Heart Chakra (Anahata)
From Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers
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The Heart Chakra or Anahata is located centrally in the chest, directly behind the sternum, in close proximity to the physical heart. As the fourth vital Chakra energy center along the central energetic channel, it serves as a crucial bridge between the three lower Chakras (Root, Sacral, Solar Plexus), which associates with the physical and material aspects of life, and the three higher Chakras (Throat, Third Eye, Crown), which govern spiritual awareness and higher conciousness. The Sanskrit word Anahata means "unstuck," "unhurt," or "unbeaten," and this Chakra represents love, compassion, empathy, and emotional control. The idea of an inherent, unconditional quality of love resonance is significant in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. In these traditions, healing involves uncovering love already present, rather than acquiring it externally. The Heart Chakra is an energetic center governing harmony and balance, crucial for bridging the physical and spiritual realms with the unconditional flow of compassion, with a similar framework seen in Vedic Astrology, where Venus and Jupiter are linked to expansive love and nurturing.
In modern times, the concept of the Chakra system has been embraced by New Age and holistic medical and spiritual traditions. In these teachings, balancing of the seven nodes of Chakra energy is considered essential for matters of emotional healing, physical well-being, financial stability, personal empowerment, and spiritual peace. Meditation, physical touch, body awareness, and the wearing of talismans may be included in the work of Chakra balancing.
The Heart Chakra, encompassing the physical heart, lungs, and thymus gland, is thought to be the region where the best healing practices ought to include activities that cultivate love and compassion with the appropriate mudra or hand-gesture, breath-work focusing on the diaphragm and energizing the chest, and mantra work using the seed-sound of the Chakra. The mudra of the Heart Chakra is called the Padma (Lotus) Mudra. To make this hand gesture, bring your hands in a prayer pose, placing them at the center of your chest, maintaining contact between the thumbs and pinky fingers, as well as the base of the palms, then gently allow the remaining fingers to flower open, like a blooming lotus. As you make the mudra, breathe with a focus towards the diaphragm, and intone the seed-sound of this Chakra, which is "Yam" or "Yang."
Air-based or companioned focus practices may be recommended to strengthen or balance the Heart Chakra. These include spending time in nature, engaging in acts of service, or practicing gratitude. To connect with the element of air, one might also engage with Heart Chakra plants by appreciating their flowers, leaves, or berries or, if medically appropriate, drinking an herbal tea made from these plants. You may also include the use of stones or crystals for compassion and emotional healing, such as Rose Quartz, Rhodonite, Emerald, or Chrysoprase, which can be placed before you, held in the hands for contemplation, worn as talismanic jewelry, or applied to the specified area of the body by a practitioner, while the client lays prone on the floor or a massage table. Healing methods such as Reiki have also been said to help with matters of the Heart Chakra.
Heart Chakra Keywords to Remember
- Anatomic Location: Center of the chest, behind the sternum.
- Associated Anatomy: Heart, Lungs, Thymus Gland, Arms, Hands.
- Concepts: Compassion, Empathy, Forgiveness, Emotional Connection, Relationships, Self-Love.
- Lucky Colour: Green, Pink.
- Element: Air.
- Seed Sound: Yam or Yang.
- Mudra: Padma (Lotus) Mudra.
- Symbol: Twelve petal lotus with a six-pointed star (shatkona) formed by intersecting triangles, sometimes with a central dot (Bindu).
- Hindu Deities: Vayu, Parvati, Hanuman.
- Animal Symbol: Antelope, symbolizing gentleness, grace, sensitivity, and intuition.
- Lucky Jewels: Rose Quartz, Rhodonite, Emerald, Chrysoprase.
- Lucky Star: Venus, Jupiter.
- Lucky Flowers: Jasmine, Motherwort, Yarrow, Rose.
- Lucky Numbers: 12.
- Sign of The Zodiac Taurus, Libra.
Credits
This page is brought to you by the AIRR Tech Team:
- Author: Papa Newt
- Contributors: catherine yronwode, Lukianos, nagasiva yronwode
- Images: Adrenalina; photo-sourced and edited by catherine yronwode and nagasiva yronwode
