The Chakras
Manipura & Anahata

 

The Chakras

'Manipura Chakra'
(Solar Plexus)

Manipura Chakra

Location: The third chakra is situated between the bottom of the breastbone and the navel. It controls the digestive system and related organs including the liver, stomach, gall bladder, pancreas, spleen and the organs of excretion.

Colour of petals: Ten Yellow Petals

Element: Fire

Sense: Sight

Through its closeness to the digestive system, the third chakra is involved in the production and storage of energy.

The manipura chakra relates to emotions, actions, power and will. It helps us recognise that, with effort and action, we can achieve what we want. The solar plexus centre links to your level of comfort with power, and this includes your sense of personal power. Your power comes through being able to bring things together.

If your third chakra is not in balance, you may feel powerless, have lower self-esteem and be more easily swayed by the opinions of others. You can experience uncontrolled extreme emotions such as violent passions, jealousies, anger and frustration, and they can then turn into doubts, fears and confusion. There may be a tendency to try to manipulate others. Obsessive characteristics or a tendency to an addictive personality might appear. Apathy and lethargy cause your energy to turn in on itself and make you want to withdraw from life. You can become overly critical of yourself, causing you to lose the ability to connect and be nourished by your surroundings.

A well-balanced manipura chakra gives a great deal of energy, which might show up as having a warm body and fast metabolism. This energy brings an enthusiasm for work, play, development and transformation in your life. You will feel bright, extroverted and clear-thinking. You will have a constructive use of power and it will be directed inward towards the self instead of being wielded over others. This internal will-power creates pro-active, assertive and confident qualities. Your self-esteem is at a healthy level and there will be a drive towards a consciously controlled positive change, as opposed to passively waiting or wishing for something great to happen.You will be self-motivated and self-accepting.You will be naturally aware of your social responsibility and will approach things from a social perspective. You aren't tempted to abuse your power to manipulate others. Your power is used to bring people and things together rather than to drive them apart.

A balanced manipura chakra produces an inner strength allowing you to perform actions with ease and grace.

'Anahata Chakra'
(Heart Centre)

Anahata Chakra

Location: Located at the centre of the chest, the anahata chakra corresponds to love in the pure, unconditional sense. It encompasses the love of nature and the love of all humanity.

Colour of petals: Twelve green or blue petals

Element: Air

Sense: Touch

Physically, the anahata chakra relates to the heart, the circulatory and respiratory systems, the breasts, chest and shoulders.

The fourth chakra brings together the forces of the first three chakras.The first chakra is about solidity and stability, the second governs change and movement, while the third brings into play acceptance and the forces of the will. When these forces come together, they can then be transformed into energies to achieve higher goals. The heart centre is the point of transition between the more grounding lower chakras and the higher, spiritual ones.

The heart chakra deals with social awareness, love and openness, a sense of devotion, peace, forgiveness, acceptance, kindness and joy. While the second chakra has a unifying force that is oriented more to objects or people, the unifying force of the heart chakra is experienced more as a state of being. It is less involved with sexuality, less materialistic and more conceptual. It deals with the union and harmonious integration of the self into larger social groups without any loss of true sense of self.

The force of the anahata chakra allows us to break out of the limitations of our ego. In transcending the ego we can grow towards something deep and strong. It loosens our boundaries as we experience the joy of love.

Physically, an imbalance in the fourth chakra could result in heart conditions, including high blood pressure, and could cause respiratory conditions, asthma and arthritis of the arms.

Emotionally, you might tend towards feeling a conditional type of love. You may impose your will over others, and tend to be manipulative. On the other hand, you might be overly selfless, often finding yourself in the role of martyr. An imbalance might lead to a lack of sensitivity, arrogance, selfishness or feelings of sadness or depression.

When the heart chakra is in balance, the related organs and systems will be healthy. There is a sense of connection with all life, which gives peace, joy and feelings of unconditional love for all beings. Your relationships will be more balanced and harmonious. You will be open, willing and able to live without fear of vulnerability. There will be a good balance between the material things in life and your emotions.

Because the heart centre has an integrative force, helping us overcome dualities, and because love is the ultimate healing energy, the heart chakra is the centre for healing.

The Seven Chakras

Previous Articles:

The first & second Chakras:
'Muladhara'
(Root) & 'Swadhisthana' (Sacral)

Next Articles:

The fifth & sixth Chakras:
'
Vishuddha' (Throat) & 'Ajna' (Third Eye)

***

The seventh Chakra:
'Sahasrara' (Crown Centre)

Katy Kianush
November 2005

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Copyright © 2005 K. Kianush, Art Arena