Anahata chakra symbolizes the consciousness of love, empathy, selflessness and devotion. On the psychic level, this center of force inspires the human being to love, be compassionate, altruistic, devoted and to accept the things that happen in a divine way.
(Sanskrit: अनाहत, Anāhata) is the fourth primary
chakra according to the
Hindu Yogic and
Tantric (
Shakta) traditions.
In
Sanskrit the word
anahata - means
unhurt, un-struck and unbeaten.
Anahata Nad refers to the Vedic concept of
unstruck sound, the sound of the celestial realm.
Associations
The Anahata chakra is physically positioned at the
heart region. Traditionally, this chakra is represented as a
green flower with twelve
petals which match the
vrittis of
lust,
fraud,
indecision,
repentance,
hope,
anxiety,
longing,
impartiality,
arrogance, incompetence,
discrimination and
defiance.
Anahata is associated with the ability to make decisions outside of the realm of
karma. In
Manipura and below, man is bound by the laws of karma, and the fate he has in store for him. In Anahata, one is making decisions, 'following your heart', based upon one's higher self, and not from the unfulfilled emotions and desires of lower nature. The Anahata seed sound is
yam. The
wish-fulfilling tree,
kalpa taru, resides here, symbolizing the ability to manifest whatever you wish to happen in the world.
It is also associated with love and compassion, charity to others, and forms of
psychic healing.
Anahata is the seat of the
Jivatman, and
Para Shakti.
Symbolism
It is associated with the following:
Practices
In kundalini yoga, anahata is awoken and balanced through practices including asanas, pranayamas, and the practice of
ajapa japa (repetition of a sacred mantra). It is purified through the process of
bhakti (devotion).
Other associations
In the
endocrine system, Anahata is associated with the
thymus gland, located in the chest. This gland produces white blood cells, that combat disease, and bring equilibrium to the body. The functioning of the
thymus is greatest before
puberty and is impaired by the appearance of
sex hormones in the blood stream from
puberty onwards.
Many Western occultists associate this central chakra with the central
sephirah,
Tiphereth, in the kabbalistic
tree of life.
Christian kabbalists in particular associate this sephirah with love, healing and
Jesus Christ as God the Son.
Alternative names
- Tantra: Anahata-Puri, Dwadasha, Dwadashadala, H'idayambhoja, Hridabja, Hridambhoja, Hridambuja, Hridaya, Hridaya Kamala, Hridayabja, Hridayambuja, Hridayasarasija, Hrit Padma, Hritpankaja, Hritpankeruha, Hritpatra, Hritsaroruha, Padma-Sundara, Suryasangkhyadala
The heart chakra according to Tarthang Tulku
According to contemporary
buddhist teacher
Tarthang Tulku, the heart chakra is very important for the feeling of existential fulfillment.
According to Tarthang, "When the throat chakra settles and energy is distributed evenly between the head and the heart chakras, one is able to truly contact one's senses and touch real feelings".
