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The
Heart of Breast Cancer
Inger
Mercedes Padilla
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[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
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MARCH/APRIL
2005
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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
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