The journey up the spinal column begins at the base of the spine, which is the home of the first chakra. This is the foundation of the entire system. Or it can be said that this is the building block on which all the other chakras must rest. So this chakra is of crucial importance. It relates to the element earth, and all solid, earthly things, such as the bodies, the health, the survival, the material and monetary existence, and also the ability to focus and manifest the needs. It is the manifestation of consciousness in its final form i.e. solid and tangible. It is the basic need to stay alive and be healthy, and the acceptance of limitation and discipline so crucial to manifestation.

In this system, earth represents form and solidity, the most condensed state of matter and the `lowest` end of our chakra spectrum. It is visualized as a deep, vibrant red, the color of beginning, and the color with the longest wavelength and slowest vibration in the visible spectrum as well. The Sanskrit name for this chakra is `Muladhara`, which means `root support.` The sciatic nerve, traveling from the sacral plexus down through the legs, is the largest peripheral nerve in the body and functions much like a root for the nervous system. The feet and legs, which provide locomotion, enable us to perform tasks necessary to obtain life sustenance from the earth and its environment. The legs touch the ground below us and connect our nervous system with the earth, which is the first chakra element. This stem keeps us connected to our planet, rooted in material existence.

This center is depicted, as a lotus of four petals within which is a square. This can be seen as representing the four directions and the firm foundation of the material world, which in many systems has come to be symbolized by a square. As the first chakra relates to Malkuth, the base sphere is in the Kabbalistic tree of Life. These four petals also reflect the four elements of the material kingdom.

Within this square there is a small triangle pointing downward from a column of energy representing the Sushumna. This represents the earth-oriented downward force of the chakra. Within the triangle there is the Kundalini serpent wrapped around the Shiva lingam, which points upward. This chakra is the home and resting place of Kundalini. Below the triangle there is a seven-trunked elephant, named Airavata, representing the heavy, matter-like quality of this chakra and the seven pathways out of it. These correspond to the seven chakras as well. The elephant-headed God, Ganesha can be associated with Lord of Obstacles, with this center, as he is grounded, full-bellied, and happy with his physicality. Other deities depicted in the square are the five-faced Child Brahma, dispelling fears, and the female Dakini, the manifestation of Shakti at this level. She is carrying spear, sword, cup, and skull. In the center of the square there is the symbol for the seed sound, believed to contain the essence of the chakra, which is lam. These images and sounds are all symbols that can be used in meditation on this chakra.

In the body, the first chakra is located at the base of the spine, or more accurately, the perineum, midway between the anus and the genitals. It corresponds to the section of the spine called the coccyx, as well as the coccygeal spinal ganglion and the lower lumbar vertebrae. From the point this ganglion sprouts. In keeping with the correlation to solid matter, this chakra relates to the solid part of the body, especially the bones, the large intestine, and the fleshy body as a whole. There are minor chakras in the knees and feet that transmit sensations from the ground below to our spinal column for information concerning motor activity. These are sub-chakras to the first and second chakras, grounding outlets for the body as a whole.

The chakras have been described as vortices of energy. At the level of the first chakra, our vortex is the densest of any chakra level. It is tamas at its essence and that is at rest, inert.

If someone were to cross a stream with a very strong current, he or she may find it difficult to walk through the force of the water rushing upon. If many such forces came from all directions, focusing on a central point, he or she could not pass through it at all. The meeting of these forces produces a field that is so dense it seems solid. Chakra one has this kind of density.

This solidity is valid from the point of view of the body, which cannot pass through it, but not of the higher nonmaterial activities of our intelligence. It can be known that atoms are mostly empty space. It can be seen through glass, even though it is solid. It can also be seen or hear through walls, and can be used the intelligence to make apparatuses that allow to see through the illusion of matter as a solid entity.

And yet, it is this solid matter that provides the basis of the consensus reality. It is this matter, which is constant, and without its relatively changeless solidity, the lives would be quite difficult. If every time someone is coming home from outside and find the house in a different shape or in a different place, it would be ridiculous. Or else if someone`s children changed beyond recognition from day to day. The whole thing would be very confusing.

At the present level of evolution, matter is an undeniable reality and necessity. Consciousness in the Muladhara chakra is primarily concerned with physical survival. It is our instinctual right or flight response. To ignore this chakra or its earthy element is to threaten our very survival both personally and collectively. If one does not balance this chakra before progressing to others, the growth will be without roots, ungrounded, and will lack the stability necessary for true growth.

When the survival of mankind is threatened, fear can be experienced. Fear is a demon of the first chakra i.e. it counteracts the sense of safety and security that the first chakra ideally brings. Inappropriate levels of fear can be a sign that the first chakra foundation is damaged. Facing our fear can help the first chakra wake up.

There is a common belief within various spiritual philosophies that we are `trapped` in physical bodies, awaiting release from this bondage. This belief supports the denigration of the body and perpetrates a mind and body split. This denies access to the vast beauty and intelligence that our bodies store in their trillions of cells.

The physical world is only a trap if it is seen it as such and quickly becomes a friend to anyone who understands its part in the greater structure. On traveling up the spinal column, all of us will come to understand more about these other levels and manifestations. All the human being will also come to appreciate the sanctity and security that comes from substance and matter.