The data is clear, when we are engaged with our hearts we are different, on both a psychological as well as a physiological level – the mind slows down and our thoughts become more rational and focused.
Positive thoughts and feelings add energy to our system. An optimistic perspective, a feeling of appreciation, or a gesture of kindness, for example, are energy assets. While negative thoughts and feelings deplete our store of energy. Anger, jealousy, and judgmental thoughts, for example, are energy deficits.
The results of studying how our body reacts when we bring attention to our heart, demonstrates a simplicity that seems almost like magic. We don’t have to fake positivity, and we don’t have to try to push away negative thoughts, we can simply bring our attention to our breath and imagine that the air flows in and out through the heart. Now open yourself to whatever you can feel in your chest as you breathe in and out through your heart.
Bringing your mind into your heart is called heart/brain coherence, and it always brings your body and mind into a positive state.
“Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself and yourself alone one question. This question is one that only a very old man asks. My benefactor told me about it once when I was Young. And my blood was too vigorous for me to understand it. Now I do understand it. I will tell you what it is: does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good. If it doesn’t, it is of no use.” – Jack Kornfield
“If you want to love, take the time to listen to your heart. In most ancient and wise cultures it is a regular practice for people to talk to their heart. There are rituals, stories, and meditative skills in every spiritual tradition that awaken the voice of the heart. To live wisely, this practice is essential, because our heart is the source of our connection to and intimacy with all of life. And life is love. This mysterious quality of love is all around us, as real as gravity… Yet how often we forget about love.” – Jack Kornfield
“No amount of outer technology, no amount of computers and biotechnology and nanotechnology is going to stop the continuation of warfare and racism and environmental destruction. What’s called for on the Earth at this time is really a change of heart … the question is really not the future of humanity, but the presence of eternity.” – Jack Kornfield
I want to repeat this last sentence again because this is a topic that consumes so much of my attention – the future of humanity…
What the future of humanity needs, is a change of heart right here in the present, and we can’t be waiting for anyone else to start. Each of us is responsible for doing our work to bring our heads and hearts into alignment and before any decision we make to ask ourselves, “does this path have a heart?”
Mantras for a Heart-Centered Life:
- “My breath guides me.” Focus on your breath to anchor yourself in the present moment.
- “I choose to see the good in myself and others.” Cultivate a positive perspective.
- “My heart guides my actions.” Make choices that align with your inner wisdom.
- “I am a source of love and light.” Recognize your inherent capacity for compassion.
Have a beautiful weekend, beautiful people!
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: Heart Coherence.
harvard.edu/blog/whats-good-for-the-heart-is-good-for-the-mind-2-2019061216812)