Home
Contact Us
Current Articles
Advertiser Index
Resource Directory
Classifieds
Calendar of Events
New Books & CD's
Articles from
Previous Issues



Search our Site!



Compliments of
Google


The Heart of Breast Cancer
Inger Mercedes Padilla


[The relationship between the health of the heart chakra and a woman’s breasts.]

It is wonderful to know that we are finally awakening to the realization that many physical illnesses and pains are the manifestation of deep emotional wounds. And breast cancer is perhaps the most classic example of this reality.

Since the beginning of time, a woman’s breasts have been largely defined by others – partners, physicians, psychoanalysts, and the contemporary culture. From sources of nourishment for our infant children, to sources of wonder, pleasure, sensual delight, pain, humiliation and the commercialization for all sorts of products, women’s breasts have been at the center of much discussion and interpretation.

But let’s think about where the breasts rest in the body of a woman – at the center of her energy system, what is referred to as the “heart” chakra or the “bridge to our higher-self.” This love center of our human energy system is often the place where we feel deep love or deep grief – so much for the “broken heart.”

Hurtful situations that can affect our emotional being are divorce or separation, grief through death, emotional or physical abuse, abandonment, betrayal and adultery. All of these are wounding to the heart chakra and can lead to physical illness and, ultimately, the manifestation of disease.

In our study of the heart chakra, we learn that its purpose is that of emotional empowerment, its spiritual lesson that of forgiveness, unconditional love, letting go, trust and compassion. Mental and emotional issues are love, compassion, confidence, inspiration, hope, despair, hate, envy, fear, jealousy, anger and generosity. A lot to keep in balance for any woman.

It is no wonder the incidence of breast cancer has increased by over 33 percent during the past ten years and that approximately 110 women die every day of this disease (should we suspect that women are carrying significant wounds and a torn heart chakra?). Integrative physicians and holistic healers have some things to say regarding the heart chakra and breast cancer. For example, in her book Hands of Light – a guide to understanding human energy fields, Barbara Brennan states, “A torn chakra… has appeared in every cancer patient I have ever seen.”

Issues concerning love and nurturing affect the health of a woman’s breasts. In an energy analysis of a patient with breast cancer, medical intuitive Caroline Myss wrote, “For some women, cancer develops in response to an inability to nurture, which results in guilt feelings and self-hate. Others experience fear and identity crises as a result of not accepting the natural closure of the cycle of motherhood when children leave the home.”

Christiane Northrup, MD, a visionary of mind-body wellness and co-founder of the Women to Women Health Care Center, writes, “Energy dysfunction often arises when a woman is confused about how to use both her loving (fourth chakra) and her creative (second chakra) energies optimally. The major conflict within women is that most of us still believe that in order to be loved, to receive love, and to guarantee that someone will need us, we must care for loved ones’ external physical needs.”

Cancer survivor, author, and one of the founders of the self-help movement, Louise L. Hay is well known for her healing affirmations. Hay says, “The breasts represent the mothering principle. When there are problems with the breasts, it usually means we are ‘over mothering’ an experience. If cancer is involved, then there is also deep resentment.”

So what tools can we offer women today that will help them heal their heart chakras and, hopefully, maintain breast health?

The Golden Flower Chakra Meditation

The Golden Flower is used to open the heart chakra so that one can regain the remembrance, through an experience of being connected, of feeling whole and comforted once again. It is an inner awareness of truly being okay with who we are and comforted even as our world and often our emotions, thoughts and memories may be sending us distorted and untrue messages that we are not. Much of the time our heart is sealed, preventing us from feeling this connection to well being.

Here is a simple method to open the heart chakra and connect to one’s inner wholeness. You can perform this method at home or when out and about in your daily activities. After practicing awhile, wholeness awareness will come to you without effort. We should also keep in mind that as we open our heart chakra using this method, a healing of past trauma may occur, along with an associated emotional release. So be easy and nurturing with yourself.

(1) Gently place your awareness on the Golden Flower (area at the upper bridge of the nose even with both eyes) for a couple of minutes.

(2) Intend that you are gently opening your heart chakra with the Golden Flower and merging with the light of inner wholeness. Think of it as gently looking with this chakra into your heart for the inner radiance beyond the physical.

This method is both simple and profound. Do not be surprised if you feel energy move within your body and a sense of well being and comfort. There is an expansion of love that is taking place. We can then recognize the beauty of who we truly are.

Gems and Stones (Ruby Rose)

Your health and spiritual development require a constant flow and expression of emotional energies through your physical body. If you do not express your emotions physically, even the more subtle ones can build up and create tension and disharmony. When you wear Ruby Rose, the first thing it does is establish a connection, or “bridge,” between your emotions and physical body through your heart chakra. A well-built emotional-physical bridge helps ensure a continuous flow of energies from your emotions to your physical body. It also helps ensure that your emotional expressions clearly and truly represent whatever you are feeling. The better this connection, the more accurately you can express a particular emotion. Ruby Rose continually strengthens this bridge for as long as you wear it. Ruby Rose heals wounds of your heart by soothing, mending, and strengthening your heart chakra. Ruby Rose gently massages your heart chakra, coaxing it to relax and let go of any heaviness, pain or other negative emotions.

Aromatherapy (essential oils)

Jasmine, Rose, Basil, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Geranium and Peppermint are therapeutic for the heart chakra.

Bach Flower Essences

The Bach Flower Essences are a system of 38 Flower Essences that correct emotional imbalances by replacing negative emotions with positive. Specifically for the heart chakra, use Water Violet, Impatiens, Heather, Chicory, Vervain, Vine, Beech, or Rock Water.

Therapeutic Body Work

The sense behind the heart chakra is touch, and therapeutic massage is an excellent modality for connecting with one’s emotions while relaxing and accepting the moment at hand.

For women, our heart chakra holds answers behind belief, for it is the center of our very being. Maybe we should spend more time healing our heart chakra than “racing for a cure” or continuing this so-called “fight to eradicate breast cancer.” Filling our breasts with great love and teaching our daughters to do the same is truly a more compassionate approach to what our world is seeing as a “fight” we must win. While I’m not advocating that women stop doing breast self-exams and screening, know that there is a divine intelligence in our body capable of providing great truths.

Inger Mercedes Padilla, LMT, CNMT, is a holistic health practitioner and founder of Healing Retreats, a program to educate, support and inspire women challenged by breast cancer. www.healingretreats.us

 
MARCH/APRIL 2005


FEATURE ARTICLES

Editorial
by Barbara Casey

Holistic Health Q & A
by Dr. Felicity Talbot
How holistic health care can increase the health and quality of life of animals.

The Heart of Breast Cancer
by Inger Mercedes Padilla
The relationship between the health of the heart chakra and a woman’s breasts.

The Right Job
by Shannon Terry
Tips for choosing a job that matches your natural mind/body type.

Uncommon Sense!
by David Findlay

Click here for more articles on the theme Relaxation