Connect with your Heart

Do you ever take time to connect with your heart?

When you’re feeling negative, either towards yourself or the world, notice what your default setting gets you doing and thinking.

You may experience an avalanche of cruel put-downs towards yourself, or bitter judgments towards others. You find yourself keeping busy with work/emails/eating/exercising or shopping to try avoiding these thoughts.

It’s easy to forget to connect with your heart

To offer an open-hearted and optimistic perspective.

As humans we have a tendency to be disappointed in ourselves, believing that we’re not enough as we are. We keep striving to ‘do’ and ‘be’ better in some way.

Over our lifetime, we collect a range of negative thoughts. We have behaviours that we turn to, when we’re experiencing low moments.

Most of these thoughts and activities we feel helpless to do otherwise, as if we have no choice. Becoming conscious of them is the first step to becoming our own boss.

Sit still!

So when we make a mistake, we berate ourselves. We give ourselves a hard time and wish we could have done better. At this point, watch what you feel compelled to do, and then do the opposite!

Instead of rushing into the same old behaviours, sit still and welcome your feelings; sit still instead of running round like a mad thing!

Direct your thoughts away from your mind where your focus has the ability to grow the negative to huge proportions. Guide your inner gaze towards your heart by following your breath and settling into stillness.

As you connect with your heart you might feel a sense of compassion and love.

Tara Brach suggests you offer a tender, light touch towards yourself, with the intention of offering love to all of your feelings.

Say silently within: ‘I’m here with you.’

And by placing a hand gently on your heart centre – around the middle of your chest, you can reinforce this companionable feeling.

‘Connect with your Heart’ Meditation

As you focus on each breath, imagine that it is flowing to your heart and is light – sparkling, warm, vibrant light!

Repeat these four words. They are reminders, recommended by Deepak Chopra:

Allow them to radiate from your heart, out towards all parts of your body. Let them vibrate through your every cell.

Peace, harmony, laughter, love.

Deepak Chopra suggests that you then ask yourself,

‘How can I be the change that I want to see in the world?’

So if you wish for peace in the world, be that peace! Be the harmony and love!

Connect with your heart and re-focus on your four words again if your mind starts spiralling off in search of answers.

In between your breathing and your words of peace, harmony, laughter, love, you may experience a tiny insight. Or experience a reminder of pure calm. You connect with your heart and feel relaxed and at peace.

If your thoughts turn towards negativity again, repeat your loving phrase: ‘I’m here with you,’ and your words: ‘Peace, harmony, laughter, love.’

Complete your meditation by appreciating the simplicity of a quiet moment sitting in stillness, as you connect with your heart.

Let me know how you get on in the Comments Box below – will you be connecting with your heart soon?

References:

Deepak Chopra’s website is full of inspiration.

‘True Refuge’ by Tara Brach

Yvette Jane – Mindfulness & Meditation Guide