Creating Heart-to-Heart Coherence and Living a Heart-Centered Life

(SHIFT>) There is an incredible amount of knowledge that we as humans can gather up from the plant kingdom with a heart-centered approach. By gathering information directly from the “heart of nature," we are able to realize the interconnectedness between humanity and the planet in a way that may conjure up themes from films such as Avatar. As more scientific research comes forward concerning the abilities and properties of plants, the more we learn that there are so many things that the plant kingdom is able to teach us, especially concerning harmony and balance.

A book that came our a few years ago entitled "The Secret Teachings of Plants: The Intelligence of the Heart in the Direct Perception of Nature," details these things in a very elegant way and shows us that the ancient shamanistic tales of oneness, interconnectedness, harmony, and balance with respect to humanity and nature’s relationship are indeed true. The human heart is significantly more important than most people realize, and in order to spread awareness of this reality, secret excerpts from the book will be provided to show just how important and sophisticated the heart truly is.

Positive mental states encourage health and longevity - Research

According to current research, gratitude and appreciation aren't just pleasant emotions, both offer tangible health benefits as well. The HeartMath Institute in California has taken these findings a step further, providing a systematic approach for cultivating true appreciation - which ultimately reduces stress, chronic disease and nervous system disorders. In our fast-paced and intense modern world, orienting oneself toward positive mental states can vastly improve the quality of life and promote longevity.

The dance between appreciation and science

A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that gratitude supports cardiovascular and immune system health. Participants were monitored while asked to recall for five minutes an incident that triggered anger. Next, the individuals were told instead to focus on a memory that inspired gratitude. Heart, pulse and respiration rates dramatically improved. The researchers believe that by cultivating gratefulness, stress is  significantly reduced - thereby boosting immune function and strengthening overall health.