Manipura Chakra

R C Ganjoo

Vishwaguruji Swami Maheshwarananda After we have passed through the levels of unconscious and subconscious -the Muladhara Chakra and the Svadisthana Chakra our consciousness reaches the third level, the Manipura Chakra. With the realisation of the Manipura Chakra the aspirant has reached an important stage on the spiritual path. For once the consciousness has unfolded in the Manipura Chakra there is a greater likelihood that-under the guidance of a Realised master- one can attain the goal of Supreme Consciousness in this lifetime. At the Manipura Chakra more than half of the journey towards realisation has already been completed. The position of the Manipura Chakra is in the middle of the abdomen behind the navel. That is why it is also known as the Navel Centre. Its area of influence radiates out about 7cm above and below the navel. Its counterpart in the body is the Solar Plexus.
The Manipura Chakra is the "City of Jewels" in which we find the pearls of clarity, wisdom, selfconfidence and wellbeing. Their lustre radiates down to the lower Chakras as well as up to the Heart Centre ( Anahata Chakra) . The feelings of love and happiness that we feel in our heart originate in the Manipura Chakra and rise from there to the Anahata Chakra. The positive radiance emanating from the Manipura Chakra also purities the Svadhishthana and Muladhara Chakras and their qualities.
Passion becomes pure selfless love through the light of wisdom. Prejudice and aversion change to respect and understanding. And envy and insatiable greed change to goodwill and healthy moderation . With the gaining of self-confidence ,pride and jealousy change to modesty and generously. Ignorance changes into clarity ,and laziness into focussed, consistent effort.
As already said, the simultaneous activation of the Agya Chakra ( Eyebrow Centre) is a great help on the spiritual path. This is also the case here.
Decisions that are based only upon the Manipura Chakra , the so-called "gut-feelings", are often intuitively correct, but can be distorted by strong emotions. And judgements based only on intellect lack an integrated vision. Therefore both Chakras are important for clarity of purpose. With the "right feeling" of the Manipura Chakra being guided and examined by "Viveka"(discrimination) , the quality of the Agya Chakra surfaces. Self-awareness and self-confidence are other pearls of the Manipura Chakra. Until we discover these pearls within us and raise them into the light we live in constant fear of not be loved, of failure, of ill, of dying ,etc. Many of our fears are produced by blockages in the Manipura Chakra.
The Manipura Chakra is closely connected to the psyche. Psychic problems frequently give rise to digestive problems. For example, many people react to fear or stressful situations with abdominal pain or diarrhoea.
The Tattva (element) of the Manipura Chakra is TEJAS ( fire) and therefore this Chakra is also known as the Fire or Sun Centre. The Fire Element manifests within the body as body heat. The Manipura Chakra controls our energy balance and supplies the digestive organs with energy. When it fans and regulates the "digestive fire" it also makes

It is tremendously important for both our physical and mental health that we consume healthy , energy-giving food that has a pure, positive vibration . Before we eat we should find out where the food has come from and what qualities it contains. It is not only the nutrients that are important but also the subtle vibrations of the food, which have a marked effect on the body, mind and our spiritual wellbeing, our thoughts, feelings and vitality.

an important contribution to a stable and healthy constitution. The Manipura Chakra is also described as the "Cosmic Door" because it provides an entry for numerous astral powers. It is the centre of the HARA( name of lord Shiva),a power centre or "Lion's Centre" that bestows upon us balance, stability ,strength and activity . It works as an energy transformer that converts and supplies the body with the cosmic energy that is absorbed with our food.
On the physical level, the function of this Chakra is similar to that of a fireplace .When we put wood into the grate, the flames are fed; but when the wood is almost gone the fire will gradually die. The "firewood" for our digestive fire is the food that we can eat. Foods that have a strong, positive vibrations are grains, nuts,fruit and vegetables. So just as bad wood does not burn well, food of a lesser quality also generates less power and poorer health. "Heated" reaction, such as rage, anger and aggression also draw energy from the Manipura Chakra which weakens it.
A good fireplace will provide heat for a long time without constantly having to put more wood. But a badly functioning fireplace does not heat well and will cool down as soon as the fuel begins to run low. When the energy of our food is not properly absorbed, utilised and distributed in the Manipura Chakra, we feel tired, weak and ill. But with an active Manipura Chakra, the body is provided with sufficient energy even if we eat or sleep a little . This is why the Manipura Chakra is the most important energy centre for our physical well-being.
An imbalance or blockage in the Manipura Chakra paralyses and destroys our energy and diverse physical and psychic problems. If we are unable to think clearly, to express our thoughts and feelings, or if our mind is foggy, there is often a disturbance in the Manipura Chakra. Numerous complaints, such as Diabetes , skin diseases, cardio-vascular diseases, Gout, Arthritis, rheumatic diseases, many types of migraines, allergies etc. can trace a lack of energy within the Manipura Chakra and a badly functioning digestive system.
It is tremendously important for both our physical and mental health that we consume healthy , energy-giving food that has a pure, positive vibration .
Before we eat we should find out where the food has come from and what qualities it contains. It is not only the nutrients that are important but also the subtle vibrations of the food, which have a marked effect on the body, mind and our spiritual well-being, our thoughts, feelings and vitality. A basic question we should put to ourselves is : "Is the food we are eating connected with the pain, suffering of death of any living being ?"
Daily , hundreds of thousands of animals are cruelly slaughtered for consumption. Apart from the fact that meat is detrimental for our physical health, it is extremely harmful for our consciousness and has serious karmic consequences . Yogis have been warning people for thousands of years about the karmic consequences of killing animals, and also the danger to their health caused by the consumption of meat.
Together with the meat that we consume, we absorb the vibration of the fear of death, the pain and the despair of the animal. This fear sinks into the subconscious and comes to light again in our dreams and meditation.

His Holiness Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Sri Swami Maheshwarananda Puri of Panchayati Maha Nirvani Akhara is the disciple and successor of Hindu Dharmsamrat Paramhans Sri Swami Madhavananda. Since 1970 he has been living and working in Europe. Through his long lasting activities in the West, Swamiji has become familiar with the way of life and the problems people face in the modern world. Swami Ji can be contacted at : swamiji@vienna.at