A Strong Heart with Compassion with Michael J. Shea

A Strong Heart with Compassion with Michael J. Shea

Michael J. Shea, PhD, holds a doctorate in somatic psychology from the Union Institute and a master’s degree in Buddhist Psychology from Naropa University. He has taught at the Upledger Institute, the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, and the International University for Professional Studies. He is a craniosacral therapist, licensed massage therapist, and educator with the Shea Educational Group that is a center for the study of the human heart. He is author of Somatic Psychology and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy – Volumes 1 through 5; Myofasical Release Therapy: A Visual Guide to Clinical Application; Myofascial Release Therapy and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy: The Heart of the Practice; The Biodynamics of the Immune System: Balancing the Energies of the Body with the Cosmos; and The Biodynamic Heart: Somatic Compassion Practices for a Clear and Vital Heart. His website is sheaheart.com.

Michael details how being in a terrorist bombing resulted in a near-death experience and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that shaped his understanding of the heart’s role in emotional and physical health. He describes how the heart develops from embryonic tissue and is the center of the universe with an infinite capacity to expand in compassion.

00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:08 Journey to compassion
00:13:03 Removing a gun from the heart
00:18:46 Metabolism and the heart
00:28:12 Craniosacral therapy and the still point
00:34:21 Somatic psychology and spirituality
00:50:52 Infinite capacity to expand
00:57:03 Compassion and Tonglen meditation
01:09:52 Heart as center of the universe
01:15:51 Conclusion

New Thinking Allowed CoHost, Emmy Vadnais, OTR/L, is a licensed occupational therapist, intuitive healer and coach, and spiritual guide based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Emmy is the founder of the Intuitive Connections and Holistic OT communities. She is the author of Intuitive Development: How to Trust Your Inner Knowing for Guidance With Relationships, Health, and Spirituality. Her website is https://emmyvadnais.com

(Recorded on December 5, 2025)

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