3-06-2022 6:12pm

The Heart

Christine Larkin Editor

Photo by Donna Ricci

The heart is a delicate thing, and sometimes it gets broken. But it can be repaired. The heart is the first organ to form during development of the body. It forms before the brain. It is said we have "two brains." 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. The heart is considered the source of emotions, desire, and wisdom.

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. 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 heart is at the center of our function on many levels.

The heart is about the size of your fist, but it has enormous capability. It keeps us alive and pumps blood and oxygen throughout our body continuously. It can be delicate, so we must take good care of it. That's why love is so powerful. The heart feels it. It's not just a passing fancy to say, "my heart hurts", because it really can. It is an amazing mechanism. When a friend of mine was having heart surgery, the physician who was performing the operation said to me, "we know the heart." The heart is all-knowing, and the most powerful three words are I Love You.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

I am a columnist with Skylark Live Town News (SLTN) and write short, poetic articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, and daily life in and around Bay Shore. Please subscribe to my free newsletter that will be delivered directly to your email each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. To support the SLTN community, you can make a recurring monthly donation as a Friend ($5) or Advocate ($15). You can also advertise your business or event here. It's easy and convenient to do. I am also an advocate for people 60 and beyond. These years can be transformative, but they require focus, determination, and planning. I have a first Monday-of-the-month motivational vlog that is designed to inspire people to thrive as they age through knowledge and self-awareness. Please follow me on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin under my brand, Skylark Live. Thank you for your support.