Most of us learned that the chakras are an ancient yogic system, but what if that story isn't quite true?

In this episode, I take you down the rabbit hole that completely changed how I understand chakras. What started as simple class planning for my yin yoga series turned into a deep dive into the forgotten history of the modern Western chakra system.

We'll trace their journey from early Tantric philosophy to Theosophy, Carl Jung, and the New Age movement. You'll learn how a mix of Western psychology, color theory, and mysticism transformed a centuries-old meditation map into today's popular seven-chakra rainbow model.

Together, we'll explore:

• Why the modern chakra system isn't as ancient as it seems
• How Western thinkers and energy-healing culture shaped its evolution
• What Sanskrit scholars reveal about the original Tantric practices
• How source amnesia changed modern yoga—and what we can do to reconnect

This episode is perfect for yoga teachers, philosophy students, really anyone who's ever felt like the chakra system didn't quite add up. Get ready because this conversation will change how you see yoga history forever.

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For Deeper Study

Christopher Wallis (Hareesh)

• Website: https://hareesh.org
• Online courses: https://tantrailluminated.org
• Book: Tantra Illuminated: The Philosophy, History, and Practice of a Timeless Tradition https://amzn.to/4nZCGkk *

Christopher Tompkins

• Patreon: https://patreon.com/kundaliniyoga
• Master Chakra Course and manuscript translations

James Mallinson & Mark Singleton

• Roots of Yoga (Penguin Classics, 2017) - Essential anthology of original yoga texts showing chakra diversity https://amzn.to/48hcP2J *

Episode References & Further Reading

Primary Articles Referenced in This Episode

Pascale, Sian. "The Chakras Revealed: Shattering 7 Common Misconceptions - Why Everything You Know About the Chakras is Probably Incorrect (Sorry!)" The Light Collective
https://www.thelightcollective.yoga/journal/the-chakras-revealed
The article that sparked this entire research journey

Wallis, Christopher (Hareesh). "The Real Story on the Chakras" (February 5, 2016)
https://hareesh.org/blog/2016/2/5/the-real-story-on-the-chakras
Essential reading on what classical Tantric texts actually say about chakras

Leland, Kurt. "The Rainbow Body: How the Western Chakra System Came to Be" Quest Magazine, The Theosophical Society
https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/the-rainbow-body-how-the-western-chakra-system-came-to-be
Detailed historical documentation of the modern chakra system's development from 1875-1977

Shippee, Justin. "How Colour Therapy Gave Birth to Modern Crystal Healing" Academia.edu (2024)
https://www.academia.edu/127827303/How_Colour_Therapy_gave_birth_to_modern_Crystal_Healing
Documents the connection between 1920s-30s color theory and modern chakra colors

Video Sources

Tompkins, Christopher. "Christopher Tompkins on Tantra, the Original Chakras, and the Real Age of the Asanas" CHITHEADS Podcast
https://youtu.be/nX4Cuh-Xz6g
Sanskrit scholar's research from 24,000+ manuscript pages revealing kundalini's original understanding

Background & Context

The Theosophical Society in Australia. "What is Theosophy All About?"
https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/statics/the-theosophical-society-what-is-it-all-about
Understanding the organization that played a key role in bringing Eastern philosophy to the West

Jung, Carl. "Carl Jung on the Chakras" Jungian Center for the Spiritual Sciences
https://jungiancenter.org/jung-on-the-chakras/
Context on Jung's 1932 kundalini seminars and his actual views on working with Eastern concepts

Key Books Mentioned 

Leland, Kurt. Rainbow Body: A History of the Western Chakra System from Blavatsky to Brennan (2016) https://amzn.to/4pY1YRM *
The definitive historical documentation of how the modern chakra system evolved

Avalon, Arthur (John Woodroffe). The Serpent Power (1918) https://amzn.to/3IA1kJs *
The flawed but influential translation that introduced chakras to the West

Dychtwald, Ken. Bodymind: A Synthesis of Eastern and Western Approaches to Self-Awareness, Health, and Personal Growth (1977) https://amzn.to/3IRKbuE *
The book that consolidated rainbow colors, psychological associations, and endocrine correlations into the modern system we know today

Judith, Anodea. Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System (1987) https://amzn.to/4mP9ITm *
The comprehensive reference work that standardized and popularized the modern Western chakra system

*I receive a small affiliate commission if you buy using these links. It doesn't cost you anything extra but helps support the show. Thank you 🙏