When faced with any challenge, you can react one of two ways: with
your mind or with your heart. And if you're like most people, you are
much more attuned to your mind than to your heart. In fact, you
probably seldom think about your heart, unless you feel it pounding as
a result of exercise.
Because the mind is primarily a reactive
system, it is driven by the ego's need for power, control, and
approval. As such, it reacts impatiently to challenges and then
justifies any rash actions by turning to logic and reason. The heart,
on the other hand, is driven by spiritual concerns. It seeks
connectedness, self-expression, and fulfillment of your deepest needs.
When a challenge arises, the heart "feels" for the right course of
action based on your body's needs.
When you listen to your heart
and draw upon its energy, you develop an inner strength that guides you
and sustains you through any challenge. Use the following suggestions
to develop your heart connection.
1. Get to know your heart
Getting
to know your heart is the first step to overcoming a challenge. When
you are in tune with your heart, you understand who you really are,
what you love, and what your life's mission is all about. Most likely
you are already familiar with your physical heart. It beats wildly when
you get excited and pounds when you're scared. But to get connected
with your spiritual heart, you must be willing to look deep within
yourself and challenge your own beliefs. Only then will your heart give
you the energy to persevere through challenges.
The following
questions will get you started toward identifying the path that will
help you overcome your challenge. As you consider these questions,
other questions may present themselves to you that will further stretch
your thinking.
What makes you feel connected to your heart (some people refer to this as feeling "spiritual")?
What does happiness mean to you?
When do you experience connectedness?
Which activities make you lose track of time?
How have your life aspirations changed over the years?
What life events have prompted your emotional growth?
When
you truthfully answer these questions, you'll develop a deeper
connection to your heart and a greater understanding of what you must
do in the face of adversity.
2. Tap into your heart's
intelligence
Your heart has an intelligence all its own. We all think, speak, and
reason with our heart, especially when facing a challenge. We also rely
on our heart's intelligence whenever we make an important decision. For
example, no matter how carefully you may weigh all the options,
ultimately something serves to make you decide one way or another. In
most cases, this is your heart speaking, giving you the "feeling" that
you should do one thing rather than another. So whether you realize
this or not, you consult with your heart every day as to the wisdom of
the choices you need to make.
Your
heart's intelligence is very different from your mind's intelligence.
The mind seeks victories; the heart seeks solutions. The mind is
judgmental; the heart is forgiving. Material matters drive the mind;
values drive the heart.
To discover your heart's intelligence,
you must consciously choose to silence all the other voices that are
seeking your attention. These voices are the voice of power, the voice
of control, and the voice of achievement - all the voices of the mind.
Sit quietly and think about your challenge as you focus on the voice of
your heart - the voice that connects you to silence, to inspiration, to
comfort, to peace, to contentment, and to love and meaning. As you hear
the answers your heart gives you, your mind will silence and the
challenge's resolution will be obvious.
3. Create an "island of peace"
Some
people view a strong heart connection as having peace of mind. But how
do you achieve peace of mind in a world that's in constant motion,
endless activity, and pressed by demands and expectations? The solution
lies in the interruption of our daily activities with "islands of
peace." These are moments when we let go of stress and regenerate
ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It's during these
times that we can better hear our heart and understand its message to
us.
One way to create an island of peace is through meditation.
Because we are constantly entertaining so many thoughts, feelings, and
emotions, especially during difficult time, we need a way to quiet our
mind so we can hear our heart. When we meditate, we are able to
discover a silence within. It is this silence between thoughts where we
often find the solution to whatever challenge is before us.
There
are various meditation techniques. One is to observe your breathing and
be mindful of it, because breathing and mental activity go hand in
hand. When you are excited, you breathe fast. When you are relaxed, you
breathe slowly. So just observing your breathing quiets your mind and
allows your heart to speak. Another technique is using a mantra, which
means "instrument of the mind." A mantra is a word that, when repeated
in your mind, leads to the same quieting of the voices. It disconnects
you from the constant desire to be active and alert. Meditating helps
you discover an inner peace that re-energizes you, enabling you to
tackle any challenge that comes your way.
Your Heart's Strength
When
we experience a challenge, the way to handle it is to take refuge in
our heart - to be aware that we have a safe place where we can analyze
the problem without being overwhelmed by it. If we gain this sense of
detachment from the challenge, we can gain control over it. So whenever
you are facing a challenge, connect with your heart. It will give you
the support and guidance you need to overcome your obstacles, continue
in life, and achieve your dreams.
 
 
Bruno
Cortis, M.D., is a cardiologist with a major interest in Spirituality
and Health. He authored two books, The Spiritual Heart and also Heart
& Soul. He is a member of NSA, Illinois Chapter and he delivers
speeches and seminars across North America. You can visit Dr. Cortis at
www.BrunoCortis.com">https://www.BrunoCortis.com or e-mail him at DrCortis@BrunoCortis.com. His telephone number is 708-366-0117.
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