This breath contains everything you need. Trust that each small step is leading you closer to your truth. In the quiet reflections of this journey I have discovered a simple truth.

The path is not about reaching a destination. It is about remembering who we are as we walk. It is not about gathering answers but about shedding everything we are not until only our purest Essence remains. That Essence is love, it is peace, it is the Eternal connection that unites us all.

The path is infinite because we are infinite beyond this life. beyond this body. The journey continues carrying with it the lessons, the experiences and the light we gather. Along the way there is no true end, only the understanding that the path itself is the purpose. And when we walk it with love, compassion and the wisdom of an open heart, each step becomes a celebration of life, an expression of The Eternity that lives.

—Excerpt from The Voice of Silence, written by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky in 1889 based on Eastern Teachings—

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The timeless wisdom of The Voice of Silence, written by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky in 1889—a masterpiece that continues to illuminate the path of inner awakening. This spiritual audiobook delves into the profound connection between the mind and the soul, inviting listeners to reflect deeply on their true nature and the pursuit of enlightenment. Althought slated to listen to the conclusion of the audio book: THE VOICE OF SILENCE #HelenaBlavatsky#TheVoiceOfSilence, we changed course spontaneously.

The subject we shared on was MAID (Medically Assisted Death) which many of our loved ones are saying yes to in the last couple of years.
In honouring the choice of our loved ones to do so, what is our experience of this choice? Is there peace? Is there acceptance? What substances and procedures are being used to assist this process? Is it truly peaceful as perceived by the friends and relatives witnessing the last breath or is there a struggle of life energy in that last breath given there is induced relaxation of muscle tone. Many difficult questions that we sit with in meditation. May the answers reveal themselves.

Heart in Yoga and Ayurveda is called Anahata Chakra. It is a shy lotus looking down into the abdominal cavity. It is a most vital organ and the abode of mind. Mind is a flow of thought. Mind is a flow of feelings and emotions. Heart is the seat of mind. According to the Vedic system, the core of the inner equipment of mental faculties is the Heart.

—Dr. Vasant Lad on the Heart-Mind Connection according to Ayurveda—

We explored an article published by Ayurprana and its embedded video in:

The Heart-Mind Connection: How Emotions Impact Your Cardiovascular Health

By Kamille Lavani

The heart is not merely a biological pump but a complex organ deeply intertwined with our emotional well-being. In the chakra system, the energy centers of the body, the heart is called Anahata. It is the seat of immunity, vitality, joy, love, and compassion. When we have unresolved emotions such as anger, hate, worry, and rejection they accumulate in our heart and can lead to various physical and emotional ailments. 

Anger and Hatred

Did you know that anger and hatred could be causing the inflammation in your body? These emotions are associated with the fire element, or pitta dosha. When we suppress anger or hatred, it can build up as heat within the body. The liver and heart are the main organs these emotions accumulate. Allowing them to fester could lead to heart palpitations, high blood pressure, and increased risk of heart attacks. 

Worry and Rejection

Worry and rejection can have a profound impact on our emotional well-being, and ultimately, our heart health. When we constantly worry, our bodies are in a state of chronic stress, which can lead to elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and damage to blood vessels. Rejection, whether it’s social, romantic, or professional, can be extremely painful and further exacerbate cardiovascular risk factors. 

Releasing and Balancing

In order to release these emotions, we first need to recognize them. Allow them to come to the surface without shame, then do practices to release them. By releasing these emotions, it will gradually restore our natural balance. You’ll feel lighter and more whole. While this may seem challenging initially, consistent practice of a few simple techniques can gradually break down emotional barriers. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

• Focus on heart opening asanas (poses) such as Dhanurasana (bow pose). When you are in the asana bring your attention to your heart center and take several deep breaths while setting your intention. 
• Try taking 10, 3-part yogic breaths. In one inhale, bring your breath just below the belly button expanding the belly, then move the breath up to the rib and expand it in all directions, finally bring the breath to the heart and collar bone area expanding the chest fully. Then exhale starting from the belly then rib cage and finally the chest. This is one breath. This will help bring you back to your parasympathetic nervous system. Creating space for calmness, reflection, and gratitude. 
• Utilize hridayam marma point. Marma points are vital energy points in the body, similar to acupressure points. Hryidayam marma point is located on the sterman at the level of the third intercostal space. Press this point with your index finger using medium pressure for 1 minute. To enhance the experience add rose essential oil to the area before applying pressure. 
• A wonderful heart opening herb to try is Tulsi. It’s known as holy basil. This is an adaptogenic herb that helps support a calm emotional disposition. Try incorporating it into your night time as a nice winddown tea. 

The heart, as a vital organ in both a physical and emotional sense, requires nurturing and attention. By recognizing and releasing the emotional burdens we carry, we can cultivate a healthier and more balanced heart. Remember, a healthy heart is a reflection of a harmonious mind and spirit.

Modern Psychology adoptions of practices from traditions of Buddhism, Vedic teachings and more.

MINDFULNESS BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT)

• Designed for groups, also used in individual therapy
• Emphasis on daily practice of mindfulness exercises taught in session
• The process of attending to present-moment experience in a non- judgmental way
• The ability to pay attention and notice experiences in the present
• The ability to refrain from judging experiences
• The ability to accept positive and negative experiences without avoidance or
  reactivity 

SELF ACCEPTANCE – MEDITATION ON LETTING GO

1. During meditation exercises, emphasize acceptance of experiences.

“Mind will frequently wander, this is completely normal and to be expected”
“There is nothing to change, no particular state to be achieved”
“Allowing your experience to be how it is, right now”
“Welcoming all of your experiences like a friend”

2. Mindfulness of breathing

Awareness on quality of breathing (fast/slow, deep/shallow)
Abdominal breathing (inflating/deflating like a balloon)

3. Practicing full body awareness of tension/discomfort

Breathing “into” tension and letting go on exhale

SELF ACCEPTANCE – BALL METAPHOR

What if what you’re doing with these thoughts, memories, and feelings is like fighting with a ball in a pool? You don’t like these things. You don’t want them, and you want them out of your life. So you try to push the ball under the water and out of your consciousness.However, the ball keeps popping back up to the surface, so you have to keep pushing it down or holding it under the water. Struggling with the ball in this way keeps it close to you, and it’s tiring and futile. If you were to let go of the ball, it would pop up and float on the surface near you, and you probably wouldn’t like it. But if you let it float there for a while without grabbing it, it could eventually drift away to the other side of the pool. And even if it didn’t, at least you’d be able to use your arms and enjoy your swim, rather than spending your time fighting.