He uses the term “micro-chakras” in the context of human development. Each of the seven (major) chakras has within it a sort of miniature version of each of the seven chakras. These 49 stages are further divided by the three major nadi-s (or channels – left, right and center – named ida, pingala, and sushumna respectively) through which they manifest, forming 147 micro-chakras. The micro-chakras take center stage in turn as the human organism develops. In the first year of life, energy goes down the right channel, then takes the next 42 or 49 years to go up the right channel (6 years per chakra for females, 7 years per chakra for males). Trauma in one’s life can form blocks in the then-developing micro-chakra.

I see correlations with this model of human development and Abraham Maslow’s “hierarchy of needs” (no reference at hand). We start with a need for grounding, security (first chakra), then for relationship to family and friends (second), then ego and power (third), unconditional love (fourth), and so on.

I recommend the book Chakras / Energy Centers of Transformation by Harish Johari (Destiny Books, 1987) for extensive detail on the chakras and their meanings. It refers to the topic of this post to some degree in the descriptions of the “behavioral characteristics” of each of the chakras.

I (and many others) know Harish as Dada (“older brother”). He wrote many other books – on yantras, breath, ayurveda, Hindu myths – some child-oriented, massage, cooking, gems, numerology, and more. He was a master artist. Among other media, he used layered watercolors with washes between layers. He drew from classical sources to express the gods and goddesses that were often the subject of his paintings. His voice is available on CDs and other media.

Dada and Shyamji have sung sounds that can carry the listener to rarely-visited realms in the seas of the chakra energies.

Some of those who were close to Dada formed Sanatan Society, which has .org and .com web sites.

Publisher Inner Traditions has produced many of Dada’s books, and in 2009 a book by Shyamji with co-author David Isaacs, called Microchakras / InnerTuning for Psychological Well-being [Includes CD of InnerTuning Sacred Sounds].

I have Shyamji’s book. I find myself unable to listen to the CD, nor delve into the text, for personal reasons. However, I do believe its description of [ the components of the being known as "human" and their development through a life ] has great value.

Various spiritual/self-development traditions have been part of my life. I believe our life is a gift, and our implicit task in this life is to find a way to use our being and the circumstance containing us to “good ends.” That includes exploring the measure of “good.”

I’ve found help in “working on self” in a variety of traditions beyond the Christian tradition in which I was raised. These include Hindu (chakras as a model for levels of human consciousness, various branches of yoga, ayurveda, and more), Sufi, and Buddhist traditions, and the “Bennett branch” of what Gurdjieff brought forth.