THE CHAKRAS
HEART CHAKRA—ANAHATA
HEART CHAKRA—ANAHATA
The Heart Chakra, Anahata, translates as the unstruck (sound). Located in the center of the chest and commonly related to the air element, it is associated with unconditional love, compassion and forgiveness, humility, trust, and surrender. As the central chakra in the classic division of seven, Anahata mediates between the higher and the lower levels of our being and is widely perceived as the seat of the Higher Self or Soul. Devotional practices like singing Bhajan support the balance of this energy level.
LOCATION
Between nipples
SANSKRIT
Anahata
अनाहत
ELEMENTS
Gross element: Air – movable state of matter
Subtle element: Vaju Tatva
PRONUNCIATION
a-nA-ha-ta
SENSE ORGANS
Sense: Touch
Action organ: Arms / Hands
Perception organ: Skin
TRANSLATIONS
Unstruck (Anahata)
Unstruck sound
Heart Chakra
CHARACTERISTICS
EMOTIONS & MENTALITY
– Compassionate and emphatic, full of mercy
– Focused on forgiveness, peace, understanding
– Unconditional love, universal love
– Giving without expecting
– Decision to love – no matter what
– True modesty and humility, selfless service
– Surrender, devotion, sacrifice
– Gratitude and deep appreciation for beauty
– Also self-love and compassion for oneself
– Desire to hug, touch and feel, affection
– Receptivity to love and intimacy from others
– Happiness for freedom of soul, love of Divinity
– Love with a pure, serene, and calm quality
IMBALANCE / SHADOW ASPECTS
Imbalances on a certain level of consciousness appear due to an excess or a lack of energy on this level.
– Weakness in manifesting or achieving goals
– Not grounded and unstable
– “spiritual airhead”, citizen of a different reality
– Attachment to peak experiences
– Lack of humility, compassion, and trust
– Identifying as the mind instead of the Soul
BALANCE
Bhajan, Bhakti, all practices of devotion, exposure to air and wind
TRADITION
“Ever since the time of the Rig-Veda, the heart rather than the head has been considered the true bridge between consciousness and the body.” … “Many teachers prefer to work with this chakra, as its energization is thought to lead to the harmonious development of all the other psychoenergetic centers. Without the awakening of the heart center, activation of any of the other centers can cause physical and emotional problems.”
– Georg Feuerstein – Tantra — The Path of Ecstasy
ANIMAL
Female deer, antelope
POLARITY
Mother & child (guru & disciple)
ARCHETYPE
Christian & Sufi saints: Jesus, Francis of Assisi, Mother Theresa, Rumi
PHYSICAL BODY
Everything vast, open, affective, movable
ETHERIC BODY
Prana Vayu
CAUSAL BODY
Prana Vayu