The Biodynamic Heart: Somatic Compassion Practices for a Clear and Vital Heart

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A guide to biodynamic manual therapy practices for spiritual and heart health

* Explores the author's contemplative model and techniques of Biodynamic Cardiovascular Therapy as a means to optimize heart function and heal spiritual wounds

* Examines the epidemic of heart disease as a physical manifestation of a worldwide degeneration of empathy and compassion

* Includes contributions from Michelle Doyle, Bill Harvey, Mary Monro, Cathy Shea, Ann Diamond Weinstein, Barry Williams, and Friedrich Wolf

Exploring the nature of trauma and spirituality as it relates to our cardiovascular systems, somatic psychologist Michael J. Shea examines the pervasive epidemic of heart disease as a physical manifestation of a worldwide degeneration of empathy and compassion. He presents therapeutic practices to bring our hearts back into greater balance. Sharing his own experience as a young Army officer who survived a terrorist bombing attack and the profound awakening of compassion that followed, the author looks at the interconnection between traumatic experience and metabolic functioning. Examining the metaphysical causes of heart disease, Shea explains that we must empty our hearts of complex and damaging emotions, particularly anger and hatred, and allow ourselves space for empathy, compassion, and the ability to fully grieve loss to awaken to profound love.

Providing techniques to directly address heart trauma and heal spiritual wounds, Shea explores in depth his contemplative system of Biodynamic Cardiovascular Therapy. He shares multiple hands-on tools, including visualizations, subtle perception methods, and manual therapy practices rooted in Eastern and Western traditions. Illuminating how to heal the heart at the spiritual level, the author reveals how to enter a state of harmony with the cosmos and restore love and compassion as a living quality of an embodied heart.

Michael J. Shea, Ph.D., holds a doctorate in somatic psychology from the Union Institute and has taught at the Upledger Institute, the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, and the International University for Professional Studies. He is a founding board member of the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America. He is the author of several books, including The Biodynamics of the Immune System, and lives in Juno Beach, Florida.