When we hear the phrase “the heart remembers” most conjure images of romance novels, flowery poetry or earnest but flawed chick flicks. What doesn’t usually come to mind are the basic biological principles of the body. The heart does remember, along with learning and making independent decisions, using mechanisms similar to other organ systems – the brain, the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system. Beyond cellular memory, the heart shares a second trait with the brain: it generates a powerful electromagnetic field, one that is 60 times greater in amplitude (measured via ECG/EEG respectively).
The heart’s magnetic field, which is the strongest rhythmic field produced by the human body, not only envelopes every cell of the body, but also extends out in all directions into the space around us. The heart’s magnetic field can be measured several feet away from the body by sensitive magnetometers.
The significant difference between electromagnetic field size of the brain vs. the heart begs the questions – should we be following the advice of our heads or hearts? Additionally, if the heart ‘remembers,’ how do life events and emotions impact heart health?
In recent years, science has begun to uncover the effect the heart has on both physical and spiritual health – and it is far more ‘energetic’ than previously acknowledged in western medicine. Broken heart syndrome, also called stress-induced cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is a real diagnosis. An individual suffering from broken heart syndrome presents with symptoms similar to heart attack, including shortness of breath and chest pain. While heart attack is generally caused by a complete or near complete blockage of a heart artery, in broken heart syndrome the heart arteries are not blocked. Although blood flow in the arteries of the heart may be reduced, the condition is often preceded by an intense emotional event:
The death of a loved one
A frightening medical diagnosis
Domestic abuse
Losing — or even winning — a lot of money
Strong arguments
A surprise party
Public speaking
Job loss or financial difficulty
Divorce
Traditionally, the study of communication pathways between the head and heart has been approached from a rather one-sided perspective, with scientists focusing primarily on the heart’s responses to the brain’s commands. Emerging science has demonstrated that communication between the heart and brain is actually a dynamic, ongoing, two-way dialogue, with each organ continually influencing the other’s function. In fact, researchers have discovered the heart communicates to the brain via four distinct means. Communication along all these conduits significantly affects the brain’s activity and the messages the heart sends to the brain can also affect human performance.
neurologically — through the transmission of nerve impulses
biochemically — via hormones and neurotransmitters
biophysically — through specified pressure waves
energetically — through electromagnetic field interactions
As far back as the middle of the 1800s, it was recognized that the heart, overtaxed by constant emotional influences and thus deprived of its appropriate rest, suffers disorders of function and becomes vulnerable to disease, which takes us full circle to broken heart syndrome. From a psychophysiological perspective, emotions are central to the experience of dis-ease. On a near daily basis new research is published, highlighting how stress and negative emotion increases disease severity and worsens prognosis for individuals suffering from a range of diseases or conditions. In contract, there is a growing base of evidence supporting how positive emotion and effective emotional self-regulation can prolong health and significantly reduce premature mortality.
The graphs below show the average power spectra of 12 individual 10-second epochs of ECG data, each reflecting heart-field energetic patterns of emotion, comparing appreciation to anger.
The difference in the patterns and thus the information they contain, can be clearly identified. Given every cell in the body is bathed in the invisible energetic frequency, it becomes strikingly clear that we must demote our brains and start living from our hearts.
“We are so used to letting our heads be in charge of our lives that when we start reacting with our hearts instead, it feels like a miracle, like a whole new existence. And it is! The heart is the center of our body's universe and the center of our feelings. This is as it should be. Your head is way off at the edge of your body. You can't balance when you are living from there. Your head isn't grounded in the reality of your body. Let your heart be the center and watch your whole life transform.” ~Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, Cardiologist
Every aspect of our lives will influence our hearts. The word healing comes from the Old English word haelan meaning “whole” and thus signifies the process of becoming more whole. And so the question becomes – are you ready to step toward wholeness? To figure out exactly who you are, knowing what makes you happy, knowing your strengths and weaknesses and understanding that while you are not perfect, you can be as perfect as possible? Are you ready to empower yourself with your own personal heart handbook? Are you ready to take over the wheel of your life, to be in the driver's seat, to propel yourself forward toward greater self-care, self-awareness and wholeness?
Energy healing and Qigong are such powerful practices for supporting you in coming home to your heart, connecting in a more profound way with your true Self and moving toward wholeness. While scientific validation is demonstrating what so many of us have witnessed or intuitively recognized, no amount of research will ever surpass personal experience! And do not dismiss the potency, if after one application you do not notice an astonishing, long-lasting change. Just as you cannot control high blood pressure with a single dose of medication, it takes time and consistency to get your body, and ultimately your energies, reorganized.
For those who are interested in starting or continuing to build your energy healing tool box, take a moment to practice these three easy and effective heart balancing exercises.
“It was when I stopped searching for home within others
and lifted the foundations of home within myself
I found there were no roots more intimate
than those between a mind and body
that have decided to be whole.”
