Anahata "Heart" Chakra, Holding our Trauma with Compassion
*This is the 5th blog in my chakra series related to emotional/physical/spiritual wellbeing. Here is a link to the first in the series, a brief overview of the chakra system. If you are not familiar with the chakra system I recommend reading this first: https://www.alicebluetherapy.com/blog/processing-trauma-through-the-chakra-system
A warm breeze blowing across the river, intermingling with the golden sun to provide a sense of ease and comfort. Air carrying smells and sounds to our stratosphere with a sensory hug to calm our nervous system. In Sanskrit, Anahata translates to "unstruck" or "unhurt," reflecting the deep quality of forgiveness we are capable of when we lean into the wisdom of this chakra. This is the home of our compassion and love for ourselves and others, located in the heart. When this chakra is in balance, we feel loving and kind, with room for our own healing as well as space for others. Represented by the color green, and sometimes pink, this chakra curls around us in tendrils of connection and attunement towards ourselves and others. Anahata is the bridge between the upper and lower chakras. The bottom three chakras are connected to the physical world and our animal instincts, and the top three connect us to our spirituality. Anahata lives in the center to balance human desires with spiritual growth.
Anahata is an energy center that is necessary for trauma healing. When we are able to reach our resource of compassion in the heart, we can finally give those wounded parts of ourselves the love we always needed. We are liberated from the people that never provided that love. This is a place that contains the capacity for deep change in how we treat ourselves. When we realize that we deserve unconditional love (because we do), we deepen our ability to live in this world with a sense of meaning.
Trauma in Anahata
In working with somatic trauma therapy, when we feel sensation in our heart, sometimes we open up a portal of pain. This is a tender chakra to work with because so much held here can be connected to heartbreak and longing. When Anahata is out of balance, we can feel animosity or deep heart break. The trauma related to this is often related to grief, whether it's from a death in your life, or grieving the pain of an abusive childhood. While we must tread with care when working with this chakra, the power behind Anahata is strong. Paradoxically, we must crack ourselves open in this trauma healing journey in order to see our true strength. We fall apart only to be put back together again and truly see the love we are capable of in this world. This can feel scary when we begin, so it’s important to build a trusting relationship with whoever you are working with to ensure deep safety in your state of vulnerability.
Leaning into the Resource of the Heart
When we have experienced trauma, we may find ourselves in situations similar to the past. This can be a result of an unconscious urge to play out our troubles. We end up in relationships that remind us of the grief we experienced from childhood, or at a job where we aren’t recognized for our true abilities. We must play it through, and “master” the trauma. Sometimes that means saying ‘no’ to something or someone, and inviting what we really want into our lives. Our hearts are yearning to grow and release the patterns of grief that have accumulated over time, and here are a few ways to tap into the powerful energy of Anahata:
Connect with a person in your life you feel comfortable and at ease with; someone you can be your most authentic self around. Have a meandering walk, or a time to sit with each other and your tea
Connect with someone new, perhaps go to a meet up group or say hello to someone you wouldn’t normally in your daily life
Place your hand on your heart at any given moment and take slow, deep breaths
Practice heart opening yoga postures such as bridge pose or cobra pose
Chant “Ram,” the Sanskrit mantra to balance this chakra
Often, people naturally find resource and comfort in their heart center when scanning their bodies. When we tap into the somatic wisdom of Anahata, we can find relief. Compassion flows to ourselves and the greater community around us, as balance in this chakra creates a sense of contentment and love.