The Seven Sanctuaries represent a modern lens for the ancient yogic concept of the Chakra System. Each “Sanctuary” is a figure for each Chakra, which is defined as an energetic “disk” or “wheel” that is said to spin within us.
Although esoteric in nature, this ancient belief system and the resulting customs that come with it, have been taught and practiced for thousands of years. With their roots in Indian culture, the native tongue soaked in the language of Sanskrit, and the essence of each Sanctuary embedded in the bones of theory and practice of yoga, it is difficult to ignore the prevalence and power that these Chakras can have in the depths of our lives.
As we explore the nuances of each Sanctuary, we continuously turn back to our center, located in the middle of our chest, a little to the right. What some have called the cave of the Heart, this energetic space is mirrored by the physical Heart. It is in this place where our inner compass, our inner voice, whispers to us as we laugh and dance and play just as much as when we weather life’s most tumultuous storms. It is this voice that quietly guides us towards our deepest purpose and as a result, our wildest dreams.
Below hosts a very brief exploration of each Sanctuary in an attempt to showcase the elements of each Chakra, how they relate to your physical body, how each can expand into your psyche in varying ways, AND the work that must be done in order to fully evolve each to it’s highest potential. As you begin to explore these Seven Sanctuaries, you may find a deeper understanding to the questions that weigh upon your heart. Perhaps, if you listen close enough, you may even find an answer or two along the way.
It is our greatest pleasure to welcome you to the sacred space that lies dormant within yourself. For, with every breath you take, these Seven Sanctuaries dance inside of you, gently, ceaselessly, as a reminder that you are a universe waiting to be explored.
**Please note the below are merely suggestions of how the energetic manifests in the material realm + various ways to hone in on a specific energy/chakra/sanctuary. As the mind is in the business of labeling and organizing, we must remember that there are no strict boundaries between each sanctuary, but rather loose correlations and serendipitous synchronicities. For example, meditation can be both a grounding practice AND a deeply heady/ ethereal/ spiritual experience depending on how YOU approach the process. In other words, take the below with a bit of silliness, a dash of severity, and a LOT of joy. The rest I leave up to your own discernments to conclude how and what and when and where you may incorporate the concept of The Seven Sanctuaries into your life.
The First Sanctuary: The Roots
The Second Sanctuary: The Sacral Center
The Third Sanctuary: The Solar Center
The Fourth Sanctuary: The Heart Center
The Fifth Sanctuary: The Communication Center
The Sixth Sanctuary: The Command Center
The Seventh Sanctuary: The Spiritual Center