Tantra Tip of the Day- Heart Wisdom

In the west we equate intelligence with the brain, intellect, and a high IQ. We also associate the mind with thinking. Consequently, we spend much of our time stuck in our heads. In Tibetan Buddhism the mind is located in the heart center not the brain. They see the Mind as much more than thinking. The Mind is beyond space, time and form. The Mind is Consciousness. Indigenous cultures value the intelligence that comes from the heart as more important than intellect. What we in the west are just beginning to learn is that the heart does have intelligence.

Research is now revealing that the heart has its own intelligence. The brain receives important information from the heart and responds to it. In the past we have considered the heart just a hard working muscle that pumps blood. Actually it is a sensitive organ that gathers and processes vital information in 4 important ways.

Biochemically- The heart produces a hormone called, ANF. That helps to keep the body in balance. ANF regulates blood pressure, edema and the electrolytes and affects the blood vessels, kidneys, adrenal glands and other regulatory parts of the brain. ANF also modulates stress hormones and supports the reproductive and immune system.

Biophysically- As it beats the heart creates a powerful blood pressure wave that travels rapidly throughout the body, much faster than the actual flow of blood. This is what we feel as out pulse.

Energetically- The heart emanates an electromagnetic field that is approximately five thousand times more powerful than the field produced by the brain. This field affects every part of our body and is broadcasted beyond our physical body.

Neurologically- Every time the heart beats, neural activity is sent to the brain. The heart has the ability to monitor hormonal, rate and pressure information, and translates it into neurological impulses, processes it and sends information back to the brain through the Vagus nerve and spinal cord.

The heart has its own intelligence and effects how we think and feel. Our heart is more than a pump it is a center of awareness that sends information to the brain and the body. It is important that we keep an open heart and listen to our heart's wisdom. When we live from the heart instead of from the mind we are able to be more present, centered and connected to life.

Heart Wisdom Meditation

Lie down in a quiet place and take some deep breaths into your belly. Let everything go outside of this moment. Place your hands over your heart and begin to focus your awareness on the center of your chest, this is your heart center. Notice what arises. Is your heart open, closed or somewhere in between. If your heart feels tight breathe into it and allow it to begin to relax and open. Then begin to generate a feeling of love and compassion. You can do this by thinking of someone or something you love deeply. Allow this feeling of love to fill your heart center and gradually spread throughout your entire body. Once you are aware of being full of love, allow love to heal and harmonize your body, mind, and emotions. When you feel ready, send this love out to others- those you love, the Earth, or to someone in need. End by offering gratitude for your life and for the opportunity to connect with your heart. Please share this practice with a friend.

Copyright 2010 Crystal Dawn Morris

Tantra Tip of the Day – Feeling into Your Heart

The heart has its own intelligence and wisdom. It radiates a field of electromagnetic energy that can be measured up to 10 feet from the body.

When was the last time you really listened to your heart? I recommend making this a daily practice. Place your hands on your heart, be still, breathe deeply into your heart center and listen. Listen not only with the ears but with you whole being. See what you discover. Try this everyday for a week. How is your life different when you listen to your heart?

Original Art by Paul Heussenstamm www.Mandalas.com
www.TantraGal.Blogspot.com
www.TantraForAwakening.com
(C) Copyright 2009, Crystal Dawn Morris, all rights reserved.

Tantra Tip of the Day- Connect with the Body’s Wisdom

A wonderful way to begin the day is to connect with your body and see what wisdom it has to share with you. I suggest seating in a quiet place with your hands in your lap. Breathe and relax, let go of past and future. Focus your awareness on your hands; they may begin to feel warm or slightly energized. Then allow the feeling of aliveness in your hands to spread, filling as much of your body as happens easily. Notice if one part of your body is holding more energy or more tension than the rest of your body. Allow your attention to rest in this part your body. Slowly allow this part of your body to share its wisdom with you. What knowledge does it carry? What gift does it have for you today? How can you benefit from this wisdom? Is there anything else you need to know?

(C)Copyright 2009, Crystal Dawn Morris, all rights reserved.
www.TantraForAwakening.com
www.TantraGal.Blogspot.com

Tantra Tip of the Day- Compassion is a Practice

Compassion for all beings is the foundation for all Tantric practice. The motivation to achieve enlightenment is born out of a desire to help others to awaken and to help end suffering for all beings. This practice is called Bodhichitta, which means “awakening mind.” In Buddhism the mind is associated with the heart and not the head. Bodhichitta also is associated with wisdom and spaciousness. So to activate compassion you awaken the heart with both wisdom and spaciousness.

Compassion is different from sympathy which can sometimes cause a feeling of being over whelmed by the suffering of others. If you become overwhelm by such emotions you are now one of those who is suffering. If you are suffering you loose your equanimity. Practicing compassion requires equanimity, an open heart and the intent to help others in every moment as much as you are able. Equanimity is an unbiased attitude toward all beings and is the foundation for practicing Bodhichitta. It is a state of being which requires awareness and letting go of attachment or aversion.

Here is a meditation for cultivating equanimity. Imagine you are surrounded by three people; one is your best friend, one your enemy or someone you dislike and one is a complete stranger to you. Now examine your feelings towards each of these people and see why you have labeled them friend, enemy and stranger. As you explore your feelings notice that these labels are impermanent. Your friend could move away and no longer be important to you. Your feelings for your enemy might be resolved if she offered to help you through a crisis. A stranger could become your friend or lover. In doing this meditation you can begin to let go of your attachment to your friends, aversion to your enemies and indifference to a stranger.

See if you can find a place of peace within yourself that allows you to see each person from a place of compassion. Generate the desire that all beings awaken and no longer suffer. You are practicing the beginning stages of Bodhichitta.

(C)Copyright 2009, Crystal Dawn Morris, all rights reserved.
www.TantraForAwakening.com
www.TantraGal.Blogspot.com

Original Art by Paul Heussenstamm
www.Mandalas.com