Anahata, the heart chakra, has twelve petals. The Yantra in the center of the chakra is composed of two overlapping, intersecting triangles. One triangle, facing upward symbolizes Shiva, the male principle. The other triangle, facing downward, symbolizes Shakti, the female principle. A balance is attained when these two forces are joined in harmony.
The seed mantra is Yam and the vital breath is Prana. Each chakra has a Bija Mantra, or a seed sound that is said to encapsulate the entire essence of the energy center. The sound for Anahata is “yam”. Chanting it adjusts the vibration of the heart like a tuning fork. Sit up tall, close your eyes, and repeat the sound “yam” to feel your energy shift at the cellular level.
The Sanskrit word for the fourth chakra is Anahata, which means, "unhurt, unstruck, untouched". The name implies that there is a state within that is beyond the hurts and grievances of past experiences.
When your heart chakra is vibrating freely, you are flow with love and compassion, are quick to forgive and accept others and yourself. A weakened vibration shows up as grief, anger, jealousy, fear of betrayal and hatred toward yourself and others.
Maybe you've been hurt in the past by parents, siblings, classmates, or lovers (who hasn’t?). It's impossible to avoid situations where someone may try to hurt you but holding onto the hurt weakens your heart’s vibration.
Your heart chakra is one of the most important energy centers because it is integral to our ability to express the love we already are. Divine Love is the center point of the primary energy of the universe. The heart chakra gives us the ability to love, trust, and feel deep compassion for others. An open heart bathes your mind to the radiating warmth of the universe and makes the highest form of spiritual love possible.
Did you know that your heart generates your body’s most powerful and most extensive rhythmic electromagnetic field? Compared to the electromagnetic field produced by your brain, the electrical component of your heart’s field is 60 times greater in amplitude. Its vibration permeates every cell in your body. Your heart energy field can be detected and measured several feet away from your body. Between two individuals in close proximity, sustained positive emotions such as love, appreciation and gratitude co-create a mode of harmony. This harmonious feeling is often referred to as “the zone,” “flow,” or “oneness.” When we are in such states we feel connection to others and ourselves. This even creates changes in the structure of water and in the structure of DNA.
A Collective Opening of the Heart
When we unite in heart-focused care and intention (yoga class/meditation) we produce a massive collective harmony…a wave of universal love. A balanced heart chakra supports unconditional, objectless love. It is a beautiful cycle: the more love we feel, the more we offer out. The more love we offer, the more love we receive.