Chakras

Chakras are nexuses of metaphysical or biophysical energy within the body. There are seven chakras, each situated at a different location in the body (although the chakras all lie on a central vertical axis). Each chakra has a purpose and deals with a different emotion, and each chakra can be open and closed depending on the individual's state of mind. When a chakra is open, energy is free to flow about the body, but when a chakra is closed the energy can no longer flow.

The chakras were introduced by Guru Pathik in "The Guru", when Aang visited him at the Eastern Air Temple. Guru Pathik used a series of ponds as a visual analogy: the ponds (representing the chakras) are connected by waterfalls and channels, and are initially clogged up with algae so that the water stagnates and can no longer pass through the channels. When the clogs of algae are removed (i.e. opening the chakras) then water begins to flow through the channels again, and can pass between the various ponds.

History
Aang attempted, with Guru Pathik's help, to open his chakras so that he could enter and control the Avatar State. Pathik warned Aang that the process of opening the chakras cannot be halted once it has begun - it had to be completed or Aang would not be able to enter the Avatar state at all.

Aang successfully opened the first six chakras, but when Pathik told Aang that opening the seventh would mean that he had to forget his love for Katara, he refused to do so. In a conversation with Iroh in "The Crossroads of Destiny", Iroh commended Aang for his choice, saying that it was not worth sacrificing love for the sake of power.

Nevertheless, when Aang and Katara were attacked by Azula, Zuko and the Dai Li, Aang desperately attempted opening the seventh chakra. He was able to enter the Avatar State briefly, but was knocked out of it and nearly fatally wounded when Azula shot him in the back with lightning. However while he was able to access the state for that brief moment his romantic feelings for Katara remained intact, thus making in unclear if he was able to unlock the chakra. Following this, Aang believes his seventh chakra was locked, and he was unable to enter the Avatar State at all. This may have steamed from some partial memory of Avatar Yangchen informing him that his ability to enter the state had been disrupted in "Escape from the Spirit World".

Although Aang has supposedly freed himself of fear, guilt, shame, and similar emotions, he continues to display them during Book 3 (notably in "The Awakening" and "Nightmares and Daydreams"). This may suggest that some of his chakras have become blocked again. This may explain why Aang is still able to pursue his romantic feelings for Katara, however, it may still be possible to love someone without locking the seventh chakra. Both Avatar Kuruk and Avatar Roku have demonstrated that it is possible to love even while having mastered the Avatar State as Kuruk loved Ummi and Roku loved Ta Min. It is entirely possible, however, that they never opened their chakras at all, as Avatar Yangchen clearly stated that detaching one's soul from the world, which was the main objective of opening the chakras in the first place, was something the Avatar could never do. If this is the case it is unclear how they gained mastery of the State. Aang remains unable to use the Avatar State throughout Book 3, although he regains it during his battle with Ozai. Even after unlocking his seventh chakra, his relationship with Katara remains strong.

It is unclear if Aang unlocked the final chakra prior to being struck by Azula's lightning, it seems likely as in "the Awakening" during a healing session Katara feels a great deal of locked up energy around Aang's wound, and when the scar impacted a rock in his battle with Ozai the State instantly re-activated. Although it is also possible Aang did not properly clear it, as throughout the fight his eyes and tattoos were glowing as they would when the State is used reflexively, and gained power over the State by sheer force of will when he stopped himself from killing Ozai. For when he uses the State to put out the fires started by Ozai the glow is only momentary not constant.

Connections

 * In real life, the concept of chakras originated in ancient India, and forms the basis of many philosophical, spiritual, religious, and other systems.