Being in our heart seems so simple in theory doesn’t it? When speaking with students, I often remind them when our hands are on our heart to connect to our magical heartbeat. Have you ever thought about how it continues to beat without us having to consciously make it? Our bodies are simply AWEmazing.
This writing is a reminder for me, and maybe it will resonate with you. Let’s be completely vulnerable here and admit, everything I write is something I am working on … I share and teach what I most need to learn.
Let’s begin by explaining what I mean by dropping into my heart:
Feeling more, thinking less. After 20+ years of studying T’ai Chi one may assume I am a master. Far from it, for I am a continuous student of the Tao. And the saying, “the more I learn the less I know” is pure truth. The beauty of knowing less is you begin to trust more.
Through consistent practice, I am aware how important feeling into decisions has led me to trusting mySelf, and expanding my awareness within. With all that is happening in our world at this time, it’s more important than ever to trust your HEART. Listen within not without.
My Sifu always reminds us to have our own direct experience of what he is sharing, not take his word for it. Check it out for ourselves and see if it rings true.
Lately, when sitting on my cushion, I have observed that I have been more in my head. Continuously living what I teach is easier said than done. Therefore, I choose to continue to practice and to drop into my heart for I know that is where my truth lies.
I believe we all have our own triggers of what rings true to us, I urge you to follow those instincts. And, when you do the opposite, acknowledge it, and let your heart know that you heard it and will listen next time. Keep coming back to your center of truth. Know what IT feels like…
Remember we are all spiritual beings having a human experience, there is more to us than this physical bodies, so much more. Be open to exploring your truth, drop into your heart instead listening to that constant mind dialogue, in T’ai Chi we refer to that as the monkey-mind.
In his book, Practicing the Tao Te Ching, Solala Towler writes, “Taiji is ‘the world of manifestation.’ It is the perfect balance point between the Great Yang and Great Yin. It is also called the Great Ultimate. It is thought of as the cosmic heart, as well as the human heart. In this way, our own small heart is connected with the Great Heart of the universe. When we are able to empty ourselves of our madly running thoughts and our thoughts about those thoughts, we are better able to connect with that great emptiness ‘and receive all things.’ ”
Eckhart Tolle reminds us, “Be the silent watcher of your thoughts and behavior. You are beneath the thinker. You are the stillness beneath the mental noise. You are the love and joy beneath the pain.”
I have been reminding students and myself to expand our awareness in the present moment because really that is all we have. The past is gone and the future has not yet arrived.
I invite you to experience these concepts for yourself and let me know what you discover by leaving a comment.
Let’s be kinder and more compassionate with others who may disagree with our truth, and have a different perspective. It doesn’t mean one is wrong and one is right, it just IS. We are all ONE, our human heart and the cosmic heart.
Lastly, may we be more compassionate and kind to ourselves when we get off our center, and do not follow our heart-truth. It doesn’t matter how many times we wander, simply guide yourself back by taking some conscious deep breaths … BE present and aware of your surroundings… then drop into your heart.
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