Ego Development
Here is another article I am reproducing here in its entirety as it relates to the ego in relation to the power chakra:
Accessing the Solar Plexus Chakra
May 22, 2010 Kaliah Amira
According to the ancient Indian Chakra system, the Solar Plexus Chakra, or Third Chakra is the energy centre related to personal power and self-esteem. Otherwise known as Manipura in Sanskrit, the Solar Plexus Chakra is considered the seat of the ego, developing during a person’s teenage years and ideally being anchored by their early twenties. Its location is believed to be directly below the sternum and over the stomach.
Medical intuitive, Caroline Myss calls the Solar Plexus Chakra the Personal Power Chakra and describes its purpose as assisting a person in further developing a sense of “self”, ego, and personality that is separate from that of their inherited identity. Where the Second, or Sacral Chakra is thought to be associated with how one relates to others and their immediate environment in terms of preferences and desires, the Third Chakra relates to how a person’s sense of inner power and self-esteem shapes, or indeed is shaped, by their external world.
Physical Aspects of the Solar Plexus Chakra
The Solar Plexus Chakra is believed to be associated with the stomach, pancreas, adrenals, upper intestines, gallbladder, liver, and the middle spine located behind the solar plexus.
Myss believes that illnesses originating in these areas are activated by issues related to self-responsibility, self-esteem, fear of rejection, and oversensitivity to criticism. She also believes that fears relating to physical appearance, such as obesity, baldness, and aging are associated with this chakra.
Characteristics of a Healthy Solar Plexus Chakra
When the third chakra is in balance, one is believed to display the qualities of self-esteem, self respect, self-discipline, proactive behaviour, and ambition. A person is able to handle a crisis and to take risks that allow for personal growth and expansion. According to Kabbalistic tradition, the sacred qualities of endurance and integrity are linked with the third chakra because these are believed to be the qualities a person needs to stand up as an individual. Myss believes these qualities become symbolically a person’s spiritual “legs”.
Spiritual Implications of a Dysfunctioning Solar Plexus Chakra
An unbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra results in a person displaying characteristics of low self-esteem and low self-worth. Their identity is anchored in the outside world and they work hard to gain the approval of others. Making decisions for themselves becomes impeded and they allow others to define who they are and what they need to do. They might diminish themselves in order to gain physical security.
Caroline Myss believes that people are not born with self-esteem but that it is a quality that must be earned as one lives life and faces challenges one at a time in the spiritual “classroom” that is physical reality. Thus one of the best ways to deal with dysfunctioning Solar Plexus energy is for a person to face challenges and in the process be forced to reassess their sense of power and self in relation to the external world to decide whether outside circumstances will have the power to affect how they feel within.
Maintaining Healthy Solar Plexus Chakra Functioning
Anodea Judith, author of “Eastern Body, Western Mind”, also believes that autonomy is the central issue relating to the Solar Plexus Chakra. Taking responsibility for one's actions, breaking away from the mother, father, group, or society, and being willing to individuate allow one to truly claim their power. In order for one to fully embody the spirit of the Third Chakra she believes one must be willing to risk disapproval from others for the integrity of one’s own truth.
Ambika Wauters, author of “The Book of Chakras”, describes the following steps as crucial to mastering the Third Chakra:
Continually affirming one’s worth and deservedness of the best life possible
Setting appropriate boundaries
Knowing that one’s sense of self is not a condition of what one has or does
Being willing to try new things to further the experience of self
Learning to cultivate one’s own friendship
Acknowledging that one is free to choose in any given situation
Trusting one’s gut instincts about people and places and acting in accordance with such internal guidance
Thus when a person is truly able to honour and respect themselves, has matured in their understanding of their inner nature, and has learnt to stand on their own and take care of themselves, they can be said to be fully embodying the spirit of the Solar Plexus Chakra.
© 2010 Kaliah Amira
Another great article related to chakras:
7 Chakras
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