Gateway to Contentment: The Second Chakra

As explained in the last post, our chakras are spinning vortexes of energy within what is called the subtle body--a hidden field of energy that reflects our urges, emotions, habits, and imprints of all that has happened to us. They are like chambers that organize various aspects of the life force as it travels through us.
   The second chakra, located a few inches below the naval, is the seat of our sense of well-being, where we are able to take in the life energy needed to give expression to ideas and feelings, and where we experience pleasure. It's where we embrace ourselves and the sweetness of our bodies.
   The second chakra is home to our softer emotions, those involved with loving and enjoying life and with experiencing prosperity, abundance, and the excitement of a beautiful sunset, a wonderful meal, a lovely piece of music, and the joy of creating whether with words, paints, or just with our actions in the world.
   If this chakra is balanced, then we are trusting, attuned to our own feelings and needs, and able to feel deeply and to express emotions appropriately. We can experience contentment with life. We can respect and honor who we are and what we require to be happy, while not being overindulgent or overly self-involved.
   If blocked, we tend to be martyrs, sacrificing ourselves for others in order to maintain peace and stability. Yet, even so, we feel a deep sense of guilt, as if we were deserving of our suffering. We become caught up in rescuing and fixing other people's lives, giving up our own creativity and health to do so. We tend to be overly sensitive, shy, timid, and to attract rejection.
   The demon of the second chakra is guilt.  When the right to our feelings is compromised, we feel guilty. Guilt says we shouldn't feel a certain way, or we shouldn't want this or need that. Guilt makes us further repress our feelings. (Of course, when we've done legitimate harm to another, then the absence of appropriate guilt is a problem.) Guilt is the demon when it inhibits us from fully experiencing the pleasures of being alive and when it encourages us to believe we're not worthy or deserving of receiving what others take for granted.
   

 Affirmations to Strengthen and Balance the 2nd Chakra

• I am happy and content at all times. Nothing can upset me unless I let it. 
• I feel happy with myself.
• Life is sweet and I enjoy it.
• I give myself permission to fully enjoy everything I do.
• I enjoy being free and open to the goodness in and around me.
• I accept pleasure as part of my being. 

Try walking in nature and being fully present to the moment--with your mind empty of all worries and concerns. While pursuing other activities, say one of these affirmations as a mantra.