Aspire Magazine: Inspiration for a Woman's Soul.(TM) Oct/Nov 2017 Aspire Mag Full Issue: Feminine Wisdo | Page 61

– HELEN KELLER and connection for me during my young adult years. In my mid twenties, I participated in a five-day retreat that focused on written exploration of deep feelings and tapping the wisdom of my body. In this retreat, I experienced more fully the power of writing to access a deep and intimate connection to myself and to the Divine Source within my own heart. Current research has established the powerful effects of writing as a healing tool. Dr. James Pennebacker, author of “Writing to Heal” reports improved immunity and improvement in sleep, anxiety and stress. Moreover, in Julia Cameron’s book “The Artist’s Way,” we see how writing is an excellent means to tap the innate creativity within us. But the writing process I am about to describe is more than about healing, reducing stress and accessing creativity. It is about accessing the power of your heart, the most powerful electromagnetic field in the human body. As researchers at HeartMath Institute have shown, the heart’s energy field can be measured several feet away from the body, and accessing the heart’s positive emotions helps improve health, immunity and overall functioning. (See heartmath.org). Most importantly, this writing tool shifts you out of a mind dominated functioning that is so prevalent today into a heart centered functioning which allows you to touch deep intuitions and higher levels of consciousness. As Helen Keller said so well: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even or even touched, They must be felt with the heart.” So let’s get started and learn about the HeartFlow Writing Tool (1) in seven simple steps: 1.  Create a safe sacred space where you will be alone, preferably in or near nature. Have plenty of paper and a favorite pen available. 2.  Place your hands on your heart and breathe in and out deeply, f or several breaths. Focus on connecting with your heart. Seek out intentionally to feel your heart’s emotions. 3.  Imagine liquid warm soothing light pouring down from the heavens and bathing you in a sweet honey like essence of warmth. Allow yourself to bathe in this light and receive from its warmth and protection. 4.  Locate a positive feeling emanating from your heart right now and name it as precisely as you can. (Examples 61 “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even or even touched, They must be felt with the heart.”