Life, Energy, and Human Health

Introduction

All living things require energy and the most important source of energy is light. Visible light, which we see, is a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum. This spectrum includes different types of energy that vary only by their wavelength, or frequency. Living organisms depend on light in the ultraviolet, visible light, and infrared part of the spectrum. The wavelength, or frequency, and intensity of the light determine the kinds of interactions and the benefits for life. This article focuses on traditional explanations of energy and the human body. How consciousness and different frequencies of light may benefit health and wellness.

Different colors can cause different emotional responses which affect the body’s neurological communication and body chemistry, which controls our moods and how we feel about things, which ultimately control the conscious decisions and choices we make as well as the unconscious bodily functions that affect our well being and growth.

Light also affects how others see you based on the light energy you reflect according to the light you are bathed in and what you are wearing. The kind of light and colors other people see influences how they interact with you in conscious and unconscious ways.

Hindu and other traditional cultures have long associated different areas of the body (chakras) to various physiological functions, degrees of consciousness, and other characteristics, which are believed to influence the physical, emotional, and mental states of the body. Chakras comes from the Sanskrit cakra, meaning wheel or circle. With the chakras aligned in a column from the base of the spine to the top of the head.

Chakras are considered as main centers of life energy, where energy is concentrated in energy fields for each chakra to interact and communicate with the organs and glands within its region to influence their functioning. This influence can be positive or negative and comes as a result of the mind and body interacting with the environment. Light with different frequencies, forces, or spins will interact with other bodily, cells, tissues, waves, energies, forces, auras, and particles of matter. These interactions can be positive or negative depending on the waves and materials interacting and the information they bring as a result of the interactions. In essence we become what we receive from our environment and how we process it with our minds and bodies. If what we receive is good and we process it well, then we will be healthy. If what and who we come in contact with is negative, or we react to it negatively, then we become unhealthy.

Each chakra not only has its own energy fields within its area, but also interacts with other chakras for energy to flow along pathways called nadis among the chakras. This role of energy transfer or communication among the chakras has been associated with the endocrine system. The endocrine system provides communication across nerves with nerve impulses and through the bloodstream with hormones. These communications create the different emotional and physical functions, which impacts our decision making and our well being by how these interactions affect our emotions and feelings to motivate our actions or inactions. Actions for healthy or unhealthy choices we make and the actions we take.

When we are aware of how chakra’s are connected and the kinds of interactions they have within our body and with the environment, then knowing how they process these interactions and communicate that information can empower us to accept or initiate conscious changes that will affect our bodies in healthy ways. We can do this by being aware of what we bring into our body, by meditating to alter these interactions and communications for the better, and choosing to surround ourselves with positive forces, frequencies, information, and people.

In new age practices different colors of the visible light spectrum (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet) are also associated with each chakra and are thought to affect us in the same ways as the chakras with which they are associated. Becoming aware of different affects can empower us to make conscious changes in areas of our lives by choosing to surround ourselves with certain colors, or concentrating on certain colors while meditating. 

Chakras' functions

In many traditionally creation stories a life energy is used to bring about life. In some Indian religions the life force or vital energy is called the prana and moves among the chakras along the nadi. There are thought to be many chakras, but seven are thought to be the most important. This system and its parts are thought not to be a part of the physical body, but make up a spiritual system known as the subtle body.

In yoga the Kundalini is an energy used to reach spiritual awakening. The Kundalini lies coiled and resting at the base of the spine in the first Chakra. In Yoga or other forms of meditation it is aroused and cycles through the chakras to the crown or the head, resulting in enlightnment or a union with God.

In a modern sense the integration of the subtle body and the physical body is achieved through the endocrine system. The endocrine system communicates our emotional responses of our mental interactions and interpretations of our environment with our physical body.

This can be thought of as a total body integration of our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual systems. Suggesting that all mental thoughts, mental and spiritual responses and responses from interactions between our environment, physical world and our body are a combinination of influences that affect our growth and repair of everything in us. Resulting with everything that happens to us and our reactions to them being recorded in every cell of our bodies.

The Chakras relationships to the body, endocrine system, and light

Muladhara red spirals

The first Chakra (Muladhara) is the base or root chakra. Located at the bottom of the spine between the genitals and the anus. Includes reproductive organs, bladder, large intestine, and prostate.

It is thought to be the store house for the energy and life forces needed for survival, security, and the development of human potentiality as an individual and as a species. Here is where the life force or energy (Kundalini) rests or is grounded waiting to be aroused to flow among all levels to enhance a person’s physical, emotional, and mental well being. An area where the genetic code for life is stored in the sperm and ovum cells along with the muscles needed for sex. It is the combined bodily functions related to energy and reproduction that is the life force, Kundalini, that is located in this area.

Being the root chakra it is associated with being grounded, stable, safe, and secure. As well as the source for physical strength used in our every day lives as we seek to achieve our goals. It is this seeking and other physical activity such as: yoga, martial arts, acrobatics, balancing exercises, and walking, that we maintain, strengthen, and increase our bodily awareness.

Endocrine glands are not in this area. However, it is related to the adrenal glands that produce hormones, most notably adrenaline, for the fight or flight response associated with motivation.

Its color is red. Red motivates us to care for our bodies and place effort towards leading a healthy balanced life. Red being a powerful color represents strength and the ideas associated with being strong.

Its symbol is the lotus with four petals.

Swadhisthana orange spiral

The second Chakra (Swadhisthana) is the sacral chakra. Located an inch below the navel or belt line. Includes spleen, pancreas, small intestine, kidney and sexual organs.

It is thought to be related to emotions, sexuality and creativity. On a physical level, the Sacral Chakra is believed to effect the reproductive system, sexual organs, the lumbar plexus, and the gonads. On a spiritual and emotional level, it is related to our sense of sexuality, prosperity and abundance, and is the center of our creativity. It also represents our emotions as a whole, what we are willing to feel, and how we choose to respond to those feelings.

Endocrine glands correspond to the testicles or ovaries, that produce the various sex hormones involved in the reproductive cycle, which can cause dramatic mood swings.
Its color is orange, which is the anti-depressant of colors. It can support us in getting through difficult life challenges, instill a sense of hope and an appetite for life. It can help us overcome negative feelings and depression by manifesting feelings of self-efficacy to motivate us to attain our life goals.

Its symbol is the lotus with six petals.

Manipura yellow spiral

The third chakra (Manipura) is the solar plexus chakra. Located in the upper abdomen and includes the pancreas, liver, gall bladder, spleen, and stomach.
It is related to food absorption, digestion, and energy production involved with the pancreas, liver, gall bladder, spleen and stomach.

Endocrine gland is the pancreas (islets of Langerhans) and the outer adrenal glands, the adrenal cortex. These play a valuable role in digestion, the conversion of food into energy and the metabolism of energy for the body. The adrenal cortex produces hormones notably cortisol which is the stress hormone. All of which combine to affect feelings of self-worth, confidence, and self-esteem.

Its color is yellow, which is associated with the sun, joy, happiness, and optimism. Light to see our inner self, knowledge, and wisdom to enhance understanding for better decision making. It is also the color of caution, which can increase focus, awareness, and concentration, for better decision making.

Its symbol is the lotus with ten petals.

Anahata green spiral

The fourth Chakra (Anahata) is the heart and emotions chakra. Located in chest area. It includes the heart, thymus gland, lungs, bronchia system, lymph glands, circulatory system, immune system, and the arm and hands.

It is related to love, equilibrium, and well-being. Our ability to give and receive love originates here. When balanced, we feel and express joy and happiness through a flow of unconditional love for self, others, and the universe. Unbalanced our hearts become closed and hardened so we lack empathy and can’t express love for ourselves, others, and the universe. Without motivation to express life, life will dissolve into depression, grief, jealousy, hatred, anger, betrayal, isolation, and loneliness.

We must learn how to balance ourselves to avoid and resolve these kinds of feelings and actions.

Endocrine gland in this area is the thymus gland which is a lymph organ of the immune system. It produces T cells responsible for fighting off disease and is adversely affected by stress.
Its color is green, which is in the middle of the visible spectrum. It symbolizes peace, harmony, balance, calm, and healing energy. It represents go and can increase emotional balance to provide the confidence to pursue your passions and achieve your goals. It can be a good color under which to make harmonious decisions, especially ones close to your heart: your passions, family, friends, and romance.

Its symbol is the lotus with twelve petals.

Vishuddha blue spiral

The fifth Chakra (Vishuddha) is the throat chakra. Located in the bottom throat above the center of the collarbone. Includes the thyroid, throat, vocal chords, and the area connecting the stomach.

It is related to speech, communication, and growth, all forms of expression. It is know as the center of purification, since its expresses our thoughts, choices, and ideas, which may be true or false, pure or foul.

Endocrine gland is the thyroid gland, which produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism and free calcium levels to maintain homeostasis. Differences in thyroid hormones can cause serious problems with energy levels, growth, development, and reproduction.

Its color is blue: Blue is known to have calming properties able to calm emotions and create a productive flow for superior achievement. It is like the blue flow of water that relaxes and recharges our emotions for inner peace, a peace that can calm the mind and escape from illogical ideological dogmatic thinking, and instead focus attention to clearly make sound decisions to successfully achieve goals and reduce anxiety and stress,

Its symbol is the lotus with sixteen petals.

Ajna indigo spiral

The sixth Chakra (Ajna) is the third eye. Located in the brow. Includes the left eye, nose, ear, pituitary gland, and nervous system.

The term third eye refers to the pineal gland, which is light sensitive and has long been thought to have spiritual properties and considered a portal to other dimensions in Hinduism and other spiritual groups. It is said to influence the ability to see physical objects and events as well as intuitive and moral insight. Intuition to read intentions and predict the future.

Endocrine gland is the pineal gland, which is light sensitive and produces the hormone melatonin that regulates sleep and awakening. It also produces trace amounts of the psychedelic chemical dimethyltryptamine (DMT).

Note: While the pineal gland is located above the pituitary in the seventh chakra, location isn’t the critical factor. The pituitary gland is the master gland that processes information to regulate the mind and body. Hence, location is subservient to function.

Its color is indigo, which can influence organization, self-discipline, responsibility, and professionalism. Surround yourself with it. Wear, or visualize the color indigo for greater focus, clarity of direction, and discipline. It can increase intelligence, strengthen self-reliance and self-efficacy as we continue to understand ourselves, life, and the universe.

Its symbol is the lotus with two petals.

Sahasrara - Violet violet spiral

The seventh Chakra (Sahasrara) is the crown or master chakra. It is located in the area at the top of the head and includes the pineal gland, back part of the brain, and right eye.
It is related to consciousness, the master of all others.

Endocrine gland is the pituitary gland, because it secretes hormones to control the rest of the endocrine system and is connected to the hypothalamus, which is connected to the central nervous system. The thalamus is thought to have a key role in the physical basis of consciousness and is thought to connect us to a higher intelligence and wisdom. Therefore, it relates to spiritual clarity, empathy, caring, and humanitarianism.

Its color is violet, which inspires creativity, artistic inspiration, aesthetics, pure thoughts, good feelings, and guides our intuition, inner strength, and connects our inner selves to who we are. It can guide us to select and make choices for the goals we seek to achieve in a humble, caring, humanistic, and just manner. Leading as we would want to be lead.

Its symbol is the lotus with a thousand petals.

 

Resources:

Color Meaning, Affects, Significance, and Symbolism for Art, Literature, and Emotions

 

Dr. Robert Sweetland's notes
homeofbob.com & schoolofbob.com