Your Heart is Intelligent
Did you know that the heart organ sends more neurological signals to the brain than the brain sends to the heart? Nicknamed the “heart brain,” a group of over 40,000 neurons inside the heart has been shown to integrate, synthesize, and respond to information and emotions independently of the central nervous system. This discovery points a critical lens on the brain-centered model of human consciousness that has been so widely preached in recent decades.
The power of heart intelligence in empathy, intuition, and connection has been recognized by practically all cultures and traditions throughout recorded history. So much so, that it has seeped into the everyday language we use today: we have a “heavy heart” when experiencing grief or sadness, describe kind and generous people as having a “heart of gold,” define rigorous challenges as “not for the faint of heart,” and give the advice to “follow your heart” when considering big life changes. These phrases didn’t come about randomly: they exist because we experience our heart’s intelligence through physical sensations, seek its guidance during challenges, and connect with others through it.
If your thoughts feel loud and the world feels like a jumble of noise, you’re not alone. The worldwide capacity to listen to our heart intelligence is at an all-time low, amplifying the voice of the mind and leaving us feeling ungrounded. Heart coherence, a measurement defined by the Heart Math Institute as a state where “our breathing, heart rhythms, brain rhythms and hormonal response, are in sync with each other,” can thankfully be improved through simple techniques, allowing us to access the wellspring of love, compassion, and connection that is the heart. Here’s a simple exercise to get started, excerpted from Heart Math’s article:
- Focus your attention in the area of the heart. Imagine your breath is flowing in and out of your heart or chest area, breathing a little slower and deeper than usual. (Suggestion: Inhale 5 seconds, exhale 5 seconds, or whatever rhythm is comfortable.)
- Make a sincere attempt to experience a regenerative feeling such as appreciation or care for someone or something in your life.
This simple, two-step technique, even if practiced for a few minutes at a time, can dramatically change the course of the rest of your day. And all it takes is a straightforward intention to breath and feel more deeply.
For your own personal wellbeing and the health of world, reflect on your relationship to your heart. If you’re interested in increasing your heart coherence, consider ways you can integrate this exercise and the accompanying heartfelt emotions into your everyday life.
