Human Heart, Cosmic Heart

Synopsis

"[This book] deserves to be in everyone's library. . . . It's loaded with great information, and it can save your life or the life of someone you love."-Dr. Joseph Mercola

"This book is life-changing for those trying to understand their own bodies, or those of loved ones, and it's truly transformative in the hands of medical professionals, especially young doctors."-Foreword Reviews

Thomas Cowan was a 20-year-old Duke grad-bright, skeptical, and already disillusioned with industrial capitalism-when he joined the Peace Corps in the mid-1970s for a two-year tour in Swaziland. There, he encountered the work of Rudolf Steiner and Weston A. Price-two men whose ideas would fascinate and challenge him for decades to come.

Both drawn to the art of healing and repelled by the way medicine was-and continues to be-practiced in the United States, Cowan returned from Swaziland, went to medical school, and established a practice in New Hampshire and, later, San Francisco. For years, as he raised his three children, suffered the setback of divorce, and struggled with a heart condition, he remained intrigued by the work of Price and Steiner and, in particular, with Steiner's provocative claim that the heart is not a pump. Determined to practice medicine in a way that promoted healing rather than compounded ailments, Cowan dedicated himself to understanding whether Steiner's claim could possibly be true. And if Steiner was correct, what, then, is the heart? What is its true role in the human body?

In this deeply personal, rigorous, and riveting account, Dr. Cowan offers up a daring claim: Not only was Steiner correct that the heart is not a pump, but our understanding of heart disease-with its origins in the blood vessels-is completely wrong. And this gross misunderstanding, with its attendant medications and risky surgeries, is the reason heart disease remains the most common cause of death worldwide.

In Human Heart, Cosmic Heart, Dr. Thomas Cowan presents a new way of understanding the body's most central organ. He offers a new look at what it means to be human and how we can best care for ourselves-and one another.

Read more

Summary

Chapter 1: The Human Heart

This chapter explores the physical and physiological aspects of the human heart. It explains the four chambers, valves, electrical system, and blood flow patterns.

Real Example: A beating heart observed during cardiac surgery demonstrates the intricate mechanical and electrical processes involved in maintaining life.

Chapter 2: The Cosmic Heart

This chapter introduces the concept of the "Cosmic Heart," a metaphor for the guiding force and universal consciousness that governs the universe. It explores ancient wisdom traditions and modern scientific theories that suggest a connection between the human heart and the cosmos.

Real Example: The "Great Attractor," a supermassive black hole millions of light-years away, exhibits an unexplained pull on nearby galaxies, hinting at the existence of a larger, interconnected system.

Chapter 3: The Heart-Mind Connection

This chapter examines the interaction between the heart and the mind. It discusses neurocardiology, which explores the ways in which the heart can influence emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Real Example: Studies have shown that people who hold their hearts while performing a difficult task experience reduced anxiety and improved emotional regulation.

Chapter 4: The Power of Love and Gratitude

This chapter emphasizes the importance of cultivating love and gratitude for heart health and overall well-being. It explains the physiological and psychological benefits of these emotions and offers practical exercises for fostering them.

Real Example: A study involving couples showed that expressing gratitude to each other daily led to improved cardiovascular health and increased subjective well-being.

Chapter 5: The Heart and Creativity

This chapter explores the link between the heart and creativity. It explains how emotions and intuition can inspire artistic expression and discusses the role of the heart in generating new ideas and solutions.

Real Example: The painting "The Starry Night" by Vincent van Gogh is often cited as an example of how the heart's rhythms and emotions can inspire artistic masterpieces.

Chapter 6: The Heart's Healing Power

This chapter examines the heart's ability to heal itself and others. It discusses the role of stress, trauma, and emotional pain on heart health and provides techniques for promoting emotional healing and resilience.

Real Example: The use of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been shown to improve cardiovascular function, reduce inflammation, and promote emotional regulation.

Chapter 7: The Cosmic Heart and Human Evolution

This chapter explores the potential of the Cosmic Heart to guide human evolution toward greater consciousness, compassion, and connection. It discusses the need for global cooperation and a shift in values to create a more harmonious and sustainable future.

Real Example: The recent rise in global awareness about climate change and social justice movements illustrates the potential for the Cosmic Heart to inspire collective action for the common good.