Most cultures recognise the heart as having a connection with our emotions, and even in our own digital age we still associate images of the heart with love – an image that is ever pervading across popular culture, but which has its roots in ancient wisdom. The forefathers of Chinese Medicine understood this connection deeply, viewing the heart as the ‘emperor’ of our internal kingdom – which when calm and balanced, rules with benevolence.
The heart has a very close connection with our blood, with the colour red, with the fourth chakra, and with the element of fire. It is the most yang; the heavenly aspect of ourselves. It is said to ‘house the shen’, which translates as ‘spirit’ but which can be understood as relating to our mind and emotions. It is the very spark of consciousness that makes life possible.
While the heart governs these functions of conscious awareness, living in a state of continuous mental stimulation will eventually injure the heart. Â Although this can be difficult to achieve with the pace of modern life and the all-pervading nature of smart phones, an agitated heart will disturb the emotions, and is often indicated in anxiety disorders.
By affecting the ‘qi’ of the heart, one can calm the fires, and create space in the heart. In this way the ‘shen’ can be likened to a bird resting on a branch at dawn. In agitation the bird will flutter, and may fly away. In an open and accepting heart, the bird can rest and sing.
If we can still the heart of its desires, our spirit can lead us toward our Tao…the path of our true nature.
In relation to sleep: if the heart is weak, the mind has no ‘residence’ and will ‘float’ at night, causing an inability to fall asleep, disturbed sleep or excessive dreaming. Thus by nourishing the heart we anchor the mind and so give ourselves the best opportunity for peaceful, restful sleep.
How to nourish the heart:
Acupuncture is an excellent way to work with the energies of the heart in a safe way. Located at the wrist, in a line traced down from the base of the little finger, is a pressure point know as ‘shen men’ or spirit door. Firm but gentle pressure into this point can calm the heart when emotions are agitated and also help aid sleep.
Singing and laughter are an excellent way to nourish one’s heart, since the heart relates to the emotion of joy, and is said to connect to the tongue. Foods like alfalfa, rye, watercress and aloe juice will work on the heart, whose taste is associated with bitterness. Warming foods such as cinnamon, rosemary, fennel and basmati rice, as well as peaches and cherries, are also very nourishing for the heart. Perhaps most importantly, a balanced heart gives us the capacity to develop meaningful relationships, with the warm quality of fire reaching out to engage with others. Laugh more, love deeper, and listen to your heart.
