When I first came across the word chakra, I imagined it as a series of secret doors inside the body. If only I could unlock them all, I thought, life would somehow become extraordinary. It sounds fascinating, almost like a spiritual shortcut.
But the truth is different. Trying to force open your chakras is like pulling at a flower bud to make it bloom faster. Instead of growing, it only gets damaged. Yogic life begins not with opening, but with being present.
The Trap of Forcing Energy
These days, the internet is full of guides on how to “open” your chakras. They may promise quick transformation, but they often bring more confusion than clarity. When you attach strong desires to fixing or unlocking something within you, it becomes a trap. Instead of peace, you find restlessness.
It’s similar to buying the most advanced instrument when you’ve only just started learning music. The result is overwhelm, not harmony.
Psychological Lens: Carl Jung on Chakras
Carl Jung didn’t treat chakras as mystical symbols—but rather as psychological archetypes representing layers of human consciousness. In his Collected Works, Jung analyzes the chakra system in relation to Tantrism and Kundalini Yoga, recognizing them as symbolic structures deeply tied to the psyche. This perspective reframes chakras not as energy engines to be forced open, but as metaphors for inner states and stages of psychological development.
Traditional Wisdom: Yogic Philosophy & Upanishadic Roots
Chakra theory arises from ancient Hindu teachings, first in texts like the Vedas and later expanded in tantric traditions. These subtle energy centers were elaborately described in classical yoga literature such as the Yogatattva Upanishad and Yogachudamani Upanishad, which discuss chakras in relation to nadis (energy channels) and prana (life force)—always emphasizing gradual internal realization, not sudden spiritual jumps.
Lessons From the Mat in Seoul
In Seoul, where yoga and mindfulness practices continue to grow, I often notice how beginners approach the practice with a strong sense of expectation. Many hope for dramatic changes, as if one class could completely transform their energy. But the practitioners who grow the most steadily are not chasing mystical experiences. They are the ones who return to the basics — steady breath, mindful movement, and consistency over time.
Like enjoying a cup of tea on a quiet afternoon, the depth of yoga is found in simplicity, not in sudden revelations.
What Truly Leads You Closer
Your path may look different from others. Maybe exploring chakras will be part of it, maybe not. But you don’t need to force it. The less you cling to the idea of “achieving” through chakras, the closer you come to genuine peace.
Yoga is not about opening hidden doors. It is about realizing the door was never locked.
Reference
- https://www.embodiedphilosophy.com/definitions/chakras/
- https://jungiancenter.org/jung-on-the-chakras/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-are-chakras-concept-origins-and-effect-on-health
