The Science of Bridging Heart and Mind: A Simple Exercise

Concious, authentic living means creating harmony. In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get wrapped up in "mind-stuff." The brain is a wonderful thing, I wouldn't want to be without one. However, the brain alone does not hold the keys to happiness. Happiness requires a harmonious communication between the mind and heart. And, wouldn't you know, there is a science to it

Connecting to Your Mind and Heart to Find Answers

Neurocardiologists have discovered that the heart, like the brain, can learn, remember, feel and sense on it's own. This means that the heart truly can provide us with intelligent guidance to the answers we seek. The Institute of Heart Math, which studies link between the heart, mind and emotions, has revealed that the heart's complex nervous system actually qualifies the heart as a distinct "little brain" in it's own right. They have created an exercise (below) designed to help one to access this "inner intelligence" of the heart. (Source: heartmath.org)

1. Heart Focus

Shift your attention to the area of the heart, or the center of your chest.

If you don't understand how, try this: Focus on your right big toe and wiggle it. Now focus on your right elbow. Now gently focus in the center of your chest, the area of your heart. If you lose focus, just keep shifting your attention back to the area of your heart. Now you're ready for the next step, Heart Breathing.

2. Heart Breathing

Breathe slow and deeply. Imagine the air entering and leaving through the heart area, or the center of your chest.

Heart Breathing helps you begin to get in sync and draws the energy out of the head, where negative thoughts and feelings are amplified. This helps neutralize stressful feelings. If it's hard to disengage from stressful feelings, don't worry. Just really wanting to disengage can help you release a lot of emotional energy.

3. Heart Feeling

Remember a time when you felt good inside, and try to re-experience that feeling. Focus on this good feeling as you continue to breathe through the area of your heart. (This could be a feeling of appreciation toward a special person or a pet, a place you enjoy, or an activity that was fun.)

This is the key step to getting and staying in sync. Many people find that when they experience positive feelings like care, love, or appreciation while breathing through the heart area, they immediately feel and think better. Holding a positive feeling makes it easier to stay in sync for longer periods of time, so that it becomes easier to remain calm and balanced even in tough times.

With the Quick Coherence technique, it takes only a minute to get in sync and reduce stress right in the moment. It takes some practice, but it's way worth it.

Also:You can take this exercise a step further. Once your mind and heart feel in sync, ask your heart any question on your mind. Continue focusing on your heart until it reveals the answer to you. You can trust what the heart reveals- you will know that you can trust the answer because you will feel at peace with it.

See also "Developing Intuition" for more information on the heart-mind connection.