Dana, thank you for this profound explanation. In my work on addiction, I see how people try to protect their hearts with a "chemical armor." Your words about how the Pericardium must soften for the Heart's light to shine are very liberating for people in recovery. It helps explain why early sobriety is so emotionally intense
Thanks, Petr. My partner Randy has done a lot of work in this area that might interest you - including around how, when something bad happens to us (trauma, abuse, heartbreak, loss), we tend to say (whether consciously or subconsciously), “that’s never happening again,” and we build up that wall. And then, of course, there are all manner of substances and behaviours one might use to reinforce that wall through numbing, not feeling, not being fully present. Yet we know something is missing… so again, the reaching for something else, trying to find our way back and make things feel better, complete, whole again.
Thank you for this piece, Dana. Yesterday in a client session, I felt pain in my heart as she was discussing a friendship which appears to be ending without satisfactory resolution of the core issue.
The grief felt like love with no place to go.
The stabbing in my heart was the feeling of her love wanting to be free, but the grief was not quite yet available.
Love this, yes my heart tumbled open last summer, and the winter has been a journey of things once stashed away tumbling out, not always easy, a choice, and a journey that seems to release in waves. I think all will come good, not really enjoying the process 🫣
Thank you, Lucy - both for your beautiful question and for sharing. I love the way you describe that: a journey that releases in waves. That feels so true and also so aligned with what we see as natural in Chinese Medicine. But I realize natural sure doesn’t equate to enjoyable or easy. Sending heart-sourced care to you. ❤️
Dana, thank you for this profound explanation. In my work on addiction, I see how people try to protect their hearts with a "chemical armor." Your words about how the Pericardium must soften for the Heart's light to shine are very liberating for people in recovery. It helps explain why early sobriety is so emotionally intense
Thanks, Petr. My partner Randy has done a lot of work in this area that might interest you - including around how, when something bad happens to us (trauma, abuse, heartbreak, loss), we tend to say (whether consciously or subconsciously), “that’s never happening again,” and we build up that wall. And then, of course, there are all manner of substances and behaviours one might use to reinforce that wall through numbing, not feeling, not being fully present. Yet we know something is missing… so again, the reaching for something else, trying to find our way back and make things feel better, complete, whole again.
This came at an aligned time and was deeply affirming to read. Felt like a spiritual hug. Thank you.🙏🏾♥️
I love hearing that so much, Ivana. Sending blessings from my heart to yours ❤️
Thank you for this piece, Dana. Yesterday in a client session, I felt pain in my heart as she was discussing a friendship which appears to be ending without satisfactory resolution of the core issue.
The grief felt like love with no place to go.
The stabbing in my heart was the feeling of her love wanting to be free, but the grief was not quite yet available.
They really do go hand-in-hand, I think. And our hearts know this.
Thank you for being here and for a beautiful share, Maria.
Love this, yes my heart tumbled open last summer, and the winter has been a journey of things once stashed away tumbling out, not always easy, a choice, and a journey that seems to release in waves. I think all will come good, not really enjoying the process 🫣
Thank you, Lucy - both for your beautiful question and for sharing. I love the way you describe that: a journey that releases in waves. That feels so true and also so aligned with what we see as natural in Chinese Medicine. But I realize natural sure doesn’t equate to enjoyable or easy. Sending heart-sourced care to you. ❤️