The fourth chakra is known as the Heart Chakra, or Anahata. It is located between the breast bone in the front, and the spine (between the shoulder blades) in the back. It is our center for love, compassion, and spirituality. This is the chakra where physical and spiritual meet -- where body and mind connect with spirit. Some ancient Eastern traditions call this chakra the "house of the soul."
The Sanskrit word, Anahata, means "unstruck," or "unhurt." This implies that beneath the hurt of our past experiences there is a purely spiritual place where no hurt can exist.
Our heart chakra guides our ability to love ourselves, as well as others, to give and receive love freely, and is the center of our deep bonds with, and compassion for, others. It is a unifying and integrating chakra -- as such, it is our healing center... our place for wholeness.
If our Anahata is balanced, we are open and loving to others, as well as ourselves. Others can feel our love and warmth, and are at peace around us, as they feel accepted unconditionally. We create safe and supportive environments, living our lives with kindness and compassion. If our heart chakras are out of balance, we may be indecisive, afraid to let go, feel unworthy of love, or feel sorry for ourselves.
An over-active Anahata can result in the lack of personal boundaries, lacking a sense of self in a relationship, always putting the needs of others before our own, or loving in a clinging or suffocating way. An under-active Anahata can result in coldness or distance in relationships, being unable or unwilling to open up to others, holding grudges, or hating ourselves or others.
When our Anahata is balanced, we are flowing with love and compassion, we're quick to forgive, and we are accepting of others and ourselves. When our heart chakras are out of balance, we can exhibit emotional and/or physical symptoms, such as:
Emotional Symptoms:
Shut down Afraid of getting hurt Paranoia Hatred for self or others Fear of betrayal
Physical Symptoms:
Heart and circulatory problems (heart attack, high blood pressure, etc.) Asthma (or other respiratory ailments) Breast cancer Joint problems in shoulders, elbows, or hands
Heart Chakra associated body parts and endocrine glands:
Heart Lungs Breasts Circulatory system Shoulders, arms, and hands Upper back Thymus gland
Heart Chakra Affirmations:
"I deeply and completely love and accept myself." "I am fully open to giving love." "I am fully open to receiving love." "I choose joy." "Love is my guiding truth." "I love myself unconditionally." "I love others unconditionally." "I am wanted and loved." "I forgive myself." "I forgive others." "I accept things as they are." "My heart is filled with joy and gratitude."
