Develop A Strong Relationship With Your Heart
“Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World and it will one day return there.”—Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
The mind is notorious for leading us astray due to a simple reason: We believe and act on our thoughts. And we’re not to blame, because the voices in our head are real. However, thoughts are fleeting electrical impulses, while the heart’s wisdom is true and constant. It is the silent whisper of the soul that speaks without drowning out your thoughts. Many people are unable to make sense of The Language Of The Heart. But intuition is real and we’re only now beginning to realise how powerful it is when utilised properly. Whilst I concede there’s a long way to go in understanding the heart’s inherent capabilities, one thing is for certain; the heart is the centre of all wisdom. How do you feel about this? Have you experienced this energy by way of your love for another person or other ways?
At the HeartMath Institute, research suggests the heart sends more signals to the brain than the brain sends to the heart. Other biological processes known as Heart Rate Coherence, represents a dynamic balance within the Autonomic Nervous System. Positive emotions have a balanced effect on our mind and body. The key is to develop an intimate relationship with our heart, instead of letting our thoughts steer us in a direction not of our choosing. Have you noticed how your thoughts can sometimes lead you down a path of self-destruction? You wind up making wrong decisions because you believed your thoughts were right. I’m not suggesting our thoughts are wrong. However, there are other subtle energies within our body we must develop alongside our thoughts.
The Silent Deadly Thoughts
“At the centre of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.”—Lao Tzu
Those who are attuned to the language of their heart note how it speaks in silent whispers, instead of drowning out their thoughts. The communication is encouraging and truthful without an agenda. Practices like meditation can help us become more accustomed to the wisdom of our heart instead of the blaring thoughts in our mind. Ultimately, it requires turning down the mental chatter to find peace and contentment within. The heart is the seat of intuition and creative impulses while the mind is the seat of logic. However, logic is unable to delineate between non-linear dimensions and abstract information, since that is the realm of intuition.
To keep our heart in the driver’s seat means to tune in to the silent impulses of the heart. To do this, we must recognise our intuitive drives and act on them more often, instead of dismiss them as insignificant. The more we engage intuition, the more we will come to appreciate and trust it. Most people rush about their daily lives caught up in their thoughts or consumed by their external surroundings. They rarely take the time to notice what is taking place beneath their thoughts. If you go about our day stimulated by external noise and mental chatter, this is bound to create stress, since there’s so much our body can handle. We must be aware of our thoughts without being invested in them. When I talk about thoughts in this instance, I am referring to the incessant, habitual thoughts that take place in the backdrop of our mind.
These are the silent deadly thoughts that if not attended to can cause emotional and physical problems down the line. For example, we might have an unstable relationship with a co-worker that suddenly spirals out of control. Soon, we are ruminating on ways to sabotage our colleague or trying to avoid them altogether. We might dwell on the situation more than necessary. After many weeks, the sight of this person causes physiological responses in our body, such as an increased heart rate, sweating or a dull feeling in the pit of our stomach. This is a case I’ve seen too often working with clients unable to switch off their thoughts. Can you relate to this scenario or something similar?
Develop More Of A Heart Based Awareness
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten the gift.”– Albert Einstein
As mentioned earlier, negative and positive thoughts create a physiological response in the body. If we are aware of it, our body will offer clues as to the truthfulness of our thoughts. Much of the science behind this work was performed by Dr Candace Pert, a neuroscientist and pharmacologist who said: “Your body is your subconscious mind.” Meaning, your body communicates messages from your mind in the form of sensations, impulses or pain. If you are attentive to these physical sensations, you are better equipped to direct your thoughts. So, what can we do to stop our thoughts hijacking us?
First, we must find time for silence. As little as five minutes a day to begin with is a good starting point. We may find initially that our thoughts overwhelm us, however with continued practice, this will settle as our mind becomes accustomed to the silence. Second, if we want to better understand our thoughts, journaling is a valuable exercise to notice the theme that underlies our thinking. The process of journaling helps us to transpose incessant thoughts onto paper instead of them dominating our mind.
So, in the earlier example of the heated exchange between you and your colleague, you might journal how you feel instead of ruminating on those thoughts. You may want to take it a step further and find your own solution instead of constantly replaying the thought in your mind. This way you become your own coach and mentor. Through these exercises, you develop more heart-based awareness and learn to trust your intuitive impulses. The key is to use logic and intuition interchangeably, so your life’s experiences become a mind-body experience. So, when a persistent thought takes place, notice it before it creates an emotional and physical response in your body. The more you engage in this practice, the less addicted you become to your thoughts.
Are You Ready to Transform Your Life with Confidence?
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Tony Fahkry
Expert Life Coach
