A: The overall effect is that it allows people to make changes in themselves. There are three things necessary to effect a change: a clear vision of what you'd like to become, the energy to overcome inertia, along with the sensation of energy in your body, and emotion in the form of longing and strong desire for change.

When you meditate on your heart, the first effect is that the practice brings your attention into your body. Some people don't feel their body unless it's in movement or in pain. Just being able to feel your body is healthful. Most meditations take you out of your body; a focus on sensation is strengthening and centering. (energy)

Second, finding your heartbeat brings attention to your heart. By concentrating on your physical heart you become aware of your emotional heart. The heart has a different point-of-view on your life. You gain that point-of-view by contemplation, by going within and seeking to identify so strongly with the feelings in your heart that you become your heart. This comes from concentration, and it will change your attitude toward others and yourself. (vision)

Third, the coordination of the heartbeat and the breath creates power in your heart, which you experience in your body as magnetism and pressure. This gives you the energy to be the way you'd like to be and to accomplish what you most wish to accomplish. (energy, again)

Fifth, the experience of who you are begins to shift. This is critical. The self-concept of identity is the filter that gives you access to some of the emotions over others. This is what it takes for the experiences of meditation to become fixed in your life. (vision, again)

Sixth, I hope for the experience of being connected to all beings, and to the One and Only Being. This may begin as a feeling of presence in the room where you're meditating. Or it may come as an emotion of humanity, much bigger than your own emotion. Or it may be that you just switch into the state of unity. (combination of vision, energy and emotion)

I think you can see why I'm so excited about meditating on the heart. What could be more worthwhile than the discovery of the beauty and power of your heart and the connection, through the heart, to all others? Heart Rhythm Meditation is clear and easy to follow, and has practical benefits for life.