IN CHAPTER TWO, I discussed the ego's overall purpose and development. Now let's explore in greater detail how the developing ego-mind helps to expand consciousness as it evolves in the seven chakras or energy centers in the physical body.

I have mapped the developing ego-mind and consciousness through the seven chakras in a linear fashion. But, just as with the seven stages of the ego's development, its healing into consciousness is not linear. The ego-mind evolves and heals in each chakra through living and learning the needed spiritual lessons.

Each one of us is a mystery, and our paths are as unique as we are. We all come with our own past history and potential and continue our evolution from where we left off in our previous life. The age and maturity of our soul will determine the lessons we have come to learn this time around.

1st Chakra (the Root):
Foundation of Life

The function of the first chakra, which is located at the bottom of the spine around the tailbone is to ensure the procreation of the species and the healthy sustenance of the physical body. The first chakra is the foundation of life. Each person's life force or kundalini energy coils up in the first chakra at the base of the spine from where it begins its journey upwards.

Although some literature refers to the first chakra as the survival chakra and the second as the center of sexuality, in my experience both personally and in my healing work, I have found that in fact they are very closely interconnected and in a way merge into one another. I like to describe the first chakra as the sex center because while experiencing sexual pleasure we don't concern ourselves with survival worries. Actually, procreation of life comes through sex (the first chakra), and instinct to survive comes through the belly (the second chakra). Once our body comes into existence through sex, its survival in our mother's womb depends on the umbilical cord located around the second chakra through which we receive nourishment and sustenance. When the life force or the kundalini energy moves from the first into the second chakra, we feel our connection to life and the world and our need to survive within it.

The ego-mind and consciousness develop naturally in the first chakra if the child is allowed to explore his or her body freely and without condemnation. Children like to cuddle with their mother, father, and siblings to feel their warmth and explore their bodies. They do this by touching, smelling, putting things into their mouths, and playing with their own and others' bodies. When the child starts to explore his own body, and then other's bodies, he discovers that his existence is separate from theirs, and the seed of separate self-identity or ego-mind and consciousness begin to sprout.

A child's first chakra will develop naturally if parents and society don't condemn the child and judge his explorations as "dirty" and "shameful" but instead are open, understanding, and supportive of the child's innocent explorations. If the child is allowed to freely explore his body and sexuality, and is guided without blame or criticism, he will learn to satisfy his curiosity and develop trust in himself. By the time he reaches puberty, he will have a solid and balanced emotional foundation and will naturally develop a healthy approach to his and other people's sexuality. Instead of being preoccupied with suppressed sexual thoughts, he will begin exploring his intuition, individuality, and creativity. He will be excited about learning and expanding his intellect through the exploration of science, literature, art, and music.

The ego-mind and consciousness don't develop naturally in the first chakras of most people because parents, society, and religions have condemned our body and sexuality. When parents and society impose their conditionings and inhibitions on the child, they cripple the child's emotional and mental development as well as the development of his consciousness in the higher chakras. Instead of focusing on creativity and the search for his or her own gifts, the child's mind stays preoccupied with unexplored physical desires, suppressed emotional needs, and unlived sexual thoughts. The child learns to fear pleasure and punishment. In order to fit in and be accepted, he also learns to control himself, lie to and manipulate others in the same way he was controlled, lied to, and manipulated. Later in life, he struggles with poor self-esteem and feels unable to freely manifest his innate power, creativity, and unique gifts.

To heal the wounded ego-mind in the first chakra, contemplate your attitude and views about sex. Do you feel overly preoccupied and disturbed with sexual thoughts? Do you feel at ease with your body and sexuality or do you feel ashamed of and need to hide your body? Can you freely express your physical needs, or do you expect others to know and fulfill your needs?

Once you understand how your sexuality was formed and molded in your early years, take action to heal your wounds around your sexual inhibitions or perversions. If you want to grow higher in consciousness, it is imperative that you break through the sexual taboos and conditionings imposed upon your natural energy by your parents, society, and any religious ideologies you've come to believe and adopt.

2nd Chakra (the Hara):
Ensuring the Survival of the Physical Body

The function of the second chakra, which is located about two inches below the navel, is to ensure the body's survival. The survival instinct is the body's built-in intelligence, which is present both in animals and humans. The intelligence that helps the body know how to survive is part of the cosmic intelligence, which is independent of the egomind. If you cut your finger, the body's intelligence will close and heal the cut without any action on your part. The body's survival instinct continues to function regardless of how developed the ego-mind and consciousness is. Even those who have transcended the ego-mind and disidentified from the body must abide by the body's survival instinct for as long as the body is alive, but with one difference - they are conscious of it and are not identified with it.

The ego-mind and consciousness develop naturally in the second chakra if the child receives abundant physical nourishment through food and bodily comforts through comfortable and secure shelter. When the child's survival needs are taken care of the child begins to develop a sense of security about its survival in the world.

Children, just like newborn animals, are attached to their parents for nourishment and safety. The child who receives the needed love and nourishment through his mother's milk and feels that he is secure in his home, grows up feeling that life supports him. He doesn't struggle to survive or stop himself from living fully. If the second chakra develops naturally, the child develops trust and views the world as a safe, friendly, and supportive place.

The ego-mind and consciousness don't develop naturally in the second chakra if the child doesn't receive sufficient physical care and nourishment. He grows up believing that everything in life is scarce and begins to project that belief onto the world. Instead of developing trust, he learns to fear and doubt himself, others, and existence. He becomes timid and incapable of expressing his true feelings and learns to suppress his needs and vulnerability. He fears he will not be taken care of, or that he will be punished if he acts contrary to what is expected of him. He grows up fearful of making mistakes, agonizes over success and failure and other people's opinions.

Because the first and second chakras are so close to each other, lack of nourishment and natural development in either will force the child to grow up insecure and either be overly concerned with sex and survival or depressed and care little for his life. As an adult, he will be afraid to live and to die, unable to take risks, to accept and enjoy his body, to enjoy pleasure, and experience true love and abundance. He will feel ungrounded, alienated from others and the earth, lonely, frustrated, angry, and envious of those who are enjoying themselves. He will be critical and judgmental of himself and others. He will be unable to accept, trust, and love himself and others and have difficulty experiencing intimacy. He or she may develop health problems related to digestion, sexual/reproductive dysfunction, elimination, kidney and urinary tract problems, and may experience physical pain in the lower back and abdomen. In fact, most of our psychological and many other physical problems are associated with a wounded and undeveloped ego-mind in the first and second chakras.

To heal the wounded ego-mind in the second chakra, whenever you feel fears around survival or an insecurity about yourself, bring your awareness and breath into your second chakra at the navel.

Remind yourself that this fear and insecurity is connected with your body's survival instinct and has nothing to do with the survival of your being. Remember that your being is here eternally and can never die. As you keep practicing this, you will gradually heal and strengthen your egomind in the second chakra and will develop trust that existence indeed takes care of you. Trust is essential if you are to evolve higher in consciousness because without trust you cannot surrender to life.

This article was excerpted with permission from Chapter Five of Eliza Mada Dalian's book, In Search of the Miraculous: Healing into Consciousness. The full chapter within the book walks the reader through developing and healing the ego-mind into consciousness in ALL SEVEN chakras, offering invaluable guidance, addressing several frequently asked questions, and referencing specific meditations (discussed in detail in Chapter 8) to help with healing in each chakra.

To purchase this book, visitwww.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com.

In Search of the Miraculous was ALSO chosen as a Nautilus Award winner!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eliza Mada Dalian is a visionary, mystic, medical intuitive, spiritual guide, and the founder of a groundbreaking new healing method – DHM (Dalian Healing Method), which can quickly identify the root cause(s) of energetic blocks, physical, mental and emotional problems, and effortlessly and miraculously heal the body and transform energetic blocks into health and consciousness. After her awakening experience at age 33, Mada has dedicated her life to helping others towards healing and spiritual awakening.

For more information visit, www.madadalian.com.
To see when Eliza Mada Dalian might be in your area please see her calendar of events.