The Finninsh name Hiljaisuuden Tila Sydänmaa (Heartland – The Place of Silence) reveals the ultimate purpose of the place. Heartland is a place that provides an external and internal framework for silence and quieting the mind. Heartland also means a space of silence within ourselves, at the centre of everything, at the core. A space in which we are aware and naturally compassionate. In many spiritual traditions, the Heart is the source of all life, the source from which life springs and the source to which it returns. This source is within each of us – we ourselves are it.
Heartland was founded in 2010 to serve the purpose of making people aware of their own “heart”, the ultimate core essence that can be found through practice. Meditation is a practice in which, gradually, as our thoughts calm down and do not constantly draw our attention to different objects, we begin to recognize the silent conscious being within us that always rests within itself – in contentment, fullness and love – in its own nature. Meditation is also about getting to know our minds and ourselves more deeply and discovering our resources and creativity – our inner happiness.
The host and hostess of Heartland and the meditation teachers are Hans Christian and Leena, who have been practicing meditation for over twenty years and running various trainings and retreats for more than 15 years. We are both also trained as spiritual therapists and we also guide mindfulness therapy for individuals who request it. Our paths and teachings draw from several spiritual meditation traditions including Buddhism, Hinduism, Kashmir Shaivism and Advaita Vedanta. While we love the traditions and the diverse theoretical teachings that go with them, at the heart of it all is the practice of awareness and compassion in daily life in all our activities. Our spiritual practice and meditation is no different from the rest of our lives. Every moment is an opportunity to practice compassion, patience, perseverance and letting go – surrendering to the moment as it arises.
In addition to the meditation trainings and retreats and the people who attend them, we also share our Heartland life with our horses Westi and Matti and our dog Innu. It is important to us that everyone who lives in and visits the Heartland is well and feels accepted and loved just as they are. We share moments with our horses, both with individuals and small groups, through horse communication and nature riding. Occasionally, we also hold yoga classes and retreats in collaboration with Marjatta, who also fills the Heartland with the most beautiful flower arrangements. In addition to Marjatta, Virpi, who helps us especially with translations, and Pirjo, who supports our work in many ways, also own a piece of Heartland. Many of the people involved in our activities have been with us from the beginning, and Heartland has become a warm little spiritual community full of joy and humour, with its heart always open to new people who want to join us.
We also study kriya yoga with Indian teacher Sri M (satsang-foundation.org) and a wide range of spiritual traditions with American Mark Sullivan (emergentdharma.com). Both teachers have expressed their warmest support for our work in Heartland.
You are warmly welcome to contact us if your heart is calling you.
Contact: [email protected]
