The most basic commitment any human can make is the commitment to being fully alive - Gurumkh

 

This week we continue our discussion and exploring of the 3rd chakra, Manipura or lustrous gem.  There are many ways to discuss the 3rd Chakra and this week we will look at its power to shift jealousy, envy, anger, and start the process of valuing and honoring our unique identity.

 

Our uniqueness is unmatched, so when we compare or judge, we dim our light.  Complaining, needing validation or feeling as if others are better than us, come from unconscious thoughts that reveal a lack of confidence and healthy self esteem.  At our core, we believe we are not enough.  The 3rd Chakra is involved with self-esteem, warrior energy, and the power of transformation.

 

In the 3rd chakra, we get to choose to release competitive feelings and acknowledge that we have a unique identity with a particular set of skills, unlike anyone else.  When another person is shining their particular success and we feel the insecure places inside of us flare up, we can use Manipura as a refuge to choose a powerful response: admire the person!  Seeing someone else’s light forms the foundation for recognizing our own and is the first step in participating in life with distinguished creative power. 

 

My intention for myself this month is: I am showing up for my life fully, I am.  So if I am to apply these aspects of Manipura to my life - I am not showing up fully if I am comparing and judging or if I am feeling insecure about my life, my choices and decisions.  This brings me to think about the “Imposter Syndrome - which is loosely defined as doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud. It disproportionately affects high-achieving people, who find it difficult to accept their accomplishments. Many question whether they're deserving of accolades.”  Yikes, thats some definition and to be honest I am living in it right now lol!  Well here goes the purge…….

First of all, I am setting up to lead another 3 day vegan yoga cleanse.  Each time they come up I think “how the heck can someone with cancer lead a cleanse?”, “I have no idea what I am talking about”, “I am sure someone can do a better job, who wants to listen to me”.  And when previous cleansers send me emails filled with accolades I resist taking them in.  I actually also think that is playing into my post cancer fear a bit.  For instance, someone will comment on how amazing I am doing and a part of me blocks that comment and doesn’t take it in, feeling like a “post cancer imposter” if there is such a thing haha, because what if it is somewhere else or what if it comes back?  Fear, fear, fear!

Next up, this may seem petty but a high class problem I am dealing with is building a dream home with my husband.  It seems too good to be true and I feel undeserving of such an amazing home.  This spills over into the other part of an unhealthy 3rd chakra - my self confidence in the decisions I make is being tested time and time again and I am often torturing myself on big and small issues.  So once again, right intention for me at the right time!  My yoga studying, teaching and practicing leads me to the solutions to my discomfort time and time again.  SO today I woke up and added a new intention for myself - I am repeating: “Thank you but I don’t believe that voice anymore, today I choose to be happy.”  As always its up to me to choose how I want to think and feel and then how I want to act.  My time with my yoga practice always gives me the gentle awareness I need to make the shift necessary for more peace, more joy and the ability to live in my 3rd chakra intention: I am showing up for my life today fully, I am!!!!  The blocks to a full day are my constant ruminations of negative fear based thoughts which are draining, scary and exhausting!!!!  Gurumukh talks about the third chakra attributes of power, will, vitality and self-discipline which are ultimately based on self-esteem.  "When our self-esteem is high we can easily and effortlessly navigate life.  When our self-esteem is low we are filled with doubts and recriminations which act like check dams for the physic momentum we need to get something done.”  Self-esteem comes from a realistic sense of self and studying these Chakras can help shed light on each of our true, authentic selves.  I am so grateful to share this journey with you.