There is a difference between acceptance and allowing. Acceptance is an acknowledgment—it is seeing things as they are, without resistance or judgment. It is a necessary step, but it can sometimes feel like a passive state, as if we are simply agreeing to what is. Allowing, on the other hand, is an active process. It invites us to soften, to make space, to open the door and let life move through us.
When we shift from accepting to allowing, we step into a deeper relationship with ourselves and our experiences. Allowing asks us to trust—trust in our capacity to hold what is, trust that we do not have to grip so tightly, trust that we can release with grace. This shift creates space—not just for what is, but for what can be.
One way I practice this is through something I call Heartfull Meditation—a way of sending focused attention, appreciation, and gratitude to my body, heart, and soul. Unlike traditional mindfulness, which often emphasizes detachment from thoughts and sensations, Heartfull Meditation invites connection. I consciously direct warmth and gratitude toward different parts of myself, acknowledging all that my body holds for me, every day. This gentle practice is a form of allowing in itself—it invites breath where there was tightness, ease where there was tension, and kindness where there has been judgment.
When we focus on the heart with kindness and compassion—sending warmth inward as though we are filling it with light—something shifts physiologically. This practice stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s ability to rest, restore, and heal. Our heart rate slows, our breath deepens, and we move into a state of relaxation and ease. The body feels safe, and in this safety, we open more fully to life.
A Heartfull Meditation to Try
Find a quiet space where you can sit comfortably. Close your eyes if you’d like or simply lower your gaze. Place one or both hands over your heart and take a deep, slow breath. As you exhale, soften your shoulders, allowing any tension to melt away.
Now, gently bring your awareness to your heart. Imagine a warm, golden light filling this space, expanding with each breath. As you inhale, breathe in kindness. As you exhale, send appreciation and gratitude directly to your heart, as though you are nourishing it with love.
You can also gently tap over your heart, as you might pat a baby, as you engage with this practice. This simple, rhythmic touch can deepen the sense of comfort and connection, as if offering your own heart the same tender care you would give to a small child in your arms.
Stay here for a few moments, simply allowing. Notice any warmth, any ease, any shift in your body. No need to force or fix—just breathe, and let your heart receive.
In our February Journaling Circle, we will explore this together through a guided inner journey, allowing you to experience the power of Heartful Meditation firsthand. Through this practice, we can soften into allowing, deepen our connection with ourselves, and nurture the resilience that lives within us.