How to connect to the heart?

[richest]

In LOA or any spiritual method, I often hear the term "connect to heart, visualize with heart, thinking with heart, etc..."

Frankly I'm not clear about how to do it. When I feel anxiety about my problem, I know that I put too much attention in my head. So I need to get out of my head and connect to the heart more often.

Please tell me is it merely focus to heart area? Because if I do that, I can't feel anything, I just feel chest area, but not feeling peace or something.

What method do you do to connect to the heart? And how it feels to be connected to the heart?

Please share.

Thanks

[nothuman]

Originally Posted by richest

In LOA or any spiritual method, I often hear the term "connect to heart, visualize with heart, thinking with heart, etc..."

Frankly I'm not clear about how to do it. When I feel anxiety about my problem, I know that I put too much attention in my head. So I need to get out of my head and connect to the heart more often.

Please tell me is it merely focus to heart area? Because if I do that, I can't feel anything, I just feel chest area, but not feeling peace or something.

What method do you do to connect to the heart? And how it feels to be connected to the heart?

Please share.

Thanks

Hi.....meditation will help with focusing awareness but ultimately a heart connection falls in the cateory of 'find your own way'. Like most things in the metaphysical realms start with intention and work from there.
Buddhism works a lot with living through the heart and a really good book is : A Path With Heart by Jack Kornfield.

[richest]

Originally Posted by nothuman

Hi.....meditation will help with focusing awareness but ultimately a heart connection falls in the cateory of 'find your own way'. Like most things in the metaphysical realms start with intention and work from there.
Buddhism works a lot with living through the heart and a really good book is : A Path With Heart by Jack Kornfield.

Hi nothuman. Thanks for your reply.

So basically I have to intend to connect to the heart?

Thanks for your book reference. I'll search it

[DonJuan]

Originally Posted by richest

In LOA or any spiritual method, I often hear the term "connect to heart, visualize with heart, thinking with heart, etc..."

Frankly I'm not clear about how to do it. When I feel anxiety about my problem, I know that I put too much attention in my head. So I need to get out of my head and connect to the heart more often.

Please tell me is it merely focus to heart area? Because if I do that, I can't feel anything, I just feel chest area, but not feeling peace or something.

What method do you do to connect to the heart? And how it feels to be connected to the heart?

Please share.

Thanks

I don't focus on that heart area, and I guess if tries to force to go into the heart it can be even create extra tension.

My suggestion would be, if you feel anxiety and you feel you should be more connected to your heart, whatever that means, then don't change anything, this would just create additional tension, just feel the anxiety and the wish to be more connected to the heart. By doing that your consciousness is changing and by that something might change naturally. Maybe you even start to feel love in that moment - what i guess that might be that, what people call "going into the heart".

Just personal point of view, hope that helps, or inspires..

[richest]

Originally Posted by DonJuan

I don't focus on that heart area, and I guess if tries to force to go into the heart it can be even create extra tension.

My suggestion would be, if you feel anxiety and you feel you should be more connected to your heart, whatever that means, then don't change anything, this would just create additional tension, just feel the anxiety and the wish to be more connected to the heart. By doing that your consciousness is changing and by that something might change naturally. Maybe you even start to feel love in that moment - what i guess that might be that, what people call "going into the heart".

Just personal point of view, hope that helps, or inspires..

Hi DonJuan.

It happened to me. When I try to focus to heart area, I felt tension. Maybe you're right. I should not force it and intend to connect to the heart.

Thanks for your suggestion

[nothuman]

Originally Posted by richest

Hi nothuman. Thanks for your reply.

So basically I have to intend to connect to the heart?

Thanks for your book reference. I'll search it

Intention is an amazing tool in itself richest.....we get caught up will using effort when just applying an intention is enough. Sometimes in order to connect to the heart ...the heart will need to divest itself ...be prepared

[sonde]

What makes you think you are not in the Heart now? Thought?
If you do not take a mental position, where are you?

[richest]

Originally Posted by sonde

What makes you think you are not in the Heart now? Thought?
If you do not take a mental position, where are you?

Because I can't get out from my head everytime I remember my problem. I try to find logical solution by taking massive action, but always end in vain. I'm not enjoying my job, and also barely enjoying every effort I made to make more money

So I'm in the middle of nowhere I think

[sonde]

Originally Posted by richest

So I'm in the middle of nowhere I think

Yes, except the Heart cannot be 'located' by the mind; trying to do so results in mind confusion.

May I suggest meditation, watching thoughts arise and subside, thus not getting involved with them.

[RonSouther]

The need to be loved and understood...a very nice read!

[Maguru]

Originally Posted by richest

Because I can't get out from my head everytime I remember my problem. I try to find logical solution by taking massive action, but always end in vain. I'm not enjoying my job, and also barely enjoying every effort I made to make more money

So I'm in the middle of nowhere I think

Hi, I don't know if this will help as I found this very difficult to do but here goes. Sometimes, my negative emotions or senses are there to tell me something. I figured pain or discomfort is the only thing that stops me and makes me look. I sit with whatever emotion is there and put no restrictions on it. By that I mean I don't start thinking why or trying to overcome it with positive thinking. I let it go for it. If my mind is going for it, I let that too and just observe. It's quite an experience. It can be overpowering and I'll take back control but bit by bit the truth of me emerges. With this comes liberation and being in the middle of nowhere is a good place to be to do it. Regards

[ChrisGinsburg]

Originally Posted by Maguru

Hi, I don't know if this will help as I found this very difficult to do but here goes. Sometimes, my negative emotions or senses are there to tell me something. I figured pain or discomfort is the only thing that stops me and makes me look. I sit with whatever emotion is there and put no restrictions on it. By that I mean I don't start thinking why or trying to overcome it with positive thinking. I let it go for it. If my mind is going for it, I let that too and just observe. It's quite an experience. It can be overpowering and I'll take back control but bit by bit the truth of me emerges. With this comes liberation and being in the middle of nowhere is a good place to be to do it. Regards

.

[Dharma]

Originally Posted by richest

Please tell me is it merely focus to heart area? Because if I do that, I can't feel anything, I just feel chest area, but not feeling peace or something.

What method do you do to connect to the heart? And how it feels to be connected to the heart?

Please share.

Thanks

Pro tip You are never not connected to your heart.

You are always connected to your heart... so there is nothing to do there... you just need to practice focusing your awareness on the connection and shutting your mind up. Let go of the check list of how its supposed to feel or how to do it. It's not a how it's an allow. Allow your awareness to go there. Be curious like a child. Experience whatever is there to experience and remember the next time you do it the experience could be totally different.

[supertom]

You can increase your awareness to your head and heart than focus on the source of your information, eventually with the information you receive you will be able to identify your "heart".

Here is something you might like "Dialogue Between My Head and My Heart by Thomas Jefferson.

http://www.uncp.edu/home/berrys/pdfs...head_heart.pdf

[Arz Sra]

Originally Posted by supertom

You can increase your awareness to your head and heart than focus on the source of your information, eventually with the information you receive you will be able to identify your "heart".

Here is something you might like "Dialogue Between My Head and My Heart by Thomas Jefferson.

http://www.uncp.edu/home/berrys/pdfs...head_heart.pdf

The best advice i Can give is to do Trataka Meditation while focusing on the heart ( sternum)...

This meditation is based on one of the traditional yoga meditations. It is very simple and easy to do. All you need is a lighted candle. Sit about about half a metre (or 2 feet) away from the candle and have it level with your eyes. Draw the curtains or blinds so that the room is dim. Make sur...e that there is no draught to make the candle flame flicker.

Take a few minutes to settle into a meditative state. Gaze at the flame of the candle without blinking the eyes, if possible. Keep your attention on the flame and think of nothing else. Your breathing is soft and gentle. If you have to blink, or tears come into your eyes, close them and you will see an after flame behind your forehead, in the space between the eyebrows that is often known as the ‘third eye’ or ajna chakra. If the image of the flame begins to fade, either bring it back or open your eyes to gaze at the flame once again. Repeat this 3 or 4 times.

In the yogic tradition, this practice is said to make the eyes clear and bright. It helps to still the mind and quieten the nervous system and is very simple to do. Those who find visualisation difficult find this meditation helpful. It certainly improves the ability to concentrate and awakens inner vision.

In time, you can begin to feel as though the flame is within your heart chakra. Visualise it as being very still. Realise that it is a symbol of your own centre of peace and tranquillity. Use it at times when you are under strain and it helps to keep you at peace and feeling strong when you need it. Sometimes, you feel that you are enveloped in a still peaceful flame that is a source of great strength to you.

(If you suffer from epilepsy, this meditation should be done as a visualisation only, without looking at a flame. If there are any other eye problems like myopia or astigmatism, you can concentrate on a black dot instead. Draw one with a permanent marker on a large piece of paper and place it up in front of you where you can easily see it).

[Superspi]

Here's a few ideas, just off the top of my head, because all of these work for me. These will all show how to increase your Heart Fire...something I'm working on with my guardian!

1. If you have an animal that is your pet and companion and will sit comfortably in your lap, and you can stroke its furr, then maybe you will start to feel that "calm". The connection there is the animal's heart and yours, but it helps so you can "see" the connection.

2. Listen to a song or some music that lifts your spirits. Something that really makes you happy or better yet joyful. Your heart will feel light and will make the heart glow with happiness.

3. Visualization Technique 1 - Heart Fire. Close your eyes, and picture a warm dancing flame where your heart is. What color is it? Is is softly burning, or burning brightly? Notice you can change the flame, and make it burn hotter/whiter/brighter, or softer/lower/slower. You can hold it in your hand to heal yourself or another, and you can even exchange a teeny tiny delicate piece with a true friend or soul mate.

4. Visualization Technique 2 - Breathe. Close your eyes, and focus on your breath. Picture it filling up your chest. Place your right hand over your heart, and breathe into it. Hold the holy breath in, and move it to the diaphragm. Feel the breath in your chest and feel your heart pump and beat.

All these techniques are good at heart resonance. They all have different "vibrations", like the joyful music one tends to be very high energy, wheras the Heart Fire one can be either blindingly bright or low and slow. Try them out and see if they work for you....and good luck!

[Keiju]

Connecting to the heart means you ignore all other areas of information.


The heart is a piece of meat, it pumps blood around the body. Yet emotions you feel are often located at the heart in matters of love. Truths can be revealed when one becomes proficient in listening to the heart.


The heart can be a source of information if you let it be.



You want to connect to the heart? Well that's just dandy, but it takes persistence, training and countless hours of self examination.



I can tell you if you want to connect to the heart, just concentrate on the heart and dont let it go no matter what you feel.
However, many difficulties and logistical problems arise when attempting to do so without continued clarification from someone who is actually capable.


First of all, when I say concentrate on the heart, what does it mean to "concentrate"?. I mean specifically to move your chi/ki/prana/energy/spirit to your heart and keep it there.
What.. so I have to first recognise(activate) and then utilise chi/ki/prana/energy/spirit before I can connect to the heart? Yes, if you want direct and consistent results without the indirect ritualistic riff raff.

[Beingist]

I have never been able to make any connection to any heart, by definition.

This proverbial "heart", in my understanding, is not a) one's physical heart, b) one's emotional "heart" (as in those schmoopy feelings you get when, for example, you see a puppy).

The "heart", as I understand it, is more like the proverbial "heart of the matter," in this case, it's like, "the Heart of Oneness".

... or something like that.

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by Beingist

I have never been able to make any connection to any heart, by definition.

This proverbial "heart", in my understanding, is not a) one's physical heart, b) one's emotional "heart" (as in those schmoopy feelings you get when, for example, you see a puppy).

The "heart", as I understand it, is more like the proverbial "heart of the matter," in this case, it's like, "the Heart of Oneness".

... or something like that.

I think the heart is the side of us that isn't logic and that is a positive force. I think its actually part of the mind, just a different mysterious part.

[Beingist]

Originally Posted by RonSouther

I think the heart is the side of us that isn't logic and that is a positive force. I think its actually part of the mind, just a different mysterious part.

Yes, I'd agree that it defies logic, and that it is a positive force. But I don't see it as something that has anything to do with mind (unless you mean, Mind, which is different).

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by Beingist

Yes, I'd agree that it defies logic, and that it is a positive force. But I don't see it as something that has anything to do with mind (unless you mean, Mind, which is different).

I'm still sorting this out...."heart" is obviously a metaphor of some sort, or an icon of something wonderful. The heart is expressed through the conscious mind in what we say or do or in our creations. The mind serves the heart to manifests the heart. So I'm wondering if the "heart" is really part of the mind.

But whatever it is, it's clearly beautiful and enjoyable so it's not a problem.

[Beingist]

Originally Posted by RonSouther

But whatever it is, it's clearly beautiful and enjoyable so it's not a problem.

Indeed, and I'm willing to leave it at that.

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by Beingist

Indeed, and I'm willing to leave it at that.

me too....

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by Beingist

Indeed, and I'm willing to leave it at that.

Oops...was riding bike and reflecting on this....

The heart is our "truth"...it's the holder of our longings and desire (but not our perversions). So long as logic is used in support of the heart, the logic is positive and helpful because it's anchored at one end in truth.

But switch to a life identified with the mind, identified with ideas and the anchor is missing. Then it's logic in support of logic, ideas in support of ideas, beliefs in support of beliefs...it's simply building a bigger and bigger house of cards with a bet that those cards are bricks of truth.