Manipura: Protection Against Susane Shame

Manipura, the third chakra! Located in the solar plexus and is associated with personal power, confidence, and self-esteem. It is the center of our identity and the source of our willpower. However, unfortunately again, there is a demon blocking the way to Manipura. She is called Susane Shame 👹.

She is a villainous demon that can take many forms and can manifest in different ways, but all of her tactics are designed to keep us from accessing the power of Manipura. She preys on our vulnerabilities and exploits our fears, making us doubt ourselves and our abilities. Her power is rooted in the negative self-talk and limiting beliefs that we carry with us, and she uses these as weapons against us. Susane Shame is a master of deception, and she can make us believe that her lies are the truth. She can make us feel small and insignificant, and convince us that we're not worthy of success or happiness. But don't be fooled by her party tricks 🎉, she is just in our head and not invincible. With the right tools and strategies, you can defeat her and unlock the power of Manipura 💪✨.

Embrace playfulness

🤝 Yoga - Our Ally

Shame is rooted in the mind creating a relentless cycle of self-criticism and negative self-perception. Through the practice of yoga and meditation, one can find a path / a way to handle the non-stop chittering in your head. Calming the constant thought waves and cultivate inner peace.

In the realm of yoga, we learn the art of chitta vritti neroda, to calm the fluctuations of the mind. As we engage in mindful movement and focused breath, we become aware of the thoughts and judgments that arise, including those fueled by shame. With dedicated practice, we develop the ability to observe these thoughts without attachment, creating space for self-compassion and acceptance to flourish.

Let go of perfectionis

The skills we nurture on the yoga mat extend far beyond its boundaries. As we practice a calm mind on the mat, we gain invaluable tools to navigate the challenges of everyday life. We learn to respond to shame-inducing situations with clarity, compassion, and resilience. Yoga becomes a bridge between the mat and our daily existence, empowering us to embody self-acceptance and non-judgment in every aspect of our being. This quiet sanctuary we create in the mind can be recalled whenever we need. And that is what Yoga is all about. A method to handle life.

Let self-doubt and "supposed to's" go

👹 Manifestations of Shame

😔 Negative self-talk: Shame loves to whisper negative thoughts in our ear, telling us that we're not good enough, that we don't deserve success, and that we should just give up. She can make us doubt ourselves and our abilities.

❌ Fear of failure: Or maybe we feel Shame by being afraid of failure that we don't even try. She convinces us that we're not capable of success and that we should just stick to what we know...

💯 Perfectionism: The relentless pursuit of perfection is fueled by the voice of shame, making us believe that we must achieve flawlessness to be valued. Every mistake and imperfection becomes a source of shame and self-criticism, hindering our progress and stifling our creativity.

🔎 Comparison: The voice of shame encourages constant comparison to others, fostering feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. We become consumed by measuring up to an idealized version of others, losing sight of our unique strengths and contributions.

💣 Self-sabotage: Susane Shame can also make us sabotage our own success by procrastinating, making excuses, or engaging in self-destructive behaviors. She can make us believe that we don't deserve good things and that we're better off staying stuck.

Cultivate resilience

⚔️ Weapons to fight Shame

🧐 Recognize the demon: The first step is to recognize her presence. When you hear that negative voice in your head, acknowledge that it's coming from Shame and not from your True Self. This can give you some distance from the negative thoughts and help you see them for what they are.

🤔 Challenge the demon: Once you've recognized it, it's time to challenge her. Ask yourself if the negative thoughts she's feeding you are actually true. Are you really not good enough? Do you really not deserve love or success? Very most likely, the answer is no. By questioning the demon's claims, you can start to weaken her power over you.

Trust your intuition and have faith in you

❤️ Practice self-compassion: Shame thrives on self-doubt and self-criticism. To fight her, you need to practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding. You can also imagine Susane being a kinda friend who is constantly criticizing and talking shit about you. Just pulling you down. Do you really want to spend time with her? And don't you think that this toxic friend, after draining you for so long, should maybe be no longer in your friend circle?? Or maybe a different view: We should treat ourselves like we treat a close friend. Just as we wouldn't insult or talk negatively about them, we should extend the same kindness to us. Be a good friend to yourself. The person you spend the most of time with in your life is you. So you better be friendly to yourself. And remember that everyone makes mistakes and has flaws, and that's okay.

Let go of what people think and others' expectations

⚔️ Take action: Finally, to truly defeat Shame, you need to take action. This means facing your fears and doing the things that scare you. Whether it's speaking up, being silly or trying something new, taking action can help you build confidence and weaken the demon's hold on you.

🆘 Seek support: Sometimes, we need help in our quest to defeat Shame. Why not seek out support from one of your friends who can support you and help you stay accountable. Remember, you don't have to fight this demon alone. And people are more willing to help than you expect.

Other types of weapons - the 4 Agreements (by Don Miguel Ruiz)

We can also incorporate the principles of "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. These four agreements can help us cultivate a strong sense of self-worth and inner peace, which are essential in overcoming Susane Shame's tactics.

1️⃣ The first agreement is to be impeccable with your word. This means speaking with integrity, saying only what you mean, and avoiding using words to harm yourself or others. By being mindful of our language, we can avoid negative self-talk and harmful language that Shame can use against us.

2️⃣ The second agreement is to not take anything personally. This means recognizing that other people's actions and words are a reflection of them, not of us. When we don't take things personally, we can avoid getting caught up in drama and can maintain a sense of inner peace. This can help us avoid getting caught up in comparison and envy, which are tactics that Shame often uses.

3️⃣ The third agreement is to not make assumptions. This means avoiding making assumptions about other people's thoughts, feelings, and motivations. Making assumptions can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Instead, it's better to ask questions and seek clarification. This can help us avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings.

4️ The fourth agreement is to always do your best. This means recognizing that our best will vary from day to day, but that we should always strive to do our best in any given moment. By doing our best, we can avoid self-judgment and regret, and can cultivate a sense of self-worth and pride in our accomplishments. This can help us build a strong foundation.

You are cared for 🤗

Further Reading:

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown https://amzn.to/3JuRgyu

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz https://amzn.to/3PpSX45