The Heart Chakra: Getting to the Heart of the Matter
- Sonya Sage
- Jun 14
- 6 min read
Introduction
As we enter the Heart Chakra, we are guided to the Heart of the Matter. This energy centre runs deep—and rightly so, considering it’s the meeting point for the lower three (physical) and upper three (spiritual) Chakras.
Within the Heart Chakra, we ‘rise in love’, drawing Earthly energy up through our chakra system, while also ‘dropping into our heart space’ as we bring spiritual energy down from the crown.
I often think of the Heart Chakra as the exchange chamber—where energy and information circulates throughout the entire chakra system.
For example, rising energy from the lower chakras enters the heart space to be cleansed, processed, released or understood. Descending energy from spiritual realms enters the heart centre to bring alignment, embodiment or integration.
The Heart Chakra: A Deep Energy Centre
The currents of energy from our Root, Sacral and Solar Plexus Chakras are sent to our heart through the power of our life force energy. Equally, the Heart Chakra has a beneficial impact and influence on the health of all the chakras.
Yet, if we come into a state of separation within our Heart Centre and don’t implement the necessary practices to understand why separation is occurring—along with exploring what we need to do to begin a process of healing, reflection or rebalance—the entire chakra system can become impacted, preventing energy from being distributed throughout the subtle energy body.
Each Chakra has a wall of separation that relates to it. The wall of separation relating to the Heart Chakra is Betrayal and Abandonment. Aspects such as rejection, neglect that may have been experienced, even grief—whether through the death of someone dear to us, or the break-up of a friendship or relationship—will show up with a frequency that fits the profile relating to the wall of separation of Abandonment and Betrayal.
I went through an experience some years back relating to betrayal, and the initial question to my higher self was: how do I release this? I don't want to be carrying around feelings of being betrayed and the consequent closing off of emotions it evoked.
Of course, I can meditate on releasing it and changing the way I view things. I can write and release, I can forgive and set boundaries. But I recognised that these were actions I had already taken, and processes I had already worked through. These feelings of betrayal—the act of being betrayed—was so much deeper.
This is where I realised that these walls of separation aren’t just what we are holding. The Walls of Separation that we hold are like a corrupted programming on humanity. They leave an imprint on the psyche—and I see the psyche as the totality of the individual and collective conscious, unconscious and subconscious mind. In that sense, Betrayal and Abandonment can feel like it hits on a soul level.
Betrayal leaves an awfully deep wound. The pain hurts so bad, as often it’s those closest to us that betray our trust, our confidence and our hope. The major issue with betrayal is that although the pain may be excruciating, we often bury it, cut it off and close ourselves down in order to not feel or endure any potential suffering.
This, I feel, can be likened to a silent danger zone. As we close ourselves down to our heartfelt emotions, it has a ricochet effect on who we let into our lives, the level of trust we have in humanity and even Divine Source—and how much of ourselves we give to others.
How do we fully engage and take part in our world and our own lives if we are then holding a part of ourselves back?
Rising in Love
For us to be able to ascend with our spiritual journey, these realisations—and the related introspection they bring—do need to be healed and resolved, forgiven and released.
There is a deep call, as we transcend into higher consciousness, for new Chakras to open up and support us on our soul journey. But this isn't possible if we choose not to undertake the deep soul work that's required.
For us to accept and amalgamate all of our soul lessons so far, we have to shine a light on the darkest parts of us.
If we feel that we’ve been doing the healing work, yet life feels stagnant and we can’t quite figure out how to move forward—maybe a shift in perspective is needed.
If we truly want to elevate our lives to a higher dimension of understanding, we have to bring to the surface those parts of ourselves that we’ve tried to forget about.
The Centre of Love and Compassion
The Heart Chakra is the centre of love and compassion. It’s from this space that we learn and implement forgiveness. From this space, we’re also able to create and maintain powerful, loving relationships—with family, friends, and partners.
It’s where we’re able to understand and bring harmony to situations where there may be conflict.
This balance of love, forgiveness and connection doesn’t just live in the emotional body — it flows through our breath, our rhythm, and our relationship with the element of air.
The Element of Air: Breath and Balance
The Heart Chakra relates to the element of air. The lungs are governed by this energy centre, and it’s from here that we take a deep breath—we take in from the universe around us, we hold it within, and as we release, we exchange a part of ourselves, breathing our essence back out into the world.
Being able to give and receive in balance is a fundamental function of the Heart Chakra. In the same way we can become depleted if we’re not breathing properly or are short of breath, we can also become depleted if we’re constantly giving of ourselves without replenishment.
The Heart Chakra keeps our life force energy alive. Breath and balance in the Heart Chakra set the stage for something even deeper—the foundation of self-love. Without this essential relationship to ourselves, it becomes difficult to fully open and receive the love and abundance that the heart is meant to hold.
Self-Love: The Foundation of Heart Chakra Balance
Self-love is also highly important when looking at the Heart Chakra. If we are out of balance in this area, we may see its effects ripple through all parts of our lives—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—as well as impacting any or all of the other chakras.
When we enter the Heart Chakra, we begin to determine our state of receptivity. Have we placed a wall around our hearts out of fear of being hurt or let down? Was it built from anger and rage, or from despair and sadness? Do the barriers we choose to surround our hearts protect us from damage, or do they actually hinder the flow of love and abundance?
Achieving Heart Chakra Harmony
Balancing and caring for the Heart Chakra is really about opening ourselves to love and compassion, both for ourselves and others. When the heart is in balance, we can give and receive love without holding back.
Here are some ways to support and nurture your Heart Chakra:
Practices for cultivating love and compassion:Spend time tuning into your heart through meditation or quiet reflection. Notice how you can bring kindness and understanding into your daily interactions—it’s in those simple moments that love grows.
Techniques for nurturing self-love and forgiveness:Writing in a journal can help you uncover feelings that need healing. Using affirmations to remind yourself that you are worthy of love can make a difference. Forgiveness work—whether through meditation or just honest self-reflection—helps break down the walls we build around our hearts.
When you practice these regularly, you start to clear the blockages and create more flow, peace, and balance in your heart energy.
Conclusion
The Heart Centre calls on us to be vulnerable. Can we allow the heart to unfold, gently like a blooming rose—or even crack wide open? It is in that vulnerability that we give ourselves permission to feel everything—the good and even the hard stuff. We let ourselves be seen and heard, both by others and within our own hearts. We choose to go deep, to unearth the parts of ourselves we’ve buried away. We make the choice to heal.
When we allow the heart to expand, light can shine into the darkest corners, guiding us to release old behaviours and conditioning that no longer serve us or align with our lives. If we let that release happen, we open the door to being fully present—and to greater joy, gratitude, peace, and unconditional love.
Ultimately, the journey of the Heart Chakra is about courage—the courage to be vulnerable, to face our shadows, and to open ourselves fully to love. When we commit to this path, we’re truly getting to the heart of the matter—connecting deeply with ourselves, others, and the world around us. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
Because at the end of the day, it all starts and ends with the heart.
If you’re feeling called, I’m hosting a Heart Chakra workshop as part of Chakra Sundays on the Summer Solstice
You can also book online chakra balance sessions with me to support your healing journey.
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