Saturday, August 21, 2010

Manipura Chakra & Makoto

The third Chakra, Manipura, also known as the Solar Plexus Chakra correlates well with Bushido's, Makoto. The Manipura Chakra is the seat of personal power and integrity. Whereas the first chakra is associated with tribal power and the second with the flow of power in relationships, the third chakra is all about personal power.

Makoto is about this power. Makoto is truthfulness to yourself, to your values and to your inner self and vows. It is about total sincerity in being true to yourself. This entails personal power and the ability to have a well-adjusted attitude and perspective with your 'tribe' or 'group'. This is also about self-esteem....and so is Manipura Chakra.

Manipura is about the development of good self-esteem, self-respect and self-discipline. It is the seat of creativity as well that served the Samurai in crisis. Manipura and Makoto is about the ability to generate the personal power for courage, action and strength of character..

When not in order fears of rejection, criticism and a general lack of confidence exists. The Samurai here could have a major fear of not keeping his responsibilites to his lord. It was important to generate the energy for Makoto. This is all about honoring yourself.

To develop Makoto via a healthy Manipura.  Get plenty of sunshine. Spend time in nature soaking in the sun and the warmth that nature provides. Practice some simple rooting Qigong with the trees...while opening yourself to the vitality of the sun. I have heard that the practice of Karma Yoga is also a wonderful way to strengthen this chakra and its virtue. A simple chakra meditation is to place your hands over the chakra and visualize its color. Do this over each chakra for a few minutes or until you feel like your done.

The first chakra is red. The second is orange...and the third is yellow. Yes, the seven chakras follow the rainbow. So, be true to yourself. Practice integrity and truthfulness.

Hands palm to palm,
Shinzen

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