Listenng to your heart

[scott snedeker]

I was asked in a Tibetan Buddhist forum to define "Heart"

At first I drew a complete blank as to how I would articulate my understanding. Then it came to me all at once

The Heart is the core of the desire to experience the joy of living. It is the origin of the sentiment behind the muse that employs the artist skill to create. It is the source of resilience.


Below are some questions regarding awareness of the heart. I am curious to hear your feedback.




In what ways do you listen to your heart?

How do you know when you are being true to your heart and not betraying it?

What are some things your heart has revealed to you?

Does your heart trust you?

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by scott snedeker

The Heart is the core of the desire to experience the joy of living. It is the origin of the sentiment behind the muse that employs the artist skill to create. It is the source of resilience.

Below are some questions regarding awareness of the heart. I am curious to hear your feedback.

In what ways do you listen to your heart?

How do you know when you are being true to your heart and not betraying it?

What are some things your heart has revealed to you?

Does your heart trust you?

Music. It says more than mere words can.



The other thing I remind myself is that when I am listening to my heart, I have a good feeling deep in my gut. And I become aware of that 'feeling' when I am sitting very quietly and my mind is quiet, that is, not making so many waves. I encourage myself to check in with that feeling, especially when I have a difficult choice or decision to make. If it isn't there, I have my answer.

My heart has revealed to me that it can break and remain open, giving and expansive. That said, growing older isn't for sissies. It takes some skill to stay open when the vicissitudes of life can close one up like a clam. It take practice, even a 'practice.'

[Gennee]

There's an inner peace when the heart is in line with what you know is right. There's no struggle or guilt. If there is then one needs to examine the motives and concerns that may be present.

Gennee

[BrianB]

I was expecting to hear this song when I clicked on the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8axwcs7bi8 It's one of my favorites.

[Jennifer5]

Originally Posted by scott snedeker

I was asked in a Tibetan Buddhist forum to define "Heart"

At first I drew a complete blank as to how I would articulate my understanding. Then it came to me all at once

The Heart is the core of the desire to experience the joy of living. It is the origin of the sentiment behind the muse that employs the artist skill to create. It is the source of resilience.


Below are some questions regarding awareness of the heart. I am curious to hear your feedback.




In what ways do you listen to your heart?

How do you know when you are being true to your heart and not betraying it?

What are some things your heart has revealed to you?

Does your heart trust you?

Listening to your heart can be a challenge at times. There was a time when I thought nothing of it. As the dynamics of friendships mature, listening to my heart has become a scary thing.

I like to believe that listening to my heart is the only right option, it is the only way to go through life, you have to be careful to find a balance though. Listening to my heart if not where I'm challenged, listening to my head is the challenge. How do you keep yourself from getting hurt if you listen to your heart all the time?

My heart has revealed to me that I have an overwhelming desire to feel loved. I find myself falling for my friends repeatedly. The desire to have someone hold me in their arms as I fall asleep clouds my judgement. The addiction to the way they my heart feels in that moment and the vulnerability of my body is which I allow to overwhelm my better judgement.

I trust my heart completely, even though I know that being vulnerable to the emotions of the heart are hurting me every day.

Does my heart trust me? I wish I understood this question. I'd like to think that I would protect my heart but at this time in my life, I don't.

Originally Posted by Daniel

The other thing I remind myself is that when I am listening to my heart, I have a good feeling deep in my gut. And I become aware of that 'feeling' when I am sitting very quietly and my mind is quiet, that is, not making so many waves. I encourage myself to check in with that feeling, especially when I have a difficult choice or decision to make. If it isn't there, I have my answer.

My heart has revealed to me that it can break and remain open, giving and expansive. That said, growing older isn't for sissies. It takes some skill to stay open when the vicissitudes of life can close one up like a clam. It take practice, even a 'practice.'

It's a powerful feeling to be able to embrace something, such as the act of listening to your heart. Depending on the life that you live, one of the hardest things in the world can be stopping. Just stopping. Sitting in silence. I've forgotten how to do that. I can't stop for long enough to actually work through all the questions that are running through my mind.




I suppose I have to ask the question; how do you trust your heart when you have recognized how vulnerable it makes you?

Many of you are far wiser than I am, you're advice and opinions are tremendously valuable to me.

[Rick336]

Originally Posted by scott snedeker

Does your heart trust you?

I'm confused by this question. What are you asking?


Rick

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by Jennifer5

I suppose I have to ask the question; how do you trust your heart when you have recognized how vulnerable it makes you?

Many of you are far wiser than I am, you're advice and opinions are tremendously valuable to me.

Oh...I don't know about the wiser part. Just longer lived. That's all.

To answer your inquiry. Ever heard that saying "Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all"? Live long enough and someone will betray you, or you will betray someone. Live long enough and everyone you know will be no more. Does that mean one should stop living, reaching out and 'having a life'? I don't think so.

To really live and love takes a bit of daring.

[Jennifer5]

Originally Posted by Daniel

Oh...I don't know about the wiser part. Just longer lived. That's all.

To answer your inquiry. Ever heard that saying "Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all"? Live long enough and someone will betray you, or you will betray someone. Live long enough and everyone you know will be no more. Does that mean one should stop living, reaching out and 'having a life'? I don't think so.

To really live and love takes a bit of daring.

Thank you Daniel. When you're on top of the world, it's easy to remember those words; you feel fearless and invincible. When things begin to topple though, sometimes you lose hold of hope for a short time.

The ups and downs of the emotions that come with having feelings for someone are addicting. The ups are so intense that it makes you want to get back on the bike after you've crashed and burned. : )

[scott snedeker]

Originally Posted by Rick336

I'm confused by this question. What are you asking?


Rick

Great question!


If I may re-use and expand my definition of Heart (Not the four-chambered muscular organ)

I see the heart as The core of your desire to experience joy, love, tenderness and peace. Like the thrill of your unfettered glee as a child running through a patch of Dandilion heads for the purpose of seeing hundreds of tiny parachutes fly! Or the sensual ride of building to orgasm with a beautiful companion.

Does this part of you, glimpsed as moments of pure exhilaration trust you to openly, unguardedly feel and connect to your conscious awareness. Or does it retract and shield itself because of past betrayal by your conscious thought or action?


There is no value judgement attached to your response. It is a question design to free from value judgements and other obstacles to feeling, appreciating and being in the joy of the living moment.