Heart Chakra: Expand Your Capacity for Love
(Go back to Part 1: What Are The Chakras?)
Our capacity for giving and receiving love is directly related to the fourth chakra: the heart chakra. When the heart chakra is in balance, we radiate warmth and compassion, and genuinely enjoy our friends and relatives without expecting anything in return. We accept others for who they are, focusing on their positive attributes and overlooking the negative. It is as Jesus instructed, “Love thy neighbor.”
We all possess 7 major chakras. The lower 3 chakras are described as being “of earth” (Yin energy); the top 3, “of heaven” (Yang energy). All 6 merge in the centrally-located heart chakra, resulting in non-possessive, unconditional love. Be aware that opening heart chakra raises awareness and consideration of others’ problems, which can be emotionally draining. However, when your fourth chakra is balanced, you can demonstrate compassion towards others without getting caught up in their personal dramas.
Heart Chakra Basics:
- Color: emerald green
- Element: air
- Location: center of chest
- Associated body parts: heart, lungs, diaphragm, chest, thymus, circulatory system, shoulders, arms, hands
- Basic issues: love, compassion, kindness, relationships, self-acceptance, forgiveness, hope, sympathy, empathy
- Gemstones and crystals: emerald, rose quartz, ruby
- Flower essences: bleeding heart, holly, wild rose
- Essential oils: marjoram, neroli, rose
- Food: green vegetables (e.g., broccoli, green beans, lettuce, brussels sprouts)
Signs of Unbalanced Heart Chakra:
When the fourth chakra is out of balance you may be afraid of being hurt by others, or even display paranoia. Self-pity and indecision may be prevalent, and possibly the perception that you are unworthy of love. These feelings could manifest in actual physical illnesses including cardiovascular problems, hypertension, stroke, respiratory ailments, upper back and shoulder problems or arthritis. Emotional or mental issues like resentment, possessiveness, emotional insensitivity, sorrow or depression may arise. Common addictions associated with heart chakra imbalance include nicotine and marijuana.
Tips for Opening Heart Chakra
Doing things for others is one of the best activities for opening heart chakra. For now, let’s focus on your partner or spouse. Make the favorite dinner or slip a note into the lunch. Buy that sweater, not because of a birthday or holiday, but simply because you thought that particular shade of blue would look terrific on your partner. Make some kind of gesture on a regular basis, perhaps monthly or even weekly. This requires planning and effort, but you need to make the time. (Even President and Michelle Obama have weekly date nights!)
Not only will you open your own heart chakra, but you’ll open the door for your partner to do the same, resulting in a free-flow of love. Other activities for opening heart chakra include:
- Seeking inspiration in books, poetry or romantic movies
- Volunteering your time for a charity or cause about which you are passionate
- Wearing gemstones or chakra jewelry f emerald, rose quartz, ruby
Try this heart chakra meditation from Secret Meditations:
Sources: Chakras for Beginners
