In traditional Chinese medicine, it is said that the heart not only rules the circulation of blood, but houses the “mind”, whereby it’s the kidneys that control the brain—referred to as “the sea of marrow”. The heart also governs the “spirit” and is considered the sovereign ruler of the body and the master of the emotions. The heart is related to all affections in the Chinese language. Symbolism is a way of life in eastern and traditional cultures. The Chinese written language is a living art based on pictographs, each character a symbolic representation of an action, object, or concept. In the West, it is easy to accept that the heart is a mechanical pump that controls the cardiovascular system. It is not as easy to imagine the heart connected to the mind and spirit, although most of us can relate to something that is “heartfelt” or having a “broken” heart.
??Chinese medicine looks at the physical body as a landscape that works in concert with nature, the cosmos and the unseen elements, e.g., spirit and mind. The ancients viewed the human being as symbolically standing between Heaven and Earth, incorporating Yin and Yang (pronounced YONG) polar energies—dark/light, cold/hot, inactive/active, feminine/masculine. Certain elements and emotions are associated with each organ system. It is said, for example, that the energy of the kidneys rules the will, the spine, bones, opens out to the ears and are affected by cold and fear. The lungs rule the energy of the body, the skin, open out to the nose and are affected by dryness and grief. The spleen/pancreas rules thought, digestion and muscles, opens out to the lips and is affected by dampness and worry. The liver rules the psychospiritual nature, tendons and ligaments, opens out to the eyes and is affected by wind and anger. The heart, which we’ve said rules the mind, spirit and circulation, opens out to the face and tongue and is affected by heat, joy, anxiety and bitterness. The body is not looked upon as a machine detached from our thoughts but as a multidimensional vessel containing Qi (vital life force, pronounced CHEE) and blood, matter and spirit.? ?
In Chinese medicine, emotion plays a major role in wellness or illness. Emotions represent the movement of Qi. Pathology is the disturbance of this flow of energy as observed in hyper, hypo or stagnant conditions. Chinese medicine takes an holistic approach to healing and sees no mind-body-nature split. And, although there has been a wide chasm in western thought between matter and spirit, quantum physics is helping to close that gap. ?
It is too vast a subject to discuss here the rich meanings behind mind and spirit and the paradox thereof. I have, therefore, chosen to combine them simply into the term “Heartmind”. Some positive expressions of heart are love, joy, peace, laughter, openness, compassion, gratitude and forgiveness. These aspects nourish the energy of the heart and, according to Chinese medicine, keep the complexion rosy and the blood circulating smoothly. An imbalance of the heart energies can create such diverse disturbances as insomnia, palpitations, forgetfulness, mania, obsession and cardiovascular disease. ?
Research has now shown that the mechanism of the heart has a stronger ?effect on the brain-mind than we thought. To quote from Dr. Christiane ?Northrup’s Health Wisdom for Women newsletter: “Though everyone ?knows that the brain produces electrical activity in the form of brain waves, few realize that the electrical activity of the heart (heart waves) is 40 to 60 times stronger than that of the brain. In fact, the electromagnetic field of the heart can be measured several feet away from your body. Research from the Institute of HeartMath in Boulder Creek, California, has shown that sincere experiences of ‘heartfelt emotions’ bring about increased coherence in the electromagnetic field of your heart—and in the hearts of those around you. This increased coherence also balances hormonal patterns so that a sense of well-being is generated throughout your entire system. Conversely, negative feelings of anger, anxiety and worry have been shown to create disorganized, incoherent and unbalanced energy flow that, if gone unchecked, lead to accelerated aging and physical deterioration. Learning to stay connected to the energy of your heart can abate these patterns and replenish your system.”? ?
So, take heart! It’s never too late to stretch your wings and acknowledge your Heartmind. You might want to take time out from your busy schedule to be playful and nourish your spirit, to tend that inner or outer garden that brings you most joy. Daily walks help circulate the Qi, increase inspiration as well as enable you to experience the heartfulness of your community. I’d suggest giving and asking for “heart-to-heart” hugs at every opportunity. Maybe if we stopped taking ourselves so seriously we could more easily find humor in the paradox of life and be awed by its mysteries. The best heart medicine of all is laughter and joy.
Linda Joy Stone, trained in both the U.S. and China, has been practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine for 20 years. Her focus is on psychospiritual healing and healthy aging. She is co-founder of the Asian Institute of Medical Studies asianinstitute.edu and practices privately at Southwest Integrative Healthcare lindajoystone.com in Tucson and at the University of Arizona Campus Health Services.