Читать книгу Chakra Foods for Optimum Health - Deanna M. Minich - Страница 21

The chakras are connected to color, archetypes, and also the elements of nature and the cosmos. Each chakra embodies some aspect of an element, with the lower body chakras taking on significantly “coarser” physical elements than the upper body chakras, which integrate elements that are not apparent to the naked eye. The root (first) chakra, with its association to being grounded and stable, appropriately carries the solid energy of the Earth and all her embodiments: soil, deep molten lava, rock. The sacral (second) chakra represents the water element, taking on its fluid, dynamic ability to create through life, being yielding and passive, yet strong and forceful at the same time. The solar plexus (third) chakra signifies the fire element, powerful and ready to ignite with confidence and the quality of “presence.” These three chakras carry within their energies the symbolism and characteristics of physical elements (Earth, water, and fire). As you will read further, this association parallels their connection with these same elements found in the major components (macronutrients) comprising foods: the root chakra and its anchor to earth through protein; the sacral chakra capturing the movement inherent within water through its resonance with fluids and fats; and the solar plexus chakra honoring the fire quality of carbohydrates, a fuel source that is preferentially burned for energy in its variety of forms (everything from quick simple sugars to sustained complex starches).

As we travel up the chakra circuit into the upper body chakras, the elements become less tangible and more ethereal. The heart (fourth) chakra draws us to the elemental essence of air, which allows us to be part of the human experience. We can do for weeks without food, days without water, but only minutes without air. Ancient traditions revere the breath, or oxygen, and equate it with being our life force (chi, prana). Think of the word in-spire, which in Latin means “to breathe.” We relate it to becoming exalted and infused with emotion and nourished. The throat (fifth) chakra's element is even finer than air—ether, the element of the heavens, or that space beyond the Earth. We communicate to the heavens and move beyond into space by air flowing through our throat chakra, creating sound, a vibration that travels through Earth gases, solids, and liquids into the substance that envelops the Earth. Up in the realm of the third eye (sixth) chakra resides the multidimensional element of light, or photonic, rainbowed particles and waves. This center provides our insight, or “lights the path” before us. Physiologically, it is very sensitive to the rhythms of light appearance and disappearance. It feeds off of the sunlight and the Divine light that shines from within everyone. Finally, the crown (seventh) links us to the element of oneness and wholeness of Divine energy and universal consciousness. It is the complete part of who we are and with this element in place, our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls are sustained.