Heartcenteredness is a concept that has been an active part of my faith for many years, but only recently have I learned about the contemplative practice of being centered in your heart. It is very easy when discussing theological notions to be “in your head” without allowing the importance of the truth you are talking about to take root in your heart.
Heart
Life has taught me that we need a delicate balance between head and heart so that the choices we make are well thought out and make sense, but we also must trust our instincts and follow our hearts as we listen to the Holy Spirit.
Silence and prayer are a time to center deeply in your heart and to listen for the voice of God. The heart center is the place of passion and compassion, it inspires us to extravagant welcome and understanding for those who have wronged us. In some cultures the feelings we associate with the heart: love, warmth, understanding, friendship, affection, are centered in the gut rather than the heart.
The connection between our guts and our hearts is visceral. When something hurts our heart we describe it as feeling like we were punched in the gut. Following our gut reactions can also be described as following out hearts.
Mostly the heart is about radical acceptance of ourselves and others, it is about living as beloved children of God.
"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see clearly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery