The Third Chakra MANIPURA

The third chakra, Manipurа, is located in the solar plexus region. This is our "fiery" energy center, the centre of success and material prosperity.

It is in this center that we give positive or negative assessments of the events that occur in our lives. Тhe Solar plexus chakra gives us the opportunity to absorb knowledge and experience. The harmonization of the work of Manipura Chakra depends on how we evaluate that knowledge and live through the experience.

The imbalance in the chakra of the solar plexus is manifested in the indomitable desire of a person to control both his inner and outer world. His Ego is not satisfied, he has an acute need for status and respect. The task of the Manipurа chakra is to help us realize our destiny in the material world from a spiritual point of view.

After we have passed through the levels of unconscious and subconscious – the Muladhara Chakra and the Svadishthana Chakra – our consciousness reaches the third level, the Manipura Chakra.

The Manipura Chakra is the “City of Jewels” in which we find the pearls of clarity, wisdom, self-confidence and wellbeing. These qualities shine down to the lower Chakras as well as up to the Heart Centre. The element associated with this chakra is Fire. It has been referred to as "the inner fire that both creates and destroys". As it will be explained, in case of imbalance third chakra manifests as anger and aggression. In the event of Manipura is being balanced and well aligned, it becomes apparent through the feeling of strength and assertiveness.

When this Energy Centre is in balance/unblocked it leads to:

• Feeling harmony with one's inner self and the word around him
• Feeling love towards himself, at the same time he accepts people as they are, feelings of those who are next to him.
• Realasing one’s personal power, being confident and responsible.
• Having a good control over one’s emotions and thoughts
• Being ready to meet challenges and move forward in one’s life

When Manipura is imbalanced, it can manifest as a feeling of being:

• Not good enough, so one is constantly looking for approval from others
• A victim of other people opinion, a person who worries to much what people may think about him
• Afraid , having unbalanced behaviour

These are three cases of imbalance of Solar plexus centre, when this chakra is under- active.

When Manipura is over- active, one may feel

• Being in need and having a constant desire to control everything, that surrounds him.
• Being in need to be the best one, the most worthy
• Being in need to demand, to control everyone and everything; credo is “my way, or no way”
• Angry towards people around, especially towards one’s parents

When Manipura is unbalanced, one carefully tries to hide these feelings, so that others see him as a successful person, satisfied with his life. In such a case, one can end up with the fits of rage and deep depression.

The third energy centre corresponds to yellow colour.

Ideally working Manipura chakra fills the person with bright light. Its natural yellow colour gradually turns into a golden, personifying wisdom, profound knowledge, prosperity.

Useful Techniques

To activate and balance the MANIPURA CHAKRA

1. “Shake it off” – Turn on your favorite music and shake your body from the top to the bottom - releasing tension from the neck and shoulders; from all joints – 5 - 15 min.
2. Spinal flaxes – Sit on the chair or on the floor with your spine straight. Inhale, open your chest, and arch your spine. Exhale – round your spine – 21 repetitions or build it up to 1 min.
   Tips: your chin doesn’t move much. It stays parallel to the floor. Your shoulders do not move powerfully; they move, but following movement of your spine.
   To finish: inhale, sit straight, hold your breath for 3-5 sec., and exhale.
3. Meditation on the painting – Look at the painting and feel what associations are coming through your mind while watching this painting. What chakra can you associate it with? First? Second? Third?
   Sit quietly for some time. If any emotion rises up, do not hold it, let it come out. It clears some blocks from your system.
   This painting is done by an amazing artist Anne Maizia.
4. Sat Kriya – make three rounds of Sat Kriya. All instructions can be found on the Kundalini page.
   Make three repetition 3 minutes each (1 minute each for the beginners). Don’t forget to rest in between the rounds for at least the same amount of time, or, even for the best result, double the time – 3 or 6 minutes.
5. Sit or lie down, close your eyes. Silently repeating “RAM – RAM - RAM-...” mantra in a moderate pace. If you choose to sit down, you can put your hands in mudra that supports third chakra.
   “Ram” is the seed mantra for Manipura Chakra.
6. Meditation with affirmation
   Choose affirmation; meditate on it.
   It means you repeat your affirmation a few times in the beginning and after you meditate, keeping your mind relaxed, free of thoughts. If any thoughts come to your mind, note them and let them go.
   Another variation: silently repeat in your mind chosen affirmation throughout meditation. If you get lost in your thoughts, note this and come back to affirmation again.
   1. I am successful and release my creative energy into this Reality, effortlessly
   2. I stand up for myself
   3. I am strong and courageous
   4. I honour myself
   5. I choose healthy relationships
   6. I am authentic
   7. I direct my own life
   8. I appreciate my strength
   9. I feel my own power