I go among trees and sit still.
All my stirring becomes quiet
Around me like circles on water.
My tasks lie in their places
Where I left them, asleep like cattle…..

Then what I am afraid of comes.
I live for a while in its sight.
What I fear in it leaves it,
And the fear of it leaves me.
It sings, and I hear its song.
-Wendell Berry

As we heal through meditation, yoga, or any mindful practice, it can open us. Perhaps the intellect opens a new window of perspective, the heart peels back a layer to reveal a deeper connection to the universe, or the body unfurls to release underlying emotion. When I started practicing yoga, back bends were physically challenging for me. Emotionally, it was like my heart was breaking open. At first, as with any broken heart, it was too much emotion for me to handle. Memories of sadness surfaced, tears fell, but eventually I softened and the world in all its inherent compassion was there to greet me. Back bends are still challenging for me. Some days, I am resistant to open myself that deeply. I find that those are the days when I most need to hear the song of my heart.