Manipur Chakra (Solar Plexus) Chakra

In this post, I will write about Manipur chakra of human energy system

Introduction

Manipur chakra is the third chakra of the subtle energy system of astral body. It is the last chakra of three lower primary chakras. Manipur is a Sanskrit word. ‘Mani’ means gems or jewels and ‘pur’ means place or city. So Manipur means ‘city of jewels’ or ‘place of gems’.

Location

It is located four finger width above the navel. It is situated at the third crossing of ida, pingla and sushumna nadi along spine. The superficial activation point is located above the navel.

Structure.

It is a solid ball of energy in bright yellow colour in its clear state and rotating anti clockwise. 10 nadis are emanating from this chakra which looks like 10-petalled lotus flower. It is associated with the physical element of fire, more subtle and more powerful than the two previous elements, earth and water. The endocrine glands controlled by it are pancreas and adrenal cortex. It is called belly brain or abdominal brain. It is like a counterpart of a brain. It links to the abdominal brain or sympathetic nervous system of the physical body. Literally, grey mass of matter which looks like brain is seen here in this part of the body right beneath the diaphragm and above the navel.

The seed mantra or sound to activate it is ‘ram’. This sound is developed from vibrations caused by meeting of nadis at this centre. The emotion of fear is the major emotion associated with it. It is purely emotional chakra. Its counterpart in physical body is solar plexus. In Chinese system of energy healing, this area is believed to produce and absorb life force energy from the universe.

Working

Manipur chakra is associated with body organs such as stomach, spleen, liver, pancreas, digestive system and kidneys. It is the seat of digestive fire. It governs digestion and metabolism. It regulates the function of pancreas. The pancreas produces an important enzyme called insulin involved in digestion of starch and sugar, converting them to energy useful to body. The pancreas is like a sponge which absorbs and holds negative emotions in it, especially fear. When it gets filled with emotions, it creates blockages and knots and causes diabetes. Endocrine glands, pancreas and adrenal cortex play a vital role in digestion and how we convert food into energy useful for physical strength and vigour.

As I said earlier, fear is a major negative emotion associated with this chakra. Fear of failure, economic failure, fear of authority, fears of illness, psychic fear, fear that I will not be loved, fear of death etc. More frequent occurrence of fear and holding it for a long time converts normal fear into psychic
fear. We start living in fear. It causes blockages and knots in this system. When awakened kundalini energy rises up, lower psychic level pushes it down and does not allow it to rise above this level. This area is centre of lower psychic nature.

The fire element associated with it creates body heat within the body. It regulates digestive fire and controls energy balance. The food we eats acts as firewood for digestive fire. Good quality food generates good digestive fire to digest food and good health, while bad food generates less energy and poorer health. In food we eat, not only nutrients are important, but also its subtle vibrations. Foods connected with pain, suffering or death of other living beings are of bad vibrations and they create negative effects on our physical health, thoughts and feelings.

The energy of consciousness reaches the third level here. Here, aspirant reaches important stage on the spiritual path. At this centre, we find jewels of clarity, wisdom, self confidence, physical and mental well-being. Energy of creativity starts transforming into energy of love and happiness at this centre. Negative emotions change to positive attributes. The envy and greed, changes to goodwill and moderation. Pride and jealousy change to modesty and generosity. Prejudice change to respect and ignorance changes to clarity and knowledge.

This chakra is the most important energy centre for our physical and emotional well being. It is associated with the functioning of the aura or psychic energy field. It has magnetic like effect to attract life force energy from the universe. It is a power house which stores and distributes life force energy within body and in aura. When this chakra is activated, it channels plenty of energy into aura to give you strong positive shell.

It increases vitality and strengthens willpower. This centre gives you power to initiate and energize plans and ideas. When this chakra is balanced, you can take charge of your mind and use your willpower to direct your mental focus whenever and wherever you desire. You possess power to choose and discriminate. With balanced chakra, we move through life confident and assured of our abilities. We can choose our own beliefs rather than confirming beliefs imposed upon us. It is considered centre of energy of dynamism, willpower, achievement and vitality.

When Manipur chakra is imbalanced, we are either overconfident or under confident. We either have lack of energy or have too much energy.

Heated negative emotions of anger, rage and aggression draws energy from this centre and weakens it. So many diseases such as diabetes, acidity, arthritis, gout, overweight, cholesterol, abdominal pain, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea etc are result of malfunctioning or blocked Manipur chakra. Some of the emotional symptoms of malfunctioning of this chakra are fear, anger, bitterness, anxiety, unresolved anger, chronic complaining etc.

When this chakra is opened and balanced, 72 subtle points which are situated in this area also gets activated. The organs of this area, spleen, kidney, liver, digestive system, start working in balance harmony and coordination with each other. When this chakra is cleaned and balanced then other small but important kundali chakra which is located here gets activated and starts rotating clockwise. At this point Manipur chakra becomes relaxed and calm. We come out of lower psychic nature and start behaving like true human beings.

This chakra should be cleaned and refined and all negative cellular memories should be healed and cleared by certain yogic practices. Certain yogic exercises such as udiyanbandh, agnisarkriya, refining exercise no.2 in set of refining exercise helps to open and balance this chakra. Some yoga practitioners in beginning of meditation always first concentrate on Manipur chakra to relax and open it. Then the other two, muladhar and swadhistan will be automatically relaxed and opened. The yoga asanas such as dhanurasana (bow pose) is also good to balance it.