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Understanding Blockages of Anahata - The Sacred Space of the Heart Through the Lens ofYoga Philosophy.



Anahata, the energy centre of the heart space is developed between the ages of 4 and 7 years old. This centre is responsible for our ability to experience unconditional love, nurture

relationships, explore interdependence and our social state of being. The shadow side of the

heart space manifests itself as grief, and when the energy within this centre becomes blocked, hardened, or sticky, it can ripple through many facets of our lives, shaping our emotional states and the way we show up and interact in the world.


When we are born, we exist as pure consciousness, as unconditional love, before the world

begins to condition us. Each subtle or significant event that we experience gradually shapes our ego and alters our perception of reality. We begin to recognize ourselves within social settings and come to understand that our decisions have consequences. This new awareness leads us away from a state of complete acceptance, and into recurring experiences of perceived rejection. There’s no human on earth who manages to make it through their lifetime without enduring trauma in some shape or form. Dr Gabor Maté speaks about how we create our reality through our minds, however, first our minds are created and shaped by the world, our experiences, and the events around us. This speaks to what Patanjali, the great Sage who wrote the Yoga Sutras, refers to as vrttis (modifications of the mind).


In our early years, core beliefs and narratives become imprinted in us, based on unmet needs, relational trauma, scarcity, and many other experiences, shaping how we see the world, navigate relationships, and manage conflict. For those growing up in dysfunctional or chaotic environments, the likelihood of recreating similar dynamics in adulthood increases, as this is what is familiar, and familiar is comfortable, no matter how unhealthy or harmful the behaviour may be. In a state of fight or flight, we often revert to what we know, finding discomfort in situations that reflect stability or security, which can create chaos in relationships, social interactions, and community.


Children who have emotionally unavailability caregivers often develop coping mechanisms and maladaptive behaviours that protect them from vulnerability, leading to a hardening of the heart. The Latin origin of the word vulnerable translates to “having the capacity to be

wounded.” When children lack the capacity to be wounded, they instinctively harden their

hearts to protect themselves, while creating their perception of the world through the lens of

“the fluctuations of the mind.” These perceptions generally do not reflect reality, which is disruptive to their inner peace.


As we transition into adulthood, we bring the wounds of our childhood with us, in the form of

habitual patterns, until we find ourselves on a path toward self-realization. Patanjali’s Yoga

Sutras are a roadmap towards self-realization, offering the 8 Limbs of Yoga as a foundational

guide towards spiritual growth. Originally the teachings were passed down orally and were later transcribed onto leaves and have since been translated numerous times. In the ancient

language, Sanskrit, sutra translates to ‘thread,’ inviting unraveling one insight at a time.

As we explore this path of self-realization, we look at the Kleshas, or primal causes of suffering. Avidya (ignorance), Asmita (egoism), Raga (attachment), Dvesha (aversion), and Abhinivesha (fear of death).


Avidya (ignorance) represents a lack of awareness regarding our true nature and spiritual

growth. As many of us learn about life and death at a fairly young age without a spiritual

background, the idea that life is short and when we die, everything from loved ones to

memories will cease to exist can create a paralyzing fear, that can stay with us through

adulthood. This fear can manifest than in selfish behaviours, which we saw during the

pandemic in 2020 when society turned on itself, surrendering to fear instead of opening our

hearts to unconditional love and compassion.


Feelings of fear are often coupled with a scarcity or lack mentality, leading people to believe

that resources are limited, there’s not enough food, not enough money for all of us. This

mindset often manifests as greed, conflict, war, homelessness, and hunger. These blockages around the heart are deeply connected to the first chakra, Muladhara, or the root chakra, which is responsible for survival, safety, material possessions, and ultimately money. When this energy comes from core beliefs rooted in childhood or even passed down from ancestral lines, it hardens the heart, prioritizing survival mechanisms over unconditional love, oneness, and a world peace.


As we explore our emotional attachments and aversions, it’s important to see how these

patterns can block and harden the heart space. Emotional blockages disrupt the flow of Prana, the life force that sustains us. These blockages can also manifest physically, creating stress-related illnesses, chronic illness, and emotional instability. The contraction of the heart leads to heightened anxiety, feelings of isolation, and an inability to experience joy and peace.


The path to healing starts with an awareness of the Kleshas and a commitment to living in

alighment with the Yamas and Niyamas. Practices such as Ahimsa (non-violence) can lead us towards compassion, kindness and understanding rather than from a place of fear and ego. Satya (truthfulness) nurtures authenticity and break free from illusions and narratives created by Avidya, allowing us to see ourselves and others more clearly.

Santosha (contentment) brings us closer to radical self-acceptance, which ultimately softens

our heart space. Svadhyaya (self-study), creates self-awareness and helps us to see our habitual patterns, so that we can break free of the kleshas. Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to God) lets us see that we don’t know it all, and that there’s much more to learn than what our ego knows.


Understanding Anahata (the sacred heart space) through the lens of yoga philosophy shows us how we can remove blockages from the heart, and facilitate healing. By committing to practices of self-awareness and compassion, we can transform our childhood wounds into a life of peace and healthy relationships. When we heal our own hearts, we heal

the hearts of the collective.


By Peta Thompson.

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I would like to gratefully acknowledge the traditional and unceded territories of the Sinixt (Lakes), the Syilx (Okanagan) and the Ktunaxa Nations and recognize the presence of other First Nations, Inuit and Metis people and their contributions to our communities.

©2023 by Peta Thompson Wellness.

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