February is a month rich with energy of the heart. In addition to containing a holiday dedicated to celebrating love, February is also American Heart Month. The American Heart Association uses this month to raise awareness about heart disease and how people can prevent it (meditation makes the list!) — both at home and in the community.

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There is a lot we can do to support the health of our physical heart but I believe it is just as essential to strengthen the energy of the heart — and use it for good. This practice becomes even more important in the face of circumstances that would dishearten us.

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Our country was flooded with fear and many hearts were saddened this Valentine’s Day with the news of yet another horrendous act of gun violence in our country. It is clear that the disease of the heart plaguing our population extends far beyond the high cholesterol variety.

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The main motivation behind the work I do to teach people how to leverage their internal resources and access the body’s thriving mode, is my belief that our world is in a crisis of energy states. We have de-valued our innate body wisdom and have become dangerously disconnected from it. With little knowledge or respect for the body’s brilliant systems, the majority of the population is running entirely on fight-or-flight physiology. In this survival mode, the body’s resources are diverted to saving our life in times of real danger. Things like immunity, sexual function, the production of chemicals that allow us to feel happiness and love, and blood flow to the part of the brain responsible for critical, big-picture and inspired thinking are all down regulated. Left un-checked, this physiological state has harmful consequences for the individual — but when the majority of our population is existing in this state the majority of the time — the consequences are catastrophic.

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What we have is a society full of people who are so out of touch with what they are made of that they are not even capable of the consciousness necessary to understand our great in-this-togetherness — and they act accordingly.

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I believe, if we are to have any chance of healing our world, we must reclaim connection to our innate wisdom and take ownership over our energy state.

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The criticism of “thoughts and prayers” in times like these is that these sentiments lack action. I’d argue that something as idle-seeming as breathing well could be the most essential action we take.

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You can activate the physiology of thriving with as little effort as a few slow breaths. Parasympathetic nervous system activation is the opposite of stress physiology. Resources in the body are diverted to the systems that support the highest and most exquisite functions we are capable of as human beings. Healing, inspiration, creativity, spiritual insight and innovative thinking are all things that are only possible when our body has access to the right physiology to support these functions.

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When you attune yourself to the magic you are made of and start living in a state of thriving versus surviving, you start thinking and acting in congruence with what you are. You impact collective consciousness and your energy inspires and encourages others to do the same.

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See how that is anything but idle?

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The ideas and inspirations necessary for revolutionary social change do not visit the minds of those in stress physiology. It is literally not possible.

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See how the current state of society makes all the sense in the world?

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Tending to our own energy states is, of course, no substitute for responsible social policy or holding people accountable for their actions. It is however absolutely necessary if we are to work together to make the changes that are needed to heal our world.

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So, in addition to whatever you are doing to cope with the state of things and make your voice heard in the healing revolution that is most certainly upon us (and probably the most worthy cause we could dedicate our lives to), I urge you to also take care of your body and be responsible in managing your own energy state.

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Breathe deeply, swim, dance, laugh with friends, take a bath, lay in the sun, feel the wind against your face — do whatever you need to do to help your nervous system find moments of calm. And not when you have time or when you finish work or when you reach the bottom of your to-do list — but right in the midst of whatever you are facing. It wouldn’t just be nice if the world got the best version of you — it is required if we are to continue on as a species.

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For me, I support my nervous system through a combination of down-to-earth spiritual practices and science-based magic. My daily meditation practice is what helps me the most. I also soothe my nervous system by drinking tea, taking baths, reading, writing, walking and snuggling with whatever dogs I can get my hands on.

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If you would like to add the support of meditation to your routine but don’t know where to start or feel like you don’t have time — I made my course, Meditation for Rookies and Busy People, just for you. You can start soaking up the benefits of meditation in as little as 3 minutes, on the go, from wherever you are in this crazy and wondrous world.

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Sending lots of love to you, from my aching heart to yours,

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XO

Melissa