UNDERSTANDING YOUR THIRD CHAKRA
From Earth to Water to Fire, our dance grows here to find Will, Purpose and Action. The purpose of this chakra is Transformation. Just as fire transforms matter to heat and light, this chakra transforms the passive elements of earth and water into dynamic energy and power.
In adults, the lack of personal power breeds any number of insecurities and inner crises—from the inability to trust others, to the inability to trust oneself or to reach out for ways to respond to one's own emotional needs.
Every time you judge or criticize yourself, your personal power weakens. Self-love, self-acceptance and acknowledgement of your own worth are the building blocks. If we find ourselves in the puddle of inertia, then self-doubt and recrimination will only get worse, and the cycle can become paralysing. The demon of Shame then, enters this chakra, and perhaps takes over. Shame is the antithesis of self-esteem. It collapses the middle section of the body, depriving it of energy. It interrupts the fluidity coming down from the base, and overplays the constricting mental energy coming down from the top. Instead of moving upward, the energy turns against the self.
SELF-ESTEEM
Self-esteem comes from trial and error as we reach out, take risks, succeed and fail, and in doing so, we gain a realistic sense of our own abilities. Through self-discipline, we hone our skills. These form the foundation of self-esteem; the foundation for opening the heart and maintaining successful relationships. If the lower chakras have done their job, then our partner doesn’t need to make us secure, or try to interpret our feelings, or bolster our ego. We can then move more completely into the delightful experience of love.
THE ABSENCE OF SELF-ESTEEM
Causes us to compromise our personal power and often to betray ourselves for lack of courage or integrity. And the stress of such actions becomes the negative energy currents that fuel disease. All the healing techniques available can bring us only temporary comfort when we lack the essential ingredients of self-esteem, which is ultimately needed to initiate life-transforming changes. Without that we slip right back into the same patterns of behavior.
APPROVAL
What is your Source of approval from which you drink out of your well of Self-esteem? In other words, who do you seek approval from? Because when you do this, you drain your own Self-esteem and eventually the other person will reject you. This rejection has to happen in first place because it is ‘nature’s way’, second it will be necessary for you to learn.
BRAKING POWERLESSNESS
Power, like any muscle in the body, must be developed consciously. Most powerlessness is the result of ignorance about how to behave “effectively”. It may be simply lack of awareness or attention. Increasing your awareness increases our power. Therefore, such things as meditation can help. As we raise energy up the spine, and as this energy pierces this third layer, feelings of power will naturally ensue. However, mere mediation is not enough.
In adults, the lack of personal power breeds any number of insecurities and inner crises—from the inability to trust others, to the inability to trust oneself or to reach out for ways to respond to one's own emotional needs.
Every time you judge or criticize yourself, your personal power weakens. Self-love, self-acceptance and acknowledgement of your own worth are the building blocks. If we find ourselves in the puddle of inertia, then self-doubt and recrimination will only get worse, and the cycle can become paralysing. The demon of Shame then, enters this chakra, and perhaps takes over. Shame is the antithesis of self-esteem. It collapses the middle section of the body, depriving it of energy. It interrupts the fluidity coming down from the base, and overplays the constricting mental energy coming down from the top. Instead of moving upward, the energy turns against the self.
SELF-ESTEEM
Self-esteem comes from trial and error as we reach out, take risks, succeed and fail, and in doing so, we gain a realistic sense of our own abilities. Through self-discipline, we hone our skills. These form the foundation of self-esteem; the foundation for opening the heart and maintaining successful relationships. If the lower chakras have done their job, then our partner doesn’t need to make us secure, or try to interpret our feelings, or bolster our ego. We can then move more completely into the delightful experience of love.
THE ABSENCE OF SELF-ESTEEM
Causes us to compromise our personal power and often to betray ourselves for lack of courage or integrity. And the stress of such actions becomes the negative energy currents that fuel disease. All the healing techniques available can bring us only temporary comfort when we lack the essential ingredients of self-esteem, which is ultimately needed to initiate life-transforming changes. Without that we slip right back into the same patterns of behavior.
APPROVAL
What is your Source of approval from which you drink out of your well of Self-esteem? In other words, who do you seek approval from? Because when you do this, you drain your own Self-esteem and eventually the other person will reject you. This rejection has to happen in first place because it is ‘nature’s way’, second it will be necessary for you to learn.
BRAKING POWERLESSNESS
Power, like any muscle in the body, must be developed consciously. Most powerlessness is the result of ignorance about how to behave “effectively”. It may be simply lack of awareness or attention. Increasing your awareness increases our power. Therefore, such things as meditation can help. As we raise energy up the spine, and as this energy pierces this third layer, feelings of power will naturally ensue. However, mere mediation is not enough.
BRAKING INERTIA
Inertia refers to the tendency of an object to remain in the state it is in—either in motion or at rest—unless acted upon by some other force. The initial task of the third chakra is to overcome inertia. If you are sluggish, get moving. If you are hyperactive, be still. Break boring repetitive patterns, and choose a challenge. Overcoming difficulties increases strengths and confidence. Power is seldom developed by clinging to security. Give up the need of being safe by someone else, and you will see how this chakra will awaken more quickly. It is through our will that we liberate ourselves from fixed patterns and create new behaviour. It is our will that steers away from the path of least resistance, addictive habits, or the expectations of others. We take actions that are difficult or challenging, and as we do this, we begin to transform.
AVOID INVALIDATION
Criticism from those who do not understand your situation can sometimes be more detrimental than helpful, especially if you are a sensitive person who takes it to heart. Often when we are undertaking something new and uncertain, invalidating can be an instinct power-crippler—stopping the sensitive person dead in their tracks. As Albert Einstein said, “New ideas meet their greatest oppositions from those who misunderstand them.”
EFFORT AND RESISTANCE
Effort and resistance tire and wear down our energy. They are both a sign that our power is not flowing harmoniously. When you find yourself straining with effort, stop. Think about what you are doing, and imagine doing it without effort—smoothly, enjoyable. Ask yourself why you are so attached to this particular thing and why it's taking so much effort. If you are resistant to some force, ask yourself why this force is manifesting in your life at this time. Resistance is often fear, the opposite of power. What is you are afraid of? How can your will protect you with less effort and resistance?
BRAKING ATTACHMENT
Energy that is directed toward something that is not manifesting is energy that is “hung up”, caught, or otherwise useless. If, after reasonable effort, something is not working, let it go. The energy you feel when the attachment no longer has control over you can be exhilarating. The more you release, the less friction there is on your energy. The lighter you become, the more you move toward spirit and away from matter. Be careful not to go too far, however, for the Earth plane is where the power manifests, and without some solidity the power may become too diffused.
ANGER
Blocked power is very often blocked anger. Anger is a potent and cleansing force, but it is hard earned and should be spent wisely. It's not worth damaging loved ones for things we need to work out within ourselves. Is there anyone you are currently blaming for a circumstance in your life? Then, you are investing your power in them! As an act of reclaiming your own power, write their name on a piece of paper and set fire to it, saying this prayer: “I release you from responsibility for my life and its failures. I now take that responsibility myself”. This way you take back your energy and empower yourself.
Releasing anger in inappropriate ways, such as thorough child or spouse abuse, drugs, alcoholism, promotes the deadly cycle of guilt, self-hatred and the loss of self-respect. Health cannot be maintained when a person becomes consumed in self-hatred. Indeed, nothing positive can be created in a person's life when inwardly that individual is ashamed of the behaviour in his or her life.
LAUGHTER
Taking things too seriously can really make us lose touch with our power. If we can laugh at a situation, we have power over it. Whenever things seem at their worst, remember to laugh at yourself.
Energy that is directed toward something that is not manifesting is energy that is “hung up”, caught, or otherwise useless. If, after reasonable effort, something is not working, let it go. The energy you feel when the attachment no longer has control over you can be exhilarating. The more you release, the less friction there is on your energy. The lighter you become, the more you move toward spirit and away from matter. Be careful not to go too far, however, for the Earth plane is where the power manifests, and without some solidity the power may become too diffused.
ANGER
Blocked power is very often blocked anger. Anger is a potent and cleansing force, but it is hard earned and should be spent wisely. It's not worth damaging loved ones for things we need to work out within ourselves. Is there anyone you are currently blaming for a circumstance in your life? Then, you are investing your power in them! As an act of reclaiming your own power, write their name on a piece of paper and set fire to it, saying this prayer: “I release you from responsibility for my life and its failures. I now take that responsibility myself”. This way you take back your energy and empower yourself.
Releasing anger in inappropriate ways, such as thorough child or spouse abuse, drugs, alcoholism, promotes the deadly cycle of guilt, self-hatred and the loss of self-respect. Health cannot be maintained when a person becomes consumed in self-hatred. Indeed, nothing positive can be created in a person's life when inwardly that individual is ashamed of the behaviour in his or her life.
LAUGHTER
Taking things too seriously can really make us lose touch with our power. If we can laugh at a situation, we have power over it. Whenever things seem at their worst, remember to laugh at yourself.
PATTERNS OF FEAR AND ANGER
There are certain patterns of fear and anger that can become a part of an individual's psyche and interfere with or entirely prevent this cycle of maturation from developing into its fullest capacity. These are rooted in the absence of a strong foundation in personal power.
1. Fear of intimidation, which prevents you from establishing relationships or situations that are based upon equality.
2. The fear of assuming responsibility for yourself, your needs, your commitment, your finances and your thoughts, attitudes and personal actions.
3. Resentment over having to take responsibility for another who is either emotionally incapable or refuses to take responsibility for him or herself. The resentment is increased when a person also feels incapable of challenging the irresponsible partner and thus remains in an untenable situation through the negative choice not to challenge it.
4. Fear that results from believing you are incapable of handling the decision-making process in your life. In other words, the inability to take life into your own hands.
5. Anger which results from having your power of choice violated, forcibly limited or invalidated by others.
6. Anger which results from feeling neglected or overlooked. This often results in people who develop the pattern of constantly giving to others while denying their own needs because of a fear of not being loved.
7. Fear of being criticized of the need to criticize others in order to feel empowered.The anger and frustration which result from the inability to break free from being controlled by the expectations of others.
8. The pattern of taking anger out on “safe and helpless victims” because of lacking enough personal courage to challenge the source of one's anger.
9. The fear of rejection, or looking foolish.
10. Anxiety of physical appearance.
1. Fear of intimidation, which prevents you from establishing relationships or situations that are based upon equality.
2. The fear of assuming responsibility for yourself, your needs, your commitment, your finances and your thoughts, attitudes and personal actions.
3. Resentment over having to take responsibility for another who is either emotionally incapable or refuses to take responsibility for him or herself. The resentment is increased when a person also feels incapable of challenging the irresponsible partner and thus remains in an untenable situation through the negative choice not to challenge it.
4. Fear that results from believing you are incapable of handling the decision-making process in your life. In other words, the inability to take life into your own hands.
5. Anger which results from having your power of choice violated, forcibly limited or invalidated by others.
6. Anger which results from feeling neglected or overlooked. This often results in people who develop the pattern of constantly giving to others while denying their own needs because of a fear of not being loved.
7. Fear of being criticized of the need to criticize others in order to feel empowered.The anger and frustration which result from the inability to break free from being controlled by the expectations of others.
8. The pattern of taking anger out on “safe and helpless victims” because of lacking enough personal courage to challenge the source of one's anger.
9. The fear of rejection, or looking foolish.
10. Anxiety of physical appearance.