Month: February 2012

By mindfulmuscleblog.com

Heart Fields

Many believe that conscious awareness originates in the brain alone. Recent scientific research suggests that consciousness actually emerges from the brain and body acting together. A growing body of evidence suggests that the heart plays a particularly significant role in this process.

Far more than a simple pump, as was once believed, the heart is now recognized by scientists as a highly complex system with its own functional “brain.”

Research in the new discipline of neurocardiology shows that the heart is a sensory organ and a sophisticated center for receiving and processing information. The nervous system within the heart (or “heart brain”) enables it to learn, remember, and make functional decisions independent of the brain’s cerebral cortex. Moreover, numerous experiments have demonstrated that the signals the heart continuously sends to the brain influence the function of higher brain centers involved in perception, cognition, and emotional processing.

In addition to the extensive neural communication network linking the heart with the brain and body, the heart also communicates information to the brain and throughout the body via electromagnetic field interactions. The heart generates the body’s most powerful and most extensive rhythmic electromagnetic field. Compared to the electromagnetic field produced by the brain, the electrical component of the heart’s field is about 60 times greater in amplitude, and permeates every cell in the body. The magnetic component is approximately 5000 times stronger than the brain’s magnetic field and can be detected several feet away from the body with sensitive magnetometers.

The heart generates a continuous series of electromagnetic pulses in which the time interval between each beat varies in a dynamic and complex manner. The heart’s ever-present rhythmic field has a powerful influence on processes throughout the body. We have demonstrated, for example, that brain rhythms naturally synchronize to the heart’s rhythmic activity, and also that during sustained feelings of love or appreciation, the blood pressure and respiratory rhythms, among other oscillatory systems, entrain to the heart’s rhythm.

Video: Rollin McCraty Science of the Heart 1:15 mins

We propose that the heart’s field acts as a carrier wave for information that provides a global synchronizing signal for the entire body. Specifically, we suggest that as pulsing waves of energy radiate out from the heart, they interact with organs and other structures. The waves encode or record the features and dynamic activity of these structures in patterns of energy waveforms that are distributed throughout the body. In this way, the encoded information acts to in-form (literally, give shape to) the activity of all bodily functions—to coordinate and synchronize processes in the body as a whole. This perspective requires an energetic concept of information, in which patterns of organization are enfolded into waves of energy of system activity distributed throughout the system as a whole.

Basic research at the Institute of HeartMath shows that information pertaining to a person’s emotional state is also communicated throughout the body via the heart’s electromagnetic field. The rhythmic beating patterns of the heart change significantly as we experience different emotions. Negative emotions, such as anger or frustration, are associated with an erratic, disordered, incoherent pattern in the heart’s rhythms. In contrast, positive emotions, such as love or appreciation, are associated with a smooth, ordered, coherent pattern in the heart’s rhythmic activity. In turn, these changes in the heart’s beating patterns create corresponding changes in the structure of the electromagnetic field radiated by the heart, measurable by a technique called spectral analysis.

More specifically, we have demonstrated that sustained positive emotions appear to give rise to a distinct mode of functioning, which we call psychophysiological coherence. During this mode, heart rhythms exhibit a sine wave-like pattern and the heart’s electromagnetic field becomes correspondingly more organized.

• At the physiological level, this mode is characterized by increased efficiency and harmony in the activity and interactions of the body’s systems. [1]
• Psychologically, this mode is linked with a notable reduction in internal mental dialogue, reduced perceptions of stress, increased emotional balance, and enhanced mental clarity, intuitive discernment, and cognitive performance.

In sum, our research suggests that psychophysiological coherence is important in enhancing consciousness—both for the body’s sensory awareness of the information required to execute and coordinate physiological function, and also to optimize emotional stability, mental function, and intentional action. Furthermore, as we see next, there is experimental evidence that psychophysiological coherence may increase our awareness of and sensitivity to others around us. The Institute of HeartMath has created practical technologies and tools that all people can use to increase coherence.

Heart Field Interactions Between Individuals

Most people think of social communication solely in terms of overt signals expressed through language, voice qualities, gestures, facial expressions, and body movements. However, there is now evidence that a subtle yet influential electromagnetic or “energetic” communication system operates just below our conscious awareness. Energetic interactions likely contribute to the “magnetic” attractions or repulsions that occur between individuals, and also affect social exchanges and relationships. Moreover, it appears that the heart’s field plays an important role in communicating physiological, psychological, and social information between individuals.

Experiments conducted at the Institute of HeartMath have found remarkable evidence that the heart’s electromagnetic field can transmit information between people. We have been able to measure an exchange of heart energy between individuals up to 5 feet apart. We have also found that one person’s brain waves can actually synchronize to another person’s heart. Furthermore, when an individual is generating a coherent heart rhythm, synchronization between that person’s brain waves and another person’s heartbeat is more likely to occur. These findings have intriguing implications, suggesting that individuals in a psychophysiologically coherent state become more aware of the information encoded in the heart fields of those around them.

The results of these experiments have led us to infer that the nervous system acts as an “antenna,” which is tuned to and responds to the electromagnetic fields produced by the hearts of other individuals. We believe this capacity for exchange of energetic information is an innate ability that heightens awareness and mediates important aspects of true empathy and sensitivity to others Furthermore, we have observed that this energetic communication ability can be intentionally enhanced, producing a much deeper level of nonverbal communication, understanding, and connection between people. There is also intriguing evidence that heart field interactions can occur between people and animals.

In short, energetic communication via the heart field facilitates development of an expanded consciousness in relation to our social world.

The Heart’s Field and Intuition

There are also new data suggesting that the heart’s field is directly involved in intuitive perception, through its coupling to an energetic information field outside the bounds of space and time. Using a rigorous experimental design, we found compelling evidence that both the heart and brain receive and respond to information about a future event before the event actually happens. Even more surprising was our finding that the heart appears to receive this “intuitive” information before the brain. This suggests that the heart’s field may be linked to a more subtle energetic field that contains information on objects and events remote in space or ahead in time. Called by Karl Pribram and others the “spectral domain,” this is a fundamental order of potential energy that enfolds space and time, and is thought to be the basis for our consciousness of “the whole.” (See heartmath.org for further detail.)

Social Fields

In the same way that the heart generates energy in the body, we propose that the social collective is the activator and regulator of the energy in social systems.

A body of groundbreaking work shows how the field of socioemotional interaction between a mother and her infant is essential to brain development, the emergence of consciousness, and the formation of a healthy self-concept. These interactions are organized along two relational dimensions—stimulation of the baby’s emotions, and regulation of shared emotional energy. Together they form a socioemotional field through which enormous quantities of psychobiological and psychosocial information are exchanged. Coherent organization of the mother-child relations that make up this field is critical. This occurs when interactions are charged, most importantly, with positive emotions (love, joy, happiness, excitement, appreciation, etc.), and are patterned as highly synchronized, reciprocal exchanges between these two individuals. These patterns are imprinted in the child’s brain and thus influence psychosocial function throughout life. (See Allan Schore, Affect Regulation and the Origin of the Self.)

Moreover in a longitudinal study of 46 social groups, one of us (RTB) documented how information about the global organization of a group—the group’s collective consciousness—appears to be transmitted to all members by an energetic field of socio-emotional connection. Data on the relationships between each pair of members was found to provide an accurate image of the social structure of the group as a whole. Coherent organization of the group’s social structure is associated with a network of positively charged emotions (love, excitement, and optimism) connecting all members. This network of positive emotions appears to constitute a field of energetic connection into which information about the group’s social structure is encoded and distributed throughout the group. Remarkably, an accurate picture of the group’s overall social structure was obtained from information only about relationships between pairs of individuals. We believe the only way this is possible is if information about the organization of the whole group is distributed to all members of the group via an energetic field. Such correspondence in information between parts and the whole is consistent with the principle of holographic organization. [2]

Synthesis and Implications

Some organizing features of the heart field, identified in numerous studies at HeartMath, may also be shared by those of our hypothesized social field. Each is a field of energy in which the waveforms of energy encode the features of objects and events as energy moves throughout the system. This creates a nonlocal order of energetic information in which each location in the field contains an enfolded image of the organization of the whole system at that moment. The organization and processing of information in these energy fields can best be understood in terms of quantum holographic principles. [3]

Another commonality is the role of positive emotions, such as love and appreciation, in generating coherence both in the heart field and in social fields. When the movement of energy is intentionally regulated to form a coherent, harmonious order, information integrity and flow are optimized. This, in turn, produces stable, effective system function, which enhances health, psychosocial well-being, and intentional action in the individual or social group.

Heart coherence and social coherence may also act to mutually reinforce each other. As individuals within a group increase psychophysiological coherence, psychosocial attunement may be increased, thereby increasing the coherence of social relations. Similarly, the creation of a coherent social field by a group may help support the generation and maintenance of psychophysiological coherence in its individual members. An expanded, deepened awareness and consciousness results—of the body’s internal physiological, emotional, and mental processes, and also of the deeper, latent orders enfolded into the energy fields that surround us. This is the basis of self-awareness, social sensitivity, creativity, intuition, spiritual insight, and understanding of ourselves and all that we are connected to. It is through the intentional generation of coherence in both heart and social fields that a critical shift to the next level of planetary consciousness can occur—one that brings us into harmony with the movement of the whole.

For more information on the Institute of HeartMath’s research and publications, please visit www.heartmath.org.

About the Authors

Rollin McCraty, Ph.D.
Rollin is the Executive Vice President and Director of Research at the Institute of Heart Math. He has been with IHM since its inception in 1991 and has worked with founder Doc Childre to formulate the organization’s research goals and create its Scientific Advisory Board. Rollin is a Fellow of the American Institute of Stress, holds memberships with the International Neurocardiology Network, American Autonomic Society, Pavlovian Society and Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback and is an adjunct professor at Claremont Graduate University.

Raymond Trevor Bradley, Ph.D.
Adjunct Associate Research Professor, Center for Brain Research and Informational Sciences, Radford University; Director, Institute for Whole Social Science; Author – Charisma and Social Structure, Carmel, CA.

Dana Tomasino, BA
Researcher and scientific writer at the Institute of HeartMath since 1995.

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Footnotes

1. Correlates of physiological coherence include: increased synchronization between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system, a shift in autonomic balance toward increased parasympathetic activity, increased heart-brain synchronization, increased vascular resonance, and entrainment between diverse physiological oscillatory systems.
2. Holographic organization is based on a field concept of order, in which information about the organization of an object as a whole is encoded as an interference pattern in energy waveforms distributed throughout the field. This makes it possible to retrieve information about the object as a whole from any location within the field.
3. The term “quantum,” as used in quantum holography, does not mean that this kind of energetic information processing is understood in terms of the principles of quantum physics. Rather, quantum holography is a special, nondeterministic form of holographic organization based on a discrete unit of energetic information called a logon or a “quantum” of information.

It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. – J. Krishnamurti

Wikipedia defines Alternative Medicine as follows:

“In Western culture, alternative medicine is any healing practice “that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine”, or “that which has not been shown consistently to be effective.” It is often opposed to evidence based medicine and encompasses therapies with a historical or cultural, rather than a scientific, basis.”

Excuse me, but who says? What a bunch of arrogant subjectivity. And where are these “conventions” held that define everything “conventional”? And who are they?

First of all, “they” rarely test natural medicines, supplements, herbal remedies or holistic healing techniques. They’re not interested. Therefore there are very few “approved” scientific studies. And who authorizes and pays for those studies?–or “approves” medicines and treatments? You guessed it–the same people that have absolutely no interest in the success of natural medicines or techniques.

They cut into their share of the pie, which they think is ALL theirs.

This is why cures for major diseases like cancer seem so elusive in spite of billions invested in their cures–there’s a LOT more money in people being sick while the research and big pharma industries boom as they are. Greed and control rule.

Remember:

“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” Arthur Schopenhauer.

Today’s “alternative” is the existing, natural solution.

Just look at the genius of Royal Rife’s treatment for cancer and other diseases using electromagnetic light frequencies (which was taken from him and destroyed), or the simplicity of alkalizing and oxygenating the body for maximum health, similar to the anti-fungal approach to cancer–never mind common sense nutritional solutions. These are just a few simple examples of wonderful, simple, affordable, NATURAL and very powerfull–but repressed- “alternative” treatments that should be given all the funding, publicity and encouragement they can get!

But instead they are marginalized, stigmatized and discouraged by the MSNews and corporo-medical establishment.

You’d think our ever-caring big brother government would be all over these breakthroughs and develop them. But no–just like Nicola Tesla’s free energy proposal, or thousands of other potentially society liberating breakthroughs, these non money-makers are squelched. I mean, if we had free energy, where would the coal and oil industry moguls be today? Do some of these people really want “alternatives”?

Apparently “alternative” means anything that doesn’t fit some agenda of some sort. That’s why it’s important to be empowered and find out just what that agenda is, if we’re to understand this carefully constructed and increasingly controlled society we live in. There’s a lot of very good research out there; “Search, and ye shall find!”

Let’s face it: “alternative” has become almost as stigmatized today as “conspiracy theory”. In fact, anything non-mainstream sleepy-town fear-everything pablum is getting very neatly lumped together as anti cooperation with the powers that be–leading straight to “anti-government”, “subversive”, and now unbelievably, a potential “terrorist threat” a category that knows no bounds, and for which habeas corpus and posse comitatus were effectually suspended under the “Patriot Act” and now taken to its complete fascist extreme in the NDAA.

If you don’t want to take the vaccines, you’re a threat to the status quo, and soon might be breaking the law. If you don’t follow the new codex alimentarius guidelines, you’ll be in violation of international law – alrready being enacted in a once sovereign country near you. You criticize the government, visit “alternative” web sites, join a protest, are ex-military, or even have a Ron Paul bumper sticker, you’re suspect, and they’re now allowed to freely keep an eye on you, arrest you, detain you indefinitely without and trial, and even kill you.

Nice place. That’s why you can’t beileve a damn word they say.

How Did This Happen?

Political correctness and wrong education in our media-mesmerized fear-infused society are what allowed us to get here–and the vast majority didn’t even realize they were participating in their own indoctrination and subversion. That’s how these false notions take root and then they’re repeated and enforced by the unwitting participants. The best way to police a people is if they do it to themselves–ingrain it into society’s fabric as to what’s “right” and “wrong” and feed on our fear, insecurity and self-righteousness to “keep the status quo”.

The end result? Today’s surveillance and snitch society.

Big pharma and most of the medical establishment have their own niche in all of this. While alternative medicine is gaining major headway among health conscious individuals fed up with being mugged and drugged by pharma-pushing corporate health interests, it continues to be marginalized, mocked and scorned by the establishment, emblazoning the “groupthink” masses with the impression that anyone entertaining such “non-scientific” foolishness ought to be wearing a tin foil hat. –Hey–maybe we should so we can meet and greet each other–:)

Besides, not a bad idea in this EMF pollution we live in.

As a sad side note, besides passing every possible pro-pharma and GMO ruling they can, one example of the long arm of our dear FDA is how it stuck it’s dirty little fingers into Ecuador to coerce Interpol to literally kidnap and incarcerate “alternative” herbalist Greg Caton. That’s how much this control means to them and shows their disdain, and fear of, the alternative medical community. He’d fled the US medical tyranny and they still went after him–illegally–for disseminating his empowering knowledge and simple anticancer products. (If you want to help, his wife Cathryn can be contacted at the link above.)

I hope I’m not just preaching to the choir, but these are serious times we’re watching unfold and natural medicine is a cornerstone. The core issue here is our liberty to seek the treatments and remedies that we choose. I choose natural medicine and a holistic approach to health and life. Hey–anything other than that in my book is “alternative”!

Hmmmm… isn’t the alternative to natural medicine UNnatural medicine?

“In a dark time, the eye begins to see,” Theodore Roethke.

Keep on healing—naturally… Love, Zen

www.zengardner.com

Chocolate is clearly one of the most enjoyed foods on the planet, and has one of the oldest documented histories of use going back to 1100 BC. And yet many still harbor guilt about consuming it because they associate it with “candy” and have never been exposed to the research indicating it may actually be closer to a “medicine.”

Now, new research from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has revealed that the consumption of chocolate, or its active constituents (cocoa, flavan-3-ols), reduces a broad range of risk factors for cardiovascular disease including insulin resistance. The researchers looked at 42 acute and long-term studies and found a 33% median reduction in insulin resistance following chocolate consumption. What is so unique about this new study is that chocolate consumption is generally believed to elevate blood sugar and blood insulin levels; not only does it disprove this myth but it sheds additional light on why chocolate consumption (especially dark, organic) may be beneficial in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

This comes in the wake of over a decade worth of research showing that chocolate and/or cocoa lowers blood pressure, prevents or ameliorates endothelial dysfunction (a primary contributor to atherosclerosis), protects against coronary artery disease, reduces stroke risk, prevents cholesterol oxidation (which converts healthy lipoproteins into artherogenic ones), to name only 5 of 70+ potential health benefits associated with its regular consumption.

Any serious discussion on the medicinal properties of chocolate should be qualified by pointing out that chocolate is often unfairly traded, and has even been linked to child enslavement. Non-organic cocoa may also contain residues of the dangerous herbicide glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup), among many other biocides used in conventional farming, so the consumer must take special care to avoid these moral and physiological pitfalls.  Also, because chocolate has complex pharmacologically active properties, it must be consumed in moderation, and with attention paid towards the tendency for using it to self-medicate, especially when the cocoa content is lower and the sugar content higher.

About the Author

Sayer Ji is the founder of GreenMedInfo.com, the world’s largest, evidence-based, open-source, natural medicine database. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter

For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives. People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality.

I learnt never to underestimate someone’s capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them.

When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five: Continue reading “Nurse Reveals the Top Five Regrets People Make on their Deathbed”