ROOT CHAKRA – MULADHARA

The root chakra is first and lowest chakra that is located at the base of the spine between the region of anus and the external genitalia, referred to as the perineal area. This refers to our physical identity. Muladhara in Sanskrit means root or support and represents our Foundation Center. This chakra has the lowest vibrational energy because of the solidity of the dense Earth Element (Kapha dosha). The root chakra has limitations and boundaries because of the predominating physical nature of this energy center. This chakra provides a strong, solid foundation in life. Muladhara represents our connection with Mother Earth and gives us an awareness of our earthly material existence. This root chakra instills strength and courage, provides structure in our lives, and gives us ability to be grounded in reality (to be present in the here and now). A strong root chakra wards off the spacey lightheaded feeling, thus giving a sense of belonging and being in touch with reality.

This root chakra is the part of our consciousness that deals with our physical survival and security. It helps to provide for our basic animal necessities of self-preservation, such as food, water, shelter, clothing, warmth, air to breathe, and the basic comforts of life. The physiologic functions of the reptilian brain or brain stem govern our respiration, circulation, temperature regulation, reproduction, digestion, and the activation of the “flight or fight” survival response to imminent danger.

This root chakra addresses our relationship with our home, job, career path, and means of earning money.It helps us provide shelter and food for our family. It deals with our relationships with family and friends, and how we perceive ourselves.  It gives us a sense of belonging and makes us feel safe and secure in this world.  It helps to ground us and connect us with Mother Earth.  It gives us a sense of feeling worthy and builds our self-esteem. When in balance, we have a good feeling of self-worth, a sense of security, a strong foundation in life, and a strong moral and physical character. We experience good physical health and have the courage to face all adversity. Our nurturing Earth Mother provides nourishment, caring, and unconditional love. A balanced root chakra brings fulfillment of all desires, bestows wisdom, and provides revelation of the entire universe as one ascends to the higher chakras. Without a strong root chakra (Muladhara) the higher chakras will remain weak thereby impeding one’s spiritual ascension and entrance into the higher energy dimensions. One’s consciousness will be stuck at the lower chakra levels during this lifetime and carried over into the spiritual realm after death, and consequently a great deal of karmic debt will accrue.

Deficient Root Chakra (Muladhara):   This situation results from a weak Kapha Dosha and allows a vitiated Vata Dosha to dominate. A weak root chakra has its basis in the limbic system and is the storehouse of all emotions. A deficient root chakra (decreased Kapha or solidity, but increased Vayu or air) causes problems such as, stress, worry, fear, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, anorexia, a “spaced out” feeling, flightiness, restlessness, inability to mentally focus or concentrate, feel disconnected with the body, over active, agitated depression, disturbing stressful emotions from the past, or lack a regular lifestyle. 

Fear is the prevalent destructive emotion of the root chakra and must be tamed. It is the most damaging of all emotions and is the opposite of love. Fear and anxiety are borne out of our attachment for our desires, but, change, foreseen and unforeseen, continually occurs in this physical earthly world, thus often thwarting such self-desires. Consequently, insecurity intervenes in this uncertain world and as such propagates fear and anxiety. Fear is associated with a distressed Vata dosha that then predominates the Root chakra with deficient Kapha dosha and its solid foundation in reality. We become anxious for fear that another outcome will occur rather than the one we hoped and expected. As long as we are attached to our desires and expectations while in this physical and emotional human condition, insecurity with all its attached negative emotions is inevitable. The controlled dramas exhibited under stress because of the Vata (vayu) influence include fickleness, unreliability, and irresponsibility.

Excess root Chakra – Muladhara:  Excess root chakra (increased Kapha) may cause mental lethargy, low physical energy, heaviness, sluggishness, worry about your safety or your money, hoarding of possessions, have a feeling of loneliness or isolation, depression, greediness, overeating, weight gain, and obesity. Solid tumors and growths may also be associated with this Chakra spinning too slowly or reversed. The controlled dramas include withdrawal, stubbornness, and indifference. The root foundation is too weighty or stagnant with little flow of the Earth energy into the energy centers.

(Excerpted from my book – Mysteries of Life, Death and Beyond)