Try thinking of your heart as more of an energy and communication center than a mechanical pump. Think Iron Man. Conceptualizing your heart as much more than a pump brings you closer to the modern neurocardiology understanding of your heart.

Your energetic heart is akin to the symphony conductor who has all the diverse parts of the orchestra playing in sync in the same key and on the same beat.

Your heart organizes your brain in a similar way. When the energetic heart is activated the brain begins to function as a whole. This state is described as whole brain alpha wave synchrony.

When heart to brain communication is active we become more whole and more balanced. In this whole-brain state our logical, linear, ego related, left-brain hemisphere is balanced with the intuitive guidance provided by the right. Imagine Mr. Spock morphing into Leonardo da Vinci.

In Chinese Medicine, the concept of heart-mind is pertinent to this discussion. Heart-Mind is the human capacity for knowing beyond what’s rationally possible. This capacity is severely underdeveloped and underappreciated in our modern world. The HeartMath Institute has published peer reviewed studies on the topic of intuition.

For example, most of Einstein’s breakthrough discoveries had nothing to do with math or reason but were revealed to him in a flash of intuitive insight with the help of his right brain. Subsequently, he spent decades refining the left brain mathematical equations. 

Einstein was quoted as saying, “I believe in intuition and inspiration. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.”

Since most of us have a tad more free time on our hands, now could be a good time to practice creating a more whole brain state and reap the personal and social benefits that come with it. Enhanced health and creativity are within our capacity.

Where Most of Us Are Now — Top Graph

In the HeartMath graph above you can see the more balanced state on the bottom. Not only does this pattern reflect neurological and physiological order, as opposed to the top graph, but with that order also comes more emotional balance and creativity as well.

‘Out of sync, out of whack, out of kilter, out of it’ — are familiar idioms we use to describe — you know — ‘being out of balance’.

But what does that really mean?

Those terms are poetic language filtering up from the brain stem hinting — if at times not screaming — that we’re off course and it’s time to wake up and take corrective action.

Right about now could be one of those times to grab the wheel and course correct.

It’s time to activate your inner GPS.

Where We Can Be — Bottom Graph

When we’re more balanced (bottom graph) that increased neurological order is reflected in a number of profound ways. These changes are within the innate capacity of your nervous system to accomplish. No treatment, drug, herb, or healthy berry can do this for you. Only you can learn to do this for yourself.

Here are some rarely appreciated facts related to increased balance through self-regulating practices.

As the title of this post suggests, you have the potential to be connected to the healing wisdom of nature. This connection is both within you and beyond your physical body.

 

On the inside your system is communicating in a more orderly fashion as exemplified by the whole brain synchronized alpha wave.

 

Now the outside connection gets much more interesting to me.  When your graph looks like the one on the bottom, which reflects a high degree of heart rate variability (a good thing) you generate a resonant frequency of point one hertz (0.1 Hz) We see this frequently in the office using biofeedback software.

 

It just so happens that the earth’s magnetic field has a resonant frequency of, you guessed it, point one hertz (0.1 Hz).

 

We’re synchronizing, connecting with larger forces that can be felt by many of us. We tend to use words like calm, connected, balanced, and relaxed to describe being more connected both inside and outside.

 

Another example of enhanced connection to nature can be observed in our brain waves. As we calm down and begin to feel more ease our brain waves tend to slow down to an alpha wave, which begins at 8 Hz.

 

There’s a standing wave surrounding the earth called the Schumann resonance. That wave resonates at 8 Hz. This is another example of how we can not only connect with ourselves but with larger resources.

 

The HeartMath Institute has a series of magnatometers situated around the globe that are measuring the impact of human emotion on magnetic fields in the earth’s atmosphere.

 

Let’s Wake Up The Heart-Mind Connection

Remember, we’re wired to do this. What make’s it difficult is that most of us are stuck in our heads ‘thinking’. And that neurological state fosters protective and defensive strategies that tend to block healthy immune function and creative solutions, while triggering anxiety and stress-related symptoms.

One more word about our built in resistance to getting out of our heads and familiar patterns. Your brain, and your amygdala in particular, views change, even healthy change, as a threat and will come up with all kinds of reasons for you to resist change and stay the same. Thanks a lot, amygdala!

Here’s the brain and energy shifting exercise.

1. Sit up straight. One of my teachers said, ‘Sit like a pharaoh’.

2. Put your hands over your heart (as if you loved and appreciated your heart). Take one slow, full breath through your mouth as you open your arms to the side. (5-6 seconds.) Really feel into your heart. It’s the experience of sensations or energy in your body that gets you out of your head and shifting neurologically for the better.

3. As you exhale (5-6 seconds) slowly from your mouth, bring your hands back to your heart. Remember to feel.

4. Sit comfortably and breathe ever so slowly through your nose. Slow breathing through your nose is very balancing.

5. Bring to mind someone or something that you love, such as a person, pet, or favorite place in nature. And really savor and appreciate how that feels in your heart as you continue to breathe slowly through your nose.

6. Finally, have the intention that those feelings of love and appreciation are being sent to one or more individuals that you love and care about.

Feel the feelings and send them freely with love. You can stay with this experience for one minute or for five to ten minutes for more benefit. (Your heart field …. a real measurable electro-magnetic field can be measured in the brainwaves of those close to you, Yes, we are connected.)

In the brief time it’s taken to perform this exercise here’s what you’ve been accomplishing:

• A reduction in the stress chemistry (adrenamine and cortisol) responsible for anxiety.

• The activation of gene patterns (epigenetic signaling) to enhance immune function.

• An increase in healthy hormones like DHEA.

• Increased alpha wave production across the cerebral cortext — inviting more calm and clarity.

• More frontal cortex activity equaling more calm and clarity.

• Creating the neurological foundation for kindness, peace, and more creative problem solving.

Let’s do our best to be nurturing and kind to ourselves during this challenging time. Since we’re all connected energetically …. what we do supports ourselves and others, as well.