Given the choice between mind and heart, I often still choose my mind. I’ve been conditioned to believe that thinking helps to avoid unpleasant situations by planning for the future or scanning the future for the next exciting event. Thoughts, promising something better if I’m bored, also drive me to check email, reach for sweets, or just bring myself to another place besides the here and now. If current thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations are uncomfortable, my mind can generate a whole new set of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations to correct the unpleasant ones. Its message is clear. “Something is wrong. You’re in danger. Quick. Fix this.”
So what would help me pay more attention to my heart? I thought it would be helpful if I made a list.
-It reminds me to breathe. I notice and appreciate details I would have otherwise missed hurrying along to prepare for the next moment. I also truly feel safe here, more than anywhere else.
-Despite the anatomic limitation to four chambers, I know that it can expand to hold the pain of the child within and all other unpleasant and pleasant feelings.
-It reminds me that everyone deserves love regardless of their appearance, financial status, choices, professions, abilities, heritage, spiritual background, etc. There are no distinctions between their heart and my own.
-It allows me to speak from a spacious place where words are not delivered to hurt or judge others. Someone once said, “Love is leading others back to themselves”. Sometimes all another person needs is for me to listen, to create sacred space for them.
-It is a garden where I can plant as many seeds of compassion as I like. Each time I cry, a new sprout of healing grows into a beautiful flower, a tribute to suffering. I don’t need to escape suffering. I can be with it to understand.
Let me now choose my heart.
Percolating again
1 day ago
10 comments:
Mermaid,
I see what you mean. Yes, we are connecting on the same "subject," keeping our hearts open to ourselves and to others. What a powerful journey we are on, eh?
I love this thought of yours: Sometimes all a person needs if for me to listen, to create sacred space for them." I am learning that this may be the most important gift we can give someone—our presence. Presence with a wide open mind and deep, accepting, compassionate heart. Sometimes relationships seem so complicated and all we really need to do is just listen....
This is one of the intentions I am holding more deeply myself these days, especially with my teen daughter, who actually said to me this morning (on the telephone, miles away at her summer job", "Mom, I only need you to listen...You don't need to fix anything for me." From the mouths of babes such wisdom ...
I have to do more of this myself. I always choose with my head too.
Love Renee xoxo
Mermaid, this is such a beautiful post. We ARE all one and like you said, no one deserves to be unloved by any one of us. And just being there for someone is often enough. What a relief when we don't have to rush in and save someone! Just be witness to them. That is a huge gift.
Thank you for this lovely and wise post.
Lovely post. Choosing with your heart is a beautiful way to live.
xoxo
Love your honesty. I have only recently allowed myself to live from the heart rather than my head. I have to say, now I am at a point where it is almost too painful to not live from my heart. When I let my mind (ego) take over I will have an increase in physical and emotional pain. When I am listening to my heart I am able to be present and joyful, even when things are turning to chaos around me.
Love this post for reminding me the importance of a heart-lead life. Thank you from the whole of my heart.
Your words came to mind last night as I was trying to sleep. I imagined my heart and all it can do, and I was able to relax into restful sleep. When I choose my heart, instead of my mind, all is well.
Jan, in the healing profession, it is often hard just to listen. For me, time is often the factor that causes me to jump in to solve things for others. Awareness of this has been helpful.
Renee, may we both choose the heart more often:)
Diantha, isn't it so much easier and even more loving just to be there rather than trying to fix others?
Annie, it is. You seem to be doing it well!
Mama, yes. It is painful, isn't it. It seems that when we finally hit a wall of overwhelming suffering, we say, enough. What other options do I have?
Sharon, I'm so glad. I'll need to try it as a nighttime meditation, too.
Hello, dear Mermaid!
As always, there is so much wisdom you share with your introspective writings.
I was especially moved by this:
"Each time I cry, a new sprout of healing grows into a beautiful flower, a tribute to suffering. I don’t need to escape suffering. I can be with it to understand."
So beautifully written, and so important to try to remember.
Hugs,
Angela
Oh my - up in the night to have some yogurt. I turned to your latest entry. You spoke to my heart. What you share and so many comments are what I believe. It seems in my present state of weariness - from a life transition - that I have to keep remembering - follow my heart. I have to remember my life is a journey.
Angela, it is a helpful reminder for me.
OWJ, we all share some wonderful wisdom. We forget, and return again.
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