Characteristics of the animal third chakra
As an extension of the reptilian / mammalian fight or flight reaction, the third chakra manifests the energies of control, manipulation, stubbornness, anger, hatred and violence. These can be directed outwardly or inwardly on energetic or physical levels. We can see various mixes of these manifest in the world as intolerance, warfare, social prejudice, manipulative business practices, control agendas in interpersonal relationships of various types, etc. Turned inward, these energies often produce obsessive / repressive emotional strategies, self-judgment, anger at oneself, resistance to change, and when repressed to the neurological, glandular, and cellular levels; disease.

Characteristics of the enlightened third chakra

As we let go of or reprogram the imprints of the third chakra, we tend to experience less anger, frustration, and desire to control others. Mastery of this chakra creates centeredness, the quiet confidence that comes with knowing who you are, your abilities, the effect of your actions, and the ethical limits of the expression of your power, i.e., Right Action. Spiritual will is a classic example of the manifestation of third chakra power in service to a higher goal. It takes a lot of will and commitment to stay on a path of self-inquiry and spiritual progression, especially in a culture which does not support this. Sometimes social and religious organizations may actually attempt to dissuade one from this process. Ridicule and the threat of judgment in some form are always the tools of those stuck between fear and manipulation. So, a certain amount of personal power is necessary to embark and remain on an authentic spiritual journey. © 2008 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Part 3: Storing Life Force and the Anatomy of Power

The 3rd Chakra and the Spiritual Purpose of Power Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Balance your Chakras

Presencing™

Tantric Qigong™

The 3rd Chakra and the Spiritual Purpose of Power

Americans love power. It is our god. Well, ok, money and power. The American Dream is based on a certain level of self-sufficiency and freedom. Empowerment and the liberation of the spirit have been characteristics of many of the original and often iconoclastic immigrants to North America, some of whom emigrated because of spiritual and political oppression. The founding fathers understood that within a context of a certain degree of social cooperation, the American spirit required a high degree of personal freedom. In yogic terms, we desire a high degree of third chakra activation.

Not that Americans are the only people who desire personal freedom, most of the world does. It is just that in modern times, the United States was unique from its inception in endeavoring to codify and insure a degree of personal and political freedom. This transpired at a time when most of the world was ruled by monarchies and warrior elites.

Perhaps you recall the adage, “Power breeds corruption.” We can easily see this in dictatorships and in other organizations where a high level of institutional power is concentrated in the hands of only a few, e.g., solely owned corporations, military organizations, insulated bureaucracies, etc. It is once again becoming obvious to many that the way we have organized our form of representative democracy is highly prone to corruption. This is nothing new, but at a time in history where it is becoming critical that we achieve personal and social enlightenment, it might be advantageous to look at ways to evolve our style of governing and doing business.

The Ego and the Third Chakra
The ego as a defensive protection against a hostile world draws on the energies of the first three chakras in its formation. In the unenlightened individual, the ego serves as a “Maginot Line” of virtually impenetrable defense against external threat. In this function it uses the powerful energies of pain, fear, anger and manipulation to achieve its goal. On an animal level this is so important for survival that it is hard wired into the brain stem and spine as the “fight or flight” reaction.

Our ego type is set within the first few years of life. Our early life traumas meet the various styles of coping mechanisms that we are exposed to at this time. We absorb the karmic energies of both our initial painful experiences and the style of the protective mechanisms of those around us. Inevitably we over correct, over protect, and thus self-limiting dysfunction is born. Both our perceptions of and actions in the world are based on this core imprinting. Very little that is truly new is ever permitted to penetrate our consciousness very deeply. The reason being that the new and unknown, though exciting, can be seen by the subconscious, by the limbic system, as a threat to our personal status quo. Our very perceptions are altered by our experience, karmic imprints, and defensive reactions.

An example by way of another axiom: there are always three sides to any story: my side, your side, and the truth. We consciously and subconsciously edit every experience right down to our basic perceptions, especially if there is a potential for conflict inherent in the situation. On some deep level, every conflict is perceived as a potential threat to survival. We edit our reality by sheer will and our habits of mental / perceptual filtering. In this sense we create and recreate our reality moment by moment. © 2008 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Part 2: Characteristics of the animal and the enlightened third chakra

The 3rd Chakra and the Spiritual Purpose of Power Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Presencing™

Learn Tantric Qigong™:

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Breathe and Be Free!

Building Chi, life force, and power

In breathing deeply to the Tan Tien, you are building Chi - life force and power, while also stretching the belly physically. Any third chakra issues one may have are actually stored somatically in the belly, and stretching that area kind of “stretches” your paradigm, your karmic patterns. As we stretch, so we also relax and let go. Yin within Yang, Will and Surrender. When this stretching occurs with a clear intention to let go of the past i.e., the karmic habits we have become accustomed to, then true transcendence becomes more likely. So you see, this point is critical in creating the discipline to be on a spiritual path of growth and evolution, although for the purposes on the CD, I would say don’t over-think this and get yourself stressed trying to relax! Just do the breathing nude or wearing loose clothing that doesn’t cinch your waist, let the belly relax, and enjoy!

At first, people don’t really want to stretch this point. I mean they say they do, but really, they don’t. I have had the privilege to be able to teach Taoist and Tantric arts since 1978, and have been blessed with the opportunity to offer these arts to thousands of students. But very few open themselves to actually receive it. Why? Well, it sounds really good to have freedom and more personal power, but the tricky thing is you have to give up your old ways of doing things. These old karmic patterns affect your emotions, relationships, your body, even the very way you perceive the world itself. So, one has to be willing to give up these old habits, whether they are forms of anger, underlying pain, victimhood, or whatever. They have to go to make room for the new person you want to be. To get to own a brand new Blissmobile, you have to be willing to trade in that old clunker called pain and fear.

Now all of this seems elementary in way, and it is. It is really the foundation of any sort of psychotherapy, for instance. However, simple is not necessarily easy, and the mind lies to us all the time. That is why I am a big fan of the somatic approach, because the body does not know how to lie. Even experienced meditators can have their minds play games with them. That is one reason that Zen Masters sometimes do unexpected things, to kind of snap you out of the mental-emotional rut you are in while you are pretending that your are meditating. Change that begins in the body is demonstrably true; no mind games are possible.

So, that is why I put a lot of emphasis in the CD program on the belly, breathing, and letting go. This process allows the body to build power, a reservoir of life force, while over time gently wearing away the old patterns, just like waves on the beach.

© 2008 Keith E. Hall. All right reserved.

Next: Sea of Chi, and Acupuncture - Moxibustion

Presencing™: Learn to Be Present

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