"Lil' Heart Just For You" by Kasia, used with permission under CC BY 2.0. Source.

Why Disconnection From Self And Others Can Be Hazardous To Your Health (The Heart Chakra)

We return to our chakra series! Before you think that I’ve forgotten to write about something relevant for the holidays, I’m exploring a very appropriate topic for this triggering time of social unrest and holiday zest, the Heart Chakra.

This chakra is so central to a lot of the work that I do in my private practice, and was the first chakra I ever started to really explore and heal when I learned about the chakra system.

Right now, our Heart system is being challenged on so many levels, because we are collectively entering a time where we are transcending. And, right before we transcend, we get challenged, big time, on all things we’ve held near and dear. And, in order to transcend our challenges when he stakes are high, it is often necessary for our hearts to break open. And hearts breaking open is exactly what I’ve been witnessing recently in my private practice – lives breaking down in order to rebuild, changes made to create alignment with purpose, or simply new realizations to greatly enhance new ways of living. All of this can only happen when we’re open to it.

When I first truly explored the chakras, and began with the Heart Chakra, my Heart was raw, tender, angry, but soon to be open. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. And, my pain of how my life was going was greater than my fear of changing. I had nothing to lose, so I started to honor my Heart. Never looked back since.

So far in the chakra series, we’ve covered:

Why Fear Of Survival Can Be Hazardous To Your Health (Root/First Chakra)

Why Repressing Your Anger May Be Harmful To Your Health (Sacral Plexus/Second Chakra)

Why Not Stepping Into Your Power May Be Hazardous To Your Health (Solar Plexus/Third Chakra)

Why Not Trusting Your Intuition Can Be Hazardous To Your Health (Third Eye/Sixth Chakra)

Why Not Speaking Your Truth Can Be Hazardous To Your Health (Throat/Fifth Chakra)

As you can imagine, the Heart Chakra is located in the center of the chest. This chakra corresponds to the thymus, heart, and circulation. It’s color is green, and it is the center of love, joy, and compassion. From it, we tap into our Higher Selves, self-love, and Divine Love.

When our Heart Chakra is blocked, we feel:

  • Lonely
  • Disconnected from ourselves and others
  • Resentful
  • Depressed (due to lack of hope)
  • Grief
  • Distrust in ourselves
  • Lack of compassion
  • Unable to accept love given by others

On a physical level, a blocked Heart Chakra may manifest as:

  • Heart issues (like congestive heart failure or heart attacks)
  • Asthma and allergies
  • Lung cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Bronchial pneumonia

When our Heart Chakra is open, we feel:

  • Connected to ourselves and others
  • Connected to our Higher Selves
  • Connected to Divine Love
  • Trust in ourselves
  • Compassion

This chakra is interesting, because it also correlates to similar attributes as the Heart in Chinese Medicine. The Heart in Chinese Medicine is yang in nature (meaning that its energy works upwards and outwards), and it is all about expression and connection. You can tell that the Heart in Chinese Medicine is in need of rebalancing when we are unable to connect with ourselves and with others, are unable to express ourselves as we’d like to, and people are unable to hear us the way we want to be heard.

Also, as I mentioned in my previous blog post, “How The Complexion Is Related To The Heart In Chinese Medicine“, “The Heart, in Chinese Medicine, rules the mind, spirit and circulation, and is affected by heat, joy, anxiety and bitterness.  Our spirit (Shen) resides in our Hearts, so when our spirit is joyful or sorrowful, it can show up in our complexion”.

Additionally, the Heart Chakra also encompasses issues about the Lungs. A major aspect of the energy of the Lungs in Chinese Medicine is about grief and letting go. Here, grief is an aspect of both an unbalanced Heart Chakra in Reiki and of the Lungs in Chinese Medicine.

Here are my favorite ways to unblock the Heart Chakra:

  1. Drink rosebud tea. Mei Gui Hua (Rosae Rugosae), or rose flower buds, are considered an herb in Chinese Medicine. Its treatment principles are that they move Qi and Blood, harmonize the Liver and Spleen, and dispel stasis. Energetically, roses resonate with the Heart Chakra. Create a mini-tea ceremony for yourself by pouring boiling water over 9 rosebuds (9 is a Chinese lucky number), and while the tea is steeping, set an intention or make a prayer for what you want out of love (to be able to express more self-love, for instance). That way, when you’re ready to drink the tea, you will be ingesting this special prayer and intention. And, in addition, you will be moving your Qi and Blood, which is always a good thing!
  2. Wear Rose Quartz. My favorite way of wearing stones is as a pendant. But, you can wear a rose quartz bracelet, earrings, or as a tumbled stone in your pocket. Rose quartz is probably the most popular “love stone”, because it emits the strong vibration of unconditional love, joy, warmth, and healing. It’s excellent when dealing with issues around self-love and compassion. Always remember to clear your newly purchased stone by holding it above white sage smoke for a few seconds, energizing it with the intention of helping you cultivate love. When you’ve used it for a while, or you feel it’s helped you process a lot, clear it again with white sage smoke to clear it.
  3. Ask Kwan Yin for assistance. Kwan Yin (also known as Guanyin) is a Bodhisattva (a Being of Enlightenment), the Goddess of Compassion and Mercy, and one of the Lords of Karma. She is an Ascended Master, and can help you release your hurts and truly forgive those who have hurt you. She helps you to open your heart and radiate love so that love can come back to you. It is no coincidence that when I was learning to heal, I became aware of her presence.

What are your favorite ways to heal and open your Heart Chakra?
I’d love to hear about them, in the comments, below!

With compassion,

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Copyright © 2014 by Alcantara Acupuncture & Healing Arts. All rights reserved. You may quote, copy, translate and link to this article, in its entirety, on free, non-donation based websites only, as long as you include the author name and a working link back to this website. All other uses are strictly prohibited.

All information on this website is my own opinion, and not to be taken as medical advice. Reliance on any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk. Please refer to your medical practitioner before making any medical decisions.

7 Comments

  1. Deborah
    September 23, 2015

    I have been hearing voices who say they’re my spirit guides. This started after the loss of my sister and dog. I hear them and also clicking and movement in my bedroom at night always at 4am is clearest. They want to open my 5 chakras starting with my heart. I thought we start with the root but they say they want to clear my 5 chakras starting with the heart. They want to open it. Im having trouble relaxing. They say they will help me thru this. They say I am very beautiful kind wonderful over and over. As I try to open they chant and it gets fainter and fainter yet clearer. I become so relaxed but then I fall asleep so I’m not sure if I’m doing what they want or failing. They say I’m a very important person. I’m her for a very special reason to do miracles but first I must open my heart. The clicking sound gets very intense. I went so deep one time I saw people flashing by brilliant colors my heart slowed down. Thought I was dying but the said u r Not dying. Please I need help. I’m not knowledgeable and all I have r them. There r three but they don’t tell me their name when I ask. They r very insistent every night. I don’t sleep like I used to but I’m not tired once I’m up at all. I don’t want them to give up on me because I’m nervous and I fall asleep as I get so relaxed. Is clearing ur heart first normal? I as them to go away so I can sleep but they say u r very important this is so u can reach ur higher spirit. I’m a miracle worker.

    Reply
    • Margarita Alcantara, M.S.Ac., L.Ac., Reiki Master/Teacher
      September 24, 2015

      Hi Deborah,

      Thanks for reading! It is not uncommon to start with the Heart Chakra when opening up your energy centers, so I wouldn’t be too concerned that you’re not starting at the Root Chakra. Also, opening up all of your chakras is an intense process, and for some it can be overwhelming when doing it alone, so I suggest you have some support around you while doing this, through healers in your area who can help guide you along. In addition, true Spirit Guides are supportive, kind, nurturing, open about information, give you space, and let you sleep. If you are feeling discomfort because of the awakening process, that’s one thing. If you are feeling nervousness and discomfort because of the insistence of these voices to open up chakras when you’re not ready, that may be a warning of your body to protect itself. Get centered and ask them if they’re of light, surround yourself in light, and ask for guidance from your Spirit Guides and protection from your Angels. I invite you to get truly centered, and understand that you are in control of your body, mind, and spirit, and that you don’t have to do anything you’re not ready to do. Seek the help of a nearby intuitive healer or shaman to help you through this process. And trust your instincts.

      Blessings,
      Margarita

      Reply
  2. Jackie
    October 26, 2015

    I recently was confronted by my son in law after he had an argument with his mom.( They have a dramatic relationship and myself and my husband are the complete opposite.)
    He turned to me after she left and ripped into me for no reason. I realize his very hurtful words were directed at ne, but meant for his mother.
    I had no apologies, he’s not that kind of person, (Ego driven), and it has strained all our relationships. I was heartbroken and pulled away and now my step daughter who is the light of my life isn’t speaking to me .
    I can actually feel pain in my heart and I’m so scared.
    My husband, who I adore, is a very strong person, and can continue on like this, but he can’t understand why I’m so sad.
    I’m extremely empathic, and I’ve tried little things to help, mefit

    Reply
  3. Jackie
    October 26, 2015

    Meditation, yoga etc.
    PLEASE , can you give me some direction.
    I’m at my wits end.
    Thankyou in advance.

    Reply
    • Margarita Alcantara, M.S.Ac., L.Ac., Reiki Master/Teacher
      October 29, 2015

      Hi Jackie,

      I’m sorry to hear that you’re experiencing some challenging times right now. Good news is that you’re able to create mindfulness around the situation, and realize the hurtful things are not truly directed at you! Sounds like you’re strong enough to know who/what you’re about. I’d recommend getting some support around you (other family, friends, support groups, good talk therapy), stat, to assist you through this time. Because you’re empathic, an energy healing session to get more clear on your energy, and creating healthy energetic boundaries may be helpful.

      Good luck!
      Margarita

      Reply
  4. HOW TO BE BRAVE | datruthchronicles
    November 22, 2016

    […] your heart wants to do, you bring in more of what aligns you with your Highest Self (because your Heart Chakra is connected to your Higher Self, the part of you that is eternal, has been with you through all of […]

    Reply
  5. Crystal
    February 12, 2018

    Hello!
    I enjoyed this article very much. It has just came to my attention that my heart and solar plexus is disconnected. It happened in a traumatic event when I was a child and I am unable to recall it. I do have a session coming up to revisit the past and heal it. I have had such a time with myself if you can imagine working on Love and Self power. It feels as though I am being weighed down and unable to get out of bed and takes an extreme amount of energy to even balance to get going. I am looking for advice and or others who have experienced this.

    Thanks,
    Crystal

    Reply

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