The fourth chakra-the heart chakra
The heart chakra is located at the height of the heart and opens forward and backward. It emanates the colors green, pink and gold. This chakra is associated with the element of air and with the sense of touch. It is the fourth chakra, the middle chakra. Below it are the three physical-emotional chakras, while above it are the three spiritual chakras. The heart chakra is the link between the two – between the physical world and the spiritual world.
The energy of this chakra is associated with unconditional love for oneself, others and the world. Compassion, empathy and healing energy also belong here. Through the heart chakra flows the energy of the very Source of Creation, the energy of pure love. We can also call it the light of consciousness. The love of the Source is an energy that heals and purifies us if we allow ourselves to receive it, if we do not block it. The love emanating from us heals, harmonizes and generally has a good effect on those we come in contact with. This chakra gives us the ability to see the beauty and harmony of what surrounds us – people, nature, art, as well as the beauty and grandeur of ourselves. Thanks to it, we also empathize with others and are able to unite with them and the world around us.
The heart chakra teaches us to trust in life, in the world. Many times we rely on the conviction that life is a struggle, that something threatens us and that there are not enough goods for everyone. The work of our heart chakra shows whether we treat life as our ally or as an enemy. As for the physical body, the fourth chakra regulates the immune and circulatory systems.
Heart chakra in harmony
An open and harmoniously working heart chakra first and foremost makes us truly, unconditionally love ourselves, others, and mother nature. We are able to show this love, tenderness and cordiality. A harmonious heart chakra is a gentle disposition and the so-called heart on hand. We are eager to help others and feel that we can share with others and will not lack anything. Giving and helping others makes us happy. We are empathetic and understand that everyone is different, that everyone makes mistakes sometimes, that everyone has their own path in life, etc. We do not hold grudges and are able to forgive. An open heart chakra makes us trusting, sincere and trustworthy.
If the heart chakra is working properly, it lets love-light into our interior, which makes us perceive the beauty of the world around us, the beauty of art, music and nature, and react to them with emotion, appreciate them. This light also makes us have a healthy, balanced attitude towards material goods. More than accumulating more possessions, we focus on enjoying life and appreciating its pleasant daily manifestations. The energy flowing through this chakra makes us give ourselves love and security. We then don’t have to seek other people’s attention and praise, but if we get this love or appreciation from them, we know how to accept it with our open heart.
Heart chakra in disharmony
Disturbed functioning of the heart chakra manifests as closure to love and the light of consciousness. If we claim to love, it is love for something, on some condition. We treat ourselves in the same way and feel that we don’t deserve love or that we will only deserve it if we meet some conditions. We often don’t know how to show our feelings, we close ourselves off, afraid of rejection and hurt. We don’t appreciate or love ourselves and either isolate ourselves completely or persistently look for people to love us or show us their interest. Unfortunately, it also happens that even when someone shows us love or cordiality, we don’t believe it, don’t trust it and don’t know how to accept it.
A blocked heart chakra means emotional coldness, quarrelsomeness, hiding grudges, lack of understanding and inability to forgive. We don’t know how to empathize with the other person and often fight, argue or take revenge. We do not allow light into our hearts and thus feel lonely, sad and stifled. There is pessimism and fear in our world. This can lead to deep imbalance or even hysteria. It also leads to addiction to stimulants such as cigarettes, marijuana and sugar.
Harmonizing the heart chakra
What can we do if we feel that our heart chakra is not working properly? The important thing here is to focus on your heart and meditate with feelings such as gratitude, gentleness and forbearance. These feelings lead to unconditional love and opening of our heart. We should also learn to forgive.
An excellent way to work with the chakras is yoga. Asanas are not only about working with the body, but also about working with the energy in our body, our emotions and thinking. If we want to improve the functioning of the heart chakra, we should practice bhakti yoga asanas.
When working with this chakra, we contemplate the colors green and pink. Walking among greenery, touching this greenery, wading in it are recommended. The color pink in nature can be found in pink flowers or in the color of the sky at sunrise and sunset.
The gemstones rose quartz, malachite and aventurine will also be helpful. An effective and very pleasant way to work with the chakras is aromatherapy. The heart chakra will be best stimulated by the scents of cinnamon, lime and pine.
