Chakras and energy
Chakra is a concept originating in Hindu texts, featured in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its name derives from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning" (cakraṃ चक्रं, in Hindi). Texts describing the chakras go back as far as the later Upanishads
Chakra is a concept referring to wheel-like vortices which, according to traditional Indian medicine, are believed to exist in the surface of the subtle body of living beings. They are said to be "force centers", whorls of energy permeating, from a point on the physical body, the layers of the subtle bodies in an ever-increasing fan-shaped formation. They are considered the focal points for the reception and transmission of energies. Seven chakras are described in the Shakta Tantra tradition that was brought over to the West.
Sahasrara: The Crown Chakra
Sahasrara is the chakra of pure consciousness, within which there is neither object nor subject. Symbolized by a lotus with a thousand multi-coloured petals, it is located either at the crown of the head, or above the crown of the head. Sahasrara is represented by the colour white and it involves inner wisdom.
Ajna: The Brow Chakra
Ajna is symbolised by a lotus with two petals, and corresponds to the color indigo. At this point, the 2 side nadis Ida and Pingala converge towards the central channel Sushumna. The seed syllable for this chakra is OM, and the presiding deity is Ardhanarishvara, a half male, half female Shiva/Shakti. It is known as the third eye chakra, and involves balancing the higher & lower selves as well as trusting inner guidance (intuition).
Vishuddha: The Throat Chakra
Vishuddha is depicted as a silver crescent within a white circle, with 16 pale blue or turquoise petals. The seed mantra is Ham, and the residing deity is Panchavaktra Shiva. This chakra relates to communication and growth through expression.
Anahata: The Heart Chakra
Anahata is symbolised by a circular flower with twelve green petals. Within it is a yantra of two intersecting triangles, forming a hexagram, symbolising a union of the male and female. The seed mantra is Yam, the presiding deity is Ishana Rudra Shiva. Key issues of Anahata involve complex emotions, compassion, tenderness, unconditional love, equilibrium, rejection and well-being.
Manipura: The Solar Plexus Chakra
Manipura is symbolised by a downward pointing triangle with ten petals. The seed syllable is Ram, and the presiding deity is Braddha Rudra. It deals with personal power, fear, anxiety, opinion-formation, introversion, and transition from simple or base emotions to complex.
Swadhisthana: The Sacral Chakra
Swadhisthana is symbolized by a lotus within which is a crescent moon, with six vermillion or orange petals. The seed mantra is Vam, and the presiding deity is Bramha. This chakra rules over relationships, violence, addictions, basic emotional needs, and pleasure, but also creativity and enthusiasm.
Muladhara: The Base Chakra
Muladhara or root chakra is represented as a red square, with 4 red petals. The seed syllable is Lam, the deity is Ganesh. This chakra is the merging point of the 3 channels, before their separation and upward movement. Muladhara is related to instinct, security, survival and basic human potentiality. This center is located in the perineum and its key issues involve sexuality and sensuality, as well as security and stability.
Crystal healing is a type of alternative medicine technique that employs stones and crystals as healing tools.
The practitioner places crystals on different parts of the body, often corresponding to chakras, or places crystals around the body in an attempt to construct an "energy grid", which surrounds the subject with healing energy.
When the stones are placed in the area of the chakras, the color of the stones may correspond to the color which is associated with the corresponding chakra. Stones may also be used at the feet in an attempt at grounding the individual, or held in the hands. Practitioners may also use tools such as crystal wands, which are placed near the receiver's body, or near a certain 'blocked' chakra.
Chakra is a concept referring to wheel-like vortices which, according to traditional Indian medicine, are believed to exist in the surface of the subtle body of living beings. They are said to be "force centers", whorls of energy permeating, from a point on the physical body, the layers of the subtle bodies in an ever-increasing fan-shaped formation. They are considered the focal points for the reception and transmission of energies. Seven chakras are described in the Shakta Tantra tradition that was brought over to the West.
Sahasrara: The Crown Chakra
Sahasrara is the chakra of pure consciousness, within which there is neither object nor subject. Symbolized by a lotus with a thousand multi-coloured petals, it is located either at the crown of the head, or above the crown of the head. Sahasrara is represented by the colour white and it involves inner wisdom.
Ajna: The Brow Chakra
Ajna is symbolised by a lotus with two petals, and corresponds to the color indigo. At this point, the 2 side nadis Ida and Pingala converge towards the central channel Sushumna. The seed syllable for this chakra is OM, and the presiding deity is Ardhanarishvara, a half male, half female Shiva/Shakti. It is known as the third eye chakra, and involves balancing the higher & lower selves as well as trusting inner guidance (intuition).
Vishuddha: The Throat Chakra
Vishuddha is depicted as a silver crescent within a white circle, with 16 pale blue or turquoise petals. The seed mantra is Ham, and the residing deity is Panchavaktra Shiva. This chakra relates to communication and growth through expression.
Anahata: The Heart Chakra
Anahata is symbolised by a circular flower with twelve green petals. Within it is a yantra of two intersecting triangles, forming a hexagram, symbolising a union of the male and female. The seed mantra is Yam, the presiding deity is Ishana Rudra Shiva. Key issues of Anahata involve complex emotions, compassion, tenderness, unconditional love, equilibrium, rejection and well-being.
Manipura: The Solar Plexus Chakra
Manipura is symbolised by a downward pointing triangle with ten petals. The seed syllable is Ram, and the presiding deity is Braddha Rudra. It deals with personal power, fear, anxiety, opinion-formation, introversion, and transition from simple or base emotions to complex.
Swadhisthana: The Sacral Chakra
Swadhisthana is symbolized by a lotus within which is a crescent moon, with six vermillion or orange petals. The seed mantra is Vam, and the presiding deity is Bramha. This chakra rules over relationships, violence, addictions, basic emotional needs, and pleasure, but also creativity and enthusiasm.
Muladhara: The Base Chakra
Muladhara or root chakra is represented as a red square, with 4 red petals. The seed syllable is Lam, the deity is Ganesh. This chakra is the merging point of the 3 channels, before their separation and upward movement. Muladhara is related to instinct, security, survival and basic human potentiality. This center is located in the perineum and its key issues involve sexuality and sensuality, as well as security and stability.
Crystal healing is a type of alternative medicine technique that employs stones and crystals as healing tools.
The practitioner places crystals on different parts of the body, often corresponding to chakras, or places crystals around the body in an attempt to construct an "energy grid", which surrounds the subject with healing energy.
When the stones are placed in the area of the chakras, the color of the stones may correspond to the color which is associated with the corresponding chakra. Stones may also be used at the feet in an attempt at grounding the individual, or held in the hands. Practitioners may also use tools such as crystal wands, which are placed near the receiver's body, or near a certain 'blocked' chakra.
Tibetan Singing Bowls
Tibetan Singing Bowls ( Rin gongs) are a type of standing bell (ie with the bottom surface resting). The sides and rim of singing bowls vibrate to produce sound characterized by a fundamental frequency (first harmonic) and usually two audible harmonic overtones (second and third harmonic).
In Asia, the tradition of making sound with bronze bowls could go back for more than 3,000 years. Bowls are made in 2 processes: by hammering (beaten bowls) or by a sand casting method. Singing bowls were historically made throughout Asia, especially in the Himalayan region. Nowadays, he highest quality bowls still come from Nepal.
In Buddhist practice, singing bowls are used as a signal to begin and end meditation, or when a particular phrase is chanted. In Japan, singing bowls are similarly used during chanting, but may also mark the passage of time or signal a change in activity.
Singing bowls are played by striking the rim of the bowl with a padded mallet. They can also be played by the friction of rubbing a wood or leather wrapped mallet around the rim of the bowl to emphasize the harmonic overtones and a continuous 'singing' sound. They produce a unique sound, as well as a physical vibration that can be felt, creating an effect that is unique to the instrument. The subtle yet complex multiple harmonic frequencies are a special quality of the high quality bronze alloy (a mixture of copper and tin). Traditional craftsmen still make singing bowls in the ancestral manner, creating one of the longest made traditional objects still being produced today.
Antique singing bowls are highly prized and collected worldwide, due to their fine craftsmanship and remarkable sound. They may display abstract decorations like lines, rings and circles engraved into the surface. Decoration may appear outside the rim, inside the bottom, around the top of the rim and sometimes on the outside bottom.
Today they are employed worldwide for meditation, music, relaxation and well-being. They are used by a wide range of professionals, including, musicians, teachers, psychotherapists, massage therapists, cancer specialists, stress and meditation specialists.
In Asia, the tradition of making sound with bronze bowls could go back for more than 3,000 years. Bowls are made in 2 processes: by hammering (beaten bowls) or by a sand casting method. Singing bowls were historically made throughout Asia, especially in the Himalayan region. Nowadays, he highest quality bowls still come from Nepal.
In Buddhist practice, singing bowls are used as a signal to begin and end meditation, or when a particular phrase is chanted. In Japan, singing bowls are similarly used during chanting, but may also mark the passage of time or signal a change in activity.
Singing bowls are played by striking the rim of the bowl with a padded mallet. They can also be played by the friction of rubbing a wood or leather wrapped mallet around the rim of the bowl to emphasize the harmonic overtones and a continuous 'singing' sound. They produce a unique sound, as well as a physical vibration that can be felt, creating an effect that is unique to the instrument. The subtle yet complex multiple harmonic frequencies are a special quality of the high quality bronze alloy (a mixture of copper and tin). Traditional craftsmen still make singing bowls in the ancestral manner, creating one of the longest made traditional objects still being produced today.
Antique singing bowls are highly prized and collected worldwide, due to their fine craftsmanship and remarkable sound. They may display abstract decorations like lines, rings and circles engraved into the surface. Decoration may appear outside the rim, inside the bottom, around the top of the rim and sometimes on the outside bottom.
Today they are employed worldwide for meditation, music, relaxation and well-being. They are used by a wide range of professionals, including, musicians, teachers, psychotherapists, massage therapists, cancer specialists, stress and meditation specialists.
Tibetan collection
We have links to artisans in Ladakh and Nepal, providing us with a wide array of fine handicrafts. We have gold and silver plated mandalas, decorated with gemstones (emeralds, rubies, turquoises). We also recently acquired magnificent dungchens (tibetan trumpets with a silver frame) and wood carvings.
Wether you are an avid collector of Asian arts or you are looking for something special to add to your home or business, you can find superior quality items at our shop.
Wether you are an avid collector of Asian arts or you are looking for something special to add to your home or business, you can find superior quality items at our shop.