THE VORTICES (Chakras) 轮 Lún, which means "to rotate."
In construction
THE ROOT LÚN,
the First Vortex
The uterus is enclosed within the energy field of the Root Lun (Chakra), and three major Qi meridians begin there. Chinese medicine tells us that its centre is within the Uterus itself and that its greatest energy function is within the etheric space of the uterus.
The uterus provides structural integrity and support to the bladder, bowel, pelvic bones and organs. The uterus helps separate and keep the bladder in its natural position above the pubic bone and the bowel in its natural configuration behind the uterus. The uterus is continuous with the cervix, which is continuous with the vagina, much in the way that the head is continuous with the neck, which is continuous with the shoulders.
It is attached to bundles of nerves, and networks of arteries and veins, and broad bands of ligaments.
It has its male counterpart in the scrotum, where semen is stored.
Its Physical Location is at the base of the spine and although density-wise it is not the centre of the body mass you will note that it is tha part of the body giving our fixed position in space and thus is related to movement consciousness. A continual consciousness of this centre is essential in all Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Chinese martial art "form" disciplines.
Now it is essential to stay away as far as possible from the esoteric psyco-peudo ideas presented with regard to the various Lun (vortices).
What are the biological functions related to the Root Chakra? A direct physiological relationship to the envirionmenta and dis-equilibrium of this vortex can generate naturally lack of a sense of confidence, trust, security and the sense of being grounded in the present. It is a sort of psychological instability, nothing more and nothing less.
The gonads are considered part of the endocrine system related to this first chakra. In general, the endocrine system secretes hormones to regulate body functions, and the gonads secrete sex hormones that regulate sexuality, as progesterone and estrogens regulate changes in the uterus during menstrual cycles.
THE ABDOMINAL LÚN,
the Second Vortex
The Abdominal Lun is located at the Guan Yuan point, three body inches below the center of the navel, or four fingers below the navel center.
Guan Yuan (CV4) is the meeting point of the Conception Vessel and the Spleen, Liver and Kidney Channels, and plays a key role in regulating function of these organs, and so in regulating human visceral experiences.
One with an overactive or unbalanced second chakra may be ruled or swamped by visceral based emotions (visceral desires) and have confused thoughts preventing clear and rational cognitive decision-making. Someone with a malfunctioning second chakra may find emotional viscerally-based expression difficult, and experience frequent frustration.
In Dao theory, this area is called the Cinnabar Field (Dan Tian), regarded as the location of original or prenatal Qi. It is then a centre that stores energy.
Guan yuan regulates the intestines, bladder and uterus, and physically relates to the lumbar area, the reproductive system and the abdomen.
Organs relating to this center include the stomach, liver, gall bladder, spleen and the skin, muscles and face.
THE SOLAR LÚN,
the Third Vortex
The Solar Chakra, located at Zhongwan (CV12), four body inches above the navel, on the body's midline, deals with digestion, assimilation and temperature. Illnesses related to Zhongwan include stomach ache, abdominal distension, indigestion, vomiting, hiccups, diarrhea, constipation and epilepsy.
The Third Chakra, since it is related to the endocrine system through the pancreas, which secretes insulin to regulate the flow of glucose in the body, can be expected to be intimately concerned with a sense of physical prowness and thus, a balanced experience of control, freedom and the ease of being.
These first three Vortices set within Zero energy space are viscerally oriented and thus are related to any memory traces of past visceral events and related Identity experiences.
The goal of the yogi or the sage through history has been to refine and move visceral energy misdirected sexually from lower chakras to higher centers, while refining sexual energy is the Tantric goal, and reflects the aim of Kundalini yoga.
Here, however our interest is in resoring the energy equilibrium so that daily practice and contemplation is facilitated.
THE HEART LÚN,
the Fourth Vortex
The Heart Chakra is located at the midline Juque acupoint (CV14), six body inches above the navel, and associates with the heart and lungs, the blood and circulatory systems, the thymus center and the immune system.
It is said in error that the Heart Lun is linked with feelings of love. It is however related to Identity emotion and this has little to do with Benevolent affect. However, Idenity impediments and emotional clinging do cause lack of balance and Harmony in this vortex.
Repairing imbalace of the Heart Lun means that Emotional clinging is reduced and thus it opens the door to higher-level affect.
Dao master Mantak Chia describes the Heart Chakra as the center of Yang energy in the body, the Yin center as the reproductive organs, or the Root Chakra.
The Magic Pivot, a classic text of Chinese medicine, states, "The heart is governor of the five viscera and the six bowels, and is the abode of spirit, fire and water aiding each other. Kidney yin depletion or intense heart fire can upset this balance, causing signs such as heart vexation, fearful throbbing and insomnia."
Conditions such as insomnia, mania, or epilepsy are traditionally explained in Chinese medical terms such as the "heart failing to keep its abode" and "straying."
It works in tandem with the kidneys and since this is an important relationship we will deal with it more thouroughly.
The kidney cleans the blood and can respond to the heart by regulating water retention based upon the blood flow from the heart. If the blood flow becomes weak as a result of a weak heart, the kidney believes the body is dehydrated, so it retains fluid. If this condition persists, it can cause Congestive Heart Failure. Also, the kidneys generate calcitonin and that can affect the heart as a result of how the body deals with calcium levels in the blood and calcium is required by the heart for contraction of the muscle.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes the kidneys to be damaged in an irreversible way. As a result, these important organs can no longer work efficiently to regulate how water is distributed throughout the body's tissues and act as a filter to protect the body from toxins. CKD is a serious problem that can be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure and other medical conditions. But those with CKD are actually more likely to die from complications caused by cardiovascular disease, which can include heart attack and stroke, than from kidney failure.
The CDK/Cardiovascular Disease Connection
CKD and cardiovascular disease share two major risk factors -- diabetes and high blood pressure. Both can damage the blood vessels in the kidney, preventing it from properly eliminating fluid from the body. Excess fluid contributes to higher blood pressure, which leads to more blood-vessel damage -- a continuing cycle of damage.
Sometimes complications caused by CKD can also make cardiovascular disease more likely. They include:
Excess calcium or phosphorus in the blood, which can stiffen and narrow the blood vessels
High homocysteine levels, which some evidence suggests can damage artery walls and encourage dangerous clots
Systemic inflammation, which is inflammation that's not in just one part of the body but has spread generally and can lead to heart attacks and strokes
The Important Shanzhong (CV17) point
Shanzhong (CV17) located on the sternal midline, level with the nipples, is the meeting acupoint of the Conception Vessel with the Spleen, Kidney, Small Intestine and Sanjiao Channels.
Located just above the heart, Shanzhong is a major cross point of meridians and is where Qi converges from points all over the body. From its central location, Shanzhong helps control emotions in the heart, spleen, kidney, small intestine, and throughout the central torso area.
THE THROAT LÚN,
the Fifth Vortex
Tiantu (CV 22), located at the base of the throat, is the meeting point of the Conception and Yin Linking Vessel. Lung Qi emerges from this point, and the thymus of the endocrine system is located behind this point. Physical problems related to the voice, throat and lungs can be resolved through Tiantu. The Throat Chakra is located at the laryngeal plexus and relates to self-expression. Martin Brofman describes the Throat Chakra:
"Expressing can be in the form of communicating what one wants and what one feels, or it can be an artistic expression, as an artist painting, a dancer dancing, a musician playing music, using a form for expressing and bringing to the outside what was within. Expressing is related to receiving, as in 'Ask, and ye shall receive'."
THE AJNA LÚN,
the sixth Vortex
The sixth chakra, known as the Ajna Center or the Third Eye, is found near the pituitary gland. Concerned with psychic awareness, the sixth chakra represents our perceptions of the world, and for this reason Hindu women paint this area red. The acupoint Yintang, located at the midpoint between the eyebrows, dominates eye and nose functions and is related to the trigeminal nerve, which controls related facial functions. One with a balanced and open sixth chakra has a healthy sense of ego and may posess clairvoyant abilities. Over-development of this chakra creates an egotistical person, while malfunctions lead to a distorted sense of self. A weak or blocked sixth chakra creates an inadequate sense of ego-self.
THE CROWN LÚN,
the Seventh Vortex
Located at the top of the skull, Baihui is the most likely location of the seventh or Crown Chakra. Baihui is found on the midline of the cranium, seven body inches above the rear hairline, and is surrounded by four acupoints, which together are known as Sishencong. Stimulation of Baihui helps relieve emotional problems such as schizophrenia and depression, and physical problems such as uterus and rectal prolapse. The Seventh Chakra is related to the pineal gland, which secretes melatonin to affect reproductive development and daily cycles.
An open Crown Chakra leads to spontaneous spirituality, defined through unique individual experience - inner gnosis - in place of external dogma or religion. One with an open Crown Chakra may see auras or intuit higher forces. One may experience visions or creative imagination, sense cosmic order and gain inner understanding of Universal Truths. When the Crown Chakra is blocked, so, too are all spiritual and creative senses blocked. One's consciousness tends to narrow, and one's world view reflects materialism, or fundamentalist religion. Martin Brofman writes of the Crown Chakra as our connection to higher authorities:
"The Crown Chakra represents that part of our consciousness concerned with perceptions of unity or separation, our connection with our biological father, which becomes the model for our relationship with authority, and ultimately, with God. It's the level of the soul. This tour of the physical and etheric bodies has taken us from the Earth root, through the human body, to the cosmic connection of the seventh chakra, reflecting the traditional Chinese world view of Heaven, Earth and People. We've visited the major intersections of Vedic and Chinese beliefs, the chakras and acupoints. From these, we have viewed the relationships between physical organs and emotions, and how these mutually influence each other. Finally, we've associated the endocrine system to chakras, acupoints, organs and emotions, with the view towards creating a holistic system that helps explain the link between the physical, emotional and etheric bodies."
"With this foundation, we can further explore relationships between the physical body and emotions, using ancient knowledge to enhance psychological innovations. Vedic and Chinese medical knowledge, taken with western psychological theory and practice, can lead to a more holistic view of the human body, mind and soul. When we understand that stimulation of certain acupoints may help relieve emotional pain or release emotional blockages, then we will have taken one step closer to reducing human suffering. Integration of medical theory will lead to greater individuation and maximum human potential, as well as realization of our spiritual nature."
Jack Sweeney
QI AND THE ENERGY MERIDIANS
"The Conception Vessel starts from the uterus and emerges from the perineum, goes interiorly to the pubic region and ascends along the interior of the abdomen, passing through Guan Yuan."
"The Governor Vessel starts from the uterus, runs downward to the central region of the pelvis around the genitals and into the external orifice of the urethra in women and around the penis in men. It joins the Conception and Thoroughfare Vessels over the perineum, passes by the anus and moves upward from the inside coccyx and sacrum."
The Governor Vessel emerges at Chang Qiang (GV1, located midway between the tip of the coccyx and the anus), then travels directly up the midline of the back and controls organs along the spine. From Chang Qiang, the Governor Vessel connects with the Conception Vessel and the Gall Bladder and Kidney Channels. These are the main routes that Qi takes through the torso, which link the seven primary chakras and the twenty-two secondary chakras. The Perineal Chakra is located near Chang Qiang and affects sexuality and personality. A balanced and open perineal chakra means that one is grounded and comfortable with earthy reality and is unafraid of dirt or germs. An overactive perineal chakra creates anal fixation and leads to a childish sense of humor. If the perineal chakra takes over the usual role of the genital chakra, one prefers anal to genital sex. Male homosexuals with overactive perineal chakras may hang out in public toilets seeking sexual partners. Those with malfunctions in the perineal chakra may suffer from obsessive-compulsive behaviour, obsessive tidiness, and experience a fear of germs. Everything around such a person must be spotless. A person with a blocked perineal chakra may find difficulty in relating to earthy concepts, and may feel emotionally insecure. All of these emotional conditions can find relief through work with associated acupoints, via acupuncture, massage, herbs or other forms of therapy. Techniques of Chinese medicine, or Reichian therapy, can help to open and balance chakras, and thus balance emotions and personalities.
Closely related to our reproductive organs are meridians, or the pathways that Qi and prajna take through the body. Each organ is connected to a major meridian, and two major meridians circle the midline of the human body, starting at the Root Chakra:
"The thoroughfare vessel starts from the uterus, one branch runs along the conception vessel upwards along the spine. Another branch stems from the uterus, passes through the perineum and genitals and emerges from Qijie (Qi Street). A branch runs upward with the kidney and stomach meridians to the abdomen."