The heart-mind concept: mental & emotional coherence

Summer is here and following the wisdom of the 5 Elements, this season is associated with the Fire element, is considered the heart season. This association underscores the importance of taking extra care of the heart during the summer months to maintain overall health and balance.

Summer is a time when the heart's energy, or Qi, is most active and can easily become overactive or depleted. An overactive heart can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia, while a depleted heart can result in fatigue, low energy, and emotional instability.

But before we go into the ways we can care for our hearts health, we can expand on the notion of the concept of the heart-mind, something I find  fascinating in Taoist philosophy. The Heart-Mind concept, deeply rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), also has significant philosophical implications in Taoism and offers a unique perspective on the Heart-Mind

In Taoism, the Heart-Mind represents the integration of emotional & intellectual faculties. Unlike the Western dualistic view that often separates heart (emotion) from mind (intellect), Taoism sees them as a unified entity. This unity is crucial for achieving a balanced and harmonious life. The Heart-Mind is not just the seat of emotions and thoughts but is also the centre of wisdom and spiritual insight.

Taoist philosophy emphasises the concepts of emptiness and spontaneity.  Emptiness in the context of the Heart-Mind means creating space free from excessive desires, fears, and attachments. This emptiness allows for the natural flow of the Chi (or Prana) within oneself. Spontaneity, or acting in accordance with one's true nature without contrivance, is also linked to the Heart-Mind. A heart that is aligned with the Tao responds to situations naturally and effortlessly, embodying the principle of Wu Wei (non-action or effortless action). We can see how this principle emphasises the importance of authenticity (hence the expression “speaking from the heart”) in maintaining health, something that Dr Gabor Maté speaks about in his texts and research in connection to auto-immune conditions affecting mostly women. 

The Heart-Mind concept extends to one's relationship with nature. Taoism teaches that humans are part of the natural world and should live in harmony with it. The Heart-Mind, when in tune with the rhythms of nature, promotes a sense of interconnectedness and balance. This alignment with nature helps to cultivate virtues such as humility, simplicity, and compassion. In a world that is pushing more and more the virtual agenda, it is our own responsibility to carve time out to be in Nature, feel the elements alive within us through the rivers, seas, mountains and forrest.

Just like Taoism, Yoga also offers many different alchemical practices to cultivate harmony in our hearts & minds. Meditation and pranayama are essential practices that you can do daily (even if only a few minutes) to harmonise this connection. Embodying principles like the Yamas and Nyamas  will helps us align with ethical living.

The Heart-Mind concept is a profound philosophical notion that integrates emotional, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions of human experience. It emphasises the importance of inner harmony, self-cultivation, and alignment with the natural world, and we all need more of that!

In our Youtube Page you will find some meditations that can get you started in cultivating the coherence between heart and mind!

Happy Practices and Summer Season!