What is the real meaning behind the old adages, "listen to your heart" or "follow your heart"? The heart, in this sense, can be seen as a metaphor for the best that is within us, our highest good, and our deepest passion. It is the home of our Divinity, the connection to our Source, and the limitless love that is the truth of our being. Something so important must be understood by everyone, right?
Unfortunately in our complex world of confusion, the simple and obvious truths are often overlooked. Yet the significance of this heart of the matter cannot be overemphasized. However we choose to define "the heart," the action we are asked to take in relation to it is "to follow It" and "to listen to It." It maybe defined as our Higher Self, the Holy Spirit or Divine Love. It is our guide, for it will lead and direct us to our true best interests.
The heart has more wisdom than the head. We are taught to be discerning and have good judgment through our intellect, yet that does not have the deeper knowing capacity of the heart. Our intellect is limited while our heart is limitless. Learning how to be guided by the heart is the way to our highest potential as well as the highest potential of all life.
The heart is the essence of what we are in relationship to All That Is. In our individual perception we seem to be separate, yet at heart, in love, we have never left the Source of our oneness.
The heart, like love, has depth. Yet because I believe the greatest truths are the simplest, I understand the sublime concepts to be very practical in application. I offer a basic instruction manual for how to live in your heart;
1. Choose to be present - remember role call in school? When your name was called you would raise your hand and say, "here." If you think of life as a classroom, just showing up for class is where to begin.
2. Have an attitude of gratitude - remember the Biblical Beatitudes? Well, of all the attitudes "to be", to be grateful is a direct entry to opening your heart.
3. Be willing to listen to your heart - you need to be quiet so you can hear. Like tuning in a radio station, attune to the love within you and be inspired by your own heart song.
4. Be willing to follow your heart - with the intention of being helpful, do what you feel guided to do now. Put love into action. Express, extend, share, care, give, live wholeheartedly.
The question remains, how willing are we to humbly listen to the Divine wisdom of our heart and follow Its guidance? How often do we second guess It and think we know what is in our best interests? The deep humility that is required is so personally insulting to our intellects good judgment, that very few are genuinely willing to listen. It takes trust to follow the heart, yet it is the only journey worth while. To live wholeheartedly and to follow, as Carlos Castaneda called, "The Path with Heart."
