|
 
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| REVIEW ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 14
| Issue : 4 | Page : 159-163 |
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Scientific rationale of pragmatic intervention of Chakra meditation as bioenergetic medicine in COVID-19
Pooja Sabharwal1, Rima Dada2, Chandra Shekher Kaushik3, Akanksha Sharma1
1 Department of Sharir Rachana, CBPACS, New Delhi, India
2 MAMS Professor, Lab for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Anatomy, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
3 Senior Medical Officer, SDMC, New Delhi, India
| Date of Submission | 15-Aug-2020 |
| Date of Decision | 26-Oct-2020 |
| Date of Acceptance | 27-Oct-2020 |
| Date of Web Publication | 28-Dec-2020 |
Correspondence Address:
Pooja Sabharwal
Flat No. 2504, Mohinder Apartments, Sector-12, Dwarka, New Delhi
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/joa.joa_252_20
Objective: All around the globe the COVID-19 pandemic has jolted the minds of Scientists. They are trying to find any possible measures to fight against this pandemic. There is no specific treatment available for corona virus till now and a vaccine is yet to become available until 2021. The patients suffering from COVID-19 are under physical as well psychological trauma. Any intervention which improves quality of life of these patients is of paramount importance at this juncture. Chakras mediation which is a non pharmacological intervention for psychological wellbeing of patients is a time tested and scientifically proven approach to deliver holistic treatment to them. Traditional Indian practices are real soft power of India being followed for spiritual wellbeing even in this time of crisis. Data Source: Extract of various research studies related to Intervention of such practices like meditation, Pranic healing have been reviewed for therapeutic intervention of Shadchakra healing in health and diseases. Review Method: Evidence generated after pragmatic intervention of Chakras meditation will be a scientific contribution which will further generate interest throughout the scientific community. Result and Conclusion: Shadchakra healing therapy is most effective and experienced Psycho-immunological therapy for COVID patients.
Keywords: COVID-19, Chakra meditation, bio energetic medicine
How to cite this article:
Sabharwal P, Dada R, Kaushik CS, Sharma A. Scientific rationale of pragmatic intervention of Chakra meditation as bioenergetic medicine in COVID-19. J Ayurveda 2020;14:159-63 |
How to cite this URL:
Sabharwal P, Dada R, Kaushik CS, Sharma A. Scientific rationale of pragmatic intervention of Chakra meditation as bioenergetic medicine in COVID-19. J Ayurveda [serial online] 2020 [cited 2021 Jan 19];14:159-63. Available from: http://www.journayu.in/text.asp?2020/14/4/159/304912 |
| Introduction | |  |
The recent coronavirus crisis has affected the life of several billion citizens, and any solution to manage it effectively is hampering the attention and resources of scientific institutions, economies, and governments around the world. Hence, any possibility which is either providing relief physically or psychologically in this pandemic is of great importance. Contemporary medicine has made all efforts to understand and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to lower the death rate, but the potential of traditional Indian medicine is equally worthy. As medical research has unraveled many of the hidden mysteries of this physical body, starting from the cells as the fundamental smallest units of life, the tissue, organs, systems, and the whole human body is understood with great accuracy, while our ancient seers understood the structure and functioning of the vital body called Pranamaya Kosha.[1] Just as there are a large number of blood vessels and nerve in the physical body, there are 72 Laksha Nadis in our Pranmaya Kosha through which the Prana flows.[2] They are spread throughout the vital body. There are three principal Nadis called Ida, Pingala, and Susumna. Positioned at the center of the spinal canal is Susumna. The Ida and Pingala go up from the base spiraling around the straight and vertical Susumna Nadi.[3]
Ayurveda A complete holistic health science is not only preventive but also deals with curative aspects of health.[4] Ayurvedic thinking supplies a strong foundation to make an understanding of human constitution. There are various factors which are responsible to have an effect on constitutional, psychological, and spiritual makeup of each individual. The material to a causal structural assembly of the human body is described using words, symbols, actions, and in many other forms which are described from a gross number of bones, muscles, etc., to subtle Marma, Nadi, Prana, Chakra, etc., to even subtler Atma, Manas, Chitta, and Ahamkara. Each of the Chakras is associated with the particular activity, experience, challenges, and opportunities. These Shadchakra have been propounded in the Ayurvedic classics, namely Muladhara (Pelvic or sacrococcygeal plexus), Swadhishthan (prostatic plexus), Manipura (coeliac plexus), Anahata (superficial and deep cardiac plexus), Vishuddha (pharyngeal or laryngeal plexus), and Ajnya (third eye Chakra/Pineal gland) that have the influence on the constitution of the body.[5] The Chakra works in a concrete way of finding your true self, a way which is connected directly with the way you live your daily life. The seven Chakras can also be thought of as having a vibration which resonates. Chakras therapies to reduce mental distress, psychological impact, anxiety, depression, and stress is of paramount importance in these patients.
| Critical Review of Literature | | |
Historical review
The concept of the Sukshma Sharir first appeared in the Taittiriya Upanishad (c. 500 BC), but the elucidation of its energy centers called Chakras (”wheels”) comes from the later tradition of Tantric Yoga, which flourished from 500 to 1300 CE, and is still alive today.[6]
Literature review
The word Chakra literally means wheel, circle, or whirlpool, but in the yogic context, it can be interpreted as a vortex. Chakra (which means “wheel” in Sanskrit) is a psychic energy center located in the spinal cord or in the brain. In the human body and in the spinal cord, there are mainly seven Chakra, physically they manifest as the plexuses in contemporary understanding. For example, the Nabhi/Manipura Chakra caters to our stomach on the physical side, our careers, finances, etc., on the mental side, our satisfaction, peace, and generosity on the emotional side, and our virtuousness/Dharma on the spiritual side.[7]
Chakras are physically integrated through gap junction mechanisms and are proposed to have arisen during embryological development.[8]
The physical system of human body has been described in terms of chemistry and for any chemical action to take place a change in the electromagnetic energy of the human energy field. Scientifically, there are two primary electrical systems in our physical body. The first is the electrical of the central nervous system which governs our muscles, hormones, and physical sensations. The second is a continuous, electromagnetic radiation coming off our atoms which allows for energy exchange between individuals and their environments. Scientists now believe that the Aura makes up our combined genetic material in combination with our DNA. It seems that while the passive DNA preserves our unique genetic code, the transmitting bioelectromagnetic field or Aura is able to modify it. Scientists believe that this vibrating energy field, banded in layers around the physical body like a set of Russian dolls, stores coded information about our past, present, and future health. Any treatment is first applied on the physical body and ultimately affects the mind. Hence, different therapies have worked out the anatomy. For this, we have to understand what is an energy field, Prana, and Pranacenters (Chakras).[9]
Current and contemporary understanding and research potential
It has been described by the National Center for Complementary/Alternative Medicine (2000) about biofield therapies as those energy therapies that manipulate energy fields that theoretically surround and penetrate the body.[10]
International Society for the Study of Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine describes such kind of therapies. According to this science, imbalances in the body's “energy field” result in illness and that by re-balancing the body's energy field health can be restored.[11]
Our bodies are electromagnetic, and scientists have measured these energy frequencies with machines, such as electrocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Many studies show that these energy pathways and these points conduct electricity. Seoul National University Researchers have confirmed the existence of meridians energy channels, which they call a “primary-vascular system.” They say that this system is a crucial part of the cardiovascular system. More than 50 years ago, North Korean scientist S. Kim Bong-Han showed that new tubular structures existed indoors and outside the blood vessels and lymphatics, as well as on the surface of the internal organs and under the dermis of skin. He thought that they were traditional meridian lines. The meridians are then called “Bonghan canals” or canals after its discovery, and now, the existence of this system in various organs has been corroborated by other research. In Korea, scientists believe that the primary vascular system is actually the physical component of the meridian system used in acupuncture and they also suggest that this system is involved in the routing of energy flow and information, relayed by biophotons (which are the electromagnetic waves of light) and by DNA. There could be a link between the meridians, the energy, and the information disseminated by the DNA. The researchers found that meridians are not limited to the skin but are in fact a system of channels through which a fluid circulates and that this liquid can form aggregates of stem cells.[12]
Our body and mind needs balance and balanced flow of energy (Prana), which is conducive to good health. It is the same principle for the way we live: just enough food, water, and a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our health is dynamic if in our body there is harmony and balance between vital forces. If the equilibrium is disturbed, and if the flow of one of these forces, then the disease may occur. These forces or energies circulate in very specific channels in the body, or meridians, and these are the energetic ways of healing the body.
| How Chakras Healing Technique Work | | |
Shadchakra bioenergy healing therapy is a multimodal approach that can ultimately lead us to manage to balance our Chakras. Chakra is a spinning sphere that is considered to be a point or nexus of biophysical energetic activity emanating from the major nerve ganglia branching of the spinal column. A synchronization of human energy field and universal energy field is very important for human body.[13] Disease can occur when its energy flow is disrupted or depleted as the body experiences physiological and psychological changes. A stressful environment, life problems, losses, negative thought, or traumatic events can damage the Aura, they obstruct the flow of energy, causing gaps, and interrupting Prana, the life force that can translate into psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and worry. Chakras healing procedures can help you to restore the Prana in your system by clearing balancing and energizing the subtle body facilitates in restoring health. In bioenergetic healing exercise, Chakras are the switches in the path of energy flow which flows Prana continuously in Nadis (Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna) and equally balanced, sympathetic, and parasympathetic activities and perform essential physical, mental, and autonomous functions.
| Chakras Meditation and COVID 19 | | |
There is a lot to offer for a corona patient including nutrition and microbiome state, physical exercise, natural herbs and plants (phyto-pharmacology), stress reduction through relaxation, management of the mental state such as anxiety and fear, the psychology of optimism, and hygiene-fostering behaviors; Chakras meditation is one of the tools to offer stress reduction in COVID 19 patients. Registered patients at the COVID care center can be enrolled for the study after undergoing predefined assessment and investigational procedures. Participants willing to take intervention would be allocated to the experimental group. Before and after completion of the trial period, all the cases can be investigated and assessed for all predefined parameters. The data drawn will be complied, collected, and would be analyzed statistically to draw the conclusion.
| Scientific Rationale of the Concept in Purview of Epigenetics | | |
Integrative medicine (IM) addresses the physical, psychological, social, environmental, and spiritual aspects of health. Most of the treatment modalities were derived from traditional approaches that viewed the body as a single unit.[14],[15] Recent researches have revealed that the psychological states are capable of affecting gene expression. In a recent research, it has been observed that a synthetic mind-controlled transgenic expression device enabled human brain activities and mental states.[16]
In other studies, it has been shown that the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is generally regarded as a system that cannot be voluntarily influenced, can in fact be brought under some conscious level of control. Results from a Dutch case study revealed that he could voluntarily activate his ANS through a self-developed method involving meditation such as Pranic healing.[17]
Meditation can have an impact on telomerase activity and these activities prevent the type of telomere degradation typically associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer.[18],[19]
From the above studies, it can be suggested that meditation not only reprogram mental attitude and awareness but also do so through epigenetic reorganization and altered gene expression. It is effective not only in treating illness but also in alleviating pain and stress.[20]
Epigenetic mechanisms include histone modification and DNA methylation and it has been seen in many studies that nonpharmacological interventions can have an impact on both of these mechanisms,[21],[22] although diet and exercise represent prominent elements in the induction of such epigenetic changes, resulting in health benefits through genomic regulation.[23],[24]
In IM where Ayurveda healing therapy is one of the major choices, it may alter gene transcription and cause modifications at the level of DNA methylation and histone methylation and/or acetylation,[25] as this intervention will reduce anxiety and stress. According to pschyco-immunology, stress reduces immunity of the person. Chakra meditation is bioenergetic medicine have proved the epigenetic potential of this intervention many scientific studies.
| Materials and Methods | | |
Classical literatures on Ayurvedic concepts of Shadchakras and its modern correlation were reviewed from many relevant sources. Research articles related to COVID-19 were critically analyzed from qualitative previous researches. Revaluate previous scientific elaborative radiological studies of meditation (mantra chanting) and their affect on body and mind as well.
| Discussion | | |
According to the Ayurvedic concept, Sharira is considered as an amalgam of ether, earth, water, fire, and air and they constitute not only the physical composition but also mind and spirit as well. Chakras healing is a nonpharmacological intervention deals with Tridoshas and Panchamahabhutas that improve the quality of life of patients. Bioenergetic medicine will support the National Health Care System in preventing the spread of the corona virus and address the psychological trauma in society. Throughout the world, there are many dedicated COVID care centers; offering Chakras meditation to these patients to reduce mental distress, psychological impact, anxiety, depression, and stress is of paramount importance.
| Conclusion | | |
Sharira is a widely used term in Ayurveda that word stands for Rachana along with Kriya and this study is called Sharira Vigyan. Most of the diseases are related with the psychological and pathological changes in the body, so the balanced condition of body, mind, and consciousness is the Ayurvedic definition of health and when lack of harmony by which one of them effected can cause illness. Hence, primarily treat the patients by giving them a holistic approach along with conventional therapy as curative and supportive purpose both at physical level and at psychosomatic levels. Shadchakra healing therapy is the most effective and experienced psycho-immunological therapy for COVID patients.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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