I recently attended a conference given by the Heartmath Institute, a wonderful organization that researches and teaches the science and value behind “heart intelligence”.   We are used to the notion that our brains have intelligences. but generally have considered that these intelligences reside in our brains not our hearts and guts.

I met a veteran at the conference who had served in Afghanistan and returned home broken and suicidal.  He was diagnosed with PTSD and had difficultly reconnecting with his wife and family.  He and his colleagues were offered an 8 week session during which they were able to practise heart math tools and learn how to establish heart coherence (when our heart, mind and emotions are in sync).  He recounted how these tools changed his life.  He now wakes up each morning and starts his day with a heart “lock in” and heart meditations.   He describes himself as “peaceful and full of joy”..

Recently Heartmath sent me a gift  This gift is a stone in the shape of the heart with the words “add heart” written across it.  It is easy to add heart to the people and things we already love in our lives, but what about the more challenging aspects of our lives.  Bringing our hearts to that which we resist can help us to soften, feel and integrate more fully our emotions around these life events

Here are some simple ways we can add heart to our daily lives

• Spend a few moments in the morning or whenever you get a chance to pause and breathe in and out through the area of the heart. Bring to your awareness someone or something you appreciate about your life and bring that quality of appreciation into your heart and your body.  You might also  radiate appreciation to those that are close to you and to the world at large.  This is called a “heart lock-in” and you can find more about this meditation on youtube or the Heatmath website
• Think about someone, could be close to you or an organization, or some challenge you are dealing with.. Take a deep breath and feel into fully what is going on for you around this situation..  Add heart to any resistance embracing your fears, worries and emotions.
• Take an inventory into different areas of your life e.g. health, finances, family and consider what your heart might say about each of these areas. Are you making your decisions based on your “thinking” mind or are your following the intuitive guidance of your heart?
• Practising staying connected to your heart and following its guidance will strengthen your trust in this guidance system. We say that the brain “thinks” yet the heart “knows”.  Trusting that inner knowing and acting from it despite what logic or other people might say takes courage and practice.
• For those of you who enjoy technology, the Heartmath organization has an app and a sensor you can buy to tune in and bring yourself into heart coherence at any moment.

So my wonderful friends, this holiday season I invite you to remember to add heart on a daily basis extending it most importantly to yourself, holding yourself in love and self-compassion.  The spirit of Xmas is love and presence and those are the best gifts of all.

For more information about the science of the heart and ways to “add heart” visit www.heartmath.com

I love and appreciate you all for being part of my community and allowing me to express myself through you.  I receive many gifts from each of you and I hope you have from me.

Much love,

Vivianne

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to Fall!!

For many it is a favorite time of year as we reap the rewards of the beauty of the abundant nature that surrounds us. This summer I took some time to go deeper into my enquiry and reflections about what really contributes to our aliveness, our wholeness and our ability to be fully and authentically ourselves.

Early on my studies, and in my desire to support both myself and others to live happier, healthier lives I read everything I could on topics about happiness and what contributes to a fulfilling and successful life. I came across a quote early in my work as a therapist, which has been in many ways a guiding light and steering me towards my true north.

“Don’t ask what the world needs.  Ask what makes you come alive and go for it.  Because what the world needs is people who have come alive” – Howard Thurman

At the time, I was not exactly sure what Howard Thurman meant when he wrote this quote.

However, I interpreted it, and as Erin McLaughlan suggests the real question for most of us is:

“how can we nurture and take care of our aliveness while serving the needs of others”.

There are many things that contribute to our feeling alive and happy.  Joseph Campbell might have been one of the first to suggest we “follow our bliss”.  And, in fact, many recent scientific studies have confirmed that following our joy is indeed a crucial factor in feeling fulfilled and increasing our happiness quotient.

During the summer I came across another quote from Werner Erhard:

“The only two things in our lives are aliveness and patterns that block our aliveness.

He goes on to say that our aliveness is not something that we can obtain from something outside of ourselves, but moreover, it is already in us.  Our job is to remove the blocks and patterns that prevents our natural aliveness from bursting forth.

In the next blog I will start to explore some of the factors that I have found that contribute to patterns that might block our aliveness and thus our creativity and flow.

I invite you to join me in this enquiry and conversation as we are all in this together.  As always, I welcome your comments and emails.

Much love,

Vivianne

How are you all doing this holiday season.

Between the busyness of getting ready for the holidays and preparing to travel to see my family in the UK, I have found myself reflecting on the word “joy”; its meaning and the feeling that joy can generate. This enquiry started this summer when I read “The Book of Joy” written by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. One the questions that was most burning to them was “how do we find joy in the face of life’s inevitable struggles?”

This holiday season I thought I would share with you 10 facts that I discovered about joy during my research and enquiry:

Joy is not always considered a feeling, moreover an attitude of heart.

Joy can be found in the small things of life and does not depend on “happiness”.

The more you notice what brings you joy, the more you notice what brings you joy.

Joy can be present even when we are grieving or feel sad.

Joy’s home is in the Now.

Our brain is hardwired for joy (Candace Pert, Ph.D).

Tapping on the third eye i.e. point between the eyebrow while we are experiencing joy can enhance its effects.

Joy is good for the immune system.

Acceptance of what is seems to invite more joy to be present.

Being at peace with our past allows joy to arise naturally.

This holiday season I invite you to welcome the joy that you already are into your homes and hearts. Each one of us can add to the joyful season in a myriad of ways. Just think about how many of us love to be around babies or young children who are full of joy. Allowing ourselves to recapture those innocent times can bring out our eternal joyful nature.

Wishing you all much love and joy for the New Year. Thank you for being part of my life and community and I look forward to connecting with you in the New Year.

Much love,

Vivianne