Anahata Chakra -HEART CHAKRA

Anahata literally means the 'unstruck' (an-not, ahat- struck). All sound in the manifested universe is produced by the striking together of objects which sets up vibrations or sound waves, but that sound which issues from beyond this material world, the primordial sound, is the source of all sound and is the anahata nada (sound). The heart center is where this sound manifests.

It may be perceived by the yogi as an internal, unborn and undy- ing vibration, the pulse of the universe. The anahata chakra is symbolized by a smoky blue lotus with twelve petals inscribed with the letters kam, kham, gam, gham, nam, cham, chham, jam, jham, nam, tam, tham.

In the center of the lotus is a hexagram of two interlaced triangles (as in the Jewish Star of David) and the bija mantra yam sitting on a swift black antelope, symbol of the air element. The presiding deities of anahata chakra are Isha, the lord in an all-pervading form and the goddess Kakini, ruler of the fat element.

Anahata is associated on the physical level with the heart and lungs, and the circulatory and respiratory systems. Sufferers of diseases like anemia, hypertension, palpitations, tuberculosis, asthma and bronchitis should practice concentration on anahata chakra, preferably while doing asanas or other yogic techniques.

One may meditate on anahata chakra by imagining a dark empty room or cave in the chest region. This is called the space of the heart (hridayakasha) and is filled with the expansion and contraction of the breathing process and the rhythm of the heart beat. One should try to visualize the tiny flame of a burning lamp. Imagine it to be steady and unflickering like a flame in a windless place. It is the symbol of the individual soul (jivatma), the indwelling spirit of all being which is undisturbed by the winds of the world.

The heart centre is located on the spine at approximately the level of the breastbone. At the heart level we experience the qualities of airiness, mobility, gentleness and lightness. These qualities comprise the element of air. They are expressed as 'movement towards' and therefore as relationship or sympathy.

The sense of touch is derived from the element of air. Touch is basically the experience of relationship. We speak of bcing `in touch' or `out of touch'. This is really to say that we have more or less of the heart quality manifesting at that time. It is the air element which gives the relationship experience.

A surplus of any quality becomes a defect. This principle applies to all the chakras. At the heart level too much relationship will become over sympathy and therefore anxiety. An illustration of this point is the state that was described in Victorian days as 'having the vapors'. A surplus of the air or vaporous element in the system produced giddiness or dizziness. The remedy used was smelling salts, because smell is the sense connected with the root chakra or earth element. The energies were therefore brought down to earth and the balance in the system restored.

HEART CHAKRA QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES