A Brief Guide to know Your Heart chakra

The fourth of the seven major energy centers of our subtle body, this chakra is very important because it is located in our heart region. The Heart chakra is as important to the subtle body as the heart is to the physical body. It helps us regulate our emotions adequately and develop better relationships with ourselves and others. In this article we will look at the characteristics of Anahata Chakra along with its symptoms of imbalance, and how to correct it.

What is Heart Chakra?

Heart chakra is referred as Anahata chakra in Sanskrit. Anahata means that which is not killed, that which is not injured. This chakra acts as a bridge between the lower three chakras and the upper three chakras. The lower three chakras represent the mundane world and the upper three chakras represent the spiritual world. Anahata Chakra works to balance both in us.

Where is the Heart Chakra?

As the name suggests, the location of Heart Chakra is in our heart area. It is responsible for all our feelings like love, compassion etc. Keeping the energy of this chakra in balance can help us experience pure love. 

Characteristics of Heart Chakra

The Heart Chakra represents the air element. Even though air has no color, the ether element of the upper (Throat) chakra and the fier element of the lower (Solar plexus) chakra reflect on it and indicate green color. According to some, light pink also represents the Heart Chakra. Its further characteristics are as follows. 

Color : Green/ Light Pink

Symbol :

Vibration: 639 hz

Seed Mantra: Yam

Element: Air

More on Heart Chakra:

Heart Chakra collects and distributes prana energy flowing through the body to all parts. This Air element also keeps balance in the body. 

Being near the physical heart, it controls heart and it’s surrounding organs. That means organs like heart, lungs, thymus gland are under the control of this chakra. As this chakra is of Air element, the air we breathe is also under its control. When the air element is balanced in our body, our emotional health is usually good as well. That is why our yogis have emphasized the importance of long breathing.

This chakra inspires us to give unconditional love to all the beings in the world. A person who gives such love has enough pure love inside. It helps to see all the creatures of the world as one. As this chakra gets stronger, so does the probability of fulfilling our heart’s desire.

In this chakra symbol we see twelve petals and two triangles in the middle that meet each other, upward and downward. These two triangles indicate the balance of the upper and lower chakras. If our consciousness goes towards the upper chakras it becomes devotion. Here the consciousness experiences divine love without any attachment. But if the consciousness starts moving towards the lower chakras, the person gets trapped in the delusion of Maya, relying only on worldly attachments. The twelve petals represent the divine qualities of peace, harmony, bliss, love, understanding, clarity, purity, kindness, mercy, compassion, forgiveness and unity. 

A balanced Heart Chakra

A person’s heart is pure if the Heart Chakra is balanced. He has so much love in his heart that even if he shares it with all the living beings in the world, it will remain even more. A person with a balanced Heart Chakra can be identified by the following symptoms.

• Respecting self and others. And thus gaining a lot of respect from others
• Loving self and others. And receiving lots of love from others. 
• Be kind to the creatures around you
• Trust
• Selflessness

Unbalanced Heart Chakra

If the Heart Chakra is dormant or overactive, one may face some side effects. If this chakra does not get the required energy, one may experience loneliness and may not have a good relationship with oneself. Some of these features are listed below

Physical symptoms

• Fluctuations in heart rate

• Low blood circulation

• chest pain

• Asthma

• Sore throat

• Shoulder pain

• hand pain

Emotional symptoms

• Fear of rejection.
• Overdependence in any relationship.
• No matter how much love is shown, there is no love in return. 
• Even if it looks like selfless love, it is expecting something in return.
• Lack of kindness and compassion
• Belief that love can be bought with money and gifts.
• Lack of trust in relationship with spouse.
• Lack of forgiving attitude.

Balancing the Heart Chakra.

Heart Chakra brings qualities like love, kindness, compassion in us. This love and kindness is not only a quality shown to others but we should also have some of it for ourselves. These are possible only when this chakra is functioning properly. So even for mental health, a person should pay attention to his Heart Chakra and take steps to balance it. Here are some such natural methods.

1. Mantra: 

Some vibrations come out from the movement of the wheels. These vibrations become sound. Later it was recognized as Bijamantras. In this the mantra of Heart Chakra is ‘Yam’.  Regular listening or chanting of this seed Mantra can re-establish the power of the Heart Chakra.

2. Reciting affirmations

Chanting positive affirmations continuously for a specific time (10-15 minutes) will make our subconscious mind believe it and work to make it true. So the positive sentences given below can be used to awaken the Heart Chakra.

•  “I love myself.”

• “I accept myself the way I am.” 

• “I am loved by all.” 

• “I have forgiven myself for the mistakes I made in the past.” 

• “I have forgiven everyone who hurt me.” 

• “I love all creatures equally.” 

• “Grateful for my life, for the privileges I have.”

Take any affirmations that resonates with you and start chanting regularly.

3. Meditation on the Heart Chakra.

Meditation is a wonderful gift to mankind. Any problem can be solved by meditation. There are certain meditation practices specifically for activating the Heart Chakra. If that is not possible then meditate on Yam seed Mantra.

4. Using more Green Color:

As this chakra is identified with the color green, use more green color in your home, room like green curtain, yellow meditation seat, etc. green colored cloth can also be used more and more.

5. Reiki

Sending Reiki towards the Heart Chakra can activate it. This task is even easier if you are a Reiki practitioner. Those who are not initiated to reiki can receive this treatment from a Reiki practitioner.

6. Yoga

Many asanas in our yoga practice stimulate the Heart Chakra. Some such asanas are Bhujangasana(cobra pose), Dhanurasana(bow pose), Ardha Matsyendrasana/(half Lord of fishes pose), Ustrasana(camel pose) etc. It is best to learn and practice these asanas from a good yoga teacher.

Finally…

Emotional strength is very important for every living being because it determines the quality of our life. Keeping the Anahata Chakra functioning and maintaining good relationships with ourselves and others makes life meaningful.