Some days, when I wake too early, I lay in bed and practice locating my heart. Often, I have to just feel it beat a while until I begin to notice the way its spreads warmth through my chest and down my limbs. It's a physical sensation...the ease of returning to that knowing, that home you describe. But its also a wholesale unblocking. Days when I can't sleep turn out to be the best ones, no doubt because they're heart-forward. Ideas move fluidly, come easily. Life feels less punchy and disjointed; certainly less marred by petty critiques, which so often plague me when I'm firing on intellect alone. I couldn't agree more that integrating these parts is a necessary next step for humanity. I am so glad for this gonzo dive. And I cannot wait for you to read Brian Doyle. He and the iChing share space on my bedroom shelf. I'm so happy I found your work. What a gift.
Wow and wow this is so beautiful Isabel!! What an amazing heart practice, and so inspiring to hear your experience. Realizing how parched I am for words around these subtleties, and how receiving your experience and others (cannot wait for this Doyle) is a lil bit of very-much-needed transformation each time, like oh yes, that's possible, it does make sense, that's how it works. And likewise a big yes, I adore your work!!
I felt my heart sing when you wrote of connections made between hearts. I know that sense of rightness. Beautifully and delicately crafted essay, Kristin.
There’s so much I love about this intertwining gift of an essay. Pretty much every sentence, thought and heartbeat. Your voice brings the heart back to the world.
Kristin, what a beautiful piece. I want to live in that place of tingly implausible rightness and I’m happy to report that lately I have been spending more and more time there. Maybe my heart is opening too. (It sure did when I saw my name at the end of the article❤️)
Very beautifully expressed, Kristin, and your variety of interests and wisdom generously shares an understanding of holistic healing. I really enjoyed reading this essay and look forward to more!
Loved this piece so much. I left medicine many years ago to become an artist. Early on I did a series , "What the Heart Knows", all about our heartscripts and do we really know what they are trying to tell us. Your article reminded me of that at resonated heartlly!
Loved this piece so much. I left medicine many years ago to become an artist. Early on I did a series , "What the Heart Knows", all about our heartscripts and do we really know what they tell us. Your article reminded me of that at resonated heartlly! Your writing is rich and generative- thank you!
I haven't used the I Ching in many years. The friend who introduced me to it, and gave me his old Richard Wilhelm edition with the yellow cover that I still have, died in 1997 and I probably haven't looked at it since. Now I must! Thank you for this.
This is so great, Kristen. It usually takes a tragedy to stir us in the direction we are meant to go. For me, I got burned out running a startup and asked myself, "if today would be my last day alive, what would I be doing?" My answer: "writing." So, I have been doing that everyday since 2019. I was also an artist in high school:)
Some days, when I wake too early, I lay in bed and practice locating my heart. Often, I have to just feel it beat a while until I begin to notice the way its spreads warmth through my chest and down my limbs. It's a physical sensation...the ease of returning to that knowing, that home you describe. But its also a wholesale unblocking. Days when I can't sleep turn out to be the best ones, no doubt because they're heart-forward. Ideas move fluidly, come easily. Life feels less punchy and disjointed; certainly less marred by petty critiques, which so often plague me when I'm firing on intellect alone. I couldn't agree more that integrating these parts is a necessary next step for humanity. I am so glad for this gonzo dive. And I cannot wait for you to read Brian Doyle. He and the iChing share space on my bedroom shelf. I'm so happy I found your work. What a gift.
Wow and wow this is so beautiful Isabel!! What an amazing heart practice, and so inspiring to hear your experience. Realizing how parched I am for words around these subtleties, and how receiving your experience and others (cannot wait for this Doyle) is a lil bit of very-much-needed transformation each time, like oh yes, that's possible, it does make sense, that's how it works. And likewise a big yes, I adore your work!!
Intellect alone won’t work. We need the wholeness and purity of the heart which has always been in us already ❤️
I felt my heart sing when you wrote of connections made between hearts. I know that sense of rightness. Beautifully and delicately crafted essay, Kristin.
Thank you JT! Your work and example is a light
I appreciate your kindness, Kristin!
I felt several passages worth brining up here in the comments, but now I don’t think that’s necessary.
I really enjoyed reading this. I felt moments of relatability and leave with a renewed curiosity to read I Ching.
The heart always knows.
Indeed and so glad to hear Ben! Sounds like you've got it, and recognizing that heart knowing seems to amplify it
There’s so much I love about this intertwining gift of an essay. Pretty much every sentence, thought and heartbeat. Your voice brings the heart back to the world.
Thank you Margo!! Likewise I'm drawn to the keen heart in your work
Thank you!
Kristin, what a beautiful piece. I want to live in that place of tingly implausible rightness and I’m happy to report that lately I have been spending more and more time there. Maybe my heart is opening too. (It sure did when I saw my name at the end of the article❤️)
That's wonderful to hear Aoife! Wishing you all the more tingly rightness flow
Divine. I read every single word, and will read it again, too. Thank you.
Thank you Rebecca!! I so admire the deeply felt intelligence in your pieces
Very beautifully expressed, Kristin, and your variety of interests and wisdom generously shares an understanding of holistic healing. I really enjoyed reading this essay and look forward to more!
Loved this piece so much. I left medicine many years ago to become an artist. Early on I did a series , "What the Heart Knows", all about our heartscripts and do we really know what they are trying to tell us. Your article reminded me of that at resonated heartlly!
Your writing is rich and generative- thank you!
Loved this piece so much. I left medicine many years ago to become an artist. Early on I did a series , "What the Heart Knows", all about our heartscripts and do we really know what they tell us. Your article reminded me of that at resonated heartlly! Your writing is rich and generative- thank you!
I haven't used the I Ching in many years. The friend who introduced me to it, and gave me his old Richard Wilhelm edition with the yellow cover that I still have, died in 1997 and I probably haven't looked at it since. Now I must! Thank you for this.
This is so great, Kristen. It usually takes a tragedy to stir us in the direction we are meant to go. For me, I got burned out running a startup and asked myself, "if today would be my last day alive, what would I be doing?" My answer: "writing." So, I have been doing that everyday since 2019. I was also an artist in high school:)