Chakra Series: MAṆIPŪRA, Solar Plexus
The Third Chakra: Maṇipūra, Solar Plexus
स्वाधिष्ठान
“Happiness and true power lie in understanding yourself, accepting yourself, and having confidence in yourself.” - Thich Nhat Hanh
This post covers the third chakra, Maṇipūra, if you want to learn more about chakras in general or the first two chakras, please see my previous posts.
The Manipura chakra is located in the area of the navel and is often translated as the jewel in the lotus. This chakra is associated with self-esteem, ego-identity, and our ability to define ourselves. This is our power house. This chakra has similar qualities to the hara in Japanese traditional medicine. This is also often where the hands are placed during walking or seated meditations in the Zen tradition.
Manipura is connected to the element of fire, the sense of sight, and is represented by a bright yellow lotus of ten petals. The first five chakras have attending animals and Manipura’s is a ram. The mantra associated with the solar plexus chakra is “RAM,” pronounced “rum.” The seven mantras of the chakras are chanted in succession, meant to be a cleansing ritual.
Energetically, the solar plexus chakra is tied to our identity and sense of self. As we move up the chakra path, we are able to create more and more of an identity. At this point, our sense of self is built on having our physical and social needs met from balancing the first two chakras. Shame interferes with the balance of this chakra because it undermines our personal power. Fear of punishment can diminish one’s will and self-esteem. If you remember from my initial post, this chakra is associated with love and belonging in Maslow’s Hierarchy. This stage of the hierarchy blends a bit with our previous chakra, the sacral chakra, but we can see this sense of belonging clearly shows up in our sense of self.
An imbalance in this chakra can lead to selfishness and greed. This is the result of an over-active ego. A rigid identity will encourage us to seek only those things that serve our sense of self. This chakra can also have an opposite imbalance, a lack of the sense of self. This can lead to feelings of insecurity, not being able to vocalize desires or identify with any sort of ego. Remember that our ego is not the enemy. We often focus on quieting the ego but a lack of an ego can also be problematic. We can use the ego as a tool to discern our place in the world, our dharma. We must simply be aware that it is the ego and not our highest Self. The work is to resist getting “caught” in this identity that isn’t truly who we are. Ram Dass says, “The ego is a terrible master, but a wonderful servant.”
As mentioned in my introduction post, working with the chakras is one tool I use when dealing with anxiety. The tightness I feel at these times often lives in the solar plexus space. When working with this chakra in this way, I place both hands on my belly just under my low ribs and take big breaths. I remind myself of what I know about my identity. Because the philosophy of yoga resonates with me, I can remember the Self: the larger, universal whole that I am part of as opposed to the little self that is my ego. I can chant “So Ham,” (so hum) I am that. I listen to music that reminds me of this. I read the texts of my yoga teachers. Funny enough, my anxiety tends to show up in this space when my yoga practice is lacking, when I’m not continuously reminding myself of my true identity.
May you be well
May you be safe
May you give the gift of your presence
May you remember who you are
REFLECTION
Consider the tools you’ve surrounded yourself with, the choices you’ve made in where you live, how you live, which foods you choose to nourish your body, and the people you’ve chosen to connect with regularly. How does this affect your sense of self? Your identity? We can see this development of identity easily when we think about politics. How do you identify politically? Do you vote? Who do you vote for? How does your financial class, the way you support yourself, and your community affect your political views? Now bring to mind all of your identities. Who are you professionally? What are your roles in your family? Who are you spiritually, physically? What class do you belong to? What is your cultural identity? Which of these are most important to you and why? Which identities are you spending the most energy on?
MEDITATION
Light a candle in a dark or dim room and find a comfortable seat facing the candle. Focus your attention on the flame. Maintain a soft gaze without blinking as long as possible. When this becomes too difficult, close the eyes and visualize the flame behind the closed eyes. Guide the flame down to the area of your solar plexus. Breathe into the flame. With each inhale allow the flame to grow, to engulf the area of the belly. As you exhale, let the flame softly weaken and become smaller. Repeat the mantra, SO HAM as you breathe. Inhale SO, exhale HAM, as the flame grows and shrinks. Continue this practice for 5-20 minutes.
ASANA
Cobra
Begin lying down on your stomach with your feet slightly apart. Place your palms underneath your shoulders. Lengthen through your tailbone, and start to pull your chest forward and up. Elbows close to your body, start to lengthen your arms to any degree that feels comfortable. Look up slightly. Breathe here for at least three deep breaths.
Navasana
Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Press your hands on the floor a little behind your hips, fingers pointing toward the feet, and strengthen the arms. Lift through the top of the sternum and lean back slightly.
Exhale and bend your knees, then lift your feet off the floor, so that the thighs are angled about 45-50 degrees relative to the floor. If possible, slowly straighten your knees, raising the tips of your toes slightly above the level of your eyes. If this isn't possible remain with your knees bent, perhaps lifting the shins parallel to the floor.
Stretch your arms alongside the legs, parallel to each other and the floor. Spread the shoulder blades across your back and reach strongly out through the fingers. If this isn't possible, keep the hands on the floor beside your hips or hold on to the backs of your thighs.
Take five full breaths.
