One From The Heart
One of my favorite spirit filled teachers is Michael Singer…known for his books The Untethered Soul and The Surrender Experiment. He also releases recorded teachings a few times a year and they are my commuting listening. Sometimes he gives techniques although he is probably one of the few Yogis who insist true enlightenment is not found in a technique -but in letting go of everything that is not the One. This year one of his recordings summarized the true path from his point of view, and it was very simply, NEVER close the heart. Whatever happens – keep the heart open and you will find yourself always in the presence of peace, love and joy. It sounded good to me – having spent so many years working with Heartmath and testing conclusively that it is the mind that closes the heart…and it happens in a nano second.
So I thought great – I am going to spend one entire day keeping my heart open – in crazy traffic – with postal employees, with the never ending technology challenges…whatever comes up. I lasted maybe 17 minutes. I was however able to slow everything down and watch it happen…the most ridiculous of triggers – and wham I was contracting my heart. A tone of voice from someone I love, my dogs doing something quite disturbing, forgetting to do something minor…and there was that Wham again as the door on my heart slammed shut.
These mind tricks come from many places – from the past experiences we have had that somehow caused krazy glue to stick these thoughts and conclusions in our minds- rather than just letting them pass through and travel on as thoughts ALWAYS do if left alone. In the teachings of India, these are called samskaras and they cause the energy fields in our bodies to get out of alignment. Its like scar tissue around the heart that makes its opening more and more difficult. Till suddenly we find ourselves constantly searching for something to open our hearts – only to find that it is an inside job exclusively.
The good news is – with awareness we can always open our hearts – paying attention to the fact that the heart always wants to be open – always wants to beat with love and joy – the default setting is openness to all of life. Just watch a toddler…you will see it and this week give yourself one from the heart – one gigantic opening…throw your arms as far out to your sides as you can and breathe in the wonder of the heart.
This week’s blog is dedicated to my good friend, Claire- a pioneering woman cardiologist who paved the way for many and healed hearts that came her way. Now its time for a new phase of giving – and I know she will do it! Congrats on this milestone Claire.
