“May we continue to open our hearts and minds, in order to work ceaselessly for the benefit of all beings.
May we go to the places that scare us. May we lead the life of a warrior.”
― Pema Chödrön
Good morning and happy Monday! Over the past few day, we’ve been discussing the heart chakra as it relates to forgiveness. As we start this new week, it’s time to move on!
The most important lesson is that we learn not to stuff our emotions down, finding instead constructive ways for their acknowledgement. Then, we must fearlessly learn to release our emotions and move on. To forgive self and others.
The Dalai Lama notes: “We can see that there are many ways in which we actively contribute to our own experience of mental unrest and suffering. Although, in general, mental and emotional afflictions themselves can come naturally, often it is our own reinforcement of those negative emotions that makes them so much worse. if we think about the projected injustices done to us, the ways in which we have been unfairly treated, and we keep on thinking about them over and over, then that feeds the hatred.”
Robert Thurman writes in his book Anger: “You don’t have to resign yourself to ordinary suffering, to being always unconscious of what is really going on, helpless before not only society and space and time and others, but more importantly before your own inner drives, impulses and demands. You need not give up and allow yourself to be buffetted here and there by passions and angers. You can become conscious of what you were formerly unconscious. You can understand your drives, see where they come from, block the source, and divert the energy for your own use. You can resist all imperatives and learn to wield the underlying energies. You can reclaim those energies for your life, for your happiness and the happiness of your loved ones.”
In Chinese medicine, the heart is connected to the tongue. And it is said that if the tongue does not speak from the heart, the heart will start to die.
To conclude her chapter on the 4th chakra of the heart, in her book Frontiers of Health, Dr. Page lists out the resultant illness that arise when our heart is literally broken.
For those who have heart attacks, did you know that the vast majority occur on Monday morning, between 8:00-9:00am ??
Studies report that virtually all of these people had strong feelings of “lack of fulfillment” in their work, with their “heart sinking” when they woke up on Monday. Further inquiry revealed a general sense of “dreams that had gone unrealized” and a feeling of powerlessness to do anything about it.
Other diseases of the heart can include immune disease, asthma, aids, breast cancer, cancer in general, auto-immune diseases such at rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, leukemia, hodgkins, anorexia, bulimia and even the common flu. Anyone with breast issues out there, as a guideline for healing, it’s said that left breast issues relate to men-father, and right breast troubles to the female-mother.
Psycho-Spiritually, all these diseases hold issues with self-esteem, self-nurturing and self-expression at heart. We are crying out: “Love me for who I am, and not for what I do”.
Dr. Pages writes that the vast majority of people exhibiting 4th heart chakra symptoms, 80%, relate to non-complaining “nice” people whilst the other 20% tend to express their emotions, but are unable to release and move on. “Both are hurt, angry and low in self-esteem and need to be given the opportunity, likely with professional help, to express their feelings and build a sense of self worth which includes a close and loving support system. Many have a tendency to have devoted all of one’s energies into nurturing and encouraging others, falsely believing this will provide a satisfactory purpose to life. Unfortunately, what commonly happens when we give such dedication, we are sadly disappointed by the response and people taking us for granted. We’re left feeling hurt, abandoned and resentful although this is rarely expressed. Resentment, if not properly channeled, begins to build.”
And I can say this is exactly what my post of yesterday was alluding to. A casual question by a friend sparked some pretty deep insight and hurt where I was feeling a lack of support.
All of these illnesses, when actuated, will force us to address our current lifestyle, and make changes. Even with a bout of flu, it can be said that we are passing through a cleansing period, preparing us for a new state of consciousness.
As you can see, working to nurture ourselves through the chakra of the heart is likely one of the most important realizations of our lives, if we are to become happy and free from some pretty terrible illnesses!
What can we do to begin working here?
Guidelines for Balancing:
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- To overcome hatred, we learn to cultivate loving-kindness, compassion, patience, and forgiveness.
- As noted above, practicing mindfulness and analytical meditation is very helpful. It will allow us to understand the inner workings of our mind, and learn to be there for ourselves. We stop blaming the outside world and others for every little problem.
- Establishing a routine Metta, Lovingkindness meditation when we feel hate arising.
- Remember all the people who love you and imagine their love surrounding you until you can feel the warmth and affection. Imagine yourself in a crowd, pouring love into your own being. Continue with this practice until the resistance melts.
- Work to honor your intuition, the root of feelings
- Release shame and guilt through journaling, or writing a letter if necessary.
- Do things which make you happy, and work to build your sense of self worth. Learn to find pride in yourself without the need for other’s approval.
- If you are finding lack of support from family and friends, begin seeking out your “tribe”. Actively search for organizations and people with whom you share commonality, and who will see you for who you truly are.
Physical Practices:
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- Green and pink are the color of the heart chakra.
- Carry green stones of Green Kyanite, Emerald, Prehnite or Jade
- Carry pink stones, such as rose quartz
- Meditate with incense of rose
- Work with yoga postures that bring the heart up and out, shoulders back and free: of Ustrasana (= Camel), Bhujangasana (= Cobra), Matsyasana (= Fish), Gomukhasana (= Cow Face Pose)
- Work with pranayama Sukh-Purvak Breath Technique
To be able to live your life from the energy of your heart is to be truly happy. As you live your life more authentically you find you will feel happier … more in tune … balanced and harmonious.
