In our modern day, many people tend to believe that all thinking is done through the mind, and that the heart is the source of all experiences of heartache; that it’s the heart that lets us down, or guides us into situations that open us to the risks of disappointment, hurt and betrayal.
However, the ancients believed that the heart was not only the emotional center of our being, but that it was also in charge of the decision making process. And in yogic traditions it is considered the center for the internal guru.
The Heartmath Institute in Colorado, a facility dedicated to scientifically exploring the activities of the human heart, has discovered that the heart has its own intelligence, and the heart actually sends more information to the brain than the brain sends to the heart. And, a peaceful happy heart enhances the brain’s creativity and problem solving skills.
“Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart; to discern between good and bad…” ~ Kings 3:9
It’s through our heart that we learn to understand our own experiences, so that we are better able to make choices that align with our divine nature rather than making choices that put us into the frame of lack and limitation.
When we trust in the wisdom of our heart, we are better decision makers, and we tend to act with more compassion towards those who have differing opinions and belief systems.
This is because when we operate with an understanding heart, we are less likely to judge (or be judgmental) and instead simply practice discernment. This means we are more likely to choose being happy (instead of needing to be right), and we trust that other people can make the best choices for themselves, so we don’t need to jump into their life and tell them what to do.
An understanding heart also helps us to better recover from our own mistakes, or from situations in which we are a victim of the bad behavior of another person. Being free of judgment includes freedom from the need blame ourselves or others. This makes it easier to trust the guidance we need right in that moment so that we can move forward again.
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” ~ Proverbs 4:23
Trusting in our heart’s wisdom means taking responsibility for our thinking, and our life. This means paying attention to where our thoughts are; are we focused on lack and limitation, or are we focused on thoughts of love and abundance?
Practicing Conscious Coherence
When the heart is in a state of peace and happiness, it’s in a state of coherence. This means that the heart rhythm is regular, and the body will feel at peace.
When the heart is in a state of incoherence, the heart rhythm will be irregular, and the body will likely be experiencing stress, frustration, or anxiety.
One of the easiest ways to get into a state of coherence is to simply sit and breath deeply for a few moments. Then bring to mind a favorite memory; imagine every detail, and let yourself feel the good feelings tied to that event. Then allow yourself to experience deep gratitude for that moment in time.
“Wherever you are, and whatever you do, be in Love.” ~ Rumi
When acting from the heart, it’s never about what we do, it’s about how we do it. When we do things out of the feeling of resentment or frustration, we turn life into a struggle. When we do things in the spirit of Love, we bring forth better solutions and better outcomes.
Recently someone told me they were tired of hearing that they should act with love, and that they should choose to see the problems of the world through the eyes of love. But choosing to follow your heart doesn’t mean that you’ll ignore the problems of the world, or that you’ll end up being a doormat. In fact, when we decide to view world challenges (or any challenge in our own lives) through the eyes of Love, we are often called to step up in a way that may take a lot of effort, and take us out of our comfort zone. Seeing the world through the eyes of Love means we become accountable for our actions (or lack thereof), and we can no longer be okay with sitting on the sidelines and just hoping things will turn out okay.
When we trust the wisdom of our heart, we are centered in the awareness that we are a divine being in a body; a soul fully lit. We take action, and do the right thing, even when it means being uncomfortable. We see the Truth of others, even when their behavior is unkind or hurtful. And we know that whatever it is we need to do, when done with love, we open the way for our highest good.
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