Return to Your Coherent Heart
A 5-min. practice to restore calm, clear energy when sh*t goes sideways
Hey, Brave One! On a voyage of creative, courageous living, it’s vital to gauge your emotional energy. When things feel extra, does your heart tighten into a small, tight knot? Today’s 5-min. imagination game (below) helps regulate those vibes. Plus, a kid’s song with Big Heart.
You are Energy in a Body.
Last May, I invited my Soul to comment on the State of the Union, e.g. WTF am I doing with my life? How can I get over myself and complete the projects in my creative pipeline? How can I connect with you, Brave Ones? My Soul said:
You are Energy in a body. The more you awaken to the state of your energy, the more you can embody your visions. You will manifest the beauty you desire to offer this world.
Whew! OK! Now, how do I actually do that? Especially with a busy little Monkey mind who drives me to prove myself, please others, control things, and snack often?
Difficulty is a Doorway.
Naturally, you hate annoying Shit-u-ations when you feel lost, mad, misunderstood, or frustrated. But what if those pesky moments could guide you back to your heart?
The moment I resist what is happening (he’s such a bitch, I hate this endless rain, etc.) my energy shifts. I contract into a walking frown. And yet my discomfort can be a prompt: to bring my energy back ‘home'— to a state of calm clarity.
This week, I got super grumpy at a sweet Solstice song circle.
As a guest at an intentional community of expat hippies near Domenical, Costa Rica, I follow the first Permaculture Principle: “Observe, then Interact.” 1
A pair of stunning voices lead the circle. Everyone seems to know the indigenous songs and Lakota chants, but I’m not great at memorizing these syllables and song patterns. I long to share the spontaneous, joyful, call-and-response vocal practices I share in my communities. Is that welcome here? Does my unique voice belong?
I stew, impatient and frustrated. Yet everyone around me smiles. I breathe into my heart. Which expands and restores my energy. I can listen better. I smile, too - and find beautiful ways to collaborate. Our voices mingle and soar into celebration. Yay!
Your Heart is a magnificent Energy center.
Today’s practice is based on the research of the HeartMath Institute, which promotes and teaches Heart Coherence, “a state of cooperative alignment between the heart, mind, emotions and physical systems.” Sound good? See you in the comments 💗
Today’s 5-minute creative practice: The Heart Pump
May this 5-minute practice expand your heart to new possibilities. This video features my ridiculous alter-ego Queen Poopicina sharing the potty-mouth, ‘Holy Sh*t’ 💩 version of the tool, with a spontaneous song. Or follow the steps below.
Heart Pump: How can I return to good vibes?
BREATHE deeply, and RECALL a recent time when you felt pissed off or disrespected. FEEL your heart: is it tight or contracted?
IMAGINE holding a vintage bellows. Notice its weight, color, shape, and materials.
VISUALIZE pointing it toward your heart. OPEN the pump as you take in a big inhale. As you exhale, feel the oxygen feeding, expanding, and opening your heart.
ENVISION your heart’s electromagnetic energy field as a warm, glowing light that extends out from your heart, larger than your body.
VISUALIZE this warm light expanding to hold all the blame and hurt, within the energy of loving kindness.
REFLECT when done: “Now, I feel...”
Creative prompts to expand your heart’s perspective:
EXPLORE: Share or write about your experience.
CREATE: Make a simple cartoon or gesture to show how it feels when your heart contracts and expands.
MANIFEST: This week, notice when your heart shrinks. What’s the root cause? How does it feel? How do you react? Breathe new energy into your heart and notice any shift.
🗣️ Your turn: Share your brave voice.
Ever been to Costa Rica? Pura Vida!
Get grumpy much over little things, like me? Tell us!
What’s your relationship with your heart? Barely speaking or besties?
Thank you for monitoring your emotional energy 💝 It’s Brave to take responsibility for how you really feel. And a beautiful gift to others. It’s also a lovely gift when you heart, comment, and/or share with someone who’d enjoy some heart energy medicine.
Our Goofy Song with an Actual Big Heart:
More to come,
In Costa Rica, I meet many visionaries who work to create regenerative ways to live with each other and Mama Earth. The 12 Permaculture Design Principles offer a beautiful guide.
My favorite thing about this is the example of how temporary our feelings can be, when we’re aware and allow them to guide us. You’re a beautiful human, Christine. Thank you for sharing this.
it is difficult is it not - and I can get in a loop when I then get annoyed at myself for not remembering that I am in so many ways privileged. That if I am stewing over a slight or irritating situation how lucky I am this is considered a "problem" I love the ideas you are expressing. For me finding these processes you can do to take yourself out of the head and back into love for want of a better word is brilliant.