We now turn to a closer look at our biology and the Eastern view of the body’s energy systems. This will help us gain perspective on the ancient traditions of healing. We will look at the Eastern chakra system, and we will integrate an understanding of the chakras into a healing paradigm for the spiritual counselor. Through a deeper understanding of this energy system, the spiritual counselor will be able to assist those in crisis to more fully understand and appreciate spiritual growth as well as spiritual emergency. When we address human growth, development, and maturity, we address each level of development. The underlying goal however, is always to expand to the next level or phase.

The chakra or Kundalini energy system explains the energy of the physical body and how it affects the other bodies, including the mental, emotional, and Soul body. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D., in his forward to Carolyn Myss’, Anatomy of the Spirit, explains that quantum physics gives us an understanding that all of life’s forms and functions are really made up of vibration. Essentially, matter consists of energy that is vibrating at a very high rate of speed, and the vibration gives it mass. Different forms of matter vibrate at different speeds. Carolyn Myss is able to use her intuition to read an individual’s rate of vibration and assess the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual state (Myss, 1996). Indeed, we are all capable of this ability if we are willing to develop our intuitive powers of perception.

Myss says that "every second of our lives – and every mental, emotional, creative, physical, and even resting activity with which we fill those seconds – is somehow known and recorded" in our cellular memory, as is every judgment or attitude we take toward ourselves, others, or life itself (1996, p. 4). It shows up as either joy and well-being or illness and life crisis. This means that our physical, emotional, and mental illnesses are a result of our history, our attitudes, and our thoughts. If this is true, then healing of our physical, mental, and emotional selves can take place by healing and changing our emotions, attitudes, and thoughts. All of the great sages of history have emphasized this fundamental truth, and quantum physics and the understanding of the human energy system now gives us the scientific proof and the framework to understand how and why this is true.

The physical body generates energy. This energy flows off the body in the form of heat. Indeed, the human body is an electrical energy generator. It is surrounded by an energy field or aura. This energy field is an information center and perceptual system. We sense this when we stand close to another person without actually touching the person physically. If we tune into our own body, we will be able to feel or sense the other person’s energy system or aura as it touches and merges with ours.

Life experiences, both traumas and joys, become coded into the cells of our body. Chemical reactions happen within us during the experience, and the energy traces of these events do not disappear. This is how a past traumatic event can cause a physical reaction within us long after the event is over. The traces of that event are capable of producing the same chemical responses, and our bodies will re-experience the pain, fear, or trauma by simply remembering the circumstances of the event. These energy traces hold us prisoner of our past until we are able to work through the issues. Thus healing must include a working through and discharge of these energy traces until they no longer produce the same negative reactions (Myss, 1996).

Myss (1996) uses the chakra energy system of the Eastern traditions, the Sacraments of the Christian Church, and the Kaballah Tree of Life to explain the human system and how it works. She shows how the sacred teachings and mysteries of these religious traditions speak the same ancient healing truth. They help us understand this process of personal growth through the physical body energy systems and the associated chakras that are the source of that energy.

Our Western culture has a history of negating the physical body, and little emphasis is placed on its use to understand growth and evolution. This is a sad state of affairs, because growth and transformation are accomplished most fully and completely by honoring the entire human holistic system. When we honor and address every aspect of human existence, we are approaching healing in a holistic, integrated fashion.

The Kundalini is a natural energy force that infuses the physical body and forms the basis for its life force. When this energy life force is not functioning properly, the individual may experience chronic aches and pains, lethargy, and a general feeling of weakness or malaise. By addressing the body through breathing and exercise, these conditions can be reversed. Trouble arises only when this life force is not properly recognized and appreciated for its tremendous power. When the Kundalini is raised without a person’s knowledge and awareness, spiritual emergencies can occur, including illness, erratic behavior, difficulty coping, chills and hot flashes, multiple personalities, excessive mood swings, loss of memory and visual effects (Paulson, 2000, p. 4-5). These situations can often bring an individual to the medical doctor or the counselor. It is helpful to be aware that they may be results of an unbalancing of the physical energy system.

Working with the Kundalini has one traditional purpose, to reach for enlightenment and a full development of human potential. Paulson (2000) states, "Everyone has an inner drive to excel or be special at something – to be unique" (p. 1). She believes that the underlying drive of life itself is evolution, and the ultimate state of evolution is enlightenment, "to be God-like while we are still human" (p 1). A balanced, moderated, and accelerated release may allow a person to speed up consciousness evolution or awareness and quickly open to new heights of awareness. This can happen without a person’s awareness. The danger is that enough healing may not have been completed before the energy begins to flow. Early or premature release may cause an unbalancing of the emotional and mental bodies. Thus, it is imperative that we familiarize ourselves with the stages of the Kundalini energy and how these stages affect our growth. Adding this framework to our healing efforts can greatly enhance the process (Paulson, 2000).

The Kundalini, as traditionally seen, moves up the spine, and as it moves, it cleanses each of the chakras in the human energy system. Most students of esoteric knowledge will have some familiarity with this system. The intricacies of the chakras, both major and minor, are too advanced and not necessary for our purposes here. However, a general understanding of the theory and use of the Kundalini energy and chakra system will help us relate to the seven major bodies, including the three personality bodies, the physical, emotional, and mental; and the four spiritual bodies, the intuitional-compassionate, atmic will or spirit, monadic or Soul body, and the Divine body. For simplicity, one may equate these bodies, in rough form, to the seven-chakra system. In actuality, when one can see auras, the seven bodies will be viewed as seven haloes or levels of consciousness that surround the entire physical body in concentric rings (Paulson, 2000).

The physical body houses our other bodies. It is our home and our physical temple. It allows the other bodies to exist on planet Earth. The physical body has two parts, the dense or material body, and the etheric body that is closely connected to our nervous system. When we work with the Kundalini on a physical level, we are influencing the health of the dense physical body, thus increasing its energy and vitality. The etheric body encases the physical body and is the first auric level (Paulson, 2000).

The root chakra, which is the chakra associated with the body, carries the attitudes and prejudices formed by society, church, family, and culture in its unconscious state (Wauters, 2002). Myss says that the first chakra provides us with the lessons related to the material world. It is the tribal chakra where we connect to life through the family and tribal bond, and we learn the truth that All is One. Lessons to be learned include how to accept responsibility for living honorably and how to respect all of life. Fears around survival and abandonment by the group are the issues. To access healing of this body, the individual needs to reflect on the beliefs inherited from the family that no longer serve, needs to heal any wounds related to family of origin, needs to develop a sense of forgiveness toward them, needs to and develop a personal code of honor (1996).

The physical body system reflects Erikson’s early childhood stages. At this stage, the child learns to fit into the family unit. Traumas and childhood issues will remain in cellular memory until the adult fully addresses, faces, and heals the family of origin issues.

We cleanse the bodies by using meditative prayer and breathing exercises. Therefore, when a client is involved in meditative prayer coupled with deep, rhythmic breathing, she is affecting the seven bodies in a gentle, balanced fashion. Other chakra activities that directly affect the bodies include Eastern traditions of Yoga and Tai Chi. In our model of spiritual counseling, these can be introduced as healing forms of physical prayer and contemplation (Paulson, 2000).

The sacral or second chakra influences how we feel about ourselves. When it is out of balance, it depletes us through addictions and excessive appetites. We feel undeserving of a fulfilling life (Wauters, 2002). This chakra influences sexuality, work, and physical desire. Fears related to this chakra include loss of control, being controlled by another, or having events and addictions control us. In other words, when this chakra is out of balance, we feel dependent and victimized. The lessons of this chakra include honoring one another and making choices. Healing happens through using and expressing our creative energy and overcoming our fears (Myss, 1996).

When the emotional body is in balance, then the world looks bright and optimistic. When it is out of balance, emotional eruptions are frequent. The emotional body will seek fulfillment through various forms of addictions such as drinking, smoking, overeating, television, etc. Emotional blockages usually arise from incomplete healing of past issues and lack of emotional maturity (Paulson, 2000).

Emotions exist simply to be experienced. They are energy vibrations, and in a resourceful emotional state, one feels energized and vibrant. The emotionally mature individual can generally change emotional states at will. When caught in a lower emotional vibration, she generally clears this state without too much effort. Emotional immaturity or unresolved emotional business will lead to codependent or addictive behaviors that are not cleared as easily (Paulson, 2000).

This stage coincides with Erikson’s childhood emotional phase. Emotional issues that arouse anger, sadness, fear, and guilt will hold us back and continue to influence us until their cellular traces are discharged and until they are fully experienced and resolved through mature appreciation and understanding.

The solar plexus chakra is related to self-value and our relationship to the world. It deals with confidence and freedom of choice, and it reflects how we see ourselves and our innate power. In its negative states, it causes us to be self-limiting (Wauters, 2002). The lessons of the third chakra are related to ego, personality, and self-esteem. One must learn to honor the self. Fears at this stage include rejection, criticism, looking foolish, and failing to meet responsibilities. This chakra asks us to develop a strong and healthy sense of self, and it assists us to enhance our inner power. To heal, we must evaluate how we feel and what we believe about ourselves, and we must learn to love and respect ourselves as we are (Myss, 1996).

The third chakra corresponds to the mental body that "contains matter which can vibrate at a rate similar to that of the creative force in our cosmos. It is where we begin to think, to reason, to know, to create" (Myss, 1996 p. 39). The mental body can become rigid, however, because of rigidly held beliefs or attitudes. Much of our healing will focus on clearing out old belief and attitude patterns that we have collected without evaluation.

As we grow into adulthood, we are bombarded with parental, peer, school, and societal norms, attitudes, and beliefs. When young, we soak these up like a sponge. As we mature, we need to sort through these beliefs and attitudes and thoughtfully and purposefully retain those that support us. Correspondingly, we need to let go of those that hold us back or keep us from growing toward maturity and enlightenment.

This is the first spiritual body, and it balances us between the personality and other spiritual bodies. It can be imaged as the heart chakra. It brings insights and intuition into our human level, and it is the source of our abstract and more advanced formal operations thinking. It is also the seat of compassion (Paulson, 2000).

The heart chakra thrives on joy, peace, love, forgiveness, and compassion. Fears include loneliness, commitment, vulnerability, and betrayal. We must learn the power of love, including love of oneself. This is a time to heal any relationships that may still feel wounded, and forgive those who have hurt us (Myss, 1996).

The throat chakra is our means of communication, and it represents our ability to express ourselves. If it is blocked, it keeps energy from rising higher. It is the center of truth and living from integrity. It is expressed in creativity, willpower, and personal truth. When it is well expressed, the individual reflects an image of independence, an ability to communicate thoughts, and take a stand for what one believes in (Wauters, 2002). Myss (1996) says that lessons of the fifth chakra are will and self-expression. The sacred lesson here is to Surrender the Personal Will to the Divine Will. The fear is surrendering oneself to the will of God, giving up or releasing our power of choice to a Divine force. Our will must surrender to the Divine.

At this level, the will is very strong, and the individual is charismatic. Periods of bliss and rapture are part of this state. It is a state where the individual often feels that she possesses all knowledge and wisdom and that she is all-powerful and can do anything. It is easy to be swept away at this stage (Paulson, 2000).

This is the vehicle that Soul uses to express itself. The brow or third eye is the center of innate intelligence. When fully open, we are able to discern our highest good. "The center seeks meaning, truth, and freedom (Wauters, 2002, p. 20). Myss (1996) says that the lessons of the sixth chakra are related to mind and include intuition, insight, and wisdom. The sacred truth here is Seeking Only the Truth. Fear of one’s shadow is prominent, and detachment is the key to successfully healing this stage.

This is the place where our essence lies, and where we feel whole. The polarities have coalesced into one unit, and it touches our very center. It is also the place where we can know the purpose of life, and we can work out the karmic forces (Paulson, 2000).

The crown chakra provides the way to connect to Source. All we must do to make the connection is acknowledge it. It is the energy of cosmic consciousness (Wauters, 2002). Myss says (1996) that the lessons of this chakra are about spirituality. The lesson is to Live in the Present Moment. The fear is the Dark Night of the Soul, and loss of connection and identity. This is the time of spiritual awakening.

This chakra is the place where the feeling of God Consciousness occurs and the individual experiences oneness with God and the universe. It is the place where the individual merges with the universal. It is the source of the deep experiences with the Dark Night of Soul and the doubting of existence (Paulson, 2002).

In terms of our model, healing is a process that takes place as the individual walks the path of the Hero’s Journey, the mythical and mystical search for the Holy Grail. It represents a continuing process to revisit the story of oneself at every stage of development, to go deeper into the story, to heal what can be healed, and to integrate and transform the self. At each stage of one’s life development, this healing journey will look different. It will address different issues, heal different aspects, and facilitate growth to the next stage of integration. No stage of development is any better or worse than any other, but since the goal of counseling is growth, the movement through stages represents the goal of the counseling process. We will now turn to the Alchemy of Prayer as a healing force.

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