What is a chakra?

The word chakra describes various things, but generally denotes the embodiments of a person's energies. Chakras are a concept in the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism and in the practice of Yoga.

Chakras are believed to be points of energy on the surface of a soul or what some call a Subtle body. They supposedly exist along one of two central energy channels within a person called a Sushumna. The Sushumna is said to be a main Nadi, or channel, that runs throughout a person's body to deliver life energies called Prana, or subtle winds. The chakra can be tied to a mantra and with a particular color and deity.

Chakras are essential to Kundalini, a meditation technique associated with the goddess of the same name. Some believe Kundalini lives at the base of everyone's spine and needs to be awakened to migrate to a person's head and bring spiritual awareness culminating in a wondrous mystical experience.

Those who know Jesus and have experienced some forms of meditation associated with chakras say the spiritual experience of such mediation is real—but it is not of God. In 2 Corinthians 11:14, Paul describes Satan as an angel of light. The enemy of our soul often masquerades as a friend of God.

Chakras also play a role in some types of medicine. For example, acupuncture and other forms of Chinese medicine claim to use energies and meridians for healing. Interestingly, acupuncture has helped many find relief from pain, meaning there might be a physical benefit to acupuncture independent of the misguided spiritual philosophy undergirding it.

What should Christians make of chakras? The Bible nowhere verifies the existence of chakras and it does not encourage us to be involved in spiritism. The spiritual experiences of those who work with chakras may indeed be quite real, but they are not of God. Galatians 1:8–9 tells us to reject such spiritual messengers: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed."

The entire message of all Eastern religions, including Buddhism and Hinduism, is inconsistent with Christianity. Most all religions, including these two, require followers to earn their way, work their way, to achieve some sort of union or relationship with God. Christianity is different in that God does the work to establish relationship with people. God sent His Son, Jesus, to die in our place and defeat death in His resurrection. When we believe that and accept Jesus' gift, we enter into an eternal relationship with God (Romans 10:9–10).

First John 4:1 tells us not to believe every spirit, but to test them to see if they are from God. The same chapter encourages us that if we are in God, the One who is in us is greater than the one in the world. This same chapter also talks about God being love and demonstrating His love for us by providing Jesus as the propitiation for our sins. First John 4:15 says, "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God." It goes on to say that we have no reason to fear judgment when we are in God's love.

In Christ, there is no need to fear the things of this world or final judgment. He has overcome and He is with us. There is also no need for us to try to manipulate our body energies or dabble with chakras. Rather, we should trust the Holy Spirit within us and follow His leading (John 14:16–17; 16:13; Galatians 5:16–26; Ephesians 6:10–18; 1 Peter 5:6–9).

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