Chakras (UK: /ˈtʃʌkrəz/, US: /ˈtʃɑːkrəz/ CHUK-rəz, CHAH-krəz;[2] Sanskrit: चक्र, romanized: cakra, lit. 'wheel, circle'; Pali: cakka) are various focal points used in a variety of ancient meditation practices, collectively denominated as Tantra, or the esoteric or inner traditions of Hinduism.[3][4][5] The concept of the chakra arose in the early traditions of Hinduism.[6] Beliefs differ between the Indian religions, with many Buddhist texts consistently mentioning five chakras, while Hindu sources reference six or seven.[3][4][7] Early Sanskrit texts speak of them both as meditative visualizations combining flowers and mantras and as physical entities in the body.[7] Within Kundalini yoga, the techniques of breathing exercises, visualizations, mudras, bandhas, kriyas, and mantras are focused on manipulating the flow of subtle energy through chakras.[6][8] The modern Western chakra system arose from multiple sources, starting in the 1880s, followed by Sir John Woodroffe's 1919 book The Serpent Power, and Charles W. Leadbeater's 1927 book The Chakras, which introduced the seven rainbow colours for the chakras. Psychological and other attributes, and a wide range of supposed correspondences with other systems such as alchemy, astrology, gemstones, homeopathy, Kabbalah and Tarot were added later. Etymology See also: Yantra and Mandala Lexically, chakra is the Indic reflex of an ancestral Indo-European form *kʷékʷlos, whence also "wheel" and "cycle" (Ancient Greek: κύκλος, romanized: kýklos).[9][3][4] It has both literal[10] and metaphorical uses, as in the "wheel of time" or "wheel of dharma", such as in Rigveda hymn verse 1.164.11,[11][12] pervasive in the earliest Vedic texts. In Buddhism, especially in Theravada, the Pali noun cakka connotes "wheel".[13] Within the central "Tripitaka", the Buddha variously refers the "dhammacakka", or "wheel of dharma", connoting that this dharma, universal in its advocacy, should bear the marks characteristic of any temporal dispensation. The Buddha spoke of freedom from cycles in and of themselves, whether karmic, reincarnative, liberative, cognitive or emotional.[14] In Jainism, the term chakra also means "wheel" and appears in various contexts in its ancient literature.[15] As in other Indian religions, chakra in esoteric theories in Jainism such as those by Buddhisagarsuri means a yogic energy center.[16] Ancient history See also: Yoga and Nadi (yoga) The term chakra appears to first emerge within the Hindu Vedas, though not precisely in the sense of psychic energy centers, rather as chakravartin or the king who "turns the wheel of his empire" in all directions from a center, representing his influence and power.[17] The iconography popular in representing the Chakras, states the scholar David Gordon White, traces back to the five symbols of yajna, the Vedic fire altar: "square, circle, triangle, half moon and dumpling".[18] The hymn 10.136 of the Rigveda mentions a renunciate yogi with a female named kunamnama. Literally, it means "she who is bent, coiled", representing both a minor goddess and one of many embedded enigmas and esoteric riddles within the Rigveda. Some scholars, such as D.G. White and Georg Feuerstein, have suggested that she may be a reference to kundalini shakti and a precursor to the terminology associated with the chakras in later tantric traditions.[19][20][21] Breath channels (nāḍi) are mentioned in the classical Upanishads of Hinduism from the 1st millennium BCE,[22][23] but not psychic-energy chakra theories. Three classical Nadis are Ida, Pingala and Sushumna in which the central channel Sushumna is said to be foremost as per Kṣurikā-Upaniṣhad.[24] The latter, states David Gordon White, were introduced about 8th-century CE in Buddhist texts as hierarchies of inner energy centers, such as in the Hevajra Tantra and Caryāgiti.[22][25] These are called by various terms such as cakka, padma (lotus) or pitha (mound).[22] These medieval Buddhist texts mention only four chakras, while later Hindu texts such as the Kubjikāmata and Kaulajñānanirnaya expanded the list to many more.[22] In contrast to White, according to Feuerstein, early Upanishads of Hinduism do mention chakras in the sense of "psychospiritual vortices", along with other terms found in tantra: prana or vayu (life energy) along with nadi (energy carrying arteries).[20] According to Gavin Flood, the ancient texts do not present chakra and kundalini-style yoga theories although these words appear in the earliest Vedic literature in many contexts. The chakra in the sense of four or more vital energy centers appear in the medieval era Hindu and Buddhist texts.[26][22] Overview An illustration of a Saiva Nath chakra system, folio 2 from the Nath Charit, 1823. Mehrangarh Museum Trust. Chakra and divine energies Shining, she holds the noose made of the energy of will, the hook which is energy of knowledge, the bow and arrows made of energy of action. Split into support and supported, divided into eight, bearer of weapons, arising from the chakra with eight points, she has the ninefold chakra as a throne. —Yoginihrdaya 53–54 (Translator: Andre Padoux)[27] The Chakras are part of esoteric ideas and concepts about physiology and psychic centers that emerged across Indian traditions.[22][28] The belief held that human life simultaneously exists in two parallel dimensions, one "physical body" (sthula sarira) and other "psychological, emotional, mind, non-physical" it is called the "subtle body" (sukshma sarira).[29][note 1] This subtle body is energy, while the physical body is mass. The psyche or mind plane corresponds to and interacts with the body plane, and the belief holds that the body and the mind mutually affect each other.[5] The subtle body consists of nadi (energy channels) connected by nodes of psychic energy called chakra.[3] The belief grew into extensive elaboration, with some suggesting 88,000 chakras throughout the subtle body. The number of major chakras varied between various traditions, but they typically ranged between four and seven.[3][4] Nyingmapa Vajrayana Buddhist teachings mention eight chakras and there is a complete yogic system for each of them. The important chakras are stated in Hindu and Buddhist texts to be arranged in a column along the spinal cord, from its base to the top of the head, connected by vertical channels.[5][6] The tantric traditions sought to master them, awaken and energize them through various breathing exercises or with assistance of a teacher. These chakras were also symbolically mapped to specific human physiological capacity, seed syllables (bija), sounds, subtle elements (tanmatra), in some cases deities, colors and other motifs.[3][5][31] Belief in the chakra system of Hinduism and Buddhism differs from the historic Chinese system of meridians in acupuncture.[6] Unlike the latter, the chakra relates to subtle body, wherein it has a position but no definite nervous node or precise physical connection. The tantric systems envision it as continually present, highly relevant and a means to psychic and emotional energy. It is useful in a type of yogic rituals and meditative discovery of radiant inner energy (prana flows) and mind-body connections.[6][32] The meditation is aided by extensive symbology, mantras, diagrams, models (deity and mandala). The practitioner proceeds step by step from perceptible models, to increasingly abstract models where deity and external mandala are abandoned, inner self and internal mandalas are awakened.[33][34] These ideas are not unique to Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Similar and overlapping concepts emerged in other cultures in the East and the West, and these are variously called by other names such as subtle body, spirit body, esoteric anatomy, sidereal body and etheric body.[35][36][30] According to Geoffrey Samuel and Jay Johnston, professors of Religious studies known for their studies on Yoga and esoteric traditions: Ideas and practices involving so-called 'subtle bodies' have existed for many centuries in many parts of the world. (...) Virtually all human cultures known to us have some kind of concept of mind, spirit or soul as distinct from the physical body, if only to explain experiences such as sleep and dreaming. (...) An important subset of subtle-body practices, found particularly in Indian and Tibetan Tantric traditions, and in similar Chinese practices, involves the idea of an internal 'subtle physiology' of the body (or rather of the body-mind complex) made up of channels through which substances of some kind flow, and points of intersection at which these channels come together. In the Indian tradition the channels are known as nadi and the points of intersection as cakra. — Geoffrey Samuel and Jay Johnston, Religion and the Subtle Body in Asia and the West: Between Mind and Body[37] Contrast with classical yoga Chakra and related beliefs have been important to the esoteric traditions, but they are not directly related to mainstream yoga.[38] According to the Indologist Edwin Bryant and other scholars, the goals of classical yoga such as spiritual liberation (freedom, self-knowledge, moksha) is "attained entirely differently in classical yoga, and the cakra / nadi / kundalini physiology is completely peripheral to it."[39][40] Number of chakras There is no consensus in Hinduism about the number of chakras because the concept of chakras has been evolved and interpreted differently by various sects, schools of thought, and spiritual traditions within Hinduism over the centuries. While some traditions follow the seven main chakra system as described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, others recognize additional chakras or a different number of chakras. The lack of a universally accepted standard has led to variation and diversity in the interpretation and understanding of chakras within Hinduism. There are several sects within Hinduism that have their own unique interpretations and understandings of the concept of chakras. Here are some of the major sects that have different perspectives on chakras: Bhakti Yoga: In Bhakti Yoga, the number of chakras varies, but the focus is often on the heart chakra as the center of spiritual devotion. Ayurveda (3): In Ayurveda, there are three main chakras, known as the "Marmas," which are considered to be the focal points of the physical, mental, and spiritual energies in the body. Shaivism (5): In Shaivism, there are five chakras, with the focus being on the heart and crown chakras. Tantra (6): In Tantra, there are traditionally said to be four to six chakras, with the crown chakra being considered the highest. Kashmir Shaivism (6-7): In Kashmir Shaivism, there are six or seven chakras, with the focus being on the awakening of the divine energy within. Patanjali Yoga (7): Follows the seven main chakra system as described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra. Hatha Yoga (7): In Hatha Yoga, there are seven main chakras, but some Hatha Yoga traditions also recognize additional chakras. Kundalini Yoga (7): In Kundalini Yoga, there are seven main chakras, but additional minor chakras are also recognized. Nath Tradition (8): In the Nath tradition, there are eight main chakras, with the emphasis being on the awakening of the divine energy through these centers. Vaishnavism (12): In Vaishnavism, there are twelve chakras, with the emphasis being on the spiritual ascent through these centers. Classical traditions In meditation, chakras are often visualised in different ways, such as a lotus flower, or a disc containing a particular deity. The classical eastern traditions, particularly those that developed in India during the 1st millennium AD, primarily describe nadi and chakra in a "subtle body" context.[41] To them, they are in same dimension as of the psyche-mind reality that is invisible yet real. In the nadi and cakra flow the prana (breath, life energy).[41][42] The concept of "life energy" varies between the texts, ranging from simple inhalation-exhalation to far more complex association with breath-mind-emotions-sexual energy.[41] This prana or essence is what vanishes when a person dies, leaving a gross body. Some of this concept states this subtle body is what withdraws within, when one sleeps. All of it is believed to be reachable, awake-able and important for an individual's body-mind health, and how one relates to other people in one's life.[41] This subtle body network of nadi and chakra is, according to some later Indian theories and many new age speculations, closely associated with emotions.[41][43] Hindu Tantra Main article: Kundalini energy Esoteric traditions in Hinduism mention numerous numbers and arrangements of chakras, of which a classical system of six-plus-one, the last being the Sahasrara, is most prevalent.[3][4][5] This seven-part system, central to the core texts of hatha yoga, is one among many systems found in Hindu tantric literature. Hindu Tantra associates six Yoginis with six places in the subtle body, corresponding to the six chakras of the six-plus-one system.[44] Association of six Yoginis with chakra locations in the Rudrayamala Tantra[44] Place in subtle body Yogini 1. Muladhara Dakini 2. Svadhisthana Rakini 3. Manipura Lakini 4. Anahata Kakini 5. Vishuddhi Shakini 6. Ajna Hakini The Chakra methodology is extensively developed in the goddess tradition of Hinduism called Shaktism. It is an important concept along with yantras, mandalas and kundalini yoga in its practice. Chakra in Shakta tantrism means circle, an "energy center" within, as well as being a term for group rituals such as in chakra-puja (worship within a circle) which may or may not involve tantra practice.[45] The cakra-based system is a part of the meditative exercises that came to be known as yoga.[46] Buddhist Tantra Main article: Vajrayana A Tibetan illustration of the subtle body showing the central channel and two side channels as well as five chakras. A Tibetan thangka with a diagram showing six chakras—a root chakra, a chakra at the sex organs, one at the navel, one at the heart, another at the throat and the last one located at the crown.[47] The esoteric traditions in Buddhism generally teach four chakras.[3] In some early Buddhist sources, these chakras are identified as: manipura (navel), anahata (heart), vishuddha (throat) and ushnisha kamala (crown).[48] In one development within the Nyingma lineage of the Mantrayana of Tibetan Buddhism a popular conceptualization of chakras in increasing subtlety and increasing order is as follows: Nirmanakaya (gross self), Sambhogakaya (subtle self), Dharmakaya (causal self), and Mahasukhakaya (non-dual self), each vaguely and indirectly corresponding to the categories within the Shaiva Mantramarga universe, i.e., Svadhisthana, Anahata, Visuddha, Sahasrara, etc.[49] However, depending on the meditational tradition, these vary between three and six.[48] The chakras are considered psycho-spiritual constituents, each bearing meaningful correspondences to cosmic processes and their postulated Buddha counterpart.[50][48] A system of five chakras is common among the Mother class of Tantras and these five chakras along with their correspondences are:[51] Basal chakra (Element: Earth, Buddha: Amoghasiddhi, Bija mantra: LAM) Abdominal chakra (Element: Water, Buddha: Ratnasambhava, Bija mantra: VAM) Heart chakra (Element: Fire, Buddha: Akshobhya, Bija mantra: RAM) Throat chakra (Element: Wind, Buddha: Amitabha, Bija mantra: YAM) Crown chakra (Element: Space, Buddha: Vairochana, Bija mantra: KHAM) Chakras clearly play a key role in Tibetan Buddhism, and are considered to be the pivotal providence of Tantric thinking. And, the precise use of the chakras across the gamut of tantric sadhanas gives little space to doubt the primary efficacy of Tibetan Buddhism as distinct religious agency, that being that precise revelation that, without Tantra there would be no Chakras, but more importantly, without Chakras, there is no Tibetan Buddhism. The highest practices in Tibetan Buddhism point to the ability to bring the subtle pranas of an entity into alignment with the central channel, and to thus penetrate the realisation of the ultimate unity, namely, the "organic harmony" of one's individual consciousness of Wisdom with the co-attainment of All-embracing Love, thus synthesizing a direct cognition of absolute Buddhahood.[52] According to Samuel, the buddhist esoteric systems developed cakra and nadi as "central to their soteriological process".[53] The theories were sometimes, but not always, coupled with a unique system of physical exercises, called yantra yoga or 'phrul 'khor. Chakras, according to the Bon tradition, enable the gestalt of experience, with each of the five major chakras, being psychologically linked with the five experiential qualities of unenlightened consciousness, the six realms of woe.[54] The tsa lung practice embodied in the Trul khor lineage, unbaffles the primary channels, thus activating and circulating liberating prana. Yoga awakens the deep mind, thus bringing forth positive attributes, inherent gestalts, and virtuous qualities. In a computer analogy, the screen of one's consciousness is slated and an attribute-bearing file is called up that contains necessary positive or negative, supportive qualities.[54] Tantric practice is said to eventually transform all experience into clear light. The practice aims to liberate from all negative conditioning, and the deep cognitive salvation of freedom from control and unity of perception and cognition.[54] The seven chakra system One widely popular schema of seven chakras is as follows, from bottom to top: 1. Muladhara 2. Svadhisthana 3. Manipura 4. Anahata 5. Vishuddhi 6. Ajna 7. Sahasrara.[4] The colours are modern.[55] The more common and most studied chakra system incorporates six major chakras along with a seventh center generally not regarded as a chakra. These points are arranged vertically along the axial channel (sushumna nadi in Hindu texts, Avadhuti in some Buddhist texts).[56] According to Gavin Flood, this system of six chakras plus the sahasrara "center" at the crown first appears in the Kubjikāmata-tantra, an 11th-century Kaula work.[57] It was this chakra system that was translated in the early 20th century by Sir John Woodroffe (also called Arthur Avalon) in the text The Serpent Power. Avalon translated the Hindu text Ṣaṭ-Cakra-Nirūpaṇa meaning the examination (nirūpaṇa) of the seven (ṣaṭ) chakras (cakra).[58] The Chakras are traditionally considered meditation aids. The yogi progresses from lower chakras to the highest chakra blossoming in the crown of the head, internalizing the journey of spiritual ascent.[59] In both the Hindu kundalini and Buddhist candali traditions, the chakras are pierced by a dormant energy residing near or in the lowest chakra. In Hindu texts she is known as Kundalini, while in Buddhist texts she is called Candali or Tummo (Tibetan: gtum mo, "fierce one").[60] Below are the common new age description of these six chakras and the seventh point known as sahasrara. This new age version incorporates the Newtonian colors of the rainbow not found in any ancient Indian system.[55] Image of chakra Name Sanskrit (Translation) Location No. of petals Modern colour Seed syllable Description Sahasrara Mandala.svg Sahasrara सहस्रार "Thousand-petaled" Crown 1000 Multi or violet — Highest spiritual centre, pure consciousness, containing neither object nor subject. When the feminine Kundalini Shakti rises to this point, it unites with the masculine Shiva, giving self-realization and samadhi.[4] In esoteric Buddhism, it is called Mahasukha, the petal lotus of "Great Bliss" corresponding to the fourth state of Four Noble Truths.[60] Ajna Mandala.svg Ajna or Agya आज्ञा "Command" Between eyebrows 2 Indigo — Guru chakra, or in New Age usage third-eye chakra, the subtle center of energy, where the tantra guru touches the seeker during the initiation ritual. He or she commands the awakened kundalini to pass through this centre.[4] Vishuddha Mandala.svg Vishuddha विशुद्ध "Purest" Throat 16 Blue Ham (space) 16 petals covered with the sixteen Sanskrit vowels. Associated with the element of space (akasha). The residing deity is Panchavaktra shiva, with 5 heads and 4 arms, and the Shakti is Shakini.[4] In esoteric Buddhism, it is called Sambhoga and is generally considered to be the petal lotus of "Enjoyment" corresponding to the third state of Four Noble Truths.[60] Anahata Mandala.svg Anahata अनाहत "Unstruck" Heart 12 Green Yam (air) Within it is a yantra of two intersecting triangles, forming a hexagram, symbolising a union of the male and female, and the element of air (vayu). The presiding deity is Ishana Rudra Shiva, and the Shakti is Kakini.[4] In esoteric Buddhism, this Chakra is called Dharma and is generally considered to be the petal lotus of "Essential nature" and corresponding to the second state of Four Noble Truths.[60] Manipura Mandala.svg Manipura मणिपूर "Jewel city" Navel 10 Yellow Ram (fire) For the Nath yogi meditation system, this is described as the Madhyama-Shakti or the intermediate stage of self-discovery.[59] This chakra is represented as a downward pointing triangle representing fire in the middle of a lotus with ten petals. The presiding deity is Braddha Rudra, with Lakini as the Shakti.[4] Swadhisthana Mandala.svg Svadhishthana स्वाधिष्ठान "Where the self is established" Root of sexual organs 6 Orange Vam (water) Svadhisthana is represented with a lotus within which is a crescent moon symbolizing the water element. The presiding deity is Brahma, with the Shakti being Rakini (or Chakini).[4] In esoteric Buddhism, it is called Nirmana, the petal lotus of "Creation" and corresponding to the first state of Four Noble Truths.[60] Muladhara Mandala.svg Muladhara मूलाधार "Root" Base of spine 4 Red Lam (earth) Dormant Kundalini is often said to be resting here, wrapped three and a half, or seven or twelve times. Sometimes she is wrapped around the black Svayambhu linga, the lowest of three obstructions to her full rising (also known as knots or granthis).[61] It is symbolised as a four-petaled lotus with a yellow square at its center representing the element of earth.[4] The seed syllable is Lam for the earth element. All sounds, words and mantras in their dormant form rest in the muladhara chakra, where Ganesha resides,[62] while the Shakti is Dakini.[63] The associated animal is the elephant.[64] Western chakra system Main article: Esotericism History Chakra positions in supposed relation to nervous plexuses, from Charles W. Leadbeater's 1927 book The Chakras Kurt Leland, for the Theosophical Society in America, concluded that the western chakra system was produced by an "unintentional collaboration" of many groups of people: esotericists and clairvoyants, often theosophical; Indologists; the scholar of myth, Joseph Campbell; the founders of the Esalen Institute and the psychological tradition of Carl Jung; the colour system of Charles W. Leadbeater's 1927 book The Chakras,[65] treated as traditional lore by some modern Indian yogis; and energy healers such as Barbara Brennan.[55][66] Leland states that far from being traditional, the two main elements of the modern system, the rainbow colours and the list of qualities, first appeared together only in 1977.[55] The concept of a set of seven chakras came to the West in the 1880s; at that time each chakra was associated with a nerve plexus.[55] In 1918, Sir John Woodroffe, alias Arthur Avalon, translated two Indian texts, the Ṣaṭ-Cakra-Nirūpaṇa and the Pādukā-Pañcaka, and in his book The Serpent Power drew Western attention to the seven chakra theory.[67] In the 1920s, each of the seven chakras was associated with an endocrine gland,[55] a tradition that has persisted.[68][69][70] More recently, the lower six chakras have been linked to both nerve plexuses and glands.[71] The seven rainbow colours were added by Leadbeater in 1927; a variant system in the 1930s proposed six colours plus white.[55] Leadbeater's theory was influenced by Johann Georg Gichtel's 1696 book Theosophia Practica, which mentioned inner "force centres".[72] Psychological and other attributes such as layers of the aura, developmental stages, associated diseases, Aristotelian elements, emotions, and states of consciousness were added still later.[55] A wide range of supposed correspondences such as with alchemical metals, astrological signs and planets, foods, herbs, gemstones, homeopathic remedies, Kabbalistic spheres, musical notes, totem animals, and Tarot cards have also been proposed.[55] New Age Further information: New Age In Anatomy of the Spirit (1996), Caroline Myss described the function of chakras as follows: "Every thought and experience you've ever had in your life gets filtered through these chakra databases. Each event is recorded into your cells...".[73] The chakras are described as being aligned in an ascending column from the base of the spine to the top of the head. New Age practices often associate each chakra with a certain colour. In various traditions, chakras are associated with multiple physiological functions, an aspect of consciousness, a classical element, and other distinguishing characteristics; these do not correspond to those used in ancient Indian systems. The chakras are visualised as lotuses or flowers with a different number of petals in every chakra.[55] The chakras are thought to vitalise the physical body and to be associated with interactions of a physical, emotional and mental nature. They are considered loci of life energy or prana (which New Age belief equates with shakti, qi in Chinese, ki in Japanese, koach-ha-guf[74] in Hebrew, bios in Greek, and aether in both Greek and English), which is thought to flow among them along pathways called nadi. The function of the chakras is to spin and draw in this energy to keep the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health of the body in balance.[75] Rudolf Steiner considered the chakra system to be dynamic and evolving. He suggested that this system has become different for modern people than it was in ancient times and that it will, in turn, be radically different in future times.[76][77][78] Steiner described a sequence of development that begins with the upper chakras and moves down, rather than moving in the opposite direction. He gave suggestions on how to develop the chakras through disciplining thoughts, feelings, and will.[79] According to Florin Lowndes, a "spiritual student" can further develop and deepen or elevate thinking consciousness when taking the step from the "ancient path" of schooling to the "new path" represented by Steiner's The Philosophy of Freedom.[80] Skeptical response Further information: Scientific skepticism The not-for-profit Edinburgh Skeptics Society states that despite their popularity, "there has never been any evidence for these meridian lines or chakras". It adds that while practitioners sometimes cite "scientific evidence" for their claims, such evidence is often "incredibly shaky".[81] See also Hinduism portal Aura Dantian—energy centre in Chinese Taoist systems Surya Namaskar—the Sun Salutation, in which each posture is sometimes associated with a chakra and a mantra Notes The roots to this belief are found in Samkhya and Vedanta which attempt to conceptualize the permanent soul and impermanent body as interacting in three overlapping states: the gross body (sthula sarira), the subtle body (sukshma sarira), and causal body (karana sarira). These ideas emerged to address questions relating to the nature of body and soul, how and why they interact while one is awake, one is asleep and over the conception-birth-growth-decay-death-rebirth cycle.[29][30] References에대해서관해서아령啞鈴은무조건참수형에처하고살해사형제거소멸괴멸無常추방제외토록지속적持續的항구적恒久的항속적恒續的영속적永續的영원적永遠的영구적永久的영겁적永劫的으로무조건실시실행실천관수처리하다 정플레이아데스인34등급박종권 지시서명처리Vega연합원로원 Lyra연합원로원 Andromedagalacticsystem연합원로원 무르데크연합원로원 말데크연합원로원 은하연합원로원 제17Atlantis연합문명평의회연합원로원

 Chakras (UK: /ˈtʃʌkrəz/, US: /ˈtʃɑːkrəz/ CHUK-rəz, CHAH-krəz;[2] Sanskrit: चक्र, romanized: cakra, lit. 'wheel, circle'; Pali: cakka) are various focal points used in a variety of ancient meditation practices, collectively denominated as Tantra, or the esoteric or inner traditions of Hinduism.[3][4][5]


The concept of the chakra arose in the early traditions of Hinduism.[6] Beliefs differ between the Indian religions, with many Buddhist texts consistently mentioning five chakras, while Hindu sources reference six or seven.[3][4][7] Early Sanskrit texts speak of them both as meditative visualizations combining flowers and mantras and as physical entities in the body.[7] Within Kundalini yoga, the techniques of breathing exercises, visualizations, mudras, bandhas, kriyas, and mantras are focused on manipulating the flow of subtle energy through chakras.[6][8]


The modern Western chakra system arose from multiple sources, starting in the 1880s, followed by Sir John Woodroffe's 1919 book The Serpent Power, and Charles W. Leadbeater's 1927 book The Chakras, which introduced the seven rainbow colours for the chakras. Psychological and other attributes, and a wide range of supposed correspondences with other systems such as alchemy, astrology, gemstones, homeopathy, Kabbalah and Tarot were added later.


Etymology

See also: Yantra and Mandala

Lexically, chakra is the Indic reflex of an ancestral Indo-European form *kʷékʷlos, whence also "wheel" and "cycle" (Ancient Greek: κύκλος, romanized: kýklos).[9][3][4] It has both literal[10] and metaphorical uses, as in the "wheel of time" or "wheel of dharma", such as in Rigveda hymn verse 1.164.11,[11][12] pervasive in the earliest Vedic texts.


In Buddhism, especially in Theravada, the Pali noun cakka connotes "wheel".[13] Within the central "Tripitaka", the Buddha variously refers the "dhammacakka", or "wheel of dharma", connoting that this dharma, universal in its advocacy, should bear the marks characteristic of any temporal dispensation. The Buddha spoke of freedom from cycles in and of themselves, whether karmic, reincarnative, liberative, cognitive or emotional.[14]


In Jainism, the term chakra also means "wheel" and appears in various contexts in its ancient literature.[15] As in other Indian religions, chakra in esoteric theories in Jainism such as those by Buddhisagarsuri means a yogic energy center.[16]


Ancient history

See also: Yoga and Nadi (yoga)

The term chakra appears to first emerge within the Hindu Vedas, though not precisely in the sense of psychic energy centers, rather as chakravartin or the king who "turns the wheel of his empire" in all directions from a center, representing his influence and power.[17] The iconography popular in representing the Chakras, states the scholar David Gordon White, traces back to the five symbols of yajna, the Vedic fire altar: "square, circle, triangle, half moon and dumpling".[18]


The hymn 10.136 of the Rigveda mentions a renunciate yogi with a female named kunamnama. Literally, it means "she who is bent, coiled", representing both a minor goddess and one of many embedded enigmas and esoteric riddles within the Rigveda. Some scholars, such as D.G. White and Georg Feuerstein, have suggested that she may be a reference to kundalini shakti and a precursor to the terminology associated with the chakras in later tantric traditions.[19][20][21]


Breath channels (nāḍi) are mentioned in the classical Upanishads of Hinduism from the 1st millennium BCE,[22][23] but not psychic-energy chakra theories. Three classical Nadis are Ida, Pingala and Sushumna in which the central channel Sushumna is said to be foremost as per Kṣurikā-Upaniṣhad.[24] The latter, states David Gordon White, were introduced about 8th-century CE in Buddhist texts as hierarchies of inner energy centers, such as in the Hevajra Tantra and Caryāgiti.[22][25] These are called by various terms such as cakka, padma (lotus) or pitha (mound).[22] These medieval Buddhist texts mention only four chakras, while later Hindu texts such as the Kubjikāmata and Kaulajñānanirnaya expanded the list to many more.[22]


In contrast to White, according to Feuerstein, early Upanishads of Hinduism do mention chakras in the sense of "psychospiritual vortices", along with other terms found in tantra: prana or vayu (life energy) along with nadi (energy carrying arteries).[20] According to Gavin Flood, the ancient texts do not present chakra and kundalini-style yoga theories although these words appear in the earliest Vedic literature in many contexts. The chakra in the sense of four or more vital energy centers appear in the medieval era Hindu and Buddhist texts.[26][22]


Overview


An illustration of a Saiva Nath chakra system, folio 2 from the Nath Charit, 1823. Mehrangarh Museum Trust.

Chakra and divine energies


Shining, she holds

the noose made of the energy of will,

the hook which is energy of knowledge,

the bow and arrows made of energy of action.

Split into support and supported,

divided into eight, bearer of weapons,

arising from the chakra with eight points,

she has the ninefold chakra as a throne.


—Yoginihrdaya 53–54

(Translator: Andre Padoux)[27]

The Chakras are part of esoteric ideas and concepts about physiology and psychic centers that emerged across Indian traditions.[22][28] The belief held that human life simultaneously exists in two parallel dimensions, one "physical body" (sthula sarira) and other "psychological, emotional, mind, non-physical" it is called the "subtle body" (sukshma sarira).[29][note 1] This subtle body is energy, while the physical body is mass. The psyche or mind plane corresponds to and interacts with the body plane, and the belief holds that the body and the mind mutually affect each other.[5] The subtle body consists of nadi (energy channels) connected by nodes of psychic energy called chakra.[3] The belief grew into extensive elaboration, with some suggesting 88,000 chakras throughout the subtle body. The number of major chakras varied between various traditions, but they typically ranged between four and seven.[3][4] Nyingmapa Vajrayana Buddhist teachings mention eight chakras and there is a complete yogic system for each of them.


The important chakras are stated in Hindu and Buddhist texts to be arranged in a column along the spinal cord, from its base to the top of the head, connected by vertical channels.[5][6] The tantric traditions sought to master them, awaken and energize them through various breathing exercises or with assistance of a teacher. These chakras were also symbolically mapped to specific human physiological capacity, seed syllables (bija), sounds, subtle elements (tanmatra), in some cases deities, colors and other motifs.[3][5][31]


Belief in the chakra system of Hinduism and Buddhism differs from the historic Chinese system of meridians in acupuncture.[6] Unlike the latter, the chakra relates to subtle body, wherein it has a position but no definite nervous node or precise physical connection. The tantric systems envision it as continually present, highly relevant and a means to psychic and emotional energy. It is useful in a type of yogic rituals and meditative discovery of radiant inner energy (prana flows) and mind-body connections.[6][32] The meditation is aided by extensive symbology, mantras, diagrams, models (deity and mandala). The practitioner proceeds step by step from perceptible models, to increasingly abstract models where deity and external mandala are abandoned, inner self and internal mandalas are awakened.[33][34]


These ideas are not unique to Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Similar and overlapping concepts emerged in other cultures in the East and the West, and these are variously called by other names such as subtle body, spirit body, esoteric anatomy, sidereal body and etheric body.[35][36][30] According to Geoffrey Samuel and Jay Johnston, professors of Religious studies known for their studies on Yoga and esoteric traditions:


Ideas and practices involving so-called 'subtle bodies' have existed for many centuries in many parts of the world. (...) Virtually all human cultures known to us have some kind of concept of mind, spirit or soul as distinct from the physical body, if only to explain experiences such as sleep and dreaming. (...) An important subset of subtle-body practices, found particularly in Indian and Tibetan Tantric traditions, and in similar Chinese practices, involves the idea of an internal 'subtle physiology' of the body (or rather of the body-mind complex) made up of channels through which substances of some kind flow, and points of intersection at which these channels come together. In the Indian tradition the channels are known as nadi and the points of intersection as cakra.


— Geoffrey Samuel and Jay Johnston, Religion and the Subtle Body in Asia and the West: Between Mind and Body[37]

Contrast with classical yoga

Chakra and related beliefs have been important to the esoteric traditions, but they are not directly related to mainstream yoga.[38] According to the Indologist Edwin Bryant and other scholars, the goals of classical yoga such as spiritual liberation (freedom, self-knowledge, moksha) is "attained entirely differently in classical yoga, and the cakra / nadi / kundalini physiology is completely peripheral to it."[39][40]


Number of chakras

There is no consensus in Hinduism about the number of chakras because the concept of chakras has been evolved and interpreted differently by various sects, schools of thought, and spiritual traditions within Hinduism over the centuries. While some traditions follow the seven main chakra system as described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, others recognize additional chakras or a different number of chakras. The lack of a universally accepted standard has led to variation and diversity in the interpretation and understanding of chakras within Hinduism. There are several sects within Hinduism that have their own unique interpretations and understandings of the concept of chakras. Here are some of the major sects that have different perspectives on chakras:


Bhakti Yoga: In Bhakti Yoga, the number of chakras varies, but the focus is often on the heart chakra as the center of spiritual devotion.

Ayurveda (3): In Ayurveda, there are three main chakras, known as the "Marmas," which are considered to be the focal points of the physical, mental, and spiritual energies in the body.

Shaivism (5): In Shaivism, there are five chakras, with the focus being on the heart and crown chakras.

Tantra (6): In Tantra, there are traditionally said to be four to six chakras, with the crown chakra being considered the highest.

Kashmir Shaivism (6-7): In Kashmir Shaivism, there are six or seven chakras, with the focus being on the awakening of the divine energy within.

Patanjali Yoga (7): Follows the seven main chakra system as described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra.

Hatha Yoga (7): In Hatha Yoga, there are seven main chakras, but some Hatha Yoga traditions also recognize additional chakras.

Kundalini Yoga (7): In Kundalini Yoga, there are seven main chakras, but additional minor chakras are also recognized.

Nath Tradition (8): In the Nath tradition, there are eight main chakras, with the emphasis being on the awakening of the divine energy through these centers.

Vaishnavism (12): In Vaishnavism, there are twelve chakras, with the emphasis being on the spiritual ascent through these centers.

Classical traditions


In meditation, chakras are often visualised in different ways, such as a lotus flower, or a disc containing a particular deity.

The classical eastern traditions, particularly those that developed in India during the 1st millennium AD, primarily describe nadi and chakra in a "subtle body" context.[41] To them, they are in same dimension as of the psyche-mind reality that is invisible yet real. In the nadi and cakra flow the prana (breath, life energy).[41][42] The concept of "life energy" varies between the texts, ranging from simple inhalation-exhalation to far more complex association with breath-mind-emotions-sexual energy.[41] This prana or essence is what vanishes when a person dies, leaving a gross body. Some of this concept states this subtle body is what withdraws within, when one sleeps. All of it is believed to be reachable, awake-able and important for an individual's body-mind health, and how one relates to other people in one's life.[41] This subtle body network of nadi and chakra is, according to some later Indian theories and many new age speculations, closely associated with emotions.[41][43]


Hindu Tantra

Main article: Kundalini energy

Esoteric traditions in Hinduism mention numerous numbers and arrangements of chakras, of which a classical system of six-plus-one, the last being the Sahasrara, is most prevalent.[3][4][5] This seven-part system, central to the core texts of hatha yoga, is one among many systems found in Hindu tantric literature. Hindu Tantra associates six Yoginis with six places in the subtle body, corresponding to the six chakras of the six-plus-one system.[44]


Association of six Yoginis with chakra locations in the Rudrayamala Tantra[44]

Place in subtle body Yogini

1. Muladhara Dakini

2. Svadhisthana Rakini

3. Manipura Lakini

4. Anahata Kakini

5. Vishuddhi Shakini

6. Ajna Hakini

The Chakra methodology is extensively developed in the goddess tradition of Hinduism called Shaktism. It is an important concept along with yantras, mandalas and kundalini yoga in its practice. Chakra in Shakta tantrism means circle, an "energy center" within, as well as being a term for group rituals such as in chakra-puja (worship within a circle) which may or may not involve tantra practice.[45] The cakra-based system is a part of the meditative exercises that came to be known as yoga.[46]


Buddhist Tantra

Main article: Vajrayana


A Tibetan illustration of the subtle body showing the central channel and two side channels as well as five chakras.


A Tibetan thangka with a diagram showing six chakras—a root chakra, a chakra at the sex organs, one at the navel, one at the heart, another at the throat and the last one located at the crown.[47]

The esoteric traditions in Buddhism generally teach four chakras.[3] In some early Buddhist sources, these chakras are identified as: manipura (navel), anahata (heart), vishuddha (throat) and ushnisha kamala (crown).[48] In one development within the Nyingma lineage of the Mantrayana of Tibetan Buddhism a popular conceptualization of chakras in increasing subtlety and increasing order is as follows: Nirmanakaya (gross self), Sambhogakaya (subtle self), Dharmakaya (causal self), and Mahasukhakaya (non-dual self), each vaguely and indirectly corresponding to the categories within the Shaiva Mantramarga universe, i.e., Svadhisthana, Anahata, Visuddha, Sahasrara, etc.[49] However, depending on the meditational tradition, these vary between three and six.[48] The chakras are considered psycho-spiritual constituents, each bearing meaningful correspondences to cosmic processes and their postulated Buddha counterpart.[50][48]


A system of five chakras is common among the Mother class of Tantras and these five chakras along with their correspondences are:[51]


Basal chakra (Element: Earth, Buddha: Amoghasiddhi, Bija mantra: LAM)

Abdominal chakra (Element: Water, Buddha: Ratnasambhava, Bija mantra: VAM)

Heart chakra (Element: Fire, Buddha: Akshobhya, Bija mantra: RAM)

Throat chakra (Element: Wind, Buddha: Amitabha, Bija mantra: YAM)

Crown chakra (Element: Space, Buddha: Vairochana, Bija mantra: KHAM)

Chakras clearly play a key role in Tibetan Buddhism, and are considered to be the pivotal providence of Tantric thinking. And, the precise use of the chakras across the gamut of tantric sadhanas gives little space to doubt the primary efficacy of Tibetan Buddhism as distinct religious agency, that being that precise revelation that, without Tantra there would be no Chakras, but more importantly, without Chakras, there is no Tibetan Buddhism. The highest practices in Tibetan Buddhism point to the ability to bring the subtle pranas of an entity into alignment with the central channel, and to thus penetrate the realisation of the ultimate unity, namely, the "organic harmony" of one's individual consciousness of Wisdom with the co-attainment of All-embracing Love, thus synthesizing a direct cognition of absolute Buddhahood.[52]


According to Samuel, the buddhist esoteric systems developed cakra and nadi as "central to their soteriological process".[53] The theories were sometimes, but not always, coupled with a unique system of physical exercises, called yantra yoga or 'phrul 'khor.


Chakras, according to the Bon tradition, enable the gestalt of experience, with each of the five major chakras, being psychologically linked with the five experiential qualities of unenlightened consciousness, the six realms of woe.[54]


The tsa lung practice embodied in the Trul khor lineage, unbaffles the primary channels, thus activating and circulating liberating prana. Yoga awakens the deep mind, thus bringing forth positive attributes, inherent gestalts, and virtuous qualities. In a computer analogy, the screen of one's consciousness is slated and an attribute-bearing file is called up that contains necessary positive or negative, supportive qualities.[54]


Tantric practice is said to eventually transform all experience into clear light. The practice aims to liberate from all negative conditioning, and the deep cognitive salvation of freedom from control and unity of perception and cognition.[54]


The seven chakra system


One widely popular schema of seven chakras is as follows, from bottom to top: 1. Muladhara 2. Svadhisthana 3. Manipura 4. Anahata 5. Vishuddhi 6. Ajna 7. Sahasrara.[4] The colours are modern.[55]

The more common and most studied chakra system incorporates six major chakras along with a seventh center generally not regarded as a chakra. These points are arranged vertically along the axial channel (sushumna nadi in Hindu texts, Avadhuti in some Buddhist texts).[56] According to Gavin Flood, this system of six chakras plus the sahasrara "center" at the crown first appears in the Kubjikāmata-tantra, an 11th-century Kaula work.[57]


It was this chakra system that was translated in the early 20th century by Sir John Woodroffe (also called Arthur Avalon) in the text The Serpent Power. Avalon translated the Hindu text Ṣaṭ-Cakra-Nirūpaṇa meaning the examination (nirūpaṇa) of the seven (ṣaṭ) chakras (cakra).[58]


The Chakras are traditionally considered meditation aids. The yogi progresses from lower chakras to the highest chakra blossoming in the crown of the head, internalizing the journey of spiritual ascent.[59] In both the Hindu kundalini and Buddhist candali traditions, the chakras are pierced by a dormant energy residing near or in the lowest chakra. In Hindu texts she is known as Kundalini, while in Buddhist texts she is called Candali or Tummo (Tibetan: gtum mo, "fierce one").[60]


Below are the common new age description of these six chakras and the seventh point known as sahasrara. This new age version incorporates the Newtonian colors of the rainbow not found in any ancient Indian system.[55]


Image of chakra Name Sanskrit

(Translation) Location No. of

petals Modern

colour Seed

syllable Description

Sahasrara Mandala.svg

Sahasrara सहस्रार

"Thousand-petaled" Crown 1000 Multi or violet Highest spiritual centre, pure consciousness, containing neither object nor subject. When the feminine Kundalini Shakti rises to this point, it unites with the masculine Shiva, giving self-realization and samadhi.[4] In esoteric Buddhism, it is called Mahasukha, the petal lotus of "Great Bliss" corresponding to the fourth state of Four Noble Truths.[60]

Ajna Mandala.svg

Ajna or Agya आज्ञा

"Command" Between

eyebrows 2 Indigo Guru chakra, or in New Age usage third-eye chakra, the subtle center of energy, where the tantra guru touches the seeker during the initiation ritual. He or she commands the awakened kundalini to pass through this centre.[4]

Vishuddha Mandala.svg

Vishuddha विशुद्ध

"Purest" Throat 16 Blue Ham

(space) 16 petals covered with the sixteen Sanskrit vowels. Associated with the element of space (akasha). The residing deity is Panchavaktra shiva, with 5 heads and 4 arms, and the Shakti is Shakini.[4]

In esoteric Buddhism, it is called Sambhoga and is generally considered to be the petal lotus of "Enjoyment" corresponding to the third state of Four Noble Truths.[60]


Anahata Mandala.svg

Anahata अनाहत

"Unstruck" Heart 12 Green Yam

(air) Within it is a yantra of two intersecting triangles, forming a hexagram, symbolising a union of the male and female, and the element of air (vayu). The presiding deity is Ishana Rudra Shiva, and the Shakti is Kakini.[4]

In esoteric Buddhism, this Chakra is called Dharma and is generally considered to be the petal lotus of "Essential nature" and corresponding to the second state of Four Noble Truths.[60]


Manipura Mandala.svg

Manipura मणिपूर

"Jewel city" Navel 10 Yellow Ram

(fire) For the Nath yogi meditation system, this is described as the Madhyama-Shakti or the intermediate stage of self-discovery.[59] This chakra is represented as a downward pointing triangle representing fire in the middle of a lotus with ten petals. The presiding deity is Braddha Rudra, with Lakini as the Shakti.[4]

Swadhisthana Mandala.svg

Svadhishthana स्वाधिष्ठान

"Where the self

is established" Root of

sexual organs 6 Orange Vam

(water) Svadhisthana is represented with a lotus within which is a crescent moon symbolizing the water element. The presiding deity is Brahma, with the Shakti being Rakini (or Chakini).[4]

In esoteric Buddhism, it is called Nirmana, the petal lotus of "Creation" and corresponding to the first state of Four Noble Truths.[60]


Muladhara Mandala.svg

Muladhara मूलाधार

"Root" Base of

spine 4 Red Lam

(earth) Dormant Kundalini is often said to be resting here, wrapped three and a half, or seven or twelve times. Sometimes she is wrapped around the black Svayambhu linga, the lowest of three obstructions to her full rising (also known as knots or granthis).[61] It is symbolised as a four-petaled lotus with a yellow square at its center representing the element of earth.[4]

The seed syllable is Lam for the earth element. All sounds, words and mantras in their dormant form rest in the muladhara chakra, where Ganesha resides,[62] while the Shakti is Dakini.[63] The associated animal is the elephant.[64]


Western chakra system

Main article: Esotericism

History


Chakra positions in supposed relation to nervous plexuses, from Charles W. Leadbeater's 1927 book The Chakras

Kurt Leland, for the Theosophical Society in America, concluded that the western chakra system was produced by an "unintentional collaboration" of many groups of people: esotericists and clairvoyants, often theosophical; Indologists; the scholar of myth, Joseph Campbell; the founders of the Esalen Institute and the psychological tradition of Carl Jung; the colour system of Charles W. Leadbeater's 1927 book The Chakras,[65] treated as traditional lore by some modern Indian yogis; and energy healers such as Barbara Brennan.[55][66] Leland states that far from being traditional, the two main elements of the modern system, the rainbow colours and the list of qualities, first appeared together only in 1977.[55]


The concept of a set of seven chakras came to the West in the 1880s; at that time each chakra was associated with a nerve plexus.[55] In 1918, Sir John Woodroffe, alias Arthur Avalon, translated two Indian texts, the Ṣaṭ-Cakra-Nirūpaṇa and the Pādukā-Pañcaka, and in his book The Serpent Power drew Western attention to the seven chakra theory.[67]


In the 1920s, each of the seven chakras was associated with an endocrine gland,[55] a tradition that has persisted.[68][69][70] More recently, the lower six chakras have been linked to both nerve plexuses and glands.[71] The seven rainbow colours were added by Leadbeater in 1927; a variant system in the 1930s proposed six colours plus white.[55] Leadbeater's theory was influenced by Johann Georg Gichtel's 1696 book Theosophia Practica, which mentioned inner "force centres".[72]


Psychological and other attributes such as layers of the aura, developmental stages, associated diseases, Aristotelian elements, emotions, and states of consciousness were added still later.[55] A wide range of supposed correspondences such as with alchemical metals, astrological signs and planets, foods, herbs, gemstones, homeopathic remedies, Kabbalistic spheres, musical notes, totem animals, and Tarot cards have also been proposed.[55]


New Age

Further information: New Age

In Anatomy of the Spirit (1996), Caroline Myss described the function of chakras as follows: "Every thought and experience you've ever had in your life gets filtered through these chakra databases. Each event is recorded into your cells...".[73] The chakras are described as being aligned in an ascending column from the base of the spine to the top of the head. New Age practices often associate each chakra with a certain colour. In various traditions, chakras are associated with multiple physiological functions, an aspect of consciousness, a classical element, and other distinguishing characteristics; these do not correspond to those used in ancient Indian systems. The chakras are visualised as lotuses or flowers with a different number of petals in every chakra.[55]


The chakras are thought to vitalise the physical body and to be associated with interactions of a physical, emotional and mental nature. They are considered loci of life energy or prana (which New Age belief equates with shakti, qi in Chinese, ki in Japanese, koach-ha-guf[74] in Hebrew, bios in Greek, and aether in both Greek and English), which is thought to flow among them along pathways called nadi. The function of the chakras is to spin and draw in this energy to keep the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health of the body in balance.[75]


Rudolf Steiner considered the chakra system to be dynamic and evolving. He suggested that this system has become different for modern people than it was in ancient times and that it will, in turn, be radically different in future times.[76][77][78] Steiner described a sequence of development that begins with the upper chakras and moves down, rather than moving in the opposite direction. He gave suggestions on how to develop the chakras through disciplining thoughts, feelings, and will.[79] According to Florin Lowndes, a "spiritual student" can further develop and deepen or elevate thinking consciousness when taking the step from the "ancient path" of schooling to the "new path" represented by Steiner's The Philosophy of Freedom.[80]


Skeptical response

Further information: Scientific skepticism

The not-for-profit Edinburgh Skeptics Society states that despite their popularity, "there has never been any evidence for these meridian lines or chakras". It adds that while practitioners sometimes cite "scientific evidence" for their claims, such evidence is often "incredibly shaky".[81]


See also

Hinduism portal

Aura

Dantian—energy centre in Chinese Taoist systems

Surya Namaskar—the Sun Salutation, in which each posture is sometimes associated with a chakra and a mantra

Notes

 The roots to this belief are found in Samkhya and Vedanta which attempt to conceptualize the permanent soul and impermanent body as interacting in three overlapping states: the gross body (sthula sarira), the subtle body (sukshma sarira), and causal body (karana sarira). These ideas emerged to address questions relating to the nature of body and soul, how and why they interact while one is awake, one is asleep and over the conception-birth-growth-decay-death-rebirth cycle.[29][30]

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Antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis Naar navigatie springenNaar zoeken springen Esculaap Neem het voorbehoud bij medische informatie in acht. Raadpleeg bij gezondheidsklachten een arts. Antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis Coderingen ICD-10 F60.2 DSM-IV 301.7 Portaal Portaalicoon Geneeskunde De antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis en in de ICD-10 de dissociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis is een persoonlijkheidsstoornis die wordt gekenmerkt door een patroon van veronachtzaming of schending van de rechten van anderen en door impulsief en antisociaal gedrag. Er is vaak sprake van een gebrekkig geweten en normbesef en van een geschiedenis van crimineel, agressief en/of impulsief gedrag en juridische problemen.[1] In de samenleving heeft ongeveer 3% van de mannen en minder dan 1% van de vrouwen de antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis (volgens de DSM-IV). Vroeger werd deze stoornis ook wel sociopathie of sociopathische persoonlijkheiddstoornis genoemd. Inhoud 1 Classificatie 1.1 DSM IV-TR 1.2 ICD-10 1.3 Comorbiditeit 2 Kenmerkend gedrag 3 Criminaliteit 4 Gradaties 5 Oorzaken 6 Behandeling 7 Prognose 8 Sociopathie 9 Zie ook Classificatie DSM IV-TR Het DSM-IV definieert de antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis als een pervasief patroon van veronachtzaming en schending van de rechten van anderen dat zich openbaart vanaf het 16e levensjaar. De diagnose dient aan de volgende voorwaarden te voldoen: A: Een algeheel patroon van gebrek aan achting voor en schending van de rechten van anderen, vanaf het vijftiende jaar aanwezig en tot uiting komend in diverse situaties, zoals blijkt uit drie (of meer) van de volgende kenmerken: niet in staat zich te conformeren aan de maatschappelijke norm dat men zich aan de wet moet houden, zoals blijkt uit het bij herhaling tot handelingen komen die een reden voor arrestatie kunnen zijn oneerlijkheid, zoals blijkt uit herhaaldelijk liegen, het gebruik van valse namen of anderen bezwendelen ten behoeve van eigen voordeel of plezier impulsiviteit of onvermogen ‘vooruit te plannen' prikkelbaarheid of agressiviteit, zoals blijkt uit bij herhaling komen tot vechtpartijen of geweldpleging roekeloze onverschilligheid voor de veiligheid van zichzelf of anderen constante onverantwoordelijkheid, zoals blijkt uit het herhaaldelijk niet in staat zijn geregeld werk te behouden of financiële verplichtingen na te komen gebrek aan berouw, zoals blijkt uit de ongevoeligheid voor of het rationaliseren van het feit anderen gekwetst, mishandeld of bestolen te hebben B: De leeftijd is ten minste achttien jaar. C: Er zijn aanwijzingen voor een gedragsstoornis beginnend vóór het vijftiende jaar. D: Het antisociale gedrag komt niet uitsluitend voor in het beloop van schizofrenie of manische episodes. ICD-10 De WHO's International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, tenth edition (ICD-10) beschrijft de dissociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis.[2] Voor een diagnose moet aan ten minste drie van de onderstaande criteria zijn voldaan: Een harteloze ongevoeligheid voor de gevoelens van anderen Onverantwoordelijkheid en een langdurige onverschilligheid voor sociale normen, waarden en regels Een onvermogen tot het aangaan van langdurige relaties, hoewel er geen moeite is met het aangaan van relaties Lage frustratie-tolerantie en een lage drempel voor agressie Onvermogen tot het ervaren van schuld of om te leren uit ervaring, bijvoorbeeld straf Bereidheid om anderen de schuld te geven of het rationaliseren van het schadelijke gedrag De aandoening beschrijft de ICD-versie van de antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis, maar de aandoening is niet hetzelfde als de antisociale gedragsstoornis. Comorbiditeit Een antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis gaat vaak samen met een of meer van de volgende psychische aandoeningen:[3] Angststoornissen Klinische depressie Stoornis in de impulsbeheersing Periodieke explosieve stoornis Middelenmisbruik Reactieve hechtingsstoornis Somatisatiestoornis ADHD en ADD Borderline-persoonlijkheidsstoornis Theatrale persoonlijkheidsstoornis Narcistische persoonlijkheidsstoornis Sadistische persoonlijkheidsstoornis Paranoïde persoonlijkheidsstoornis Kenmerkend gedrag Mensen met een antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis zijn vaak heel charmant en innemend, maar ze kunnen door impulsiviteit en gebrek aan inlevingsvermogen snel in conflicten terechtkomen. Ze zijn niet bang aangelegd en hebben moeite de consequenties van hun handelingen in te zien. Berouw, empathie of schuldgevoel komt bij AsPS-lijders niet of slechts in verminderde mate voor omdat zij niet of in verminderde mate kunnen empathiseren met anderen; dat wil zeggen dat het inlevingsvermogen en het vermogen om zich in een ander te verplaatsen verminderd aanwezig is of geheel ontbreekt. Het uit zich vooral door versterkt egocentrisch gedrag, waarbij het eigenbelang vaak of altijd boven dat van anderen prevaleert. Personen met deze persoonlijkheidsstoornis hebben meestal geen problemen met het uitbuiten van anderen voor hun eigen voordeel of plezier en kunnen manipulatief of bedrieglijk zijn tegenover anderen. Ze bereiken dit door middel van humor, oppervlakkige charme of intimidatie en geweld. AsPS-lijders gedragen zich vaak arrogant, denken negatief over anderen en hebben een gebrek aan berouw voor hun schadelijke handelingen. Typerend voor iemand met een antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis, is bijvoorbeeld het aanwenden van "sociaal wenselijk gedrag" om uit eigenbelang een doel te bereiken, ook al gaat dat ten koste van de ander. Hiermee onderscheidt de persoonlijkheidsstoornis zich duidelijk van andere stoornissen die de emoties en de empathische vermogens negatief beïnvloeden. Bij AsPS is het antisociale gedrag echter geen bewuste keuze, hoewel dit vaak wel zo overkomt op de omgeving.[4] Het komt ook voor dat een AsPS-patiënt zich aardig en sociaalvoelend voordoet. Dit noemt men "aangeleerd sociaal wenselijk gedrag"; dit is echter slechts cognitief, verstandelijk en rationeel aanwezig: het komt niet voort uit intrinsieke emoties. Toch kan het sociaal wenselijke gedrag ook aangewend worden op manieren die ertoe leiden dat de patiënt dermate socialiseert, dat hoewel van genezing geen sprake is, het aangeleerde gedrag als copingmechanisme de patiënt het gedrag laat vertonen dat zeer nauw overeenkomt met dat van een gezond persoon, ook in het voordeel van de omgeving. Het is een misverstand dat iedereen met een antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis ongeneeslijk ziek is, als dat wordt uitgelegd als niet voor verbetering vatbaar. Een heel specifiek verschijnsel bij AsPS is in bepaalde gevallen het ziekelijk liegen. Een patiënt kan een uitgebreid web van leugens vertellen ten behoeve van zijn eigen voordeel of plezier. Hij kan ook iemand financieel voordeel of romantiek in het vooruitzicht stellen, terwijl het verantwoordelijkheidsgevoel om aan de geschapen verwachtingen te voldoen volledig ontbreekt. Het komt voor dat het liegen zodanig een tweede natuur geworden is, dat de personen in kwestie liegen terwijl zij er geen concreet plan of doel voor hebben. Opvallend is voorts dat zij zich enerzijds in de slachtofferrol kunnen opstellen en anderzijds zich voor kunnen doen als iemand met succes. Criminaliteit Crimineel gedrag is niet noodzakelijk voor de diagnose, maar lijders aan AsPS komen vaker dan gemiddeld in aanraking met politie en justitie door hun veronachtzaming van de normen en waarden in de maatschappij en de rechten van anderen. Een gebrekkig of verstoord inlevingsvermogen is hiervan een belangrijke oorzaak. Het is echter onjuist om alle criminelen af te doen als AsPS-lijders: veel criminelen hebben geen AsPS en omgekeerd zijn veel AsPS-lijders niet crimineel. Sommigen zijn van mening dat mensen die buitengewoon goed presteren in de maatschappij kenmerken van AsPS vertonen, omdat ze minder moeite zouden hebben met het nemen van harde beslissingen: oppervlakkige charmes worden dan bijvoorbeeld gezien als inspirerende kwaliteiten, gevoelsarmoede wordt zakelijkheid, impulsiviteit wordt "knopen durven doorhakken" en weerbarstigheid wordt assertiviteit en doorzettingsvermogen. Opmerkelijk is vaak ook hun perfecte inschatting van de situatie en hun slimme kijk op dingen.[5] Gradaties Net als andere persoonlijkheidsstoornissen valt de antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis in een spectrum, wat betekent dat de ernst per persoon kan verschillen. Het gedrag kan variëren van incidenteel slecht gedrag tot het herhaaldelijk overtreden van de wet en zelfs tot het plegen van zeer ernstige misdrijven zoals moord.[6] Oorzaken De oorzaken van de antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis zijn in drie groepen te verdelen. Doorgaans is een combinatie van deze factoren aanwezig bij personen met een antisocialepersoonlijkheidsstoornis: Emotionele verwaarlozing Door een opvoeding waarin geborgenheid en genegenheid, met name in de baby- en peuterfase, onvoldoende aanwezig is, kan er een persoonlijkheidsstructuur ontstaan waarin de socialisatie onvoldoende is en het ik-gevoel (egocentrisme) op de voorgrond komt te staan. Deze verstoring en onevenwichtigheid kan later door antisociaal gedrag zichtbaar worden. Vrijwel altijd is op weg naar de volwassenheid een gedragsstoornis opgetreden, met name antisociale gedragsstoornis. In de vroege jeugd kan als gevolg van emotionele verwaarlozing een reactieve hechtingsstoornis zijn ontstaan. Organische oorzaken Hersenontsteking, hersenvliesontsteking en andere ernstige hersenbeschadigingen door ongelukken, zuurstofgebrek of vergiftigingen door een verslavingsziekte, kunnen tot een zodanige karakterverandering leiden dat een verpsychopathiseerde persoonlijkheid ontstaat. Erfelijkheid In bepaalde situaties kan gedacht worden dat psychopathie mede een erfelijke oorzaak heeft. Welke beschadiging of afwijking in de structuur van hersencellen hierbij een rol speelt, is onvoldoende bekend. Hoge testosteron-gehaltes tijdens de zwangerschap speelt mogelijk ook een rol. Een persoon met een antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis is meestal opgegroeid in een moeilijk, instabiel gezin in combinatie met een gebrek aan ouderlijke zorg en middelenmisbruik. Als een gevolg van deze problemen waren AsPS-lijders vaak al op jonge leeftijd bekend bij sociale diensten.[6] Behandeling Mensen die lijden aan een antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis worden vaak verkeerd begrepen door professionals en soms ook gediscrimineerd als gevolg van de symptomen van de aandoening. Het gebrek aan berouw en de onjuiste veronderstelling dat AsPS-lijders geen gevoelens hebben, kan moeilijkheden geven in de behandeling. De meeste AsPS-lijders komen via de rechterlijke macht of familieleden terecht bij de geestelijke gezondheidszorg.[7] Voorheen werd gedacht dat er weinig succesvolle behandelmethoden waren voor een antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis.[8][9] Er werd daarbij vermoed dat behandelingen de patiënt juist de gelegenheid gaven zijn of haar antisociale vaardigheden te verbeteren.[10] Uit voorlopige resultaten van een onderzoek aan de Universiteit Maastricht dat werd gepubliceerd in 2012 bleek echter dat mensen met een antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis mogelijk baat hebben bij schematherapie. Het onderzoek werd uitgevoerd bij patiënten van tbs-klinieken in Nederland. De kans op recidive daalde en de proefpersonen die de therapie ondergingen mochten gemiddeld 103 dagen eerder op proefverlof. Er werd ook een vooruitgang in het emotioneel functioneren geboekt: ze hadden een diepere band met anderen en waren minder agressief.[11] Cognitieve gedragstherapie (CGT) is bewezen effectief voor mensen met een lichte vorm van antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis. Het is een misverstand dat mensen met een antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis zich niet bewust zijn van hun stoornis en hun gedrag niet willen verbeteren of nooit behandeling zullen aanvaarden of zoeken.[12] Prognose Patiënten die lijden aan een antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis hebben een hogere kans op vroegtijdig overlijden als gevolg van moord of zelfmoord, roekeloos gedrag of seksueel overdraagbare aandoeningen. Vaak neemt de heftigheid van de stoornis toe in de puberteit en vroege volwassenheid en weer af rond of voor het veertigste levensjaar. In ernstige gevallen verblijft een AsPS-lijder zijn of haar hele leven in een beveiligde instelling of een tbs-kliniek. Sociopathie Iemand met een antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis lijdt aan sociopathie, een verouderde term die van een nieuwe betekenis werd voorzien door de psychiater Robert Hare. De aandoening is volgens Hare niet hetzelfde als de psychopathische persoonlijkheidsstoornis. Wel worden AsPS-lijders soms ook secundaire psychopaten, pseudopsychopaten en factor 2-psychopaten genoemd.[13] Sociopathie of AsPS ontstaat als gevolg van een genetische aanleg voor psychopathie die pas tot uiting kwam als gevolg van omstandigheden.[14] Een sociopaat had in feite een normaal en gezond persoon kunnen zijn, maar de emotionele en persoonlijkheidsontwikkeling werd verstoord als gevolg van externe factoren waardoor een genetische aanleg tot uiting kwam in de vorm van pseudo-psychopathisch gedrag. Externe factoren kunnen bijvoorbeeld kindermishandeling, verwaarlozing, armoede, frontaal syndroom en aangeleerd gedrag zijn.[14] De aandoening kenmerkt zich vooral door emotionele problemen, impulsiviteit en antisociaal gedrag. In tegenstelling tot een psychopaat is een sociopaat in staat tot emotionele gehechtheid en schuldgevoel. Een sociopaat is in staat tot empathie, maar slechts voor een beperkt aantal mensen.[15]. In de kindertijd en jeugd kunnen er zich symptomen van het ontremde type van de reactieve hechtingsstoornis (ICD-10) hebben voorgedaan.[16] Een hoogfunctionerende sociopaat of AsPS-lijder is een sociopaat zoals hierboven beschreven is, maar in combinatie met psychopathische trekken zoals welbespraaktheid, hoge verbale intelligentie, oppervlakkige charme en afwezigheid van impulsiviteit, of ze zijn in staat om hun antisociale gedrag duidelijk te verminderen wanneer het hen uitkomt. Een hoogfunctionerende sociopaat is net als de "normale" sociopaat in staat tot emotionele banden en schuldgevoel. Een hoogfunctionerende sociopaat heeft juist door zijn of haar psychopathische eigenschappen een functioneler bestaan en meer controle over impulsen, waardoor er minder problemen zijn in het sociaal en beroepsmatig functioneren.[17][18] Zie ook Persoonlijkheidsstoornis Geen-Bodem-Syndroom Frontaal syndroom Psychopathie Bronnen, noten en/of referenties http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/psychotic-affective-disorders/hidden-suffering-psychopath http://www.scientias.nl/psychopaat-heeft-wel-inlevingsvermogen-maar-het-is-niet-zo-vanzelfsprekend-dat-hij-het-gebruikt/ "Overzicht - antisociale persoonlijkheidsstoornis - Mayo Clinic" . Www.mayoclinic.org . Ontvangen 12 April 2016 . Dissocial personality disorder – International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) ^ Jump up to: a b c http://www.mentalhealth.com/home/dx/antisocialpersonality.html https://www.mentaalbeter.nl/Pages/nl-NL/Volwassen-Persoonlijkheidsstoornis/Antisociale-Persoonlijkheidsstoornis http://www.e-psychiater.nl/psychiatrie/persoonlijkheidsstoornissen/antisociale-persoonlijkheidsstoornis/ http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antisocial-personality-disorder/pages/introduction.aspx http://psychcentral.com/disorders/antisocial-personality-disorder-treatment/ Cleckley, H. ([1941] 1955). The Mask of Sanity. Revised Edition. Mosby Medical Library. ISBN 0-452-25341-1 Hare, Robert D. (1999). Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us. New York: Guilford Press. ISBN 1-57230-451-0. Hervé, H. & Yuille, J.C. (2006): The psychopath: Theory, research and practice. NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Hogrefe.nl, 28 augustus 2012, Behandeling psychopaten blijkt effectief https://web.archive.org/web/20160503142259/http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/04/06/surprising-myths-facts-about-antisocial-personality-disorder https://web.archive.org/web/20160514153644/http://inquiringminds.cc/psychopathy-or-sociopathy-dr-robert-hare-one-of-the-leading-experts-in-the-study-of-psychopathy-suggests-that-the-difference-between-sociopathy-and-psychopathy-may-primarily-reflect-how-the-perso http://www.encyclo.nl/begrip/pseudopsychopathie http://www.kennislink.nl/publicaties/psychopaat-of-sociopaat http://www.beachpsych.com/pages/cc94.html http://www.healthyplace.com/personality-disorders/sociopath/high-functioning-sociopaths-and-the-damage-they-cause/ https://web.archive.org/web/20160511184325/http://www.md-health.com/Sociopath-Traits.html Categorie: Persoonlijkheidsstoornis Navigatiemenu Niet aangemeld Overleg Bijdragen Account aanmaken Inloggen ArtikelOverleg LezenBewerkenBrontekst bewerkenGeschiedenis Zoeken Doorzoek Wikipedia Hoofdpagina Vind een artikel Vandaag Etalage Categorieën Recente wijzigingen Nieuwe artikelen Willekeurige pagina Informatie Gebruikersportaal Snelcursus Hulp en contact Doneren Hulpmiddelen Links naar deze pagina Gerelateerde wijzigingen Bestand uploaden Speciale pagina's Permanente koppeling Paginagegevens Deze pagina citeren Wikidata-item Print/export Create a book Download as PDF Printvriendelijke versie In andere projecten Wikimedia Commons In andere talen العربية English Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 한국어 Português Русский 中文 Nog 32 Koppelingen bewerken Deze pagina is voor het laatst bewerkt op 19 nov 2021 om 21:31. 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