Day One:
Returning to the
House of Your Heart
“Oh human, why do you sleep?
Why do not search out the house of your heart?”
-Hildegard of Bingen
Welcome to Hear Your Heart!
As you arrive, imagine stepping into candlelit coziness - a kind of ceremonial warmth welcoming you here. Perhaps let your space reflect this shift - maybe light a candle or simply notice your breath…let yourself land here.
When you’re ready, begin by watching the video below for an introduction to our first practice today. May this space serve as a candlelit refuge for your heart - a place where it can be heard.
To prepare for your breath meditation:
Find a quiet space where you can drop in without interruption. Lie down if engaging the breath and get cozy - you may want to have a blanket and optional eye cover to support your practice. You are also welcome to sit upright if you prefer to simply receive the meditation without engaging the active breath. Keep a journal and pen nearby.
Note: The meditation opens with a short introduction - skip to 2:30 if you’d like to begin the practice right away.
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The Breath is a 3-part practice. The invitation is to breathe in through the mouth, into the low belly, up into the upper chest and out through the mouth. Before you begin your meditation, set yourself up laying down in a comfortable space.
Do not have a big pillow under your neck for the breathing
I suggest having a blanket or eye cover on hand as your temperature can shift. The eye cover can help hold the meditative energy, though it is completely optional. -
This practice includes optional breathwork. Conscious breathing can sometimes surface strong emotions or previously held experiences.
If you are navigating intense trauma, PTSD, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or other significant mental health conditions, breathwork may not be appropriate without professional support. Please exercise discernment and seek 1:1 care from a licensed trauma-informed therapist or qualified practitioner if unsure.
Do not engage in the breathwork portion of this practice if:
• You have a history of seizures or epilepsy
• You have cardiovascular disease or serious heart conditions
• You are pregnant (pregnant women can do breathwork, but it’s advised to practice with supervision).
• You have severe asthma or respiratory illness
• You are under the influence of alcohol or substances
• You have any serious medical or psychiatric condition without physician approvalIf you have any concerns, consult your healthcare provider before participating. I am not a medical professional, and this offering is not medical advice, therapy, or psychotherapy.
By engaging in this meditation and optional breathwork, you accept full responsibility for your experience. You are always empowered to slow down, return to natural breathing, or stop entirely.
The House of Your Heart: Journaling
I invite you to integrate what surfaced through journaling.
Some optional prompts after your practice:
What’s present for you now, after moving with the breath?
How did the House of your Heart take form within you - what did you notice, sense, hear, feel?
What did your heart reveal, share, or make known?
Was there a symbol, image, word, gift, or blessing that emerged?
If your heart could speak from this place, what might it say?
What might want to be carried forward from this space into your day, your life?