THE FOURTH CHAKRA

 

This is called the Anahata or Heart Chakra. It is situated in the centre of the chest, between the fourth and fifth dorsal vertebrae. This chakra represents unconditional love, inner peace, intuition, healing, beauty, the arts and receptivity. It allows access to the Soul.

   It is linked to the thymus and associated with the element "Air" and the sense of smell. It relates to contact, the sensitivity of the heart, the capacity to be moved and touched, and the idea of "being in contact with things". From this energy centre, we draw the ability to establish identity, to adapt, to feel, to "thrill" with emotion. Thanks to this centre, we can appreciate the beauty of Nature, the harmony of music and the arts; it is here that images, words and sensory impressions are transformed into feelings.

   The purpose of the Heart Chakra is union through love. Every desire for intimate contact, unity and harmony is expressed through this chakra, even if this desire sometimes presents itself in the form of pain (fear of separation or the disappearance of love, etc.). The way of the heart involves the total loving acceptance of oneself, which is the key to accepting life and others.

   Every denial leads to separation and rejection, whereas the positive acceptance of love causes vibrations against which negative expressions and feelings are powerless. You may have already realised that an intense feeling of sadness, anger or despair can be neutralised the moment you pay it an attention which is full of love and without prejudice or limitation. Give it a try!

   When we are suffering from pain or illness, we can speed up the healing process considerably by sending loving thoughts to the organ or part of the body that is sick. So thanks to the Heart Chakra, we have a vast potential for transformation and healing - for the benefit of ourselves and other people too.

   In Esoteric Tradition, the Heart Chakra is called the "Gateway to the Soul", because it is not only the seat of our deepest and strongest feelings of love, but also an energy centre that allows us to make contact with the universal part of our Soul, that divine spark that shines within us.