Open Your Heart
- DFDarwoodWrites
- Nov 25, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: May 20
How would you say you feel on a daily basis? When people feel calm, safe, and understood, their brains and bodies naturally respond by being more open to forming deeper relationships. Research shows that practices like mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and even simple joyful activities (like playing or singing together) help relax the nervous system. This relaxation allows for a state that scientists and educators call heart-opening, where a person feels emotionally available, empathetic, and ready to connect.
An open heart means people aren’t just thinking logically but also feeling deeply, understanding others’ perspectives, and showing compassion.
Quick Story
Opening your heart and connecting on a deeper level that doesn't rely on logical thinking can be the challenge of a lifetime. If you think someone wronged you, logic says move away. Logic may even tell you to hold a grudge. Grudges and avoidance are exactly what we must overcome on a regular basis.
Once someone very close to me sent a text about wanting more from me and their disappointment in my actions to me - but the text was clearly meant for someone who was NOT me - but it was about me. It was meant to go to their other friend, not me. I felt all these feelings; anger, sadness, resentment, even arrogance (Who do you think you are? You don't know how much I am doing!). After talking to another person who also saw the text and is equally as close to me, I changed my perspective. The text, if looked at on a deeper level, was that person's deep concern for an elder member of our family. I realized that person was actually in pain because they could not control or help the situation from afar. I had to see how much they actually just wanted what was best and was expressing that to their close friend. I forgave them (without them even knowing it). I felt more like I can understand how challenging it can be to be in their shoes - trying to help, from a distance, and no actual control.
When I did that - opened my heart with forgiveness and empathy, I realized that if I pay attention, I can do that in other situations instead of jumping to anger or after being angry for a bit. Now I still talk to this person because as I said, they are very close to me. Did I open my heart? I am still learning. Have you ever had to relax judgement and open your heart?
What we know so far...
According to Opening the heart: exploring the interpersonal neurobiology of spiritual practices suitable for public education by Mira Cataya Rodriguez Educators suggest that schools should encourage students to care for each other and find joy in learning—not just focus on facts and abstract thinking. Many countries have added this idea to their school programs, calling it things like “whole child development,” “life skills,” or “moral and spiritual growth.”
Research in brain science shows that feeling positive emotions opens up the heart, which is a common spiritual experience worldwide. Practices like mindfulness and meditation help with this, but other methods like breathing exercises and yoga might be even better for calming down, getting people ready to connect, and making it easier to enjoy activities like playing, singing, and dancing, which help people bond.
Building positive feelings isn’t about ignoring difficult emotions but about creating a safe space where people can feel everything they need to. By combining research from psychology and brain science, scientists have developed a framework that explains how practices like yoga, meditation, and breathing can bring out qualities like kindness and empathy. Adding more of these activities to education could help students feel more connected, compassionate, and caring.
Rodriguez, M. C. (2024). Opening the heart: exploring the interpersonal neurobiology of spiritual practices suitable for public education. Journal for the Study of Spirituality, 14(1), 61–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/20440243.2024.2308926
Activities I've tried...
In your journal: What feelings do I need to be honest about? Anger? Sadness? Fear? What negative belief can I challenge? What pain can I let go of?
Try this: Find a quiet place to sit. Hold your hand to your heart. Notice its rhythm. Feel your feelings of gratitude. Hold yourself there as long as you can. Ask yourself how to be empathetic in this moment. Decide on your next step.
Quotes
An open heart produces loving actions.
We can quiet our mind, open our heart, and allow love in.
Opening our hearts is healing for the world.
An open heart can create a loving smile and impact a sad heart.
Only our open hearts can feel the beauty of our world and the beauty of others with us in this world.
If we open our hearts and follow it with a fullness, we will experience it as our passion in life.
We suffer when our heart is closed and scared and judgmental.
Our creativity is revealed to us when we are brave, loving, honest with ourselves, and forgiving, when we open our hearts.
Share with a friend.
We'll talk soon.
DF
Emotional Wellness!! 🙏🏾 Thank You!