Exploring Heart-Mind Coherence: 3 Practices for Transformation
I am reminded by one of my teachers (can a teacher be an author I’ve never met? :-P) that we live in a culture that places a lot of emphasis on material wealth, our appearances, and resolute perseverance.
I don’t want to call these out as “bad” things. But perhaps I’m not the right person to ask either, because the Taurus in me immediately wants to explain how I love beautiful things, luxurious moments, and a type of stubbornness that can persevere many things. But what these three aspects symbolize — wealth, appearance, perseverance — are the symbolism of the first three chakras:
The Symbolism of the First Three Chakras
- Root Chakra – money and security are governed by the 1st chakra Muladhara
- Sacral Chakra – sex appeal, appearance, passion, and joy are governed by the 2nd chakra Svadisthana
- Solar Plexus – determination, self-esteem, power, and control are governed by the 3rd chakra Manipura
These are really important aspects of both our physical reality and energetic existence. But what is required more than anything, is balance. If culturally this is what gets emphasized, how can we balance these lower three chakras?
This is where Heart/Mind Wisdom comes in but first let’s keep talking about balance.
The Dance of Energies: Masculine and Feminine Qualities
Within each of us, resides both Masculine and Feminine Qualities, forming an intricate dance that influences our inner harmony and the dynamics of our relationships. To help explain what I mean by qualities, here’s a short side-by-side comparison
Notice in yourself and in your life if there’s one aspect that you find yourself more in.
I know for me, I tend to be more in those Masculine Qualities at this phase in my life. I even often “favor” my meditation/stillness practice because in some ways it’s easier to sit in meditation at any moment than to ask myself to interrupt my day and embrace movement. But even as a reflect here, it’s probably also easier for me to be in meditation because by work day and culture around me is already “favoring” that quality type already.
I’m not here to point fingers that we need to be more feminine or more masculine. I’m inviting a deeper awareness of how to bring balance and equanimity.
Heart and Mind Wisdom
Back to our main topic of Heart/Mind wisdom. Reflect yourself, what qualities (feminine or masculine) does the Heart have? And what qualities does the Mind have (feminine or masculine)?
Now with your own answers, see if there are potential unbalances or favoring one of those in your life (Heart or Mind).
Going back to the structures of our culture, I would say, there’s definitely more of an emphasis on the Mind.
We love an “analytical thinker” at work, scoring our mind with standardized testing, and just plain and simple — brain smarts. We absolutely need this. This is how we get jobs, make money, and keep our families secure.
But with the societal acceptance of the Mind having more power, we lose sight of what the Heart has to say. What is the intelligence of the Heart?
Balancing Cultural Constructs: Heart’s Intelligence
How can we balance material wealth, appearances, and perseverance with love, compassion, speaking our truths, spiritual communication, and higher spaces of consciousness?
Heart/Mind Wisdom is the profound integration of the heart’s intuitive intelligence and the mind’s analytical strengths.
It is the harmonious union of these two aspects, allowing them to work in synergy rather than in silos which often leaves us with confusion, frustration, and stagnation.
When the heart and mind operate in coherence, it leads to a profound understanding of oneself and the world around us. And this is how it can start to unlock your fullest potential. It provides clarity, empathy, and deep insights into our desires, dreams, and purpose.
Empowering Heart and Mind: A Journey of Transformation
The Heart/Mind Wisdom allows us to make decisions aligned with our authentic selves and empowers us to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience. Because it’s never going to get easier to navigate life, in some ways, but we can show up with poise and fortitude to seize the day based on the practices and tools we have.
It is a gateway to discovering our true capabilities and harnessing the innate power within, guiding us toward a life of fulfillment and purpose.
3 Practices for Heart-Mind Wisdom
Practice doesn’t mean we immediately feel anything. Just as a beginner tennis player doesn’t immediately know how to serve the ball, as yogis we won’t immediately know what heart-mind wisdom feels within ourselves.
✨ The Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta Meditation)
✨ Love (Aham Prema) & Light (Aham Prakash) Breathwork and Meditation
✨ Release Accumulated stress breathwork
A Glimpse into Transformation: Activating the Wise Heart Retreat
These are glimmers and insights into my intention for the Activating the Wise Heart Retreat in Costa Rica next summer. Remember early bird is ending Jan 15 and you can save $200!
Know someone who would enjoy this? Share this email with them! Ask them to join you on the retreat experience (P.S. You’ll get a Refer a Friend Bonus too!). This summer I attended a retreat in Greece with 2 of my childhood besties and it was so magical.
