Heart Chakra Explained: The Ultimate Guide

4th Chakra 

The Heart Chakra is situated at the central point of the Chakra system, serving as the middle, or core 'Hub' for the entire Chakra system, which is why it resonates so strongly and is the most perceptible to us. The Heart center is where we feel love, compassion, connection, growth, and unity. It serves as a bridge between the lower chakras, which represent our physical states, and the upper chakras, which symbolize our spiritual and esoteric states. It acts as the emotional intermediary, linking our tangible, earthly qualities with our intuitive senses.

The human body is comprised of three intricate layers; the physical, astral, and spiritual bodies, commonly known as the soul.  Within the astral body lies a sophisticated network of energy centers known as Chakras or 'Spinning Wheels of Energy".

So, in essence, the Chakras are energy exchange points between our subtle energy bodies and the physical body. It is the energy of the soul that animates the physical body through the Chakras and in this sense, soul-energy flows downwards from the subtle realms through the Chakras. The soul flows inwards through the Chakras, while consciousness is expanding and expressing outwards from the Chakras. Our bodies are vessels, an Avatar for our soul.

T H E   H E A R T   C H A K R A

  (higher Heart energy frequencies turn to pink)

Green and Pink Crystals stimulate, open and unblock The Heart Chakra (Anahata) which in Sanskrit means: Unhurt, Unstruck and Unbeaten.  It is known as the (4th chakra).

Green symbolizes life, nature, and the interconnectedness of all living things. It embodies tranquility and joy, making it fitting for the Heart Chakra, which is linked to relationships, unity, and the harmony found within diversity.

Although the color pink often comes to mind when we think of the heart, the heart chakra is traditionally linked to the color green. The aura of an active Heart Chakra may appear as pink or smoky pink, which likely influences our common depiction of love with a pink heart.

 

 

C R Y S T A L S 

 Green Aventurine, Rose Quartz, Green or Pink Jade, Malachite, Emerald, Green Calcite, Green or Pink Tourmaline, Rhodochrosite, Green or Pink Agate, Pink Quartz, Green Calcite

 

 

The Heart Chakra is associated with the element of air and related to the qualities of love, forgiveness, self confidence, and compassion.

The Heart Chakra energy center is responsible for:

• Love for oneself and others
• Relating, relationships
• Compassion, empathy
• Forgiveness, acceptance
• Transformation, change
• Ability to grieve and reach peace
• Compassionate discernment
• Center of awareness, integration of insights

Where is the Heart Chakra Located?

L O C A T I O N

The Heart Chakra is located in the center of our chest, close to our physical heart and is considered the most crucial Chakra energy center. 

 

The Heart Chakra symbol has 12 lotus petals, features two triangles that intersect to form a yantra, a six-pointed star or hexagram encased in a circle.  Its color is green, reminiscent of the combination of fire from below and sky from above. The Sanscrit symbol for the seed syllable YAM is often inscribed in the center.

 T H E    P E T A L S   

The twelve petals of the lotus symbolize the twelve sounds emitted during its rotation, as well as the twelve divine attributes linked to the virtues of a pure heart, namely love, compassion, kindness, empathy, understanding, bliss, peace, harmony, clarity, purity, unity, and forgiveness. Additionally, they represent the twelve obstructive traits (vrittis) of this Chakra, which are lust, fraud, indecision, regret, hope, anxiety, desire, neutrality, arrogance, ineptitude, discernment, and resistance.

The twelve petals also correspond to the twelve months of the year and the twelve astrological signs. The lotus petals are connected to the energy of creation and symbolizes the unfolding of spirituality or divinity.

 

  T W O   T R I A N G L E S   ( Hexagram )

The Heart Chakra is the only Chakra that features an upward-pointing triangle and is often described as the “seat of the soul”. The Heart Chakra is the source of Love energy, which gives this Chakra a very special role among the seven Chakras. There is no greater power than Love. 

A hexagram consists of two overlapping triangles, one pointing upwards and the other downwards. This symbolizes that the Heart Chakra is at the center of the Chakra system, with three more physical Chakras below and three more spiritual Chakras above. It represents the intersection where human consciousness ascends towards spirituality and soul consciousness descends into the material world. The Heart Chakra aims to harmonize these two currents, merging spirit with matter.

Additionally, the hexagram, composed of two interlocking triangles, symbolizes the equilibrium of yin and yang, or the ascending and descending forces of Air and Fire. This can also represent the harmonious union of masculine and feminine energies, merging steadfast, penetrating awareness with complete surrender and devotion into a singular state of existence.

The  Hexagram or intersecting two triangles symbol is also known as the Star of David and the six pointed star.

 T H E   C I R C L E

The Circle represents the spinning wheels, vortex or circles that life energy flows through. It symbolizes the cycles of life, death, nature and the universe. As the most basic of all forms, the circle encloses physical matter. The circle symbolizes infinite space (the element akasha) and expansiveness. The circle also represents the cycles of nature at all levels from the atom to astronomy. The central quest of spirituality is to experience the Oneness of these realms.

 

What is the Heart Chakra? 

The Heart Chakra is our ‘Central Chakra’, with three chakras above and three below. It is the bridge between the lower and upper chakras, balancing the material and spiritual worlds and facilitating our emotional and physical well-being. Pure love opens the Heart Chakra, allowing us to receive, forgive and give love unconditionally.  This chakra is an essential component of our overall health, as it helps us to balance our emotions, cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness, and build meaningful relationships with others.

 

Can I "FEEL" my Heart Chakra?

 

 

E L E M E N T :  Air

Air represents space, feeling the infinite, like the sky. It's the door to our inner temple, our soul, the infinite part of ourselves.

 

 

 

S O U N D :   Y A M  -  “I Love” 

There is an energetic body of energy surrounding each of us that is composed of vibrations. This is known as the Auric Field and it exists in seven different layers sometimes referred to as harmonics because of the colour fields they emit. 

The Auric Field correlates to our seven major centers of consciousness (chakras) within the physical human body and these chakras are closely associated with the seven seed (Bija) mantras. (Bija) seed mantras consist of seven syllables and each syllable connects to a specific chakra. These single syllable sounds can be chanted to strengthen the energy of the each chakra.

A mantra involves the repetitive use of a specific sound or short phrase called 'Chanting" and has been utilized in meditation and spiritual practices for thousands of years to concentrate and alter subtle energies within and around us. The continuous repetition of words, sounds, and vibrations in a mantra chant calms the body and mind, quiets the senses, and elevates awareness.

 

 

The seed syllable for the Heart Chakra is "YAM"

YAM is pronounced 'YUM'.  This sound is said to be a magnetic seed that attracts love, compassion and empathy.

 The chanting of the seed mantras has a tremendous effect on all the chakras.

 

C H A N T I N G

A mantra consists of syllables, words, or phrases known as "Chanting," which are repeated continuously. These syllables embody the essence of each chakra and aid in purifying and fortifying the corresponding energy. The Heart Chakra serves as the focal point for giving and receiving love. It aids in the healing of both the physical and the spiritual (emotional) heart centers, fostering an openness to unconditional love and compassion.

"One can gain a better understanding by picturing a large metal bell and a rod. Striking the bell with the rod creates a vibration and produces a sound.

Similarly, chanting and repeating a Mantra is like striking the Chakra with the Mantra. This creates a unique vibration that has a direct impact on your overall physical and mental health.  As you chant in a relaxed state, you can feel this vibration ripple throughout your body, as it resonates to your very core."

 

 

 

Chant “YAM” if you…

• Feel undeserving of love
• Lack compassion for yourself and others
• Struggle with relationships

 

How to Chant the "YAM' Mantra?

This mantra's frequency resonates with the Heart Chakra.  Chanting the "YAM"  mantra fosters a connection through sensation. Within the heart chakra, we deeply feel our soul's connection and the broader network of life. We sense our place in a larger unity of existence and understand the interconnectivity within a complex network of relationships. This profound recognition paves the way for love, compassion, empathy, forgiveness, kindness, intimacy, devotion, gratitude, altruism, and healing.

If you don't have a lot of time, anytime spent chanting is ok and will benefit your chakras, even if it is in the car on your way home from work or in the shower!  Mantras can be spoken, chanted, whispered, or repeated in the mind. You can Chant them anywhere, anytime!

 

Meditation beads, commonly comprising 108 beads and known as "Mala" beads, serve as a tool for counting mantras or prayers. Also referred to as prayer beads or Buddhist rosaries, these strings of beads assist practitioners in tracking the repetitions of their mantras or prayers, with each bead signifying one recitation.

Heart Chakra

A F F I R M A T I O N S: 

• “I Love”
• “I deserve love and being loved”
• “I attract good, loving, kind people into my life”
• “All my relationships are now loving and harmonious”
• “I step away from the prison of resentment into freedom”
• “I am releasing all the painful thoughts of my past”
• “The happiness and love I feel is felt by everyone around me because I radiate love”

 

An imbalance in the Heart Chakra can lead to tension in the upper torso and unhealthy dynamics in relationships, often manifesting as controlling behaviors or excessive criticism. It can also cause everyday situations to provoke intense emotional responses, as well as foster unhealthy attachments or a sense of detachment.