Field Notes on a Compassionate Life: A Search for the Soul
of Kindness by Marc Ian Barasch
A little science, a little personal experience, stories of the experiences
of others. This book inspired lots of readings in class lately and then led to other sources of inspiration and teaching
on kindness, compassion and gratitude. At one point in the book the author writes that the electromagnetic
field of the heart is thousands of times stronger than that of the brain. Just reading that made my heart feel warm
and bright.
For some online exploration, here's a link to The HeartMath Report
and The Institute of HeartMath
About their research: The IHM Research Center conducts basic
research on emotional physiology and heart–brain interactions, clinical and organizational studies, and research on the physiology
of learning and optimal performance.
An additional line of inquiry aims to further the scientific understanding of
the human biofield, intuition, and the emotional energetic system. The Institute of HeartMath's research forms the foundation
for the development of practical, scientifically validated emotional refocusing and repatterning technologies that enable
people to significantly improve their health and vitality, performance, and quality of life.
Here's another lovely website to explore. You'll find poetry, teaching,
practices...even a place where you can light an online "candle".
And I'll leave you with this quote from meditation teacher Jack Kornfield...
"If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete."
May all beings everywhere be
happy and free...Om Shanti.
