The Anahata Chakra is the third chakra in the body.
The anahata chakra is one of the six psychic centers (chakras) thought to exist in the subtle body, according to various yoga schools and the esoteric ritual tradition known as tantra.
- The subtle body is a physiological system that is believed to exist on a separate level of existence than coarse matter yet has certain similarities to it.
- It is made up of six psychic centers that are seen as multi-petaled lotus flowers that run approximately parallel to the spine and are linked by three vertical channels.
Each of these chakras has significant symbolic connections, including various human capabilities, subtle components (tanmatras), and seed syllables (bijaksharas) created from Sanskrit alphabet letters, thereby embracing all holy music.
- Shiva (embodying awareness) and Shakti (embodying force), the two divine principles through which the whole world came into existence, are located above and below these centers, respectively.
- The harmonization of macrocosm and microcosm, an important Hindu notion from the time of the mystical writings known as the Upanishads, is therefore the basic premise underpinning this concept of the subtle body.
The anahata chakra is the fourth of the six chakras, and it is usually listed from the bottom up.
- It is shown as a twelve-petaled lotus blossoming in the heart area.
- Each of these petals has a seed phrase made up of a Sanskrit alphabet letter, in this instance the first twelve consonants.
- The anahata chakra is linked with blood circulation throughout the body on a metaphorical level.
- It is also said to be the physical seat for the subtle element of wind, whose activity is thought to be responsible for circulating things throughout the body (through the five vital winds known as pranas).
See Arthur Avalon (Sir John Woodroffe), Shakti and Shakta, 1978, and Philip S. Rawson, The Art of Tantra, 1973, for further details.
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