body to the outer edge of the aura. Each major Chakra from the root to brow has three or four vortices associated with it: one spiraling upward, one downward towards the earth, one out the front of the body and one out through the back of the body in some cases. The upward projecting vortex from one Chakra and the downward projecting vortex of the Chakra just above it join to form an energy column that run vertically through the physical body from the bottom of the spine (Root Chakra) up in front of the spine and out through the top of the head (Crown Chakra) The Crown Chakra has two vortices, one opening upward towards the heavens, and one projecting downward into the energy column running through the body.

When a Chakra is "healthy and balanced" its front and rear vortices spin in a circular motion. However, if there is a disturbance or blockage in the flow of energy within a Chakra, the circular motion may become elliptical or, in extreme cases, severely flattened on its sides. Each Chakra has its own specific "frequency" or rate of spin, with the lowest rate of spin in the Root Chakra, and steadily increasing up to the highest rate of spin in the Crown Chakra.

The purpose or function of the human Chakra system is to take in higher - dimensional energy from the Universal Energy Field all around us and translate or step down its frequency of vibration to that which can be used within the physical body. Each major Chakra vibrates or spins at a different rate, and each Chakra will absorb energy from the UEF that is harmonically related to its own frequency Thus energy from several frequency band within the UEF is absorbed by the different Chakras and is directed by the Nadis to those organs with which that Chakra is associated.

Many minor Chakras are also located throughout the body, and are usually associated with joints such as the knee, shoulder, elbow, etc. Additional minor Chakras are found in the palms of both hands and the soles of the feet, the ends of the fingers and toes. These minor Chakras appear as spikes of energy emanating from the body rather than the spinning vortices of the major Chakras.

Table 1: Major Chakras and Associated Organs and Glands.