Poetry Emotion

Take with you words, strong words of courage.,

Words that have wings!..

Take with you words, words that know you.,

Words that are sacred as healing waters,

Pure as Light, and beautiful as morning,

Take with you tall words, words that reach up,

And growing words, with deep life within them.

Take with you words, words that know you.

There is nothing I can give you which you have not,

but there is much that while I cannot give you,

you can take:

No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find

rest in today. Take Heaven.

No peace lies in the future which is not hidden

in this present instant. Take Peace.

The gloom of the world is but a shadow.,

behind it, yet within reach, is joy. Take Joy.

We search the world for truth, we cull

The good, the true, the beautiful,

From graven stone and written scroll,

And all old flower-fields of the soul.,

And, weary seekers of the best,

We come back laden from our quest,

To find that all the sages said

Is in the book our mothers read.

* What lies behind us and what lies before us..

are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. *

*NOTE*

~ All phrases, quotes and poetic emotion are the works of others, but their names need not apply simply because that is not the point in sharing at this moment., it is the messages within them that matters the most. I would never take credit for any of them although I would be lying if I said I was not inspired by them. Which I am very much so inspired by each and every one for individual reasons. ~

Blessings all and always keep safe

Love, Courage, Peace xo

~ Robin Ann @,~>

In the Beginning?

It's one thing to discuss and debate the endless theory of Spirituality, but giving due consideration to the 'chicken or the egg' scenario, might not be essential before going down that road., to consider which comes first: Spirituality or the manifestation of mankind.

Beyond the scope of creative and evolutionary processes, already considered most likely to have brought about the human species and that are now well established and circulated on the planet. There are numerous theories put forward by well versed academics, such being uncovered by wandering along countless corridors of consideration. And also pertaining to more diverse hypothetical evolutionary processes.

Given, most accept the wide spread findings or theories of modern science a more logical or practical means of evolution, others consider it worthwhile to explore more diverse avenues of thought. And this, that might throw a different color light on the creative and 'growth option' process. With that in mind, I am taking a look at some more diverse ideas, and put them forward by some theorists, one of whom is Thomas Gold (1920 - 2004), whose fields of expertise were noted for: Astrophysics, Astronomy, Biophysics, Cosmology, Geophysics and Aerospace engineering. A somewhat diverse proposal that was placed forward by Professor Gold, labeled 'The Garbage Theory', suggested that life on Earth might have evolved from a portion of waste products (material type undisclosed) dumped on Earth many years ago by other explorers. He certainly didn't stand alone in or with the reasoning that this form of incarnation may have taken place. From a British history channel documentary series, the program looked into the practicalities of the ancient beings theory. Those who have oriented their minds in a way that will allow them to consider such prospects. Diverse as some might be, the considerations of the many are more likely to reveal the truths that will ring clear to the few. Personally, I will keep my ears, eyes and mind wide open as I continue to search for and try to uncover more that supports a more radical approach to my being here.

Another contribution in thought, Archaeology has really brought new evidence to the past theories of mankind's creation and evolution. It is rather sad that other influences of governments, science and such seem to delay sharing much of this new information with the world. I have the opinion that creation from what was already, is a much longer in the past than previously thought. All potentials are possible and the many choices determines mankind's growth patterns. It seems to me though that mankind had to become more 'aware' of these patterns before it could start recognizing the 'need' for self accountability on this planet. To review history, we can find many events were civilizations came and went without a thought of self accountability. So in this aspect then you may see that mankind evolving into a civilization that is recognizing to the consequences of not being self accountable. However, greed and other errs of society have it moving at a snails pace. I had heard in conversations in one moment that we are behind in evolving. Maybe so. All the individual souls that are progressing and evolving, of this.. there is no doubt. But when the soul finds itself in place, it then also possesses a higher level of intelligence and can make choices and decisions that will either cast it down into a lower life form again or open the way for even higher and finer levels of development. We are the architects of our own destiny. The set of desires we cultivate during the course of this life are already forming our next. Our bodies are temporary but we are eternal.

Scientists and Universities all around the world have been trying for over 100 years to prove that evolution is the mechanism that created life, yet.. no scientific evidence has been found. There are theories of where life came from, one theory of evolution says that the first life came into existence four or five billion years ago as a result of billions of years of accidental, random atomic collisions. Another, that life came into existence through a creator, creating life, and also Darwin's theory of natural selection. If you may not very well know how life originated, and although there has been a variety of experiments that has been shown to us, some of the possibilities, some will remain in ignorance. Some, in an enormous amount of time, effort, and funds have been spent trying to learn how evolution brought about the existence of the first living organism. But although some beliefs sound very logical, the only thing that anyone has provided are merely statements of theory. The rest will be absolute truth.

There are multiple avenues that branch out from the tree, but there can only be one historical path that life took and as yet we do not know which of these avenues will lead us through the maze and which will end up in a blind alley. At the end of the day, we have to admit that we're looking through the glass. We have our own hints, we have geologic record that tells us that life formed early. And the trouble with a 'nothing's new' scenario (in context with) is that the written word can be interpreted in many different ways thus making it idealistic for some misrepresentation or certain levels of sculpting to take place. In any hope and chance to anything including the imaginative one can perceive. But there again, then such to those who will have methods to make the subject clearer, if we are to allow more free thinking and expression to have its way, or day.

~ ~ ~ ~

To this place where I now am, and the person I am..

They are in no specific date order.. more like the pieces of a puzzle that need to be put together by anyone who's interested enough to find out how I reached the point in time., where I am now., and the events to such has led me to be..

Some parts relate to early childhood, others more later in years, some are just thoughts that have passed through my thoughts conjured up by brief memories that sprung to mind for no particular reason., or were even inspired by the words and thoughts of others.

Who can say why the images of life, that are (in reality) life in the making with each passing moment come into being.. Maybe its not for us (as individuals) at all ~ more so., they might be hidden messages, intended for others, who need a new direction in life and are pondering on what to do, or which way to turn.

I see our journey as a path. Many people say that this path leads us to Perfection. Not sure about that. All I know is that each step is the perfect stage for learning something that enables you to give the next step no matter where you want to go. Sometimes the teachings are not always easy and we change our ways many of times. Sometimes we intend to take shortcuts but all we can get are long detours. (and sometimes that's a good thing) Sometimes the path is full of stones and at other times it is full of flowers. We are all on this forever changing journey, forever growing, forever changing, and during its course come to many destinations, each merely a short stop signifying a new beginning.

We all experience success and failure, joy and heartbreak, the journey never stops. Then we begin wandering down an untraveled road, no maps, no directions or road signs. And innocent of any concept of corruption, but along the way we learn, gaining knowledge. And some of that knowledge can lead to choices or situations outside of our own making where temptation lays in wait to entrap. But it is difficult to say what any one of us would do in any one situation., or to judge the actions of others when faced with an easy way out without first walking in their shoes. And all we can ever do is the best that we can at any one given moment. Everyone has a purpose and we are all unique doing our own thing in our own way, having respect for ourselves promotes respect for others.

The life of an individual is like the seasons of the year: each with its peculiar beauty. Whatever the season..

~ Robin Ann @,~>

Poetry Emotion

My music goes with you for cure of humanity's wrong.

To invert the affront when you fail to sing my song.

The script codes on the surface are in line with time.

The spirals twist and unfold to form a line.

Take a walk in these fields where all things form.

Seek the root of the atoms which stray the norm.

Levels of esters in growth as enzymes catalyze.

Amino acids build the molecules for protein we synthesize.

Learn from the message inlaid, how to genetically realign.

Growth of the plant and man are intertwined.

Primal DNA is gift of Mother Earth no man claimed.

All memory of time in soil or script in stone are here engrained.

Man's sight to enable the brain's circuitry recognitions.

A stimulus for our thoughts cognitive revelations.

Messages on Earth's canvas guide us in time of need.

Historical repetition of linguistics mankind must heed.

Renditions by an unknown artist paint a lost memory now past.

A forgotten language in the shadows time has outcast.

Earth's mass must reciprocate unto Light's energy demand.

The black of night absorbs in silence the need of reprimand.

Empty spaces hold, contained rest energies.

Where diffractions of the Light bends for gravity to appease.

Perfusing now these long forgotten links to thought in time.

Awakens simplicity to complex reason without rhyme.

Take a ninety degree angle, lay it on a line and a convex curved.

The geometric design signifies what the Egyptian long ago learned.

To heal the Earth is to free the Mind.

Absorb the Sun, to reach height of our climb.

Evolutionary leaders sing a song of mutant codes.

Evolution without time is song only time's past knows.

The Earth sings the song whose harmonic is for the Cosmic race.

Therein is so defined, the music humanity's imprint could not erase.

~ RAM Original 2009 ~

I Am

I am not lonesome nor apart that men should cry, "Lo, there!"

I am the all, immersed in all, behold me everywhere.,

I am the morning zepher soft while skipping over the lea,

I am the music of the brook that flows on to the sea:

I am the kisses of the sun, I am the tears of the rain,

I am the welcome breath of spring that brings new life again;

I am the sprouting of the seed, the budding of the flower,

I am the beauty that men behold unfolding every hour.,

I am the singing of the birds. the rustling of the leaves.

I am the holy force of life in everything that breathes.,

I am the thrill of harmony men feel but cannot tell,

I am the firm unchanging law that work all things well;

I am the source that all men seek, I am their peace, their pain,

I am the courage of the weak that turns all loss to gain.,

I am the hope that never dies, the ecstasy divine,

I am the Great, Eternal Love that draws all life to mine.,

I am the light that never fails, the power that never dies,

I am the still, small voice within that bids the Soul arise.,

I am the Fruit of highest thought,

I am the iron rod that strengthens and supports the whole,

I Am what men call God.

One, and One only,

I am in essence: Changeless, indivisible:

Concealing within my being.

The ten Lights of divine emanation.

In this, mine unalterable unity, Am I supreme,

And none is equal unto me.

Yet though I myself remain unchanged.

Throughout eternity,

My power doth manifest itself in ceaseless change.

Of all existences I am the source,

The continuation, and the end.

I am the germ, I am the growth, I am the decay,

All things and creatures I send forth.,

I support them while yet they stand without.,

And when the dream of separation ends,

I cause their return unto myself.

The first shall be last and the last shall be first. This consists of the one which is., the One issuing, thus becoming the Two being born of the One., and the relationship of activity is thus the Three.

If you write your name on a piece of paper, you must first touch pen to paper. This creates the Point. Then you must move the pen. This creates the Line. The line is a continuation of the Point. The Point is the Father. The Line is the Son. The relationship between the Point and the Line is that of movement, of activity. Life is activity, hence the Third is the Giver of Life. However, these Three are not Three, but One. This is because the issuing has not yet taken place. And before the issuing can take place, the possibility, the power, of its doing so must exist. This is possibility. The possibility is the potential. This is partnership.

But, Also now again:

The beginning of all things is division.

"For I am divided for love's sake, for the chance of union.

This is the creation of the world."

God, being Love, divides for the sake of union.

It is described as the Circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere. Its center is everywhere. Its circumference is nowhere. Everywhere. Every Where, Now Here.
　

From this the shining worlds flow forth,

To this all at last return,

Yet to this no man. May draw nigh, For it is known only to itself.
There is a reality even prior to heaven and earth;

Indeed, it has no form, much less a name;

Eyes fail to see it; It has no voice for ears to detect;

To call to Mind or Buddha violates its nature,

For it then becomes like a visionary flower in the air.

It is not Mind, nor Buddha; Absolutely quiet,

and yet illuminating in a mysterious way,

It allows itself to be perceived only by the clear-eyed.

It is Dharma truly beyond form and sound;

It is Tao having nothing to do with words.

There is day, also, and night in the universe;

The wise know this, declaring the day of Brahma.

A thousand ages in span.

And the night a thousand ages,

It is the Cosmic Breath.

It is indrawn and held.

Strong with suppliant voice had call,

Heaven, sea, and Earth, the mighty queen of all,

Immortal for all the world is thine,

And all are parts of thee, O' power divine.

Come, blessed whom rural in delight,

Come, wandering, a starry light.

Whose various parts, by thee inspired, combine

In endless dance and melody divine.

In thee a refuge from our fears we find,

Those fears peculiar to the humankind.

Three, shepherds, streams of water, goats rejoice,

thou lovest the chase and Echo's secret voice:

the sportive Nymphs thy every step attend,

And all thy works fulfill their destined.

O' all-producing power, much famed, divine,

The world's great ruler, rich increase is thine.

All-fertile heavenly splendour pure,

In fruits rejoicing, and in caves obscure.

By thee the Earth wide-bosomed, deep and long,

Stands on a basis permanent and strong.

The unwearied waters of the rolling sea,

Profoundly spreading, yield to thy decree,

Submit alike to thee, whose general sway

All parts of matter, various formed, obey.

All natures change though thy protecting care,

And all mankind thy liberal bounties share;

For these, wherever dispersed through boundless space,

Still find thy providence support their race.

Come, Blessed power, draw near,

Propitious to these holy rites attend,

And grant our lives may meet a prosperous end;

Drive panic fury too, wherever found,

From humankind to earth's remotest bound.

Abode of whose guardian power surrounds

The eternal world with ever during bounds;

Whose ample bosom, and encircling folds

The dire necessity of nature holds,

Ethereal, earthly, whose all various frame,

Azure and full of forms, no power can tame,

All seeing, source of Saturn and of time,

Forever blessed, deity sublime,

Propitious on a novel mystic shine,

And crown his wishes with a life divine.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Empathy Emotion

When we correct our perceptions we gradually discover the force of nature until we've discovered it fully in its real form. No one in the world can do whatever they want; we have to take care of everyone because each one depends on everyone else.

In spiritual terms, what this time calls for is nothing less than a conversion of our minds and hearts to the good of the Earth. We need to learn to relate anew to the natural world not as dominators, not even as stewards - which does not go for enough but as real kin in Creation. Our human lives are interwoven with millions of other species in a great community of life. How we love responsibly will determine whether life on this planet has a glorious or miserable future. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There are at least three spiritual responses to Earth's crisis: the sacramental, or contemplative, the ascetic, and the prophetic. Each is important., they can be combined in different ways., together they will enable us to develop the virtue of "earthkeeping." The sacramental response gases contemplatively on the world with the eyes of love rather than with an arrogant, utilitarian stare, and sees there the handiwork of Creation. Not only is the evolutionary world created by the power and imagination of wisdom, but it also participates in the goodness of Divine Being. Moreover, choose to unite with the material of Earth in a profoundly personal way. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The ascetic response calls for intellectual humility in our assessment of the human place in the Universe and practical discipline in our use of natural resources. The tru purpose of asceticism has always been to make us fully alive to the movement of grace in our lives and the movement of the Spirit in the world. An ecological asceticism from the pebble to the peach, to the poodle to the person, all under the sway of the apex, asceticism reconfigures that pyramid into a circle of life with human beings thoroughly interwoven with all the other creatures, special in virtue of being conscious and free but utterly interdependent on others for their life. This view charts a path down from our pedestal toward partnership with Earth's power of life. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The prophetic response move us to action on behalf of justice for the Earth. A moral Universe limited to the human community no longer serves the future of life. If the Earth is indeed Creation, with its own intrinsic value, then Earth bears the marks of deep prophetic response with its ethical demands for care, protection, and restoration. Indeed, the impulse to care for the Earth, to heal and redeem it, takes on the character of a moral imperative. One stringent criterion must now measure the morality of our actions: whether or not these contribute to a substainable Earth community. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We need to respect life, not only among humankind but also among other living creatures. Who is your neighbor? The samaritan? The friend? The outcast? Yes, yes of course. But, it is also a whale, the dolphin, and the rainforest. Our neighbor is the entire community of life, the entire Universe. We must love it all as our very self. We all share the status of creature. We are Kin in the evolving community of life. Our vision of justice must be one of cosmic justice. The aim is to establish and protect healthy ecosystems where all living creatures can flourish.

Serenity by Robin Ann

Though we welcome the gentle whispering winds that flow, and lay in silence the soft morning which alight its own glory. Capturing its flame, its bliss of no other sound held itself strong and naturally elemental free. And wishing Serenity shed a glimpse of what a solitary tear would have been. The single moment entered quietly., In hopes of all given to its capable of being. By sometimes feeling unheard, Serenity gives without taking away. Choices were made entering at will. Never standing alone. Never being alone. As to waves that kiss the sands to an open shore. To come to Knowing what soon means.

Meditations, Mantras and Yoga

Kiirtan Kiirtan is the singing of a mantra aloud while ideating on the Supreme Being. It inculcates the feeling of bliss and prepares the mind for meditation, because in performing it all the motor and sensory organs are engaged and directed towards the Supreme. It can be done anywhere, any time, but the best time is just before meditation. The mantra used for kiirtan is: Baba Nam Kevalam Baba means "my most beloved One", Nam means "name of" or "to identify with", and Kevalam means "only". So the meaning of the mantra is "My most Beloved is the only One." The ideation is: "Everywhere I look, in everything I hear, feel, see, taste and smell, I perceive that one Supreme Consciousness which pervades all things." Kiirtan has many benefits. It purifies the mind and prepares it for meditation, accelerating the speed of movement toward the Supreme. Because of the mental clarity achieved, one easily finds solutions to problems while performing it, as well as relief from physical and psychic ailments. Meditation The practices of Ananda Marga encompass a wide range of techniques for physical, mental and spiritual development, the central practice being meditation. Meditation means to look within your mind to feel the bliss that is the essence of your existence. That bliss is within you, just as it is within everybody and everything. Meditation is an essential tool for self-transformation and spiritual development. One of the goals of Ananda Marga is to make meditation available to all people free of charge throughout the world. Specially trained teachers give personal instruction in the process of mantra meditation, but you can try a simple technique for yourself now: Find a comfortable place on the floor and sit with your legs crossed. Place your hands one on top of the other in your lap, keep your back straight, eyes closed and tongue on the roof of the mouth. Your breathing should be calm and relaxed, through the nose. Now imagine that you are sitting in the most peaceful place that you can think of. Feel that you are sitting there in complete peace, and imagine infinite happiness is surrounding you in every direction. Feel that you are completely surrounded by that infinite peace and happiness, and start to repeat within your mind the following mantra: Baba Nam Kevalam Baba means "beloved". It refers to your deepest self: the Supreme Self, the source of infinite peace and happiness. Nam means "name" or "to identify with", and Kevalam means "only". So the mantra means "Only my Beloved". Think of the meaning as you're repeating it, and feel the infinite peace and happiness all around you and within you. Continue for as long as you like, then open your eyes. "You are never alone or helpless. The force that guides the starsguides you too." ~ Shrii Shrii Anandamurti Guidelines for meditation: • Don't worry if you have trouble concentrating – it's normal. It takes some time and practice to be able to focus on the one thought. Every time you realize your mind has wandered away from the mantra, concentrate on it again – it will get easier the more you do it. The main thing is to keep practicing, and really try to tap into the flow of the ideation. • Don't meditate sitting on a chair or on your bed – you are likely to get too relaxed to concentrate. Instead, sit cross-legged on the floor in a peaceful place where nobody will disturb you. Sit on a blanket or mat, and keep it only for your meditation. If you have trouble sitting cross-legged, put some cushions under you so your backside is higher off the ground. That will take some of the pressure off your legs, and help keep your back straight. Avoid resting your back against the wall. • Refresh yourself with cool water before you start. • Meditate twice a day – in the morning before breakfast, and in the evening before dinner. Each time is important, to get your mind and body used to it. • Singing the mantra aloud before you meditate calms the mind and prepares it for meditation. You can sing to any tune you like, with or without instruments. • Repeat the mantra throughout the rest of the day, singing it if you like. That will give you a continual feeling of lightness and happiness, and make it easier to meditate. Asanas (yoga postures) In the West we have come to equate the term "yoga" with yoga postures, but in fact they form only a small – albeit important – part of the whole system. The term "yoga" in fact implies a whole way of life which includes yoga postures as one of its many facets. In Sanskrit, yoga postures are called asanas. Asana means "a posture giving physical comfort and mental composure." Asanas affect the glands, nerves, muscles and all the organs of the body. There are many physical benefits, but the most important effect is on the mind. The practice of asanas places pressure on the endocrine glands, and this results in the regulation of hormones secreted from those glands. The hormones affect the emotions, and the resultant emotional balance facilitates concentration and meditation. So asanas help prepare the mind for meditation. Benefits of asanas: • Balance the hormone secretions from the glands. • Give flexibility to the body. • Improve respiration, as well as blood and lymph circulation. • Massage the internal organs. • Detoxify the joints. • Relax the nerves and muscles. • Cure diseases. While practicing asanas the body should be cool and calm. The stomach should not be full. The room should be clean and warm, and there should be no smoke in the air. Except for the meditation postures, asanas should not be practiced during menstruation or pregnancy. In general, asanas should only be practiced on the advice of a proper teacher. Spread a blanket or mat on the floor and try these simple and effective asanas: Yogamudra: Sit cross-legged. Hold your left wrist with your right hand behind your back. Slowly lowering your chin, then your neck, bend down as far as you can go (as in the photo at the top of this page), breathing out as you go down. Stay there for 8 seconds with your breath held out, then rise up breathing in. Practice eight times. Cobra: Lie on your stomach. Place your hands facing down on the floor beside your ears. Supporting your weight on your palms, push up and raise the chest, looking up towards the ceiling. Breathe in while rising, and hold your breath in that position for 8 seconds. Come down to the original position while breathing out. Practice eight times. Long Salutation: Kneel down with your buttocks resting on your heels and your toes pointing forward. With your palms together, extend your arms up vertically next to your ears. Slowly bring your arms and head down as one, first bending your neck, then the whole upper body, until your fingers hit the floor, keeping your buttocks on your heels all the time. Now stretch out with your forehead and nose resting on the floor. Breathe out as you go down, and stay there with your breath held out for 8 seconds. Then rise up breathing in. Practice eight times. After practicing asanas, you should do a skin massage and then lie down in deep relaxation for at least two minutes. The skin massage helps in the absorption of sebaceous oils which are naturally secreted onto the skin surface. Deep relaxation gives the body a chance to assimilate the positive energy gained from the asanas. Skin Massage: • Increases the lustre and suppleness of the skin. • Relaxes and revitalizes the nerves. • Increases the blood and lymph circulation. • Harmonizes the vital energy (pranah) of the body. The skin massage is not a deep muscle massage. It is a light going-over of the skin, as well as some extra attention given to the lymph glands. First rub your palms together a few times to warm them up. Start at the head and face and work down, rubbing the entire surface area of the skin. This is one of the reasons why it’s best not to wear any clothes except your underwear during asanas – the skin massage should be done in direct contact with the skin. Pay particular attention to the throat, under the chin, the armpits, groin, and behind the knees. In these regions there are collections of lymph glands which also benefit from the massage. Deep Relaxation: • Induces the "relaxation response," similar to hibernation. • Relieves stress. • Lowers the blood pressure. • Strengthens the heart. • Relaxes the nerves and muscles. • Decreases the need for sleep. Using the same blanket as for asanas, lie on your back with your arms by your side, making sure that your breathing is calm and relaxed. Now go through your whole body, starting at your feet, consciously making sure that each part is completely relaxed – with no muscular tension at all. Go from the feet up the legs, consciously checking each part, into the groin area, into the abdomen (also feeling that your internal organs are relaxed), into the chest and shoulders, from the fingers and hands up the arms, then into the neck and up into the face, relaxing the facial muscles, including the eyes, and finally to the top of the head, feeling that your brain is also relaxed. Check once more that you are breathing calmly, and stay like that – fully relaxed – for a few more minutes. Deep relaxation is especially important for those who do a lot of mental work. Do it as often as you like throughout the day. Whenever you feel mentally fatigued, even just a couple of minutes can be enough to rejuvenate and revive you.

Meditation on the Heart

Adapted from The Path to Love, by Deepak Chopra (Three Rivers Press, 1997).

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/meditating-on-the-heart.html#ixzz1GseUOWAb

Sit comfortably in a quiet room by yourself, choosing a time when you feel settled and unhurried. Early morning is best, since your mind will be alert and fresh. Close your eyes and focus your attention on the middle of your chest, where your heart is. (The fact that the physical heart is off to the left is irrelevant here – the spiritual heart center lies directly behind your breastbone.)
Be aware of your heart as a space. Don’t try to hear your heartbeat or any other sound you think a heart makes as it pumps blood. The heart center you want to find is a point of awareness where feelings enter. In its pure form it is empty, pervaded by weightlessness, absence of care, peace, and a subtle light.

This light may appear as white, gold, pale pink, or blue. Don’t strain to find a light of any kind. You are not trying to sense the purity of the heart center right now; all you need to feel is whatever is there.

Letting your attention rest easily there, breathe gently and sense your breath going into your heart center. Here you may want to visualize a soft pastel light, or a coolness pervading the chest. Let the breath go in and out, and as it does, ask your heart to speak to you.
For the next five or ten minutes, sit and listen. Your heart will begin to release emotions, memories, wishes, fears, and dreams long stored there, and as it does, you will find yourself paying attention.

Let the experience be what it will be. If you daydream or drift off into sleep, just bring your attention back to your heart center. You will notice as you continue this exercise that three things are naturally coming together: meditation, purification, and attention.
You are learning to be with your heart in order to heed its spiritual meaning – this is meditation. You are letting repressed material come up to be released – this is purification. You are listening to your heart without judgment or manipulation – this is attention.