In the last few years, more people than ever--from different backgrounds and walks of life--are talking about the heart. More company mission statements make a point to mention the importance of the heart in leadership and customer care. More speakers, articles and books, both spiritual and non-spiritual, are referring to the heart. Whether people mention speaking from the heart, listening to the heart, connecting with the heart, or following the heart, it is a clear sign that there is increased energetic awareness of the importance of the heart in all of life’s decisions.
Editors note: Howard Martin is one of the original leaders who helped Doc Childre found HeartMath. In 1999 he co-authored The HeartMath Solution and he has been with HeartMath’s world-wide training and consulting team since its inception in 1991.
As a result, a new understanding of “heart” is emerging--one that moves the view of heart past a philosophical, often soft characterization into the realization of the heart as a dynamic, creative intelligence. The intelligence of the heart encompasses physical, emotional, intuitive and energetic/spiritual aspects of heart, essential for providing discernment and guidance to navigate life and experience wholeness fulfillment. Bringing the physical, emotional, intuitive and spiritual aspects into coherent alignment leads to a new way of perceiving, acting, re-acting, and relating--called Heart-Based Living.
The Power Of Heart-Based Living
Heart-based living refers to all intentions and actions that express qualities of the heart in daily life. These heart qualities or core heart values can include appreciating or caring for others, expressing kindness to those around you, and giving back by volunteering to work with others to relieve suffering and to help the planet. Heart-based living allows us to experience less self-centeredness and separation, less judgment, more intuitive discernment and more genuine fulfillment.
Editors note: Doc Childre is the founder of HeartMath and a global authority on optimizing human performance and personal effectiveness. He is the originator of the HeartMath® System, a set of practical, heart-based technologies and tools that all people can use to reduce stress, improve performance, and enhance health and well-being. As the special gift from the Institute of HeartMath You Can Now Download the Exclusive Article by Doc Childre On Heart Based Living.
For the last eighteen years my colleagues and I at HeartMath have been exploring the power of the heart physically, emotionally and spiritually. The HeartMath organizations (for-profit and non-profit), founded by Doc Childre, have developed a system for personal and organizational development consisting of techniques, innovative and useful concepts, tools and technologies designed to utilize the power of the heart to improve performance, health and overall well-being while reducing stress. The entire system is underpinned with breakthrough scientific research on heart-brain communication and the many beneficial effects of experiencing positive emotions, like those long metaphorically associated with “heart”.
For me the exploration of the heart, which led me to HeartMath many years ago, began with a genuine desire to become a better, self-empowered person and to find ways to live a life that was more balanced, caring and fulfilling. I read and studied many books and often saw the heart being referred as having influence over our thoughts, feelings and values. I wondered what “heart” was really all about and did it hold an essential intelligence? Little did I know that the future understanding of heart would usher in new views of physiology and psychology.
Researches here at HeartMath, working in consort with others, have discovered some amazing new understanding about the heart. For me this information was eye opening as it confirmed much of what I intuitively had felt about the heart being a source of wisdom and intelligence.
We all know that the heart pumps blood throughout the body, but new research shows it does a lot more. In fact the heart acts like a master control system sending powerful, healing commands to the brain and the rest of the body. It does this in four ways.
How The Heart Is So Powerful
"Brain in the Heart"
First, the heart has a very complex nervous system consisting of neurons, proteins and support cells that sends information to the brain. Scientists around the world who study this nervous system actually call it the “brain in the heart”. The information it sends travels through a nerve pathway that originates in the heart and terminates in the higher perceptual centers of the brain. This means that there is an important neurological conversation taking place between heart and brain. When scientists map out this biological conversation they clearly see that the heart is sending a lot more information to the brain than it receives.
The Blood Pressure Wave
The heart also influences brain function through what is called the blood pressure wave. This is the wave of energy created by the beating heart that pushes blood through the arteries and veins. This blood pressure wave influences the electrical activity in the brain. As the blood pressure wave changes so does brain activity. In essence researchers now know that brain function is critically dependent on information it receives from the heart through the heart’s nervous system and blood pressure waves! This new knowledge put the phrase “listening to your heart” in a new context for me.
Hormones
The third way the heart communicates to the brain and body is through hormones. In 1983 the heart was reclassified as part of our hormonal system. It produces several important hormones and one of them, atrial peptide, helps to reduce the release of the stress hormone cortisol. So, in this third instance, we have a chemical communication going on between heart and body all of the time.
Electrical energy
The fourth way, however, is where things get really interesting. The heart is an electrical organ producing by far the largest amount of electrical energy in our bodies—forty to sixty times as much power as the second strongest source, the brain. This energy permeates every single cell in our bodies. The signal is so strong that it creates an electromagnetic field that surrounds the body in 360 degrees and can actually be measured up to three to four feet outside the body. That’s right, the electrical energy produced by the heart radiates outside the body into space. The heart’s field is not static. It changes, depending on what we are feeling. For example, when we are feeling emotions like anger or frustration, the frequencies in the field become chaotic and disordered. On the other hand when we are experiencing emotions like compassion, care, appreciation or love, the frequencies in the field becomes more ordered and coherent. In a sense, through the electromagnetic field created by the heart we are literally broadcasting our emotions like radio waves.
As we examine the heart’s energetic communication, we move beyond biology and into physics—how electromagnetic and energetic fields relate to one another. How does the heart’s field affect the brain? How do fields created by living systems, like people or animals, affect one another? How does our field interact with the magnetic fields produced by the earth itself? Is the heart producing a non-linear field that extends out far beyond just a few feet? These are all questions that HeartMath researchers are looking at and I’m confident more exciting discoveries about the heart are in store.
At the very least, new scientific research is providing a modern understanding of many of the things that have been said about the heart’s qualities for thousands of years. These discoveries are revealing that the heart is really a crucial part of our overall intelligence systems. What the ancients said thousands of years ago appears to be truer than we thought. Adding scientific understanding doesn’t take away from the softer or intuitive view of heart. We’ve found that science adds a grounded, empirical understanding appropriate for modern times, which lends value to the importance of developing heart-based living.
Technology To Harness The Power Of The Heart
Our research led to development of techniques and training programs which have been delivered to hundreds of thousands of program participants in large Fortune 100 companies, health care and educational institutions, and to many, many people in pursuit of personal growth. This was our way of providing a practical, mainstream approach to developing the heart and serving others. It also led to the development of innovative new technology that’s good for you. Technology that can help people connect with the intelligence of their heart and improve the all-important communication with the brain and body that it provides.
The emWave PC® software and sensor that connects to the USB port on a computer tracks the subtle beat-to-beat changes in our heart rhythms and the emWave Personal Stress Reliever®, a hand-held device, does the same These changes in our heart rhythms reflect shifts in emotional state and the quality of our heart/brain interactions. Through a patented process, the emWave algorithm tell us how coherent or ordered these rhythms are; the more coherent the better.
emWaves not only give us valuable real-time feedback about the quality of our heart/brain interactions, they train us to improve them. As we do, the benefits gained are remarkable. When we increase coherence and see the changes registering on the emWave, stress levels go down, brain function improves and we have the ability to feel positive emotions that regenerate us. This all leads to more awareness, intuitive discernment and the ability to live a more heart-centered life.
The speed of change on the planet is moving faster, creating an epidemic of stress. Global problems that seem to have no solutions are mounting and we are at a point in time where important choices need to be made to insure our collective future. Accessing more of the heart’s power and intelligence to enhance creativity and engender more compassion and care is needed more than ever. emWaves don’t work magic, but they do offer a convenient way to facilitate awakening this intelligence.
View a short video of HeartMath’s CEO Bruce Cryer talking about stress, heart/brain communication and the emWave PC:
I was asked a question in a recent media interview:
“Howard, after many years of exploring the heart what has it done for you?”
I paused and this is close to what I said:
“I’m still, of course, working every day to be a better man, but I can say that through the heart I’ve become someone who has learned to love more and judge less. I’ve experienced a lot of fulfillment in my life and I want others to have their own version of fulfillment as well.”
Allow me to share what Doc Childre and I wrote about fulfillment and heart in the final paragraphs of our book, The HeartMath Solution.
“Fulfillment takes place on the inside first. It's a feeling you have. Sure, external gains are part of a person's fulfillment package but that's not what provides a lasting sense of fulfillment. There are many people who thought being rich would bring them fulfillment only to find that even with huge sums of money their lives were still miserable.
The doorway to fulfillment is in your heart. When you use your heart intelligence to shift perception and direct the flow of your emotions, you then have the ability to generate and magnetize your own fulfillment. The longing stops and is replaced by appreciation.
Once you stabilize the connection with your heart's intelligence, you will have more security and freedom to think, feel and live in ways appropriate for you. A new maturity will allow you to make choices—without fear—that you know are right for you while still sensitively respecting others.
Life can still be unpredictable but it will have more of a flow, less resistance and less tension. You'll have a new capacity to ease up on yourself. An average day will feel lighter, more hopeful and open-ended. Intuitive insight, understood in a practical way, will become as natural as breathing. You will become a self-empowered individual, capable of fully participating in a co-creative process with life as your spirit merges with your humanness.
In the future, once a critical mass of people has made a shift into heart awareness, life will be quite different for everyone. All of these benefits and many more are earned through systematically learning to focus on, listen to and follow your heart.”
Enjoy unfolding the power of your heart to increase your fulfillment.
I found this article extremely informative, useful and unique. Thank you for sharing!
I came to this article after a long road of study and experience that began with mind/body function (the effects of brain on body) and has come around to vibrational medicine and now look---body to brain. This is all cutting edge medicine which means often following one path to another and another. By following all these threads, we begin to see where they interact and how and what can be used to our advantage as living beings. Obviously, this is one approach that works. Not having tried it, I cannot speak to it's effectiveness, but I can say that it all makes perfect sense and that I don't doubt it is powerful stuff. I urge anyone reading this to explore this method for yourself. I can tell you there is no harm in it and it may be just what you need or are looking for to improve your life significantly.
Many thanks for the article,
I read it with great interest!
Thank you for teaching us to manage our hormonal balance
and cardiac health
Wow!! What a powerful piece. Every piece of information contained within this article made perfect sense to me. I'm constantly telling people to listen to their heart when confronted with some issue or crisis in their lives.
I've come to enjoy the many article that are shared with us all here. The information always proves to be invaluable and something that we can incorporate into our daily living.
I appreciate it.
Thank you again!
This article seems to be really healing
My heart is full of sea-green light.
It is great to see that finally science start to acknoledge the ancient wisdom of all times. If inner wisdom and outer science work hand in hand amazing changes are for sure.
Thank you for your beautiful article, Rosario
This article resonates deeply with my own heart! I recommend all my readers to always check in with the heart first to see if something is right for them. Your heart has all the answers you will ever need. Learning how to tune and then trust is key!
This is important work and feel blessed that it was shared to me
Im not for sure Im interested but scared I guess Im not sure what I would be getting into,I dont have a lot of money to be throwing away for something Im not sure of and could it be bull that what scares me.Some of these companies tell you anything just to get a buck,I have been looking at some of the finer mind wanting to inprove my mind and to get a better memory Im 80 years old and still want to learn hoping that its not to late Im going for 100 Still doing Income taxes and keeping up with the rules and working parttime at one of the ace hardware 4 days a wk so thanks to my heart that I still can do this and want to do more.so this is my comment. I like what I see but Im not sure its all true.Im from the old school and believe in the truth thats the only wat to go.Thank you David
Dear Sir/Madam
Thank you very much for sending this piece of information for me. I 'll use my heart in a more careful way and take good care not to hurt it. This also includes as not to hurt another person as what happens within my heart also happens to others. A very informative research done. Plus an eyeopener. Thank You.
Love
Annaletchimy
Thanks for that interesting and informativ article. I alweis thought I must be of less inteligence because I alweys made my dicision on my feeling not my brain, this article give me more confidence. You made my day.
Thank you for this input. It has added an extremely important 'missing link' to my understanding.
I feel a paradigm shift from brain centred to heart centred understanding similar to the that which must have occurred when it was recognised that the sun did not revolve around the earth, but the earth around the sun.
Thank you very much.
I am so greatful.
My heart and mind agree with everything....I feel love, joy, happiness and peace right NOW.
All this information would be good to have as a subject in school....From first grade when our childrens heart and mind are open to everything and everyone.
When we as adults look into our childrens eyes, and we see and feel only love....then we know what we are.
Love Light & Peace
Ann-kathrine
Dear H Martin
Thank you so much for your article. Thanks as well to the other comments.
This aritcle struck a chord within my heart that helped me realise what extra senses mean.
Also together our heart can be stronger than any of us might realize.
From one heart to another.
-Jac
I am in drepression of finacial problem my heart tell not file bankrupt and stay within course since last years I have been put in some much money into the housing mortgage for survived right now I have no more money left to put in and does not since to me that I am going to get out these bankrupt suiation can some one help out what to do or to think and this is very bad I have been physial to reading my furture and nothing is working wiehter is I done somethings wrong or I need to change for the law of atrtrafton what I am thinking
can you fix your web page so that half of it is not in blue? It makes it very hard to read.
Thanks for the great comments everyone is posting in regards to my article.
In this piece I mostly covered the physical aspect of heart intelligence but there's more--emotional and spiritual. It's clear to me that new intelligence is emerging as we go through a global shift and that heart is a central component in all of this.
All the best,
Howard
The Bible says: As a man thinketh in His HEART, so is he...The Brain is NOT our thinking faculty, but the heart. It is in here that the human soul resides.
A few years ago I followed my heart and quit my job. I went on a journey of getting back in touch with myself. I went through a lot of personal battles to find that lost self and on the way I found pieces of myself I never knew. I know that I will continue to find parts of myself that are still unknown to me.
At the same time I know who I am, I know what my reason for being is. I just have to ready myself for that day.
This article makes me realize that my heart is more powerful than my mind and those missing pieces of myself are within it.
Thank you for the insight.
Elaine
Spirituality and how the Universe works will be explained scientifically because God is Science and Science is God
Joe Acosta
Truth Seeker
David Thompson, you say "I like what I see but Im not sure its all true.Im from the old school and believe in the truth thats the only wat to go." The oldest schools of ancient teaching valued the wisdom of the heart. Similarly, Jesus of Nazareth 2000 years ago taught that "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he". You like what you see -this is your heart-guided wisdom; but you're not sure it's all true -this is your reasoning aspect that has been corrupted. When humanity's feminine half was oppressed, intelligent balance and harmony was made impossible (organised religion is hugely confused and mixed up).
[...] This morning however I read an article by Howard Martin, titled ‘Discover the Ultimate Power of Your Heart’. To me, this added an important additional perspective. Some of you may like to read it at http://daily.finerminds.com/mind/discover-the-ultimate-power-of-your-heart [...]
From a young lad involved in religious studies, I had known that the heart was the seat of our motivation. Now, I understand the importance of good heart health, how it signals the brain and is responsible for the electromagnetic energies. After losing my youngest son in an auto accident and carrying around a heavy heart for a few years, I learned the benefits of adapting my thinking for the blessed 19 years that I had him. That has made a huge difference in my daily outlook and how I view others now and how precious Life really is. Thanks for adding to my knowledge of the heart and how I can better benefit from this tremendous, powerful organ. Keith
Another reason why meditation is not an option for health,but a necessity.
Dear Howard
Thank you for sharing this article. The heart is the power source of our physical, mental and emotional health. As a teacher and a parent, I am so grateful for the work at HeartMath. Kids today need to find balance and peace. There is just SO much stress in their lives. I love using these tools to keep my own heart open, and also to help them stay connected to theirs.
Peace and Love to you,
Diana
thank you word from the heart;
im so delightfully apreciate this topic of yours,informative and revealing...i thought that my brain will be more powerful than my heart because it is on the head but upon reading your article i conclude that heart is more stronger than any other else....
I think these discoveries in our understanding of the heart are incredible. Our heart is such a powerful tool; and the fact that our hearts fields can entrain is something of great interest too.
I would recommend the Emwave by HeartMath, plus this new movie on the science of healing http://www.thelivingmatrixmovie.com
Kerry
An amazing article. I completely understand and agree with all that has been written. I have always felt so much emotion, physical, mental and power from my heart and also sometimes getting these emotions confused with my head....... will definitely be more self aware of my heart and thoughts... alot to work on and learn....
very grateful for having this sent to me....
Sabrina x
I've been following the comments on my article and it's great to see how resonate people are with the message. The comments and personal stories and really speak to an inner knowing that people have about "heart".
In these times new intelligence is emerging that is different. Some of the older paradigms, keys to success and fulfillment are changing quickly. It won't be an overnight process but I feel the qualities and values of the heart will have their time in the not too distant future.
All the best,
Howard
It is amazing. It is not an ordinary finding.IT WILL BE the revolutionary discovery of the times .IT WILL CHANGE THE CONCEPTS,PERCEPTIONS ,PHILOSOPHIES OF LIVING AND ATTITUDES &MODELITIES & METHODOLOGIES TO TACKLE LIFE & HEREAFTER.Read holy quran & YOU WILL FIND ITS REVELATION MORE THAN 1400 YEARS AGO THAT HEART POSSESES INTELLIGENCE AND IT THINKS AND FEELS. YOU DESERVE APPRECIATION!
[...] the full article at Discover The Ultimate Power Of Your Heart | FinerMinds. If you want to be notified of new posts please subscribe to our RSS [...]
Thursday, 02 July 2009
I am so glad that somebody out there can explain, what so many of us experience and suffer within the heart, it has been for me anyway, years and years of meditating and searching for someone to understand the sensitivity of my heart, which I felt was and still is very important for my health, in fact the latest health issue I am troubled with, (pituitary gland working overtime and producing slightly too much thyroxin)and a whole lot of other symptoms that I have been suffering from for many years before this diagnosis, and I know all these are definitely connected to my heart because of the nature of my experiences and first and foremost the responses and reactions of my heart and body .
The response of thought always came after my hearts reaction. No time to think initially when for example you are taken unaware or not in control of another’s behaviour, I have always been very quick to respond in shocking situations, in very surprising ways even to me! But over the years it’s taken its toll on my health.
I mostly feel that human beings are slow to make the connection between their head and their hearts, or to realise how important it is to make that connection, while their thoughts in their head are making all those judgements, without first consulting their hearts. What damage is done before they know it! Mostly to themselves, and always affecting who and what surrounds them. In more ways than they realize!
My heart goes out to each and all, and that’s where my problem lies (In my troubled heart!)
From my compassionate, troubled heart to yours,
Carolyn
I remember saying to my doctor one day, "I think I'm going to go through life feeling my way rather than thinking, feeling is dominant. It was like my heart over rode everything, that saying think with your head not your heart was the desired way of living back then. I am sooo pleased to see that intuitively I was OK, feeling is not to be the bad thing. Great article
Just wanted to tell you all know how much I appreciate your postings guys.
Found you though google!
I have been using HeartMath tools for 8-9 years, and I still love to cue a couple of heart openings every day. Doing that has made me a gentler parent too.
to quoc... go to site: http://www.thegentlewaybook.com/
you will have everything you want...
bonne chance...