Manipura-Solar Plexus Chakra Introduction

What & Where

Manipura is Sanskrit for “Lustrous gem”.  This chakra is where the upward flow of earth energy meets the downward flow of cosmic energy.  It is ruled by fire and the Sun’s energy.  This is where matter and form meet willed action.  The pancreas is the gland of this chakra.  It produces insulin and regulates metabolism.  When we are imbalanced in this chakra, we usually have problems with metabolic processes.  It is located just below the sternum and above the naval and sits over the stomach and the nerve ganglia under the diaphragm.

Main Function

“From earth to water to fire!  Our dance grows, impassioned now as we reclaim our bodies and reach through emotions and desire to find will, purpose, and action.  We grow in Strength, we feel our power rising from our guts, descending from our visions, releasing joyously from our hearts.”—from “Wheels of Life” by Anodea Judith, PhD.

This is where the conscious acts originate, and we move from the strictly physical realm of survival and relationship, to the combined physical and mental level of willed action.  This chakra is where we overcome the fixed inertia of the first two chakras, and like the driver hitting the golf ball we go into action. 

In the second chakra we experience the pain and feel like victims when something bad happens to us.  This is good because we get in touch with our needs, but we need to be able to move from this victim attitude in order to make positive changes to protect ourselves.  If we adopt the attitude that others are responsible for our happiness, then our only hope is that others will change, and we cannot control this.  We need to take responsibility for ourselves and effect the changes necessary to assure our happiness.  Don’t get the idea that there aren’t situations in this world that won’t victimize us, and that there are systems that are unjust; however, our reaction to, and our attitude towards these things will be the difference between becoming a victim or awakening our higher self.

You are the architect of your world.  Everything in it is there because you manifested it by your actions, or lack of action.  Feeling powerless is not the lack of the ability to manifest, but failure to recognize that you are responsible for the creation of your world.  You manifest everything in your world simply by keeping your mind on something.  Do you worry that you are too fat?   Do you spend time thinking about this, fretting; if so, that fretting is like praying for more fat.  Think thin thoughts, think abundant thoughts.  Engage you I AM that I AM, and create your world the way you wish it to be.  There are lots of teachings about how to do this, look at a few.  My favorite is “Wishes Fulfilled” by Dr. Wayne Dyer.

 
“This center is directly related to self-value, a primary quality in our relationships with others and the world around us.  If we fail to honor ourselves and know that we are worthy simply because we exist, our sense of personal identity is weak.  Consequently this chakra deals with self-esteem, confidence and freedom of choice.  It reflects how we see ourselves and exercise our innate power.” ~~Quote from “The Book of Chakras” by Ambika Wauters
 
When one acts from ones personal identity the chakra quickens.  When we allow others to label us, and act in ways just to please others, we deny our selfhood and this chakra becomes unbalanced.  If we are labeled a certain way, and we act only from those labels we are denying our personal identity and avoiding contact with our higher self.  Forming healthy attitudes about who we are, and establishing contact with our higher, spiritual self, allows us to act from personal power and confidence.  This helps us establish and connects us with our innate sense of worth.
 
We don’t need to prove our worth to anyone, as we were born perfectly worthy.  We are value incarnate.  Once we are cognizant of the fact that we are worthy simply because we are alive, we free our life’s energy and force for living.  Any time we deny our worth we give away our power and deplete this chakra, which denies us of love, kindness and respect, and opens us up for manipulation and exploitation.  If we honor ourselves we open ourselves up for respect, kindness and goodness to come our way.  We will act in ways that will place us in situations where we are valued and honored.
 
Gut feelings are generated from this chakra, like butterflies, or a tightening of the whole area when you feel something is wrong.  Our emotions are processed through this chakra, where fire energy burns them up.  Like real fire, the ashes need to be swept clear occasionally in order for the fire to continue to burn properly.  One should strive to rise above the negative emotions, without becoming emotionless or uncaring, but to acknowledge, understand and then release them.  This way the chakra is kept in equilibrium and resists emotional stress.
 
Balancing this chakra helps us not to succumb solely to our head ruling our heart; our left logical side of the brain overwhelming our creative, intuitive, right side.  Balance is the key.  On the societal level this chakra relates to interacting with the world at large as an individual without drowning our personal identity.  This is societal interaction as a whole; outside our “tribal” (root chakra) or “partnership” (sacral chakra) interactions.
 
Related Bodily Functions
 
The associated body parts of this chakra are the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine and muscles.  Ailments caused by an imbalanced or dysfunctional solar plexus chakra are indigestion, acid stomach, acid reflux, ulcers, hepatitis, gallstones, pancreatitis, weight carried around middle and diabetes
 
Over Active
 
Angry, controlling, workaholic, judgmental and superior acting
 
Under active
 
Overly concerned with what others think, fearful of being alone, insecure, needs constant reassurance.
 
Balanced
 
Respects self and others, has personal power, spontaneous, uninhibited.
 
Symbol
 
It is a ten-petal lotus.  Within it is a downward-pointing triangle surrounded by three T-shaped svastikas that are symbolic of fire.  The ram fire God Agni is also depicted.

Svadistthana—The Empress/Emperor Archetype

When you start to shed the martyr archetype you will find that you become comfortable with the good things that come your way in life.  The Empress knows how to enjoy life, and knows that she deserves to be happy and have nice things.  You allow good things into your life.  Pleasure, ease and well-being are enjoyed as you allow yourself to be sated by life’s enjoyments.  Knowing when enough is enough is also part of this, as you listen to your body for the clues that say you are satisfied, and need no more.  Knowing what satisfies you by listening to your body, will protect you from relying on the material things of this world for a substitute for love.
 

The Archetype is comfortable with its place in the world and how their life unfolds.  They have abundance, because they draw it to themselves by letting go of the idea that it is undeserved.  This archetype is comfortable in this world, but does not always have an active spiritual life.  “Its appetite is nourished by life itself and it can have a passionate temperament as well as a jovial sense of humor.  It invites people to come close and it is always welcoming, coaxing people to share in its bounty.”

 

This archetype always exudes the attitude that there is plenty to go around, and that they will always be provided for.  The home is where the heart is for this archetype and they will enjoy making is look nice and sharing hospitality with others.  They enjoy food, drink and pleasures of the body, but understand the limits for good health and conscience.  There is an air of serenity about them and their surroundings that envelops those around them in the warmth of love.

 

The archetype is drawn to things that make it feel good and give pleasure; music, good food, beauty of the country and city, attractive clothes and surroundings. 

The Myth of the Archetype

 

Although this archetype is happy, there is much more to be developed within us.  Many of us are brought up to believe that what we have is the sum of who we are.  If we have many worldly possessions, we are considered worthwhile.  On the other hand, if we have nothing we are considered worthless.  Let’s look at this objectively in terms of this definition of worthwhile.  If a worthwhile person were to lose their job, and as a result their house, would they be a different person?  Let’s say a destitute individual living in a shelter suddenly inherited a million dollars, are they a different person?  The answer, of course, is a resounding No?  So it is very important to love yourself as you are, and not to measure yourself by the strictly materialist society that we have become.

Once you can love yourself, and who you are right now, and place your welfare in the hands of your higher spirit, you will find the Empress/Emperor Archetype available to you.  You will find not only abundance, but spiritual rewards coming to you.

An Activity to Increase Vitality

Move your body in a flowing manner; lift an arm in a graceful upsweep.  Feel the muscles of your body as the arm moves up.  Now lean the body into the upsweep of the arm and feel the muscles respond to your will.  Feel the gracefulness of your movement.  Now follow that movement with the graceful kick of the leg, and place the foot on the floor and follow with your body.  Sweep your other hand around to the back in a smooth graceful motion, and follow this with your leg and body.  Feel those muscles respond to your will, feel the gracefulness and pleasure of the movements.  Continue with the random smooth movements for a few minutes, all the while concentrating on the feel of the muscles movements and the gracefulness, and beauty of the body that is capable of such a range of motion.  Feel the pleasure of the flow of vitality that fills you as this activity continues.  Do this as long as you are able.

Try doing this a few times in a week.  Let me know how it feels.

Confirmations

This is a litany of Confirmations.  These confirmations engage the eternal "I am that I am" in all of us.  It allows you to manifest these things in your life.  You may add any I AM statements that you wish, but avoid using statements such as "I will be"  "I wish to be" or any other derivatives of these type of statements, as the are confirming that you are not yet whatever follows.  You really are all these things, you have to be.  You just can't see it as your minds eye is so tightly shut that you are blind.  This is your eye opener.  You are these things, you can't help but to be, as you are a chip of the creator and have that creative power.  Whatever you believe and confirm about yourself is what you will create for yourself; the good, the bad and the ugly.  You are the Architect of your world, so build wisely.  You are all these things listed and more, it is true, you are that, Amen, so mote it be.

 

• I am beauty.
• I am abundance
• I am happiness and contentment.
• I am sexy.
• I am happy.
• Life is sweet.
• I am prosperity and love having money.
• I am joy.
• I am relaxation

Svaddisthana—The Negative Archetype-The Martyr

The martyr will often take some responsibility for their own situation, which is different than the victim.  However, they are not strong enough to take steps to change their situation from suffering to the happiness that all of us deserve.  This often happens because at some level they believe that they do not deserve to be happy.  They will sacrifice their needs and wants so serve those of others.

Like the victim they feel helpless to change their circumstance.  They will stay in situations that are not wholesome or healthy, and depletes their well-being.  This is because the martyr feels they are not entitled to happiness, therefore it can suffer for years.  Often the martyr feels they are doing “what is best” for their children and spouses, by always serving their needs, and denying their own needs.  This can often lead to bitterness and anger; this is especially true if those the martyr suffers for do not acknowledge the sacrifice the martyr is making.  In denying their true self the martyr gives up its own needs and want, and sets itself up for heartache and bitterness.

This next section is a small quote from Ambika Wauters Chakras and the Archetypes:

“Our culture validates sacrifice and sometimes encourages people to give up their dreams for the sake of others.  Nothing will disempower a person quicker than feeling they must give up their dreams for someone else’s happiness.  Whether it is done for approval or because of a desire to be loved and looked after, it diminishes a person when they do not choose to live their own lives.’

‘Many people collude with the martyr to carry on suffering rather than to take the risks which will transform its life.  Families and friends unconsciously (or consciously in some cases that I have seen-added by Shatril) encourage the martyr to continue its tasks of looking after others so that they are free of the responsibility of having to do it”;( i.e., taking care of aging parents with little or no aid from other siblings. Added by Shatril) –End quote

When the martyr looks like it may break out of the mold, others may make all kinds of negative remarks and actions that are really saying “go back to the way you were, because we don’t know how to handle this new you”.  It scares them to watch the martyr break the pattern because they may then have to learn to do for themselves and find ways to attain for themselves those things which had previously been provided through the sacrifice of the martyr.  All the pressure to return to previous behaviors may return the martyr to its proper place.  It is not easy for martyrs to change their pattern; those who have benefited from their sacrifice often collude to keep them in “their place”. 

Another aspect of the long suffering martyr is its ability to pass their behavior down to their children.  This is down through blame and guilt which then breeds dysfunctional adults.  Most people do not want the think that someone has sacrificed for them, and lots of negative energy such as blame and guilt is generated when the martyr exercises its power to punish others for its sacrifices.  They have suffered so other should also.

“During my seminars when I ask the audience how many can relate to being a Rescuer, a servant, or a Martyr, most hands go up.  Many people resonate to this trilogy because our culture has replaced its emphasis on the virtues of the rugged individual with obsession about victimization.  These three archetypes are patterns of disempowerment, but don’t confuse occasional feelings of martyrdom or a few incidents of rescuing people who were in emotional or financial crisis with an archetype.  We have all helped people, and we have all had “martyr attacks.” ~~Caroline Myss in Sacred Contracts.   We will find that upon occasion we have all exhibited and will continue to   upon occasion exhibit characteristics of all of these archetypes, and this is normal.  What is undesirable is to live ones life out in a negative archetype that controls ones life to the detriment of our mind, body and soul.  This very thing is what can be prevented by the exercises that are provided in this and all the other exercises provided in these lessons.

To move away from the martyr is not easy.  This archetype is often respected and encouraged by society and the people who benefit from its sacrifice.  The first step here is to deeply examine this pattern within you.  Accept that you always have a choice.  You can choose to remain where you are, or choose to step outside of this pattern.  The second thing you need to know is that all people deserve to be happy!!  Everyone deserves to be Happy!!!; including you.  Sometimes we need to realize that the risk of change is worth the effort.  Suffering can be a way for someone to feel special, and with the emphasis that our society puts on martyrdom as a positive way to be in life, it may be hard to move away from that long suffering archetype to something that is healthier for you emotionally and physically.

The choice to be happy is available to us all.

Recognizing the Martyr

Answer the following questions.  Be ruthless in your examination of your answer, and be totally honest with yourself.

• Is it better to give than receive?
• Is someone else more worthy to receive good things than you?
• Do you feel that you are entitled to happiness?
• Do you feel that you deserve the good things in life?
• Is it necessary to sacrifice to have the good things?
• Must you suffer a chronically bad situation to have the good things?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to consider the possibility that you may be operating from a Martyr Archetype.

Exercises to break away from the Martyr Archetype

“The position of the Martyr can be stuck and entrenched.  This is because the Martyr truly believes it is doing the right thing for itself even at the expense of its aliveness and well-being.  It thinks sacrifice is good for the self.  This leaves a large residue of anger and resentment for everyone to deal with and invites contempt and difficulties.  Through sacrifice the Martyr hides its inability or unwillingness to develop its life.  It gets caught in rescuing and fixing other people’s lives, often giving up its own creativity, sexuality and health to do this.  Perhaps worst of all, the Martyr expects sacrifice in return from others as acceptable behavior, when in fact sacrifice erodes people’s potential for a rich and fulfilling life.”  ~~Amibika Wauters in Chakras and their Archetypes.

1. Recall a time when you felt like a martyr.  How did you feel?  Write down on a piece of paper what emotions you experience when you recall this situation.
2. What did you gain and what were your expectations when you made this sacrifice?
3. Do you resent this sacrifice?
4. Are you willing and able to take responsibility for this situation without guilt or self-recrimination.  Your ability to do so will aid you to avoid this situation again.
5. Can you accept your need for love and appreciation?  Can you accept that your willingness to sacrifice yourself was an attempt to win love and approval from others?  Can you accept that you needn’t sacrifice yourself to be loved?  Love belongs to you simply because you exist.  If this is too difficult for you to accept give some thought to your feelings of entitlement to love and happiness.

Meditation to Release the Martyr Archetype

 Ground and relax is whatever method suits you.  Play music or burn incense if you choose.  When you feel relaxed and calm begin this visualization.

Visualize a situation in which you felt like a martyr, where you felt you were sacrificing your creativity and happiness for someone else or a cause.  Feel the emotions that this visualization brings up.  Are you angry? Resentful? Disappointed? Unbelieving?  Feel them to their fullest, now say (aloud or in your head) “I am (define the emotion) at you (the person or group) for not seeing what I sacrificed for you.”  Say it until you feel that you have been heard by those who have caused this emotion.

Now imagine that you have been recognized for the sacrifice.  Imagine that the person or group is saying:  “I/we see what you have sacrificed and are grateful to you for this.  I/we release you from this need so that you may do what is necessary for yourself.”  Repeat this until you are convinced of its validity.  Once you are convinced say “I release this into the Earth so that this energy may be recycled in a positive way.”

Repeat this process as many times as you feel necessary to release yourself from the bonds of the Martyr.  You should also use it whenever you feel yourself slipping into this archetype.

Activities to Thwart the Martyr

The quickest way to keep the Martyr at bay is to do those things that you enjoy.  Do things that make you happy, and that are rewarding in and of themselves.  Listen to your inner spark of the divine when it suggests some activity that you will enjoy.  And to the degree that you can without being carted off to jail for child neglect stop the sacrifice of yourself and your creativity for others.  As often as possible do something that you enjoy, such as visiting friends, talking on the phone, write a poem, paint, craft something. 

Do the confirmations for this chakra.

The positive archetype will be posted soon.

Svaddisthana-Sacral Chakra Meditation 2012

I had a revelation about the use of affirmations.  I have always thought these were good things, and I know they have helped many people.  However, upon reflection of the word affirmations, I think it is better to "confirm" what is true in us all.  It is one thing to affirm things that we do not now believe we possess, but this action seems to acknowledge that currently, “I am not that.”  The reality is that we are all chips off the creative force, but have somehow shut our eyes so tight to the reality of who we really are, that we cannot manifest in the manner of the I AM that I AM.  We need to confirm and reconfirm, “I AM that I AM.”  Acknowledge our true nature.  Know it.  Believe it.  Be it.  IT IS SO.  AMEN. 

I know this seems like symantics to some of you, but when you look at how affirmations are used, you will understand what I mean.  Just give it a little thought.

---

Building the Pyramid

Sit on the floor either in lotus pose; or for those with no experience in yoga, sit on a cushion with your legs crossed in front of you. If you have trouble sitting on the floor, use a chair and sit with your legs spread wide apart. You may also choose to recline in a chair or propped up in bed with your legs wide spread, touch the soles of your feet together and draw them up to your pelvic area as far as possible. The idea is to stretch and elongate the groin muscles slightly. (No pain should ever be involved.  If it is painful, put some pillows under your knees for support.)

Use the breath Exercise: 4-7-8 to relax. Now scan your body for any tense areas, start at your toes and work up the legs to the thighs, to the pelvis, back shoulders neck and arms. If you spot any tense areas, just concentrate on relaxing and releasing the tension. Breath into the area, feel the breath release the tension on the out breath and fill it with relaxation on the in breath.

Now that you are fully relaxed, begin to visualize an orange pyramid that sits directly in your pelvic area. The four walls of this pyramid represent well-being, deservedness, pleasure, and abundance. Expand the pyramid until it encloses the entire sacral chakra area in a safe and healthful space.

Visualize the foundation of your pyramid as the seat of the I AM that I AM.  This is the spark of the creative force that exists within each of use.  Confirm, “I AM that I AM, and I AM born with the power to create everything I desire”.  Strengthen this foundation often with the confirmation of, “I AM that I AM.”  Know it.  Believe it.  Be it.  IT IS SO.  AMEN.

Strengthen the wall that is nearest your spine.  This is the wall of well-being; reinforce the walls with the knowledge that “I AM well-being”.    I do the things I love, and the things I must….. See the wall strengthen with each confirmation of this fact.  Strengthen this was often with the confirmation “I AM vitality.  I AM Well-being”.  Know it.  Believe it.  Be it. IT IS SO.  AMEN.

The wall that runs along the left-hand side of your body is the wall of deservedness. Strengthen this wall and reinforce it with the knowledge that I deserve all good things in life.  I AM well-being, abundance and good health…. Examine your belief of your deservedness for these things… If you discover any doubts, release them and trust that life is meant to be pleasurable and comfortable.  Allow this awareness into your consciousness.  Strengthen this was by repeatedly confirming, “I AM that I AM, and I AM born with the power to create everything I desire”.  Know it.  Believe it.  Be it.  IT IS SO.  AMEN.

Now look at the front wall that represents, pleasure and your capacity to experience joy. Strengthen and reinforce that wall with the full knowledge that you are meant to experience pleasure and joy in this life time.  Confirm, “I AM joy and pleasure”.  Reinforce this, by repeatedly confirming that I AM joy and pleasure. Know it.  Believe it.  Be it.  IT IS SO.  AMEN.

Now strengthen the wall on the right side of this pyramid.  This is the wall of abundance.  Give thanks for all the abundance that surrounds you.  Glory in the abundance that exists around you.  Confirm, “I AM abundance.” Take time to give thanks for all that is wonderful and meaningful in your life.  Spend a little time strengthening this wall.  Strengthen this wall by repeatedly confirming, “I AM Abundance.”  Know it.  Believe it.  Be it. IT IS SO.  AMEN.

Now look at each wall, and make sure that you are happy with the strength of each.  Focus more strength into any that may need it.  Strengthen these walls by repeatedly confirming occasionally throughout the day, “I AM vitality, joy, pleasure, abundance, and well-being.”  Know it.  Believe it.  Be it.  IT IS SO.  AMEN. 

You may adapt this in any way you wish.

Svaddisthana-Exercises for sacral chakra

As with any exercise program, please consult a physician before performing these exercises. Follow the instruction given on the website. If an exercise hurts, stop doing it. You are solely responsible for your activity as regards these exercise. Make sure you are in good physical shape before performing these exercises.  The poses have links to websites that give instructions, some give some precaution, and variations for those who are less flexible than a professional yoga teacher.

Yogic Exercises

TreePose

Wide-AngleSeated Forward Bend

CatPose

ChildPose

BoundAngle Pose

GoddessPose

PelvicBreathing                                              

Pelvic Breathing too

Diagram for proper performance

Other practices that are wonderful for this chakra are brought to you from Earthy in the original class.

1. Stimulating with exercise

Pelvic Rotation—Begin this exercise for your sacral chakra by standing up straight, with your knees slightly bent and your pelvis dropped forward. Keeping your knees bent and flexible, rotate your pelvis in gradually decreasing clockwise circles, and then slowly increase the rotation size. Repeat the exercise, this time rotating in anti clockwise circles. Your head and feet should remain completely still while you’re doing this exercise, and the movement you are seeking to emulate is similar to those used in belly dancing. Repeat the exercise 6 times in each direction.

Pelvic Rock—using the same basic stance, rock the pelvis front to back without moving the head up and down.  This should not be a violant movement; just a slow, flowing rocking of the pelvis.

2. Calming with Aromatherapy

Anoint yourself with a few drops of chamomile, lavender, or ylang-ylang essential oil just below the navel. Lie on your bed and relax. Breathing deeply, inhale to a count of 4, hold for the count of 7, and exhale to a count of 8.  Do this four times, and return to normal abdominal breathing rhythms.   After a few weeks you can start working your way up to a maximum of eight times.  The count pace can be any duration, as long as the counting is the same pace throughout the process.  As you become more practiced, the counts can slow down a bit. Allow the relaxing and soothing energy of the oil to soak into your body, and feel it calming the sacral chakra as you continue to breathe deeply for a few minutes longer.

3. Relaxing Meditation

Goddess Pose—Lie on your back. Draw your knees up and drop them out to the side as far as possible, and place the soles of your feet together. If there is discomfort in this pose for you, place pillow under your knees for support. Hold this pose for a while and envision the color orange and the pleasure of this calm feeling. Repeat your affirmations, and feel the pleasure derived from this area of your body.

4. Movement

It is important in working with your second chakra that you find time for movement every day. Play music and dance freely when nobody is watching, or if comfortable for you partner. Take walks, run, and bicycle, make love, take belly dancing lesson (there are tapes for this).

Svaddisthana-Sacral Chakra Correspondences

Svaddisthana-Sacral Chakra Correspondences

Colors—Orange

Element—Water
Functions—Desire, pleasure, sexuality
Rights—To feel and have pleasure
Demon—Guilt
Symbol—Six Petal Orange Lotus
Life lessons—Allowing pleasure and creativeness to be expressed, uncovering             motivations influencing choices based on conditioning
Main Issues—Emotional balance, sexuality
Area of body governed—Sex organs, bladder, circulatory system, prostate, womb
Gland—ductless glands, in men testes, in women ovaries
Physical Ailments—Impotence, frigidity, bladder and prostate problems, lower back             pain
Associated Spinal Area—First Lumbar Vertebra
Life Issues—To know that who you are and what you do are good enough; to have             enough rest, food, exercise, fun and money; not to link self-worth with what you      do or have; to create healthy boundaries to protect your vital life force.
Crystals—Citrine, carnelian, golden topaz, tiger eye
Shape—Pyramid
Seed Sound-Mantra—Vam
Plant—Jasmine
Musical Note—D
Ruling Planet—Pluto
Incense/Aromatherapy—Jasmine, rose, sandalwood
Tarot Card—The Empress, Lovers, Star
Tree of Life Sephiroth—Yesod
Astrological—Cancer, Scorpio
Hindu Gods—Varuna, Vishnu, Rakini
Other God/desses—Diana, Tiamat, Posiedon, Lir, Ganymede, Pan
Archangel—Gabriel

Affirmations

• I AM LOVE!
• I AM Health.
• I AM Well.
• I AM joy.
• I AM Pleasure.
• I AM abundance.
• I AM pleasure.
• I AM graceful

Recommended Practice

Using things around the house create focus table to help balance this chakra.  Remember the correspondences.  Use orange pieces, and crystals if you have them handy, otherwise pieces of clothing, towels, scarves, pictures, candles all have a place on the table.  Use whatever reminds you of the areas that you are working on.  You may want to use just a little TV tray, night stand or patio table for this.  This will allow you to stop on the way by and just do a quick visualization exercise.

 
It is time to do a quick 5 minute meditation on the chakra, using an object on the table as a focus.  Visualize the chakra, the flow of the orange through your groin and pelvic area, feel the tingle of this energy in this area.  Visualize pleasure and joy stemming from this area.  Feel that orange energy and pleasure fill this area.  Feel the shiver of pleasure as the energy fills this area.  See the energy flow up through the sushumna, pass through the crown and flows over your body in an aura of the orange the color of the chakra.  No chanting, no need to focus on breathing, just feel the orange energy enveloping the area of the pelvis.  Feel the pleasure of the energy.  Hold the visualization as long as you like.

Svaddisthana-Sacral Chakra Introduction 2012

What & Where

Muladhara is about survival, grounding, and stability, by comparison the second Chakra Svaddisthana is about flow, movement and flexibility.  In Muladhara we develop the ability to love ourselves, and once that is accomplished we are able to move on to healthy loving relationships with others.  Muladhara gives us a good grounded base from which we can begin to flow out through Svaddisthana and explore the rest of the world. 

Svaddisthana is located about two inches below the naval and two inches into the pelvic area. It governs sexuality, creativity, emotions, and pleasure. This Chakra is about our feelings of pleasure and well-being.  It also affects our capacity to develop a sense of abundance.  The Sanskrit name Svaddisthana means “Sweet Abode”.   The ductless glands are ruled by this chakra; in women ovaries, in men testes.  The penis is the realm of the Base Chakra Muladhara because of its capacity to assure the survival of the race.

Main Function

This chakra’s functionality depends on the degree that we care and value our own being.  If we believe that we are deserving of the good things in life, this chakra opens and draws pleasure and abundance.  If on the other hand, we believe that we are undeserving of the good things in life this chakra shrivels up, closes and loses the ability to draw abundance and pleasure. 

On the physical level, this chakra is the seat of our sexuality and our sense of pleasure.  Being in touch with our sexuality allows us to grow emotionally.  A wholesome attitude toward sexuality opens up our ability to have fulfillment in the love of another and the joy and pleasure of such a physical union.   

On an Emotional level, this is the center of pleasure and well-being, which leads to a feeling of abundance.  When we are not experiencing these emotions we become frustrated.  What usually crops up in its place is a feeling about what we lack, such as, love, sex, money and joy.  It is learning to be grateful for what we have that is key to relieving much of this tension, and balancing this chakra.  Once balanced this chakra will spin and draw in pleasure and abundance.  Imbalances of this chakra result in sexual misconduct, over eating and addictive behavior.   Our efforts with this chakra will teach us to focus this energy on positive emotional expression, and release any of the sense of loss and lack that may be held in this chakra. 

On the mental level, our attitude about money, health, pleasure and deservedness are held in this chakra.  Money and sexuality are the two areas that have the most constraints around them.  How we handle these subjects has a direct effect on our personal energy.  If we have negative, afflictive ideas, we suffer from deprivation and are on a slippery slope to disease.  An attitude of gratitude for the things that we have will create thoughts of abundance, and a positive attitude.  These thoughts will cause us to manifest more of the same things, and attract more wonderful people, things and experiences into our lives.

“The essence of the Sacral Chakra is about knowing that what we have and do is good enough.”   We manifest abundance when we recognize all the advantages that we have.  The focus is on abundance and appreciation for what we already have.  If we adopt an attitude of lack of things and physical characteristics, and focus in pure materialism and what it is that we think we need to exhibit abundance like the Jones’ then we are doomed to unhappiness.  For what we put our minds on with any frequency, and accompany these thoughts with the emotions, is what we manifest in our lives.  As you can see, if you put your mind on your abundance, then you will manifest abundance.  If you put your mind on the lack of things in your life, you will manifest more of what you don’t want, and don’t need more of, and that is lack.  The choice is yours.  If you focus on lack it may manifest as dysfunctions of the sacral chakra.  If you keep doing what you’re doing you’ll keep getting what ya got.  Focus on the things you have, remember they are good enough.

The archetypes of this chakra are the Emperor/Empress and the Martyr.  The Empress exhibits the knowledge that we deserve abundance and happiness.    The martyr exhibits the attitude that he does not deserve abundance and will accept a life of suffering and deprivation; fortunately they do not blame anyone else for this, as does victim in Muladhara.  The martyr feels deserving of his plight and helpless to do anything about his situation.  The Empress’ difference is in the belief that she deserves abundance, which then allows it to manifest in her life.

Another function of Svaddisthana is Internal Balance.  While the Muladhara deals with sex, as in procreation and survival of the species, Svaddisthana deals with the exploration of our sexuality which leads to the joy of giving pleasure to others.

 Our sexuality allows the coming together of the masculine and feminine, not just as it relates to others, but also as it relates to bringing together the masculine and feminine in each of us as we develop our spirituality.  We move on to balance of our right brain and left brain, or masculine and feminine sides.  We begin to integrate the masculine left brain actions, of drive, ambition, organization, action and logic side, with the feminine right side actions of creation, nurturing, artistic, and verbal skills.  The balancing of the Svaddisthana moves us toward the internal balance we need to function well in this world. 

In a healthy, mature heterosexual man, the male principle is in the fore, but they have access to the softer feminine principle when needed.  On the other hand, a healthy, mature woman will have the female principle in the fore, but it will be supported by the harder masculine aspects.  Remember the flow; it is the healthy flow of Svaddisthana that facilitates the ability to move between the right and left brain controlled principles.

When couples are in a relationship there is an ordinary flow from the masculine to the feminine principles for them.  They will be able to apply the required set of principles for any situation that would arise.  Let’s say for instance that a man’s wife were to become ill, he would be able to reach into the soft, feminine principles to care for his wife, and nurture the children while his wife recovered.  In the reverse situation, the woman would be able to reach into the harder, masculine principles of organization and a drive to keep the bills paid and the home running, while he recovers.  Single people tend to use all of the principles all of the time as long as they are emotionally healthy.  In gay couples, there generally is an even flow between the couple, which allows them both to access the necessary principles required.

Related Bodily Functions

The areas that are affected here are the sexual organs, bladder, circulatory system, prostate or womb.   The dis-eases of this chakra are impotence or frigidity, bladder and prostate problems, lower back pain.  People with multiple urinary tract infections, enlarged prostate and other dis-eases associated with this chakra; need to spend time balancing Svaddisthana. 

Over Active

Emotionally unbalanced, a fantasist, manipulative, sexually addicted

Other characteristics are:

• Sexual addictions
• Obsessive attachments
• Addiction to stimulation
• Excessive mood swings
• Excessively sensitive
• Poor boundaries, invasion of others
• Emotional dependency
• Instability

Under Active

Over-sensitive, hard on oneself, feels guilty for no reason, frigid or impotent

Other characteristics are:

• Rigidity in your body, beliefs or behavior
• Emotional numbness or insensitivity
• Fear of change
• Lack of desire, passion or excitement
• Avoidance of pleasure, fear of sexuality
• Poor social skills
• Excessive boundaries
• Boredom

Balanced

Trusting, expressive, attuned to ones own feelings, creative

Other characteristics are;

• Graceful movements
• Ability to embrace change
• Emotional intelligence
• Nurturance of self and others
• Healthy boundaries
• Ability to enjoy pleasure
• Sexual satisfaction
• Passion

Things to do to Balance Chakra

Answer these questions and share the answers, if you choose.  However, if you choose not to share, give me some information about how the exercise made you feel.

• Do you take time to tune into your own emotions?
• Do you have the courage to express your emotions appropriately?
• Which emotions seem to overwhelm you?
• How were your emotions responded to when you were a child?
• Do you value your own feelings?
• Which individuals have influenced your beliefs about your emotions?

http://www.tantra-kundalini.com/svadhisthana.htm