Living through the heart

Life has to be in balance-if not, then there is dis-harmony; stress takes hold, chronic diseases arise, and the body ages much faster than it should. We are created to be in  homeostasis with our surroundings, to be in balance, to be in perfect resonance. What does it feel like when one`s body and soul are in balance? It may not feel that obvious. One may experience a subtle sense of happiness, feel at home in all kinds of situations, and find it easy to stay fit and healthy. It is important to be aware to spend time surrounded by nature, and  actually to  look forward to it every day. Nature has therapeutic affect on every system in the body-especially the heart.

Too often, one notices it more when one is out of balance. There are so many forces working to knock one off center. Even one`s drive to excel can be harmful. One often aims for standards of achievement that are not always attainable: one becomes very demanding and hard on one`s self. Obsession takes over regarding many things in life, taking things overboard into areas of extremes and missing the idea of “balance”. However, living and working at a frenetic pace, there is little time to reflect on what brings joy to our souls. Then, one morning one wakes up, wondering who one is, desperate to reconnect with ourselves.

So-one needs to seriously  slow down. Living through the heart is really the opposite to modern living. It takes the modern world influences and distractions out of the equation to focus on the answer to two important questions: Who am I, and: What is right for me to do in my journey of body and soul?

Rather than analyzing the world, when we are living through the heart, we experience the world-more so than even through the brain. That is because the heart is the part of one`s awareness that gives one thoughts and answers to life when one is  not consciously focused on. It is a message from "higher self"-it is a sort of connection to it . Our logical thoughts may not understand it, but a gentle force nudges one toward a purpose. If one takes the mind out of the equation, one can feel one`s true nature innately.

Seeking and appreciating the balance should be part of one`s journey in life. One should be vigilant and observe all things around –living in the “now” consciously is an important aspect.  One should take notes about thoughts that are present- notice events in nature, such as the beautiful sunrise, or  an awesome  starry sky or anything that creates love in the heart. Give one`s self kudos when one has been consistent in achieving some goal, no matter how small.  Appreciate the feelings of positivity, of joy, of  moments of happiness. Acknowledging moments when one feels generous, grateful,humble, fulfilled and when one feels healthy filled with light.

Finally, here is a useful exercise for experiencing the world with one`s heart. With every breath, feel your heart opening. Focus on the connection between your inner and outer environments. Now, feel how your heart is not only an organ inside your body, but a means to connection between you and the world. Visualize light pouring into it, and with it, beauty and wonder.

Trust your own awareness as you begin to experience this. Let your heart open as you are filled with these positive emotions, and feel your sense of well being growing, and expanding, creating your own world.

It takes awareness and work to stay in balance. But it is a nourishing work, an empowering journey that brings strength and health to body and soul. And shifting from an awareness based on the mind to one that comes from the heart enables one to connect to a quieter, but ever-present sense of direction. One will  find the right life for one`s self, with work and activities that bring joy.

We take care of the outside with strength, health, fitness and nourishing food. And we take care of the inside, with life, with nature, with the earth, and the seasons.  And with a fit body and a fit soul, we live in balance. Always live through the heart.