Another way to look at this question, is to ask,
which vehicle of consciousness are we talking about?
Hinduism, and the esoteric teachings of every tradition, will outline several different `bodies' in which consciousness dwells (whether
awakened, and actively functioning, or not).
Thus, the seven primary chakras along the spine (or sushumna), and 21 minor centers (as discussed in some traditions), will only really have a direct correlation with the
etheric physical body.
Additional vehicles of consciousness, which have differing terminologies depending on which tradition we are considering, are often spoken of in western esotericism as:
the astral-emotional body, the mental body, and
the Causal (or spiritual) body. However, there are subtler vehicles of consciousness, such as the
Sambhogakaya and the
Dharmakaya of Buddhist tradition (the Nirmanakaya vestiture corresponds with the
Causal, or spiritual body).
The teachings of Alice Bailey go so far as to show correspondences between some of the centers (chakras), certain of the vehicles, and certain of the principles of the Spiritual Triad (ATMA-BUDDHI-MANAS). There are also correspondences between the various vehicles, chakras and the petals of the
Egoic Lotus (the 1000-petaled Sahasrara).
I'll post some sketches from these teachings.
[Note, in these diagrams, the addition of the
spleen center. Also, the
base of spine, it will be seen, links directly to the head - showing an `
awakened' or active Kundalini. The G.O., or
generative organs, are shown as linking to the
throat, as is the case when the lower creative energies have been sublimated into the Higher Creativity. Likewise, the energies of the
solar plexus link to the
heart, in the case of the disciple. The
meditative triangle itself refers to the linked energies of the
head, heart & throat - or alta major center. In the Higher Mental vehicle,
or Causal body, this takes the form of the
Egoic Lotus itself, elaborated in the 2nd diagram, being a magnification of these relationships on the mental plane. Further study of the nature of the
Egoic Lotus would be necessary to elaborate all correspondences.]
Clearly, it would be a mistake to simply
visualize a seated (physical) individual, and ask the question, "Which chakras, if any, exist
`above the head'?" -- since even 4th-dimensionally (astrally), SPACE as we know it ceases to exist ... or rather, takes on added properties. After all, which came first: Highest Deity, existing within
an infinite plenum of all possible dimensions, or you and I, sitting here in lotus position, wondering about the Cosmos?
