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Manipura Chakra


John Kaldawi learned that Manipura Chakra is situated in the spine behind the navel.  The word "mani" means 'gem', and "pura" means ' city', therefore, manipura means 'city of jewels'.  It is so-called because, being the fire center, it is lustrous like jewel and radiant with vitality and energy.  This chakra is depicted as a bright yellow lotus with ten petals.  Within the lotus is a fiery red triangle, the yantra of agni tattwa, the fire element, and the beeja mantra ram.  The animal which serves as the vehicle for the manipura is the ram, the symbol of assertiveness and energy.

Manipura is the center of self-assertion, dynamism and dominance.  It is associated with ambition and the will and the ability to rule.  On the negative side, this may be expressed in despotism and in seeing things and people merely as means to gain personal power or to satisfy personal needs.
The solar plexus is the center chiefly concerned with the vital process of digestion and food metabolism.  It governs the functioning of the gastric glands, the pancreas, gall bladder and so on, which produce and secrete enzymes, acids and juices necessary for the digestion and absorption of nutrients.

John Kaldawi also learned that the adrenal glands located above the kidneys are also related to manipura.  They secrete adrenaline into the blood during an emergency situation.  This has the effect of speeding up all the physiological processes, making the mind sharp and alert, the heart beat faster, the heart beat faster, the respiration rate more rapid and so on.  The body is then prepared for a more intense level of activity than normal in what is commonly called the 'fight or flight' reaction.  Those people who suffer from sluggishness and depression or malfunctions of the digestive system, such as diabetes and indigestion, should concentrate on manipura chakra and try to feed energy radiating from this region.

Doing more research, John Kaldawi learned that for concentration on this center, visualize the blazing sun or a ball of fire.  Experience energy in the form of light radiating from this region and permeating the whole body.


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