The following post is a guest contribution from Kirstie Ganobsik at www.enlightenmentforschmucks.com.

Gut Chakra

DOES our digestive tract have a spirit? Many who have experienced irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other problems with their gut would probably shout a resounding “Yes”. We might be tempted to paint this imp as an evil grim reaper type character who maniacally wields twin staffs of Gas and Bloat. Yet there is another, more accurate depiction of the energy surrounding our gut: in metaphysical terms, it is our power center, the place where we learn how to grow and properly direct our influence in this world.

This gut “spirit” is more commonly known as The Third Chakra, or the Solar Plexus Chakra. A chakra is simply a collection of energy surrounding specific areas of the body. Just like our stomach has a different function from our eyes, so too does each chakra have its own function. The Solar Plexus Chakra is not only associated with learning the proper uses of power, but also with issues of self-esteem and honing our intuition.

On the color spectrum, the energy of the Solar Plexus Chakra radiates a bright, beautiful yellow color when it is clear of any blockages. Yet, if access to it is clogged, so too are the gifts associated with that part of the body. That is one reason why it is so important to keep our digestive organs fed with the proper nutrition.

Jordan Ring’s article, Happy Gut, Happy Schmuck – The Relationship Between Gut Health and Mental Health, is an excellent source of using proper nutrition to aid in keeping the energy of the digestive track high. Below are some additional ways to help clear out our Solar Plexus Chakra of lower energies in order to promote both bodily and spiritual health.

1) WORK ON REPLACING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS REGARDING YOUR LIFE GOALS WITH POSITIVE ONES

Be as specific as you can here. If you’re unsure of your goals, simply focus on one dream of yours, no matter how far-fetched it may seem right now. In your mind, treat this dream as if it’s a given that you’ll get it. For example, I walked around saying to myself ‘I’m a New York Times bestselling author’ long before I ever made any of my writing public.

When we focus on what we really desire at our core, we’re able to bring to the surface of our consciousness any blocks to those desires. Once these blocks are exposed, they can be worked through one at a time. This clears out any fears we have about our ability to succeed.

2) MEDITATE ON A SELF-AFFIRMING THOUGHT

This is an extension of on the first strategy, but it takes it to a deeper level. Having the courage to work through the blocks to self-empowerment is immensely challenging, perhaps the biggest challenge in life. Taking time to shut off our thoughts each day helps increase focus and reduce anxiety so that this process becomes more manageable. This in turn better enables us to put our attention on the positive.

Start by finding a quiet place. Next, choose an intention for your meditation. For Solar Plexus Chakra clearing, try picking one that highlights how strong you are. An example of this would be “I am a powerful being of Light and Love.”

Next, take a few slow, deep breaths and turn off your thoughts. If they start to run amok, refocus back on your intention by saying it to yourself. There’s no specific length of time to do this for. Even going for 5 minutes will help with clearing the energy around you so you can start to feel more empowered.

As Ringo Starr of Beatles fame once said: “At the end of the day, I can end up just totally wacky because I’ve made mountains out of molehills. With meditation, I can keep them molehills.”

3) FORGIVE THOSE WHO SEEM TO HAVE HURT YOUR ABILITY TO FULFILL YOUR DREAMS

A lack of forgiveness of others is the equivalent of giving them power over us. This is because resentments of others drains away energy from our own goals. Putting the nix on these resentments in favor of letting go immediately increases self-esteem by allowing us to focus energy on ourselves and our dreams.

Forgiveness is no easy task, especially if we perceive that the person has tried to thwart our dreams. Yet it is arguably the greatest channel to high self-worth. This is because it allows us room to make lemonade out of lemons – to turn our greatest defeats into our biggest successes.

For help with some practical forgiveness strategies, the approaches outlined in 4 Fast Forgiveness Tactics provide insights on letting go of hurt by giving our goals priority over our pain.

4) EXERCISE OUT IN NATURE

Why nature? Because everything is itself, and doesn’t try to be something else. This makes nature very powerful. Walking or partaking in other outdoor activities allows some of that powerful energy to rub off on us.

To clear the Solar Plexus Chakra, it’s especially helpful to go to those outdoor places that make you feel strong again. This can be a certain park, a body of water, or anywhere that best helps you remember the Divinity inside you. For me, I love walking along the historic route of Old Worthington, with plaques detailing the settling of the city. Stepping in the footsteps of the founders and reading about the forging of the town inspires me to remember my own powers to create.

The great thing about exercising in nature is that it can actually double as a meditation practice if time is in short supply. Just focus on a self-affirming thought while you’re out enjoying some fresh air, and breathe in deeply the aromas that surround you.

5) BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF

We live in a world where seeing is believing, and so clearing an invisible chakra that you may have doubts even exists is going to be challenging. It’s OK to be skeptical, but I’d recommend sticking with it for 21 days straight. Studies have shown that this is how long it takes to make anything a habit. If you do this, you’re going to start to feel more energetic, especially in relation to taking action on your dreams.

You’ll also start to experience more intuitive nudges about what specific steps you can take right now to feel on track to living your life purpose. This is because, as mentioned, the Solar Plexus Chakra guides our intuition – hence the term “gut instinct.”

And remember, just like cleaning your house, you can’t clear your gut chakra just once, but need to do so consistently in order to keep it free of clutter. Clearing our chakras gives us greater access to the Divine, whether we define that as a Higher Power or our own Higher Self. This helps tremendously with managing both our health AND our life goals.

Writer’s Note: While clearing the Solar Plexus Chakra is important to good digestive health and becoming more empowered, it’s helpful to make sure all your chakras are clear. A great source for information on this topic is Doreen Virtue’s book Chakra Clearing. Another is Caroline Myss’ book Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing.

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Kirstie Ganobsik launched the new self-help blog ENLIGHTENMENT FOR SCHMUCKS in the spring of 2015. She is an aspiring author busy working on her first book entitled Stumbling Towards Enlightenment. She is also an auntie to seven nieces and nephews, a Mom to two fur babies, and a lover of all things coffee. She aims to one day use the proceeds from her writing career to open Purpose Schools to assist more people in fulfilling their Soul’s goals here on earth.