THE HEART CENTER
We’ve arrived at the heart center. This Chakra is the bridge between our lower primal qualities and the upper chakras. It deals with feelings of love—and love is acceptance. It is the moment when we start to bring our attention outside of ourselves, and look at what might be of service to our community (whether you are dealing with the world at large or your immediate relationship and family).
When the heart is not open it sometimes shows up even in our physical appearance, where we contract around the chest, and try to protect our heart by bringing it more inwards. There are plenty of Kundalini Yoga exercises that can help us open our hearts more—both physically and to the qualities of the heart chakra.
CLASS
RECOMMENDED READING
Read Chapter 4 of ‘The 8 Human Talents’ by Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa
Download PDF here
Buy the book here
LECTURES AND PODCASTS
Library of Teachings February 12, 1991
Library of Teachings February 13, 1991 (second meditation—you will need two apples)
ADDITIONAL EXERCISES
Camel Pose
Practice Camel Pose to open the heart physically and energetically. Guide for Camel Pose here.
SELF PSYCHOLOGY EXERCISES
Contemplate your relationship to your Fourth Chakra, The Heart Center, with these Self Psychology exercises.
The themes of this chakra are Love, Acceptance, Kindness, Compassion, Hatred and Deceit.
The center of the fourth chakra is the heart center, not the physical heart (which is situated to your left side) but the middle of your chest at your sternum bone. The lungs and the diaphragm are also included in the fourth chakra. The heart center is associated with the Thymus gland.
Journal through the following questions. If you find that your mind takes a different direction and additional questions come up, follow your trail for additional deeper insights.
How do I feel today? What is moving within me right now?
Begin the following Self Psychology exercises with a few minutes of silence where you feel into (draw your attention there) you heart. Then complete the following sentences, or answer the questions.
When I tune into the frequency on my heart I feel…
The last time I felt my heart “burst” with joy, or overflow was…
The last time I felt my heart contract and feeling “broken” was…
How much time in a day do I spend noticing my heart center?
What would happen if I spent more time listening to my heart?
When I think of the following things, do I feel my heart contract or expand? Love. Friends. Family. Work. Money. Learning. Passion. Community. Desire. Security.
Journal through a few pages on what you felt during this last exercise and why you think that is so.