THE THIRD CHAKRA FROM THE BASE – The Solar Plexus

The solar plexus chakra is perhaps one of the most important to understand at this time as it is closely connected to that part of the personality triad which gives the most difficulty: this is the emotional or astral body.

In our world today the majority of people are swept into activity by emotions and by a sensitive response to what is going on in the environment. We react emotionally – in one way or another – to family and friends, to events and situations, and there are few, in comparison, who respond to life as it is by intelligent reaction.

As was mentioned in previous postings, the astral/emotional plane is an inner dimension as opposed to the outer realm of the physical, and is composed of subtle matter created over millennia by humanity itself. Unsteady, volatile in nature and prone to turbulence, it gives rise to those forces of glamour and distortion that are so prevalent in society today. These impulsive emotional reactions are unsettling and only increase the confusion and difficulties that we find ourselves in. The testing and potency of the astral plane – particularly at this time in present world conditions – are the cause of much of the suffering we see. Yet, it is by this very testing that we learn in time to use the mind and to develop those much-needed powers of discernment and discrimination which release the consciousness eventually from the self-induced tyranny of emotional reactions.

Water is the symbol of the astral plane. Its storms of emotional reaction, instability and pliability make it a perfect medium for the deceptive schemes of those who wish to take advantage of the unwary. We have all experienced the emotional ploys of blackmail and subtle manipulation within this dimension and have used them ourselves in order to gain precedence over others. The emotional body reacts to every impulse, every impression and impact coming from the physical, emotional and mental worlds. We are all instinctively aware of this – even if not clearly acknowledged! But there are also cycles of peace and tranquility within the astral plane and much good can be reflected here as well; aspiration and positive feelings are common experiences and give rise to calming responses and a sense of well-being. The plane of the emotions is, indeed, the battleground between the pairs of opposites. We need to recognise these polarities in our lives before the intelligent use of the mind can be applied to this plane of experience and the ability to choose rightly is ours.

The solar plexus chakra then is a doorway for the interplay of energies between the astral and physical planes and is instrumental for those forces we term feelings. Let us take a moment to reflect on the area in the body which registers these impacts of emotional force. When our feelings run amok and are strong and dominant they have an immediate effect on the glands and organs in the abdominal region, creating a range of sensations depending on the intensity of the reaction: nausea, excitement, fear and anxiety, impending doom, anger, elation, sadness, happiness, depression, lack of appetite and other visceral conditions, to name a few. The imbalance of force in this centre is a common occurrence and is the cause of many abdominal complaints we hear about so frequently today.

To maintain balance in this third chakra requires the purification of the emotions, a purification that is best achieved through the fire of mind. Where fire meets water, however, mist and fog will arise. In this scenario, the solar plexus centre is then brought to a state of almost violent activity, precipitating a state of confusion and producing those glamours which blind and bewilder. As the light of the mind is used to clear the fog, dissipation is achieved in time by steady devotion to some worthy cause, aim or purpose, for devotion ever exerts the personal will when intelligently and determinedly applied. As we learn to transit from a reactionary emotional focus to a more devotional or intelligent, thinking focus, so we will develop new attitudes (under the impetus of devotion and the direction of clear thought) and thus strike a blow to the psychological sleep in which we find ourselves. The practice and demonstration of determination overcomes all that keeps us from what is rightfully ours.

As we learn to rise above the impulses of emotional habit, so we will find those forces of the solar plexus transferring to the heart centre: one of the three higher chakras into which the forces of the lower chakras must flow eventually.

The solar plexus centre is known as the clearing-house for all the energies of the three lower centres. We have read in the previous post of the forces of the sacral centre being transferred to the throat chakra and demonstrating there as intelligent creative energy. In a similar way the forces generated by the solar plexus are transmuted and transferred to the heart centre above the diaphragm. Through this steady purification of the lower forces the three-fold personality becomes liberated gradually from unconscious behaviour, and the waking consciousness expands to encompass a wider and far deeper view of the universe. The wonderful qualities that are reflected ever so beautifully in those who have attained are the outstanding promise and certitude of our future achievement.