An introduction to The Heart Chakra by Sah’Rah
Just as our bodies are affected by heat and light, the things we consume, the air we breathe, and the environment, so are our emotions, thoughts, and actions prone to the influence of the aura, where our spiritual energy centers reside. Many people refer to these centers as "chakras". The word chakra is sanskrit and signifies a wheel, and refers to a series of wheel-like vortices which exist in the surface of our etheric double. These centers are the guideposts of our inner natures, and can be an indication of whether or not we are operating in harmony with our bodies and the world around us. They absorb the energy from the universe and redistribute it throughout our systems. The chakras link us with our liberation and our limitation.
At each chakra, different emotions are experienced. The heart chakra is the center of love, compassion, and truth. The Heart center is located behind and a little above the heart. It is the seat of intelligence and the mental plane. The Heart chakra is the point of transformation from the inner world of our personal reality, to the universal reality. It corresponds physically to the lungs, heart, thymus gland, arms, hands, and fingers. Heart chakra imbalances can manifest many physical conditions including asthma, blood pressure problems, poor circulation, shallow breathing and thus slowed metabolism and low energy.
When energy is disturbed at the heart chakra the balance between giving and receiving can become distorted. We can experience powerful bouts of loneliness, anxiety, guilt, shame, fear, and feelings of betrayal. Blocked at the center, we feel torn between mind and body. We hide inside of ourselves, and withdraw from others. When the heart chakra is too open we tend to give all our time and energy away by being focused on an "other", losing our own center. Stimulation of the heart chakra makes us instinctively aware of the joys and sorrows of others. This can activate sympathy, even to the extent of reproducing in ourselves the physical aches and pains of others.
The Sanskrit name for the heart chakra is Anahata, which means "sound that is made without any two things striking." This clearly describes a state where we no longer fight what we love but move with it in graceful harmony. A symbol for the heart chakra is the 6 pointed star of interlaced triangles. It can represent the force of matter moving upward toward liberation and the force of spirit moving into manifestation. Directly below the heart chakra is another small lotus that is not often considered in the 7-chakra system of root, spleen, solar plexus, heart, throat, brow, and crown, but I feel is significant. Called the Anandakanda lotus, it houses our wishes that are most integral to our deepest hopes. It is believed that when we focus on this center by wishing from the heart, we will receive even more than is desired. Perhaps this is what is referred to when we speak "from the bottom of our hearts".
I recommend befriending our allies of the mineral kingdom when working with the chakras. This is easily done in many ways, including meditation with the stone, the placement of stones on the body, wearing jewelry made from the stone, or simply carrying them with you in your pocket or pouch. In general, pink and green crystals and gemstones stimulate the heart chakra. A beautiful pink stone, rhodochrosite, relieves anxiety, helps release fear, and is a good stone for healing self-blame. It will help you reprogram your emotional body to enable you to receive joy. Another pink stone called rhodonite can help you attract a spiritual partner, attain your greatest potential, and dispel anxiety and stress. One of the most recognized stones for healing of the heart chakra is rose quartz. It promotes unconditional self-love so that you may then learn to love others. It can heal heartache and loneliness, and represents lasting committed relationships. Giving a piece of rose quartz to a loved one is both a symbol of commitment and a tool for maintenance of your loving relationship. A very unique green stone helpful for working with the heart chakra is malachite. It is a powerful cleanser of the emotional body, can release trauma which is often held in the heart chakra, and protects against negativity. The use of green aventurine surrounds you with love, and can help balance masculine and feminine energies. Some other stones which are beneficial for the heart chakra are jade, bloodstone, emerald, moss agate, green calcite, green fluorite, lepidolite, prehnite, rutilated quartz, pyrite, lapis lazuli, citrine, tourmaline, and labradorite. All of these stones and more are available at Blue Apples Metaphysical & Wellness, located at 3415 South Rd at the Silva Bay Inn. Also available are many books on the subjects touched on in this article.
Give unconditionally,and believe that the universe will always provide for you.
