The classic phrases like ‘good-hearted’ and ‘evil-minded’ testify to the superiority of the heart over the mind. Even mythological and folk heroes are portrayed as characters personifying the qualities of the heart, while the villains are characterized as personifying the qualities of the mind. The duality between heart and mind is reflected in every religion. Prophets and seers evolved into their spiritual selves through attention of the heart, which is effectively meditation. In fact, the very ‘cross’ in Christianity symbolizes the negation of ‘I’, the ego, which is the seat and instrument of selfish activity, while the term ‘Vedanta’ in Hinduism signifies the need to end knowledge. The thought of the mind must stop to some upon the bliss of the heart: the Mind beyond the mind.
And literally the words ‘inspiration’ and ‘depth’ establish the superiority of the ‘heart’s creative energy over the mind’s mechanical energy. Even quantum physics theories the existence of the womb of the energy lying beyond DNA, which is commonly understood as sacred or divine energy.
Expressions like ‘wholeheartedly’ and ‘heartiest’ convey one’s love, and the phrase ‘have a heart’ compels one to be sensitive; while the usage “put in your heart and soul” impels one to become wholly responsible though involvement and commitment, and ‘brave heart’ signifies one’s conviction and courage. Thus, heart inspires both compassion and passion. The vernacular equivalents of such English phrases confirm these perceptions about heart and mind. Even intellectually, the creative flashes of understanding the seemingly unintelligible tenets of truth through intelligence and intuition are the specks of heart’s energy. Also spiritually. It is that energy which transforms the stressful mechanical energy of the mind, stilling the whole being into a state of bliss. Sensually, the female’s loveliness male’s handsomeness are manifestations of the heart’s energy, rendering their personae magnetic and endearing. That is why beauty is believed to be skin-deep.
Hence, romance is considered as the communion of heats. Perhaps the emerging revolution in healing diseases, through meditation involves the application of that sacred energy of heart to the diseased parts of the body.
No cultural or sport performance could cause that elevating spell over the viewers if it does not reach the heart. So is it with every form of art. That is why art is considered to be an act of the heart. And if one cares to experience it, one would discover that it is the heart’s attention that tides over the tension of the mind, reliving the tedium of a dreary existence that has become the hallmark of the lives of almost all of us. Neither our education nor our culture encourages us to live by our heart. Conversely, our standardized culture of consumerism and commercialism has reduced us into mind-slaves of selfishness and greedy for material goods. Concomitant to this culture is to dissipation of our sensitivity and decency. Indeed, ours is a civilization without culture. Cementing this crisis of culture are the sub - cultures of our education, cinema, media and politics.
The attention of the heart, not the concentration of the mind can transform every situation. Studying, working, playing and socializing with attention focused on the ‘Heart Chakra’ allows the habit-ridden mind to remain passive, thus helping itself with the creative energy of the heart. The mind, by its very contradictory nature, dissipates the energy thus enervating itself, while the attention of the heart energizes the dull mind.
The article has been taken from the book ‘Art of Being and Art of Living by Captain KV Reddy