Heart Chakra: Powers Of The Anahata

The heart chakra or anahata is one of the 7 major chakras. The word anahata is a Sanskrit word that means “unstruck” or “unbeaten.” This spiritual energy center is called the heart chakra because of its relationship with the human heart. It also corresponds to the cardiac plexus in the physical body. In mystical and spiritual traditions, it is believed that there is a sound which is non-physical and non-empirical, but is transcendental in nature. This sound is endless and unbroken just like the heart beat which can be heard continuously from the moment you are born until the day you die.

The heart chakra (anahata) symbolizes the consciousness of love, empathy, selflessness, and devotion. In yoga it is also known as hridayakasha which means “the space within the heart.”

It is said that only when you reach the heart chakra that you become a bona fide yogi. People who have awakened root chakra, sacral chakra, and solar plexus chakra are still just considered yoga practitioners. When you awaken the heart chakra, you become a yogi because you are completely established in Christ consciousness (depicted in paintings as the visible heart on the chest of Jesus Christ), and you depend solely upon the power of your own consciousness rather than on anything that is external or concerning faith.

Spiritual Powers of the Heart Chakra

“With heart chakra (anahata) awakening one develops non-attachment to worldly things and a constant feeling of optimism, understanding that good and bad coexist, but there is also a world beyond this duality. After ridding oneself of attachment, the mind becomes relaxed, free and peaceful. And with the discovery of true freedom, pleasures of dualistic life become meaningless.” - Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Kundalini Tantra

In many systems of yoga, meditating on the different chakras of the body allows the person to attain different kinds of powers or what the Hindus call "siddhis." The following is a list of siddhis associated with the heart chakra:

• The Power Of Steadiness Or Immobility
• Knowledge Of The Nature Of The Mind
• Knowledge Of Pure Consciousness (Spirit/Purusha)
• Extra Sensory Perception
• Vision Of The Light Of The Universal Mind
• Mastery Of The Elements (Air)
• Mastery Over The Five Senses Of The Body (Touch)
• Omnipotence & Omniscience: Mastery Of All States Of Existence
• Absolute Freedom or Kaivalya

Practices for Awakening The Heart Chakra

There are many practices for controlling or balancing the energy that goes through the heart chakra. The following practices are used mainly in the tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism.

1. Asanas (yogic postures) - Asana is defined as "posture" and its literal meaning is "seat." Asanas greatly stimulate and influence the functioning of the endocrine system. The following asanas are useful in awakening heart chakra: shalabhasana, dhanurasana, matsyasana, gomukhasana, kandharasana, baddha padmasana, sarpasana, supta vajrasana, and sirshasana.

2. Bhramari Pranayama - Bhramar means "humming bee" and pranayama means "restraint of the prana or breath." Bhramari pranayama is a breathing practice in which a soft "humming-bee" sound is produced during exhalation to stimulate the heart chakra.

3. Ajapa Japa - Japa means recitation. Japa are of two kinds; written japa and japa done by recitation of a mantra. The letter A in front of the word japa means "without." Thus, ajapa-japa is the practice of japa without the mental effort normally needed to repeat the mantra. Ajapa-japa means constant awareness and, in this state, the mantra "repeats itself" in the mind.

4. Samyama Meditation - Samyama meditation is a combined simultaneous practice of dhāraṇā, dhyāna, and samādhi. These techniques primarily belong to the classical yoga called Raja Yoga or "royal union." According to this system of yoga, meditating on the heart chakra using this technique allows the practitioner to have full control of its power.

Note: If you are interested to know more, I recommend the book called Kundalini Tantra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. You can also check out my article on spiritual powers for more references. And don’t forget, please consult your doctor before you do any of these exercises.