The Heart Chakra

Part Four - The Heart Chakra
Breath of Love

by Christine Krakora, MSSW
Fourth of a seven-part series

I just returned from another sacred journey through the Southwest. I
drove through the Arizona desert to the ocean, and then finally returned
by plane home to the Midwest. As the airplane headed down the runway,
I listened more carefully to the safety precautions to prepare us for an
emergency. One phrase stuck in my mind, "First secure your own face
mask before putting one on children traveling with you."

During this trip was the first time that I really understood the reasoning
behind this statement. There were times that I thought it was selfish to
take care of myself before helping another, especially in a crisis
situation. I do realize that in order to care for another person, I must first
be able to care for myself. We must also breathe in the sacred life-
sustaining air so we can be fully present and alive to help those around
us. This parallels an important lesson of the Heart Chakra: Have
unconditional love first for yourself, and then love others as you love
yourself.

The heart chakra is located in the center of the chest connecting to the
lungs and to the element of air. This center radiates the color vibration
of emerald green and is the source of healing and life-sustaining energy.
At this center, we are connected to the rhythm of our beating heart and
to the constant breath of life. Here is where we find the lessons of love,
compassion, and forgiveness as the heart deepens our connection and
awareness of our relationship first with ourselves and then with those
around us.

The heart center is also the balancing point between our physical
connection to the earth and our spiritual connection to the divine. It
transitions our earthly existence into a space that can open us to the
expansive connection to the universe. A beautiful man who taught me
some qigong movements in New Jersey had a wonderful way of
explaining the bridging that happens in the heart center. While doing
movements, he would comment, "Breathe in the energy of the earth
below. Breathe in the energy of the sky above. Now combine this
energy in the heart where they make love. Remember to make love
every day." This gave me a new meaning to the phrase "making love"!

How do we create love in our life everyday? How do we live from a
space of unconditional love for ourselves and for those around us? My
life journey has been about understanding unconditional love. Giving
love to others comes naturally for me, but allowing myself to receive has
been a more challenging lesson. For most of my life, I did not understand
that to be fully present for others, I had to take care of myself first. As a
young social worker, I ended up getting into an unending cycle of giving
so much of my time and energy to others, to the point of being totally
exhausted physically and emotionally. My focus was always outside
myself, thinking that learning how to love others was the big lesson.

One day a friend told me that even though I was a very loving person,
myself, she did not think that I really understood love, as I did not seem
to love and care for myself. I spent the next six years learning this lesson
of love, nurturing myself and asking for what I needed from others. Now
I understand that the secret to creating enough love to sustain ourselves
in this world, is to give it to ourselves first -- just like the instructions on
the airplane. I also trust that the universe is ready to help me receive, if
only I ask.

I have recently learned another lesson about unconditional love and
acceptance that has allowed me to have healthier boundaries with
others around me, and more specifically with my family and partner. If
I am too eager to take care of others and try to make their lives easier,
I take away their empowerment. I am also assuming that they cannot take
care of themselves, and that I know what is better for their life at this time.
True empowerment comes from realizing the strength and wisdom within
as we journey through all of our life experiences. We can let go with love,
and trust that the divine order of the universe will continue to unfold for the
highest good of all.

Meditation for the Heart Chakra
Place your hands on your heart center. Notice your breathing pattern
and feel your heart beat. Feel the rise and fall of your chest and
abdomen with each breath. Allow the breath of love to fill your lungs.
Take in several deep cleansing breaths. As you inhale, breathe in peace
and love. As you exhale, let go of any tension or heaviness in your heart
center. Continue to breathe this sacred air into your body, transforming
it into golden light. Let this golden light move into the center of your heart.
Slowly, let it radiate from the heart center all around your physical body,
forming a cocoon of golden light. With every breath you strengthen your
golden cocoon of safety, protection and love. Imagine a circle of love all
around you. Invite all of your closest family, friends, and spirit guides to
join this circle of love and light. They are supporting you in your journey
toward self-love and they are breathing with you. Breathe in unconditional
love for yourself. Breathe out love to the circle around you. Connect to
this constant cycle of giving and receiving. Breathe in love. Breathe out
love. You are love.

Christine Krakora, MSSW, is a Certified Social Worker and Reiki
Master Teacher. She is the owner of Healing & Balance LLC located
in Madison at the Quarry Arts Building. Christine is committed to
empowering others on the path of self-healing and spiritual awareness.
She offers individual sessions, classes, and workshops blending Reiki,
Qigong, T'ai Chi, Meditation, Counseling, and Spiritual Guidance.

Website information at: www.healingandbalance.com.
Copyright © 2002 Christine Krakora

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