Accepting Your Inner Warrior: Manipura Chakra
The Solar Plexus Chakra: Manipura
Each individual chakra present in our body carries out a specific function and affects our overall well-being.
The Manipura or the Solar Plexus Chakra is the third chakra located just below the naval region, and it embodies our sense of personal power, ambition and identity. The word Manipura can be traced back to the root words ‘mani’ (pearl) and ‘pura’ (city), which roughly translate to “lustrous gem” or “pearls of wisdom”. The Solar Plexus Chakra controls important aspects of our bodily functions like digestion and metabolism; along with clarity of thought, self-confidence and motivation. This chakra is symbolized by a lotus with ten petals, which is a vibrant yellow in color, symbolizing energy, intellect, and inner fire. Its seed mantra or formula is considered to be RAM.
As the Manipura chakra is the nexus of our willpower, it shapes our core personality traits and the manner in which we perceive ourselves. When it is open and balanced, it makes you powerful in a way which is profitable yet not exploitative, confident and reliable — you can achieve your goals and desires while evolving into someone who honors the fire of determination within themselves.
While all of us have long term or short term goals or targets in our mind, the reason we are often unable to achieve is either due to lack of clarity or the confidence/will power to carry out our intentions until we reach our destination. Visualize it as a marathon, where the athlete not only requires physical strength and speed to win the race, but also needs willpower and confidence to continue despite obstacles — along with focus and determination to reach the finish line. In order to do so, he/she has to go through mental training routines and possible strengthening of his/her Solar Plexus Chakra, which will grant them the necessary power to excel.
Imbalances in the Solar Plexus Chakra
When not in its ideal balanced state, imbalances in the Solar Plexus chakra can usher in feelings of shame, embarrassment and low self esteem. A person with a weak third chakra will find change troublesome and feel bouts of powerlessness in difficult situations. These imbalances also have physical manifestations in the form of digestive and liver problems, diabetes and various forms of ulcers. Some adverse affects can also manifest in terms of lack of clarity, purpose and ambition.
Achieving Balance: Healing Crystals
There are numerous ways to create a balance in order to correct the excesses generated by this chakra, among which meditation and yoga can be considered. But the more clarity we gain, the more conscious we become of our abilities and our weaknesses, and both of these elements are required to strike a balance. Healing crystals are an effective and wonderful way to do so, as their effect on a particular chakra is unique, and the process of healing is completely natural and safe. Here’s a list of crystals with their primary benefits which help to balance and heal the Manipura chakra:
Citrine — Boosts imagination and personal will, awakens the possibility of transforming dreams into reality.
Pyrite — It is a stone of luck which manifests wealth and prosperity.
Ametrine — Strengthens the nerves and helps you find focus, confidence and determination.
Tiger’s Eye — It is the stone of prosperity and good fortune and helps you balance between extremes.
