SILENT STAY MEDITATION CENTER
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History of Heartfulness

Heartfulness Meditation and the Path of Infinite Heart were developed by Bruce Davis Ph.D. and Ruth Davis, CHT.  It grew out of their combined journey in modern psychology, Christian and Eastern mystical practices.  Heartfulness Meditation is heart practices that bring us home to our Spiritual Heart, the experience of infinite heart awareness.  Infinite heart awareness is the ongoing presence of peace and love that is our true self.  

The Spiritual Heart, or Supreme Heart as it is referred to in ancient Indian texts, is the home of the soul. It is the doorway to experiencing ourselves as expansive, loving, spirit, beyond this body. ​ In meditation we are not excluding the human condition with its struggles and pains.  Rather, we are including the human condition by loving and nurturing our inner child.  As we embrace this aspect of ourselves, we come back to our original sweetness, gentleness, our genuine happiness. A healthy psychology leads to a healthy spirituality.  

As we accept our human condition ~ the human heart in all its imperfections ~ we are led to the door of the Spiritual Heart where we are completely loved, safe and seen. 

The result is, meditation practice becomes a healing into wholeness, both human and divine.  

Read Bruce Davis's books:  The Magical Child Within You, Monastery without Walls and The Calling of Joy.  

Infinite Heart Awareness is the mystical essence of the world religions. It is the practice of letting go of our mental worlds and absorbing the presence of our innermost heart.  It is the pure source within us.  Here there is a vastness without words. It is felt as sweetness, an intimate love, gentleness, an ocean of peace or sky of light.....awareness infinitely expanding.  

This is the direct experience of the Spiritual Heart. We are effortless, being. Each person has their own unique experience.  Once the silence of the heart is felt, our life changes. We have found our home inside.

Silent Meditation Retreat Center in Northern California, accessible from San Francisco, Sacramento and Los Angeles Hindu photo
From Hindu perspective:
Hindu philosophy and Advaita, considers the heart the seat or center of consciousness, a temple, By meditating on this center, one becomes united with the higher or divine Self, God inside. It is not the physical heart but the spiritual heart or Supreme Heart. It is the great I Am that the sages refer to. It is referred to as Samadhi Pada or Hridayam.  This is the core of our being, our deepest true nature, the seat of our soul.  Bhagavad Gita: Brahman (the Supreme reality, the Absolute) and Atman (Self, soul, spirit) are identical.  The internal world is characterized by bliss and the cessation of mental activity.  This was the work of the teacher Ramana Maharshi and his teachings of Self-enquiry and non-dualism.

​Quote: "The godly atom of the Self is to be found in the right chamber of the heart. Here lies the dynamic spiritual heart...the source of what we are: God."  Ramana Maharshi


Silent Meditation Retreat Center in Northern California, accessible from San Francisco, Sacramento and Los Angeles Buddhism photo
From Buddhist perspective: 

The Kagyupa School of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy speaks about Maha Mudra, the Great Seal.  This is the experience of bliss and emptiness. "We are of the same luminous essence as everything in nature." says the Dalai Lama. 

Here individuals are experiencing their Buddha nature, the pure mind in its natural state; at peace, awakened and divine. ​


Silent Meditation Retreat Center in Northern California, accessible from San Francisco, Sacramento and Los Angeles Christianity photo
From Christian perspective:  

​The Christians find their Christ light within themselves.  The peace of Christ, the love of Christ, become more then words as our heart center is opened and felt.  Christianity shares with all the great world religions a rich path of humility, giving, and receiving God, the pure Light, within.

​Centering prayer, developed by Father Thomas Keating, is a form of contemplative meditation in Christianity.  He coined the term Heartfulness.  The practitioner finds the highest quality of love and repeats this word like a mantra.  They are receiving the love of Christ from within their own heart. 
​
For more information Bruce Davis PhD books:
Simple Peace, The Spiritual Life of St. Francis of Assisi, The Love Letters of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi




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From a Muslim Perspective
When Muslims bow down to Mecca (The Mother) five times a day, they are emptying themselves to the Great Silence.

Rumi:
​
When the lips are silent, the heart has a hundred tongues. 

Why are you so afraid of silence, silence is the root of everything. If you spiral into its void,
a hundred voices will thunder messages you long to hear."


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From Shamanism

According to the Shamanic world view everything has a soul.  And all these souls are united into the One Whole. The Shaman penetrates into other components of the Universe being aware S/He can exist without the physical shell. 

Silence is the language of the Shaman. The Shaman learns to listen with Her/His heart as well as Her/His ears.  Shamanism focuses on all life being majestically and mysteriously inter-related and sacred.




Silent Meditation Retreat Center in Northern California, accessible from San Francisco, Sacramento and Los Angeles history photo
From the Heart of the Mother:

Worship of the Divine Feminine, God as Mother, 
leads us to our heart, our spiritual heart. Her love resides here and is the source of all wisdom. The Great Silence is Her arms wrapped around us. 

The spiritual heart is experienced resting in Her perfect peace. Here we feel the Infinite. We are completely seen and loved, We are safe and we are home.

For more information, our books on the Divine Feminine:

Bruce Davis:   My Little Flowers ~ one year with the voice of Divine Mother Mary

Ruth Davis:  Going Up the Mountain with The Tantric Goddesses (currently unpublished)


For more information see Bruce Davis' articles on the Huffington Post

FeEl The ongoing presence of peace

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silent stay
​Meditation & Peace Center


Non Profit Organization
​

We are a non-profit organization (501 c3) serving people since 1983..  We support people of all religions, countries and backgrounds to live a deeply meaningful life.


Your donations help us transform people's lives.
​ 
​

Contact Us

Lodging & Program:
801 Ladera Lane

Home Office & Sacred Garden:
​750 Ladera Lane

Montecito, California 93108


Ruth@SilentStay.com
805-329-1553​
  • Home
    • Site Map
    • Links
  • Silent Retreats
    • DATES | COSTS | REGISTER
    • Residential Retreat Program & Registration
    • Resources After Your Retreat
    • Seasons Catering
    • The Healing Effects of Silence
    • Daily Schedule
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Heartfulness
    • Heartufulness Meditation
    • Heart Mind Integration Private Instruction
    • History of Heartfulness
  • About Us
    • GIVING Back
    • Applying for a scholarship
    • Founders & Community of Interfaith Retreat Leaders
    • News & Reviews
    • Books & Writings >
      • Books by Bruce Davis, PhD and Ruth Davis
      • Contributions by Bruce Davis Ph.D online
      • Book & DVD, Mary Prayer Flags by Ruth Davis
    • Our Locations >
      • Assisi, Italy
      • Northern California >
        • Retreat Center Photos
      • Southern California
    • Meditation BLOG
    • Little Flower Community
  • Sacred Journeys
    • To Assisi, Italy
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook Live
  • PHOTO Albums
  • Guest Shares
  • Yoga Centered in the Heart
    • Hatha Yoga with Nicole Becker
  • Gift Certificates