Do your clothes control your mind?

In a sense they do control our minds.  Clothes are more than just items that protect and keep us warm- they are also symbolic. They are symbolic of the society we live in and the social constraints that we accept. Clothes reflect status, wealth and creed, in addition to carrying out their protective functions. They vary from culture to culture and from climate to climate.

 It is easy to see the social constraints provided by some clothes, uniforms for example. There are many different types of uniform; military uniform, school uniform, the wider uniform of the suit worn by so many and even the ‘uniforms’ or ‘colours’ worn by gangs. All these uniforms, even if it is the uniform of scruffiness, carry with them identification with a group and an acceptance of common ideals. Thus our clothes symbolically constrain us. They rob us of our individuality and they become masks to our true identity, just as our persona changes with particular situations.

There are many specific ‘clothing constraints’ which are worth exploring. If we use clothes in the broadest meaning, we can see how many items symbolically bind us within social rules. A wristwatch is a good example. This is a means to constrain us within our obsession with exact time. We feel obliged to run to a well-scheduled timetable and portion up our time between tasks. The rise of the mobile phone as a fashion accessory constrains us to be in contact with social rules at all times, even if we are out in the country taking time for ourselves. Technology in all shapes and forms, as a fashion accessory, constrains us to our technological culture.

Watches bind us to time

There are plenty of non-technological restraints. The neck tie, for example, worn round the throat- the centre of communication. This has been used for years as a symbol in the ’suit uniform’ and also as a symbolic restraint of expressing our true selves. Many of these constraints are related to particular areas of the body. In Eastern thought, there exist mystical energy centres called chakras. Each chakra has a particular function and is related to a particular area of the body. It will be of no surprise to find that the throat chakra is concerned with communication.

 

Chakra literally means ‘wheel’ or ‘vortex’. In oriental countries and increasingly in the West, chakras are recognised as centres for our vital life-force energy called ‘Chi.’ These centres are joined by meridians that run all over our bodies. Acupuncture and Shiatsu both work on these meridians and there is much written about meridians and chakras. A trip to your local bookshop will provide you with a plethora of books on the subject. Not all people agree with the positions and functions of each chakra and I have provided a general outline that may vary in small respects from one opinion to another.

If we explore the chakras, we will see how each is constrained and also make some interesting discoveries. There are seven main chakras. Each has a particular colour associated with it and they form a continuous energy flow through the body. In Chinese medicine, if these centres are out of balance, illness is the result. One of the best ways to upset the balance is to constrain a chakra and this can be done symbolically through clothes. Let us explore each chakra in turn.

First we have the base chakra, which is deep red in colour. It is situated at the base of the spine and is our connection with the earth. It is our centre of security and it is vital that it is unconstrained so that we can connect with nature. The two energy sources, the earth and heaven (or the sun) are connected through the chakra system, the earth by the base chakra and heaven by the crown chakra.

An important point about this chakra is its proximity to the second, or gonadal chakra, which is the centre of our sensuality, sexuality and reproduction. In most societies this chakra is the most closely guarded and constrained. Even if we reveal all our other chakras- we must not reveal our second chakra. Unfortunately, due to the proximity to the base chakra, it is also constrained. If we wear swim-shorts or underwear, these chakras are both blocked.

This brings us to another subtle observation, the confusion of nudity with sexual desire. Being truly Naked is the act of being totally unconstrained by symbolic clothing and being at one with heaven and earth. One of the most important chakras needed to accomplish this is the base chakra. If we cover this up then there is no connection with the earth.

Being truly Naked is the act of being totally unconstrained by symbolic clothing and being at one with heaven and earth.
 

The next chakra is the Solar Plexus chakra, the centre of our being. It is yellow in colour and is symbolically restrained in western society most of the time. This chakra represents our ego and self-interest. Money belts are worn round the waist. In more open and relaxed (and warmer) cultures it is acceptable to show this chakra.

Above the Solar Plexus chakra lies the Heart chakra, which is bright green in colour. It is the centre of love and emotions ‘the heart ruling the head’. It is also constrained in western society, and societies that value the intellect. It is less so in warmer climates and in places where intuition is favoured over intellect. Think of the Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree with a bare chest.

Buddha with open heart

The Throat chakra is next, it is sky blue in colour and is the centre of communication and self expression. It is constrained in certain situations, such as when using a tie, but in more relaxed situations is uncovered. When we are expected to tow a party line, or act within a company policy, ties are often used. You can almost sense people trying to escape from well-tightened ties.

Do ties stifle communication?

The next chakra lies in the space between the eyes, diametrically opposite the pituitary gland. It is the centre of the intellect and is prized in western culture. It is nearly always uncovered, apart from in situations where one is not encouraged to think for oneself (uniformed services, etc.)

Why do monks shave their heads?

Finally, we have the crown chakra, our connection with heaven. This is also prized and left uncovered in western society, as we prefer connection with heaven to our connection with earth. It is interesting to note that some monks shave their head. Perhaps this allows the crown chakra to open fully, thus allowing a deeper connection with heaven? As we can see, each chakra has a particular function and most cultures constrain them to varying degrees. Those covered and those uncovered give us a clue to the culture, whether it is ruled by emotions, or the intellect and whether it allows freedom to communicate.  In societies that frown upon nudity, we see a society that does not like the idea of free thinking, fully open individuals. It is your birth-rite to allow the full opening of the chakras and to be your true self.

Be free! Burn your clothes!