...Several days after the activation of Manipura, the Manipura chakra, which was slightly protruding and causing a sensation, seems to have found a balance by integrating with the other upper and lower chakras. There are still some hard areas in the nose, so it seems that Manipura has not fully awakened yet, but that will be something to work on in the future.

In any case, I feel that my grounding has been strengthened through this experience.

Thinking back, some yoga traditions teach that "awakening Ajna first prevents disciples from being overwhelmed when they open the lower chakras." I wonder if this "Ajna" refers to this area of the nose, rather than the true Ajna, which is located deeper and is difficult to open. It seems that there is less emphasis on awakening Ajna first. Instead, the area of the nose is where the ida and pingala energy channels, which are important in yoga, converge. Therefore, I think it is important to open this area of the nose. And while opening this area does not necessarily mean that Ajna has opened, it is generally interpreted as a sign that Ajna has opened to some extent.

By the way, the nose is related not only to Manipura but also to the Muladhara chakra (root chakra), and "smell" is related to it. When Muladhara opens, one becomes more sensitive to smells. The nose probably has a strong connection to each chakra through the ida and pingala channels.

...My next challenge is to loosen the areas that are still stiff in the forehead and above, focusing on the forehead itself, as well as the area above it, the space between the eyebrows, and the front part of the crown of the head.

* Forehead
* Front part of the crown

I have been gradually loosening these areas for quite some time, so they have loosened to some extent, but there is still some stiffness remaining. This time, as Manipura opened one step further, the energy entering the forehead and crown has also increased accordingly. It seems that the time it takes to resolve the stiffness and become more flexible is becoming shorter than before.

...The sensation of Manipura is becoming more integrated with the chakras above and below it as days pass. Previously, I felt uncomfortable and closed Manipura, but this time, it seems to be stable even after several days.

...A few days later, there was another change. This was 5 days after the activation of Manipura. Originally, the ida and pingala channels were converging in the nose, activating the energy in the head. Now, the ida and pingala channels are becoming slightly thicker, and the amount of energy flowing into the head is increasing, causing the various areas of the head, which I thought had already loosened, to make sounds again, and a further stage of loosening is beginning. This time, a strong energy is approaching the crown chakra (Sahasrara), and while Sahasrara is somewhat open and energy is flowing through it, this strong energy is not yet able to pass through. Now, the challenge is not just to loosen the forehead and crown, but to further loosen all areas of the head in this new energy stage. Even if the areas are the same as before, the amount of energy entering them is different. This new energy is dense and full, but there still seem to be gaps in it, so I think it will probably take several more cycles. However, the cycles are becoming faster, so I will continue to meditate.

According to the collected works of Hikoyama Hiroshi (P 458), Manipur is primarily where energy is drawn in, while Anahata is where energy is released. It is said that when Manipur is unstable, one may feel uncomfortable in crowds. In my case, I used to be very uncomfortable in crowds a long time ago, but recently it hasn't been so much of a problem, and even before the recent activation of Manipur, it wasn't a major issue. However, since this recent event, my grounding has become stronger, and I feel like I can handle crowds even more easily.

In yoga, it is often said that Manipur is the place where upper and lower energies are balanced. Prana, as solar energy, comes down from above, and Apana, as lunar energy, rises from below, and they combine in Manipur.

It is also said that Manipur is closely related to a person's emotions. Furthermore, it is said that one may be able to understand the voices or appeals of plants and animals. It is also said that it is connected to simple telepathy or the ability to read minds. I think this is a capability that Japanese people, especially women, have possessed since ancient times, as the ability to read the atmosphere or communicate telepathically. It is also the ability to listen carefully to others, and in order to be able to do that properly, it is necessary to open not only Manipur but also Ajna, which is consistent with my experience.

... Especially women, I think they tend to have a strong Manipur from the beginning. Therefore, when women become irritated or agitated, their Manipur is activated. Men who are strongly told off by women (especially men) may feel a sense of oppression, a muddy or heavy feeling in the lower body, and those who are listening (especially men) may feel tired. Moreover, women are often unaware of the strength of their own Manipur, so from their perspective, they only think they are "sad." When spiritual women point this out, they may say things like, "I don't feel sadness through such a low chakra. The fact that you feel it is 100% your problem. I am not at all to blame." However, the person saying this is often unaware of their own aura, and many women are unaware that they have a strong aura in the lower body, especially in the Manipur area. In addition to being unaware, the ego may distort perception to protect itself, and blame the other person. This often happens with Manipur. At the level of Manipur, it is not possible to calmly judge things. While women often have a strong Manipur, especially spiritual people tend to think that "the higher chakras are superior." Therefore, if someone tells a woman, "You have a strong Manipur," she may say, "That's not true. I am not that spiritually low." It seems that women tend to be unaware of the strength of their own Manipur, or if it is strong, they may reject it and look down on the other person (especially men). Since women tend to have a strong Manipur, even if it is true, it seems that saying so to spiritual women may cause resentment, so it is probably better not to say it.

However, I feel that this tendency towards spiritual awareness can disrupt the balance. The Manipura chakra is often considered to be a relatively lower chakra, but in reality, it is a point where the upper and lower chakras are balanced, and it is closely related to grounding. It is a place where yin and yang intersect. Ideally, a strong Manipura chakra should mean that a person is full of vitality, but for some reason, a misunderstanding seems to arise where the upper chakras are considered superior, leading to an imbalance.

Especially in the early years of life, I think that either the upper chakras or the lower chakras are activated. Souls that have come from the heavens have their upper chakras activated from the beginning, and their lower chakras are not very active. On the other hand, souls that have come from the earth have their lower chakras activated, and their upper chakras are not very active. Souls that have come from the heavens may seem superior at first glance, but they may be weak in vitality. On the other hand, souls that have come from the earth have vitality, but they may not understand spiritual things. When the Manipura chakra is activated, it is relatively balanced in either case, but people are often unaware of it.

Indeed, even if the upper chakras govern intuition and spirituality, the Manipura chakra is important from the perspective of vitality. However, the Manipura chakra has a certain "human," "earthy," and "muddy" feeling, so it tends to be avoided by spiritual people, which I have experienced myself. I used to avoid people with a strong Manipura chakra. I felt something unpleasant about people with a strong Manipura chakra. Especially in women, if I started to feel a little irritated, the Manipura chakra would activate, and I would feel a sense of oppression in my lower body, so I would avoid them or cut off the relationship. As I mentioned above, when I told this to spiritual people, they would become even more hysterical and accuse me, saying, "I am not a person with such a low chakra. It's your problem," and attack others by putting their own strong Manipura chakra on a pedestal.

In terms of yoga, this is still largely due to the unconscious aspects of the Manipura chakra. Another lower chakra, the Swadhisthana, is basically considered an unconscious chakra, and the Swadhisthana is difficult for a person to control. When the Ajna chakra starts to move, it can consciously control the unconscious aspects of other chakras, such as the Swadhisthana, but until then, there are many unconscious aspects. In the Manipura chakra, people become more aware than with the Swadhisthana, but even then, there are still many unconscious aspects. Therefore, in terms of yoga theory, people with a strong Manipura chakra who are hysterical (people whose Ajna chakra is not yet very active) have a large unconscious or unconscious aspect. Even if the Ajna chakra is moving to some extent, there are people who are oblivious to their own strong Manipura chakra, so I think it is often difficult for them to feel their own aura. Even if a person thinks their Ajna (third eye) is active, it is often only slightly active. Therefore, it is understandable that there are many people with unconscious aspects.

The Manipura chakra is mainly related to the astral realm, so in my case, the astral samadhi (emotions and consciousness) was central. In the lower layers of the astral, it manifests as heightened emotions or zones, while in the upper layers, it becomes a state of tranquility. Even if there was a samadhi of the Purusha or Karana, or an influx of divine energy, it was only temporary.

In reality, all people are born with a higher consciousness, so true growth cannot occur without self-awareness. I reconfirmed this through my Manipura experience.

Although I feel like I have grown through meditation and spiritual activities, I am still in the process within myself. Objectively, I am not a beginner, but subjectively, I feel like a beginner in terms of my sensations. I have rethought my position.

A few days later, the energy flowing from Ida and Pingala to the head became stable. It passes through both cheeks and merges around the nose, filling the entire head. This is related to pranayama, a breathing technique in yoga, and while general yoga often emphasizes breathing and the nose, these are important elements for opening Ida and Pingala.

The first time I experienced this sensation was around November 2021, and it lasted only a few days. That experience was important, and I should have made sure to establish the pathway. The body's energy was also activated, and I was in good physical condition.

If you do not meditate or do yoga, or if you do not practice breathing techniques, this part may not open. If that happens, you will not be able to reach the next level. It requires considerable practice to open it.

I feel guilty when I am somehow made to feel that way by "glittery" or superficial spirituality without actually practicing. If you neglect practice, you may be misled by words like "universe" and "galaxy," and you may fall into the illusion that you have progressed. Stories like, "It's about the Earth. Our teachings are about the universe and the galaxy," are seeking answers from the outside, which separates the inner consciousness and ignores the basic elements of yoga, such as Ida and Pingala.

The state of the body's energy is closely related to the state of consciousness. If Ida and Pingala are not flowing, it means a state of separated consciousness. Even if you are temporarily given an aura, if you continue to maintain a state of separated consciousness, you will fall into the illusion that your spirituality has grown, and your ego will become inflated.

Is this the difference between "glittery" spirituality and grounded teachings?

Indeed, there are cases where receiving energy through healing and similar practices can facilitate the passage of Ida and Pingala, potentially leading to awakening. However, this is often an inefficient approach (such as sessions costing 10,000 yen per hour), and it is generally faster to practice meditation or yoga oneself. While having some experience of feeling energy can be beneficial, it seems unlikely to achieve awakening solely through sessions with others. Furthermore, some cults promote such unrealistic claims, and some of these cults repeat sessions with subjects who are not actually awakening, prolonging the sessions to extract money. Traditional yoga is a much faster and more cost-effective alternative.

Yoga is about balancing the upper and lower aspects, and neglecting yoga means prioritizing one over the other. "Kira-kira" spirituality often emphasizes the upper aspect, focusing on the galaxy and universe, and misunderstanding or belittling practices that focus on the Earth and people. People are often taught that they are grounded, but in reality, this is something that can be understood through life experience. It is common for what is said and what is actually practiced to be different. Even if something is presented as "grounded teachings," the reality may be different.

In cults, people may feel connected to the upper realms (or attempt to connect, but often fail), and they may feel as if they have connected with the universe, which can lead to an unconscious state. Therefore, "kira-kira" spirituality often involves techniques that manipulate the unconscious mind to influence reality. However, such techniques are rarely effective, and often people are simply imagining it. They are often in a state of being unable to consciously perceive higher realms, or only perceiving them vaguely, which is an imaginative cognition. They live in their imagination, avoid proper teachings by saying "that's too slow," and misinterpret temporary activation of the aura as a sign of rapid change, even though the aura will eventually return to normal. They stubbornly adhere to their own methods, and avoid grounded teachings, claiming they are "inferior." The practice of connecting with the "universe" or "higher realms" is somewhat similar to external Qigong. Instead of connecting from within, it connects with the outside (which is often just imagination), and people may feel like they have become someone, but "becoming" someone still implies separation and a lack of integration. If the goal is to become one with the divine, the concept of "becoming" should disappear entirely. However, people are often in a state of being connected to the universe based on the relationship between self and other, which is a state of separation. While this level of connection may be acceptable initially, people often mistakenly believe that it is the ultimate goal. This is a characteristic of teachings that emphasize the "universe" and "galaxy" while lacking a grounded approach.

Furthermore, there are schools or cults that insist that the unconscious world is "evil." This is a form of spirituality that has not yet been able to overcome its own limitations, and while the reality is that their practices are insufficient, they are also cults with strong egos that refuse to acknowledge this, and consider themselves to be the best. As such, there are cult-like spiritual groups that put themselves on a pedestal, look down on mainstream practitioners, and delude themselves into thinking that they are growing.

To bring the universe and galaxy into the conscious mind, it is necessary to maintain a balance between the upper and lower aspects. However, some of these "glittering" spiritual groups and cults lack this balance, resulting in fantastical stories that are not connected to reality. Nevertheless, they exist as energy, so they perform rituals or other activities, manipulate some kind of energy that they don't fully understand, and feel as if they are growing. This is the reality of these "glittering" spiritual groups and cults. Therefore, they provide a temporary boost of energy through short, expensive seminars, making people feel as if they are growing, and for a short time, they experience a wonderful and vibrant state. However, chakras do not open in such a short period, so they eventually return to their original state. And people who have learned that they can feel good by paying money to acquire an aura will often pay a significant amount of money and repeatedly undergo healing sessions, until their wallets are empty. There is no salvation for this. It has long been said that it is not good to rely on healing. This is because it can erode spirituality and create a dependency. This may be suitable for cults.

On the other hand, mainstream schools practice diligently. They open chakras and nadis (energy channels) such as ida and pingala, and they themselves absorb energy to become energetic.

I think that people who live normal lives and are successful are more spiritual than those who are involved in spirituality, and this difference may be the underlying reason. Successful people in society generally have activated manipura and other chakras, and they maintain a balance between the upper and lower aspects. They are full of vitality and are attractive. Compared to people who are involved in "glittering" spiritual groups and cults, who perform rituals or receive healing and have altered auras that feel unpleasant, ordinary and successful people have more attractive auras. This may be because the grounding of the former is something they have cultivated themselves, while the latter's grounding is something they have received from others and is not in harmony.

These things have been reconfirmed and newly recognized regarding Manipur this time.

... When I walk around town, I feel the emotions and the "Showa-era" sensibilities of the people more strongly than before. It feels like the world is, in a way, like the world of Enka music (although it's a slightly different feeling than before). It's not exactly "deeply Enka," but I feel that way more than before. ... I think I'll travel to various places in Japan again. I might feel something different from before.

... As mentioned above, when I meditate, various parts of my head become more energetically active. However, I also feel that the relaxation in the back of my head is accelerating. The forehead and the area above it, which were originally the main focus, remain important areas, but in addition to those, I feel that the back of my head is becoming an important area. Specifically, the area slightly below the center of the back of my head. It seems that this area is gradually becoming less rigid, just like the forehead. Both the forehead and the back of my head have already been worked on several times, and they are already somewhat relaxed, but at this stage, the forehead, the front part of the crown, and the lower part of the back of the head are areas where I need to focus on channeling energy to further relax them.

... A little later, the relaxation in the forehead, from the frontal lobe to the crown, progressed further. It's not yet completely permeated with energy, but it's similar to the feeling of drawing water into a field that was previously dry, and the field is absorbing the water. It's difficult for the energy to pass through, and it's like intentionally trying to get the water to reach every corner, and by specifically moving the energy in that way, I'm in the stage of "immersing" the dry areas of the forehead with energy, like water. This is the same area that I worked on before, but it was much more rigid then, so it was even more difficult to get the energy through. Now, the field or farmland is somewhat cultivated, so the energy (like water) is easier to pass through than before. However, I still need to work to get it through.

When energy passes through, that area becomes like several rocks, and energy flows around those rocks. Then, it feels like pumice stone floating in water, becoming slightly lighter, and there's some movement around those stones. The rigidity of each rock remains, but to some extent, they are divided, and each one can move. I repeat this process.

When stones are stuck together, I sometimes add a slight movement with my breath to separate them. It feels like the muscles are stretching and becoming easier to move. And at that point on the head, the tightness is relieved.

Each part of the head becomes looser, and movement appears. Then, previously unextended parts of the head will feel tight, so I relieve that tightness as needed. In areas that are already somewhat loose, even if some tightness appears, it is usually relieved quickly. However, the forehead area still has a lot of stiffness, so it takes longer.

Similarly, there is still some stiffness remaining in the top of the head and the back of the head, so I think it will be a challenge for the future.

Although the act of loosening through meditation itself remains the same, the nasal passage opens, activating ida and pingala, and, most importantly, manipura becomes more active, increasing energy. This increases the energy flowing through the head, and I think the speed of loosening has accelerated.

...After a few days, the point where ida and pingala used to merge just above the nose is gradually rising. It feels like the merging point is rising, and sometimes it feels like they are merging on the forehead, or even slightly above the forehead.

After feeling that the merging point is changing, it feels like the area above the nose, the forehead, and slightly above the forehead are all becoming activated, and rather than being a single merging point, it feels like all of those areas are becoming merging points.

As a sensation, I think the area above the nose was originally a slightly narrow energy channel (nadi in yoga). So, because it was narrow, some of the channels were detouring through the forehead and above the forehead. With the area above the nose opening up more, it feels like those detours have unified and started moving together. However, I still feel that the area above the nose is narrow like a pipe, so I still feel the need to make it thicker. Even so, compared to when it was blocked, it feels like a lot more energy is flowing through it.

And, I think that the base of the nose is the fundamental merging point of ida and pingala, and is closely related to the manipura chakra.

...A few more days. I am focusing on loosening the forehead and surrounding areas, as well as the lower part of the back of the head. And, the upper part of the back of the head is also starting to loosen slightly, and soon, the loosening is progressing towards the center of the top of the head. Then, areas that I thought were already loose enough, such as the sides of the nose and the area from the nose to the cheeks, started to feel tight again, so I stretched them again. Also, a tightness appeared in the area slightly below and slightly behind the center of the head (not quite the back of the head), so I am relieving that as well. As each area loosens and stretches, tightness appears in other areas, so I am repeating the process of relieving that tightness. However, the area around the head is the main area where stiffness is being relieved.

... Again, a few days later. This time, the focus areas are mainly the upper part of the back of the head and the back of the top of the head. Previously, this area sometimes became a focus area, but it was mixed with other areas. This time, however, only this area has become the focus area, which is the difference. When relieving the tension, I move to other areas, but I feel a sense of release from that area (the upper part of the back of the head and the back of the top of the head) to the center of the head.

... And again, the lower part of the back of the head, the upper part of the back of the head, and again, the frontal lobe, forehead, etc., have become focus areas. It seems that this rotation of the areas around the head will continue for a while.

... I can clearly feel the pulse throbbing in various parts of the head, especially the peripheral areas. Previously, I often felt the throbbing in each area, but recently, it has been happening simultaneously in multiple areas, such as from the lower part of the back of the head to the upper part, the front and back of the top of the head, and around the forehead. Along with the movement of the pulse, I also feel the tightness of the skull. While feeling the movement of the pulse, I relieve the tension in each focus area with my breath.