The work of the eyes is done. Go now and do the heart-work on the images imprisoned within you. ~Rainer Maria Rilke
Even if you are not a yoga practitioner or don't necessarily identify yourself as a spiritual seeker, chances are you have heard of "mindfulness" and the many benefits of the practice. It has become increasingly popular as an antidote to the stress and exhaustion that are the common symptoms of everyday living. I think much of the appeal is in its simplicity and practicality. We can weave these practices into the fabric of our lives--we can pause, relocate our attention to the breath and connect to the moment in front of us again and again. Let me say, I love mindfulness practices and find them extremely beneficial especially for those just starting out on their journey to cultivating greater self-awareness. However, in and of themselves, they are not enough. I believe that mindfulness must be coupled with heartfulness if we are to become whole and healed.
Mindfulness guru Jon Kabat-Zinn defines it this way: "Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally." I see it as vital training for the mind and thoughts that are constantly being swept up by memories of the past or anticipation of what is to come. We are continuously distracted and pulled in so many different directions at once. Mindfulness practices support us in tailoring our attention to the present.
Heartfulness, on the other hand, isn't about mastering any particular technique. It is about developing a relationship with what we find when we start to pay attention. It is the partner to paying attention. I would describe heartfulness as the unique and particular way each of us is able to relate to ourselves and the world around us. Poet David Whyte refers to it as the "conversation" that we hold with our own lives. If attention is the currency of mindfulness, wholeness is the payoff of heartfulness.
Writer Julia Cameron speaks of heartfulness this way: "If smart were the solution, very few of us would be screwed up. Smart isn't the solution. The heart is the solution." Where the mind sorts, divides and categorizes, the heart is able to contain all things. The mind often perceives life as duality: either/or; black/white. The heart is the home of inclusivity--both/and. The heart is able to make space for the many paradoxes of life. The mind seeks to understand while the heart just knows. Mindfulness tends to be contemplative in nature, while heartfulness is more devotional. From what I have witnessed, people drawn to mindfulness practices tend to be characterized by their strongly developed mental capabilities and are independent thinkers. Those drawn to paths of the heart tend to be more connected to their feelings and senses and are usually empathic. As you read this, where do you see yourself? Are you drawn more toward one or the other? Are you able to recognize how developing the other side, mindful or heartful, could benefit you?
I call the work that I do "heart-work." It is aimed toward developing a relationship with yourself and your life in ways that open you to discovering more about who you truly are. Learning to express yourself authentically and creatively is at the "heart" of my practice. My eight week class, "The Courage to Create: Awakening to an Authentic Vision for your Life" offers a direct experience of this heart-work. Each week provides a different theme and vital psychological shift that supports personal transformation. There is no particular formula for this process. Instead, I find that providing a safe and supportive framework for the conversation to naturally unfold is essential. That framework is held on four specific pillars that I consider the cornerstones of my work.
The four pillars are:
Wholeness:
We are fundamentally whole; complete human beings. We have been created with everything we need to develop into our highest and best selves. Just like an acorn contains all the genetic material to become an oak tree, we also contain what we need need to become whole human beings.
Authenticity:
Each individual has been uniquely created with particular gifts and soul qualities. Each of us embodies a distinct presence that cannot be duplicated. It is not just what we do, but who we are that is important. Ultimately, in a healthy individual there is a congruence between our inner and outer lives. Who we are aligns with what we do and vice versa.
Creativity:
You are creative. The question is not “Am I creative or not? but rather “What am I creating in my life?” Our thoughts are creative. Our feelings are creative. Our actions are creative. The multitude and infinite number of ways that we can choose to respond to our lives in any given moment is a sign of our innate creativity.
Spirituality:
This life journey that we are all a part of is a spiritual journey. There is plenty of room for your own interpretation here. The deepest core need that we all share is for God, love, Spirit, the Divine…however you understand it. To cultivate a deeply personal relationship with something greater than ourselves will ultimately teach us the most about who we are and that for which we were created.
What is the heart-work that your life is calling you into conversation with? Take some time this month to consider this inquiry and allow it to renew or repair your relationship to yourself.
