Every morsel of food we consume is transformed into energy, a potent life force we call Urja. By its very nature, this energy flows downwards to fuel our most basic, worldly instincts. The entire path of spiritual practice, or sadhna, is the sacred work of reversing this current and making this energy rise.
The chakra system is the ladder of our being, and our consciousness operates from a specific rung that becomes our centre of gravity. For the man whose centre is Muladhara, the Root Chakra, life is a singular mission: the survival. His energy is wholly consumed by the primal needs of eating and sleeping.
It must be the aim of every human to rise spiritually, from the basic instincts of survival to unison with consciousness.
It is here, at this absolute foundation, that we encounter the Great Division. Muladhara is not just the first chakra; it is the fundamental boundary line where the spiritual journey begins. Everything below in the form of legs and the lower structure of our body below the waist is the same for every one.
Think of your most active chakra as your energetic ‘centre of gravity.’ It is the primary reality from which you operate. When your life force (Urja) rises and activates a new, higher centre, this becomes your new foundation, creating a clear division.
The instincts of the chakras below this new line are now considered mastered. For example, a man whose centre is the Heart (Anahata) is no longer consumed by the raw survival fears of the Root or the egoic ambitions of the Solar Plexus. That is now settled territory, below his current line of division.
This new division line also defines the spiritual potential that lies ahead. For the man centred at the Heart, the realms of pure expression (Throat), intuitive sight (Third Eye), and ultimate oneness (Crown) are now the potential that lies above his current reality.
As his spiritual practice (sadhna) continues, this line is not fixed; it is designed to shift. The entire journey is the work of continually raising this centre of gravity, and with it, the line of division, ever upwards towards total unison with consciousness.
Understanding Muladhara is to understand this primary division—the ground zero from which all spiritual transformation must launch. How does this centre govern our survival, and how do we build its stability to begin our journey upward? Let’s explore the 15 most asked questions.
1) What is the Root Chakra? Which gland is it linked to?
The Root Chakra is the first of the seven main chakras, associated with the earth element and the colour red. It supports survival, security, stability, physical health, and belonging.
This is the absolute bedrock of human existence, the energetic centre of gravity for the "survival man." Here, the mission of life is only existence, a world defined by the primal needs of eating and sleeping.
Energetically, it works closely with the adrenal glands, which govern our stress response and vitality. When balanced or active, you feel grounded, safe, and confident.
2) What are common symptoms if my Root Chakra is inactive or imbalanced?
Disclaimer: Many physical symptoms have medical causes. Always consult a healthcare professional first. The following are possible energetic associations only.
While "blocked" is a common term, it is more accurate to think of a chakra as being inactive or imbalanced. When the Root Chakra is not fully active, our entire foundation can feel unstable as the flow of grounding energy is disrupted. This imbalance can manifest across our physical, emotional, and mental states.
Physical Symptoms
- Chronic Lethargy and Fatigue: A persistent feeling of being drained, tired, and heavy.
- Lower Body Issues: This can include chronic pain in the lower back, sciatica, and issues with the legs, knees, and feet.
- Elimination and Colon Problems: Issues like constipation, IBS, and problems with the bladder or intestines.
- Issues with Physical Structure: Problems with bones, teeth, and nails can be associated with a long-term imbalance.
- Feeling Cold: A consistent feeling of being cold, especially in the hands and feet, indicating a lack of grounding "heat."
- Adrenal Fatigue: Long-term stress that depletes the adrenal glands is a strong indicator of an inactive Muladhara.
Emotional and Mental Symptoms
The core emotional state of an imbalanced Root Chakra is fear and insecurity. This fundamental anxiety can express itself in various ways:
- Pervasive Anxiety and Worry: A constant anxiety, often focused on survival needs like money, housing, and personal safety.
- Feeling Ungrounded and Disconnected: A sense of being "spacey" and finding it difficult to be present in your body.
- Financial Insecurity: A chronic struggle with finances, manifesting as an inability to hold onto money or hoarding it out of fear.
- Lack of Trust: A fundamental distrust in the world, in others, or in yourself.
- Issues with "Belonging": Feeling like an outcast or disconnected from your family, community, or "tribe."
- Reduced Libido: A lack of sexual desire that stems from feeling unsafe or exhausted, not from a lack of pleasure.
3) How do I know if my Root Chakra is active — what does it feel like?
You will generally feel grounded, safe, present, and steady in your body and mind. Anxiety lessens, while trust and vitality rise. You feel a deep sense of security, and your aim in life is linked to the means of survival (food, clothes and shelter).
4) What benefits and positive changes come from a balanced Root Chakra?
- Greater physical vitality and health.
- More trust and less anxiety.
- A more fulfilling sex life, supported by rooted vitality.
- Enhanced ability to manifest goals through grounded focus.
- A deep sense of belonging to your community, the Earth, and your own body.
- Increased resilience, confidence, and healthier boundaries.
5) What is Root Chakra activation?
It is more accurate to think of this process as the activation or energising of your foundational life force. The goal is not to 'fix' something broken, but to awaken a dormant state of profound security.
Root Chakra activation is building an unshakeable foundation of safety so your life force (Urja) is no longer consumed by the mission of survival. When Muladhara is active, the constant drain of anxiety ceases.
This is the critical first step in the spiritual journey, as it frees your energy to begin the great upward journey. This is achieved by reconnecting your awareness with your body and the Earth.
6) How can I activate an inactive Root Chakra?
It is more apt to use "how to activate" an inactive root chakra rather than "open." To activate it, we must be clear on what an active Root Chakra means in real life.
An active Root Chakra manifests as a tangible state of well-being: good digestion, security in having enough to eat, and the freedom to indulge in worldly life without unnecessary worries.
An inactive chakra is the presence of deep-seated worry and physical unease. Activating it is the practical process of dismantling these fears by reassuring your body that you are safe.
7) What practices help activate the Root Chakra?
Activation is achieved through a conscious cultivation of a well-regulated and stable lifestyle. The core principle is to manage your life force (Urja) intelligently by maintaining a healthy body, eating and sleeping well, and regulating sensual indulgence.
A life of conscious regulation is the most powerful practice for building this foundation. To support this lifestyle, you can incorporate the following:
- Grounding Physical Movement: Focus on exercises that connect you to the ground. Yoga poses like Tadasana (Mountain Pose) and Malasana (Squat Pose) are essential.
- Conscious Breathing for Safety: Practice slow, deep diaphragmatic (belly) breathing. This shifts your nervous system from a "fight-or-flight" (anxious) state to a "rest-and-digest" (safe) state.
- Mindful Connection to the Earth (Earthing): Spend a few minutes each day walking barefoot on natural surfaces like grass or soil. This pulls your awareness into the safety of your body.
- Spending Time in Nature: Natural environments have a powerful grounding effect. Walk in nature while feeling connected to the mother earth.
8) What affirmations are helpful?
- “I am safe and secure.”
- “I am grounded, stable, and strong.”
- “I belong here and am deeply connected to the Earth.”
- “I have everything I need.”
- “I trust life and release fear.”
9) Which mudras relate to the Root Chakra?
- Prithvi Mudra (Earth Mudra): Touch the tip of your ring finger to the tip of your thumb to enhance the earth element and promote stability.
- Place your palms facing down on your thighs or knees during meditation to encourage a grounding energy flow.
10) What is the bija mantra and yantra for the Root Chakra?
The bija (seed) mantra is LAM (लं) — a resonant “lahm” sound. The yantra is a sacred symbol for meditation, featuring a four-petaled red lotus, a yellow square, and an inverted red triangle.
11) Which stones can help?
Grounding stones (typically red, black, or brown) are often used for Muladhara work:
- Red Jasper: Nurturing and stabilising.
- Black Tourmaline: Protective and grounding.
- Smoky Quartz: Calming and transmutes negativity.
- Hematite: Offers strong grounding and focus.
- Bloodstone: Purifying and courage-boosting.
12) What are common rituals and what is the significance of the colour red?
- Rituals: Mindfully placing your feet on the earth upon waking, walking in nature, or creating a small grounding altar at home.
- Colour (Red): Red symbolises life force, vitality, strength, and our primal connection to the Earth.
- Deities Associated: Brahma - The Lord of Creation
13) Can you work on the Root Chakra “fast”?
No. Lasting balance is built through steady, consistent practice, not quick fixes. Just live a normal healthy life, exercise regularly, and eat and sleep well. A well-regulated life is the key.
14) Is the Root Chakra mainly about lust? Which chakra governs sexual energy?
No, the Root Chakra is not about lust. Lust implies an indulgence in desire, which is an expression of a more intense and evolved state than pure survival.
To understand this clearly, we must look at the flow of our life force (Urja). Muladhara is the foundation, the centre of the "survival man." The energy here is raw, primal, and concerned only with physical existence.
Its sexual expression is the most fundamental, biological instinct to procreate—a drive for the survival of the species, not a search for pleasure. A man driven by lust has a higher level of chakra activation.
Lust, and the entire spectrum of sensual pleasure, is the domain of the Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana). While Muladhara is the source of primal energy, it is Svadhisthana that governs sexual energy as an experience.
15) Can intimate activity involving the anal area affect Root Chakra balance?
Yes, profoundly. The Root Chakra is our foundation of safety and security. Any intimate experience in this area that is rooted in trauma, shame, or force can be deeply damaging. This can create a severe energetic blockage, trapping one's consciousness in a state of constant survival fear.
A Final Thought on Your Foundational Strength
Nurturing your Root Chakra is the most profound work you can undertake. It is here that your total life force—the Urja created from every meal, breath, and experience—is either held captive or set free.
An inactive root keeps this finite resource perpetually bound by the gravity of instinct. This is the downward pull of our programming, where our energy is consumed by the primal drives of the lower three chakras: survival (Muladhara), procreation and pleasure (Svadhisthana), and power (Manipura).
Trapped in this cycle, a person remains a magnificent machine running on instinctual autopilot, with no surplus energy for higher states of being.
By consciously building the foundation of unshakeable security at the Root, you liberate your Urja to begin the true spiritual path. This is not a journey towards a distant goal, but the transformative journey of unity with consciousness.
This path is defined by the dropping of the ego, the activation of the heart into real compassion, and the final unison, or yoga, with your soul.
This magnificent journey is impossible without a stable, active Root. It all begins here. Meet this foundational work with patience and discipline, for on this dark, fertile ground, the entire lotus of consciousness will one day bloom.
Please understand that this is a blog and every question cannot be answered in a short blog. Please share your reflections or questions in the comments below.
