THE THIRD CHAKRA

   This is known as the Manipura or Solar Plexus Chakra (and is sometimes called HARA). It is situated at solar plexus level, in the pit of the stomach, between the first and second lumbar vertebrae. It is linked with the pancreas and the spleen and connected to the sense of sight.

   Manipura is associated with the element "Fire", which symbolises light, heat, energy and activity, and also purification on a spiritual level. The third chakra represents our sun, our personal power-house. It's through this that we absorb solar energy, which feeds our etheric body (among other things) and therefore imparts its vitality.

  

   Through this chakra, we maintain active contact with everything going on in the world and with other human beings. It is also from here that our emotional energy communicates with the outside world. This energy centre has a strong hand in "guiding" our social rapports, our sympathies and antipathies, and our ability to conduct lasting emotional relationships.

   The Solar Plexus Chakra is the seat of the personality, the chakra of the self-image and "I am": it's here than an individual asserts himself, and finds his place in the world that he is always trying to establish using his personal strength, determination and quest for power, but also by adapting to social norms.

   One of the most important roles of this chakra is to purify the desires and instincts connected with the lower chakras (1^st and 2^nd chakras), to channel their creative energy and use it consciously, and to manifest the spiritual wealth of the higher chakras (4^th, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th chakras) in the material world, in order to achieve a life which is as fulfilled as possible.

   Our state of mind largely depends on the amount of light we allow to penetrate inside us. If this chakra is open, we feel bright, cheerful and complete inside. But if this chakra is blocked or unbalanced, our mood becomes disturbed and sombre. We also manifest these feelings outwardly, showing whether our life is lived in sunshine or shadow. The amount of light we have in us also affects the clarity of our sight and the look of what we see.

   Through the Solar Plexus Chakra, we are able to directly pick up the vibrations of the people around us, and we react depending on their nature. If we are confronted with negative vibrations, we sense danger; the chakra immediately "shrinks" as a form of ephemeral protection. This protection is no longer needed when the light in us has become powerful enough to radiate outwards and surround our body with its protective mantle.