The way of the heart and the voice of our intuitive wisdom
We are not the mind
The approach and foundation of meditative living is to work with what is in the way of living life more fully by centering in the heart and opening to one’s intuitive wisdom.
What is in the way, is the way.
Instead of chasing, fighting, fixing, hiding or numbing out from all the chatter, the self-destructive voices and expectations of the mind, the approach of meditation is to just observe all of it. So that we become aware of our mind and all the programs, beliefs and structures that run the show.
By watching them, they loose energy. The goal of meditation is not to get rid of anything, but to be present to all the thoughts and emotions that arise. Presence allows us to drop deeper, it gives us the space to make the choice to respond, rather than react. So that instead of the mind being a dangerous master, it becomes a beautiful servant to our true needs and desires.
Meditation and becoming present does not mean only being passive and sitting still in silence on a meditation cushion. It is much more than that. It is a continuous process throughout each moment of the day. Whether you are doing the dishes, making love, taking your kid to school or studying for an exam, everything can be done meditatively.
At the Institute of Meditative Living the way of meditation is the way of the heart. The heart knows how to live authentically, free from judgment and conditioning, and shows us who we truly are, moment by moment. From being centred in the heart, meditation naturally opens up the doors to our inner wisdom, that speaks to us through our intuition. Meditative living means living life being centred in the heart and empowered by our intuitive wisdom.
Centering in the heart
Centering in the heart is so profound because it takes us beyond the constraints of the mind—those constant judgments, labels, and fears that tend to separate us from others and even from ourselves. When we center in the heart, it’s like we return to a more authentic, grounded part of ourselves, one that operates from acceptance and love, rather than division and fear.
The heart being the "still point" amidst the chaos is such a powerful metaphor, like how the calm center of a storm remains untouched by the swirling chaos around it. It provides that anchor in times of emotional turbulence or stress. And the beauty of it is that the more we connect with it, the more we naturally respond with compassion, both inwardly and outwardly.
The heart acts as a foundation for growth, not the end goal, but a vital part of becoming whole. It allows us to connect deeper with ourselves and others, fostering love and acceptance. In therapy, opening the heart creates a safe, healing space for clients to relax and release. This heart-centered presence can also shift how we engage with the world, bringing more compassion and connection into everyday life, there’s an intuitive quality that arises.
Intuition is the voice of our inner wisdom, that resonates in the realms of the heart
Opening to our intuitive wisdom
From being centred in the heart as a first step out of our minds, we naturally open ourselves to dropping deeper into the wisdom of our bodies. From the receptive place in our heart, where we fully accept ourselves and can allow all thoughts, emotions, sensations and feelings to arise and to embrace them with loving compassion, we connect to the hara.
The hara is the body of intelligence that lives in our second and third chakra centers and is all about accessing our intuitive wisdom and authentic power. It is when we open up to our intuitive wisdom and connect to the hara, we are able to ground our present experience in day-to-day-lives and take responsible and right action.
Our intuitive wisdom gives us direction on how to go and how to move. It is the voice of the feminine energy coming through us that demands to be backed up by the masculine energy into speaking up and living our lives truthfully. Living from this place means living a life of freedom and pure aliveness.
