Being a Heart-Centered Human in a Mind-Dominant Culture (Part I)

A prayer from my heart:

Father-Mother-Creator...
Your light is within me and your love surrounds me.
I embrace this love as it flows through my heart... my knowing... and my feelings.
I open to this love as it guides my mind... my thoughts... and my thinking...
I accept this love as it becomes my body... my presence... and my being...
I allow love to flow through my heart, mind, and body joined together as one.
Father-Mother-Creator...
Your love is within me and your light surrounds me.
Amen. Amen. Amen.

What does it mean to be heart-centered? Being heart-centered means that one uses their “heart” to initiate and guide every thought, feeling, emotion, word, and action. This sounds wonderful, yet can we truly use our hearts in this way and fully relinquish the control of the mind in our perceptions?

Many people in our culture define themselves by what they do, what they own, and what others think of them. Our definition of self emerges from our belief systems. Mind-dominant beliefs are pervasive throughout our culture.

The beliefs of the mind cannot be addressed at the level of the mind, but they can be transformed through the heart. We can transform these beliefs through heart-centered awareness. Living from that sacred space within our hearts liberates and transforms our minds into empowered tools of creation.

Our thoughts, thinking, and mind do not originate in our brain, yet our brain is a medium and pathway for of our thoughts to flow. Our emotions and feelings do not originate within our heart, yet our heart is a pathway for our emotions and feelings to be felt and expressed. Our thoughts do not define us, yet our emotions and feelings are clear expressions of who we are as human beings and how we perceive our world.

Much of our emotional stress and disharmony occurs when the egoic mind becomes out of balance with the heart. There are two levels to our mind, the higher mind and the lower mind. The higher mind is a bridge to our hearts, our divine mind, and all that is. The lower mind is our ego. Our ego is that part of ourselves that identifies us as an individual.

The ego and mind work together. They are partners in creation. In becoming heart-centered it is essential that we first identify the ego and understand how it influences our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions.

Through years of conditioning in a mind-dominated culture, our egoic mind becomes imbalanced and begins to dominate our perceptions. When the ego dominates our perceptions it blocks our connection to our higher mind, our divine source, and ultimately our heart center. If we do not balance the ego with the compassion and love of our hearts, our path to true heart-centeredness becomes distorted by the illusions of an imbalanced ego.

As we develop heart-centeredness, it is essential that we discern the energies and influences of the egoic mind versus our heart. The imbalanced ego maintains it superiority over heart-centered awareness through the construction of many belief systems. These beliefs form deep patterns within our individual and collective consciousness. They are ultimately illusions, yet the imbalanced ego perceives them as very real. Some beliefs of an imbalanced ego include:

• I am what I have (my possessions define me)


• I am what I do (my job defines me)


• I am what others think of me (my reputation defines me)


• Everything that is missing in my life is separate from me (my life is in a constant state of lack)


• I am separate from everybody else (my body defines me)


• I am separate from God (God exists outside of me)
  

As we begin to identify the imbalanced ego with the compassionate understanding of our hearts, we ask ourselves: “Is this the truth of who I am?” As we observe the many false beliefs of the egoic mind within our culture, we begin a spiritual journey inside ourselves – inside that sacred space within our hearts – asking, “Is this the real truth of who I am?” The truth of who we are can always be found within that sacred space. Dissolving the egoic beliefs through heart-centered-awareness transforms the ego through the innate knowingness of the heart. These false egoic beliefs mature and transform through the radiant truth that resides within every heart:

• I am what I have – becomes I am the essence of my heart


• I am what I do – becomes I am the state of being that continually radiates from my heart


• I am what others think of me – becomes I am what I think of me.


• Everything that is missing in my life is separate from me – becomes I am abundant and attract what my heart truly desires.


• I am separate from everybody else – becomes I am connected to All that Is.


• I am separate from God – becomes God and I are One.

The moment we become heart-centered the egoic mind aligns with our higher mind and heart. This process continues until we are heart-centered at all times and in all ways. The goal is not to dissolve, reject, or undo the ego. A wise teacher once said, “To apply force will only bring resistance”. The ego’s primary motivation is survival. When it feels threatened it responds in imbalanced ways, fighting for survival and control. As we try to force or reject the ego it will resist with an equal amount of force. This inner struggle is like a wounded child always seeking attention and thriving on guilt, competition, and control. The ultimate goal is to integrate and transform the ego – our wounded child – through daily heart-centered awareness and practice. Observing and balancing the egoic mind requires conscious intent and a daily spiritual practice. Through heart-centered awareness we bring truth to the illusions and false beliefs of the ego. Bringing this level of truth to the illusions of our ego can initially be a struggle because of the firm hold the imbalanced ego has on the mind. Through many years of conditioning, our egoic mind can create a strong influence over our perceptions. The ego and mind are valuable tools of creation, but they do not define us.<>It is the heart’s role to choose and do. Dissolving the ego through compassion, mercy, and love engages a transformation of our perception and consciousness. We align who we are and how we see our world with our hearts and not our heads. With grace and power we begin to use our heart as a guide for every thought, emotion, feeling, word, and action. A heart-centered human being embraces this awareness with grace and honor, because they know that being heart-centered dynamically impacts All that Is. Stay tuned for part II…

The Human Form: A Vehicle of Light

"Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos - the trees, the clouds, everything."

-Thich Nhat Hanh

Change and evolution continuously transform all living things. Cycles glow into cycles spiraling infinitely into new realms of growth and evolution. In this current cycle of transformation on Earth, the planet and humanity mirror each other, reflecting a reorganization of energy.

As we choose a healing path - a path of transformation - we realize that we can no longer depend on others to heal or "fix" us. To see true changes in our health, we must look within and take responsibility for our lives.

We achieve our greatest healing transformations when we recognize that every choice we make and every action we take affects much more than our bodies and our individual lives. Our choices, thoughts, words, actions, and deeds also affect those around us, humanity, and the entire planet.

This evolution of the natural healing process empowers each individual while simultaneously serving the health of Earth and humanity. As the planet and humanity heal together, transformations of body, mind, and consciousness unfold before us. A more harmonious alignment between Earth and humanity propels our evolution as human beings.

Divine light, energy, and information stream into the planet and our collective consciousness. As we accept and embrace these energies, they activate latent DNA and harmonic codes of light and sound deep within our cells. Our bodies and our consciousness begin to transform and transmute old patterns, beliefs that no longer serve us, emotional blocks, and other forms of pain and stagnant energy. We embrace divine light as a catalyst that propels us in to greater states of harmony and balance.

We live in a time of great change and transformation, offering an unprecedented opportunity for each of us to heal our lives and help balance the world around us. As our bodies become more balanced and healthy, they house more of the light of our spirit. As the light of our spirit grows, we evolve into vehicles of Light, traveling at the speed of Spirit.

As we evolve into vehicles of Light, traveling at the speed of Spirit, the collective consciousness of Earth and humanity also transform to contain and express more light. Our body and our personal experience extend from our individual consciousness. Earth's planetary body and the collective experience of humanity extend from our collective consciousness.

Embracing this transformation into vehicles of Light illuminates our spirit within our human form. Honoring the human body as a vehicle of light creates a smoother cycle of healing for the individual while propelling the growth of Earth and humanity.

Sometimes there are growing pains as dramatic changes such as these emerge. The more out of balance a life form is with its environment, the more turbulence and upheavals occur before it achieves balance and true harmony. This principle applies to human beings individually and collectively.

As spiritual beings traveling in human bodies, we enjoy a unique connection with the natural cycles of light on Earth and within the Cosmos. We naturally entrain with the energies of the Earth, Sun, and Cosmos, both consciously and unconsciously. When this process becomes fully conscious, we fully engage the human form as a vehicle of light.

As we come more into balance and grow with Earth, we evolve our vehicles of light to adapt to the change and transformation within us. When we renew, restore, and balance the body, we restore the balance of Earth as well.

We receive, store, and transmit light, energy, and information within our body and our environment. As we become more conscious of how we manage this energy, we observe how it affects us and our world. We begin to realize the power and impact of our light and our choices, and make choices that result in a more harmonious life. As we choose a more harmonious life for ourselves, we experience more harmony in the world around us.

Radiant health is a choice. When we choose to honor ourselves through the daily choices that affirm life to our bodies and give light to our human form, we become empowered, radiant vehicles of light. The human body expresses radiant health when all systems, both physical and energetic, function in harmony within the body and its environment. When the human form contains and expresses greater qualities and quantities of light, we radiate this light, and our environment reflects the harmony within.

The human body is a whole, integrated, multi-dimensional, vehicle of light. We express this light through many ordinary activities such as conscious breathing, drinking, and eating, as well as prayer, movement, and meditation.

Developing a healthy vehicle for our spirit to shine expands our radiance, touching all living things around us. As we learn how to house more of our spirit in our bodies, we become radiant. When we achieve radiant health, we profoundly affect the world within us and around us.

The Lighthouse Effect

Near an outcropping of majestic seaside cliffs, a lighthouse stands tall and steadfast. Its light alerts ships of the rocky terrain ahead. It informs those who see its light of their current position in the darkness and guides them to safety.

One may assume that such a radiant lighthouse beamed its light assuredly and confidently from its very first day. Not this particular beacon. During his first days he stood in storms and endured driving rain and winds, as well as dense fog and haze. When the storms lifted and the darkness of night and veils of fog faded, the sun illuminated his surroundings: perilous cliffs and treacherous rocks. Surrounded by storms, darkness, and danger, the lighthouse became frightened.

One day a wise seagull perched atop the lighthouse. She noticed a sense of fear and sadness and asked the lighthouse about his distress.

“I’m afraid of the storms and the rain, the wind and the fog,” the lighthouse said. “At night I’m engulfed in darkness, and during the day I’m surrounded by perilous cliffs and treacherous rocks.”
The seagull replied, “You are a lighthouse. Your strength withstands the strongest storms. Your light beams through the darkness. You are strong and steadfast, and the rocks and cliffs pose no threat to you.”

“But I see the ships in the ocean tossing and turning in the churning waters of the stormy sea,” the lighthouse lamented. “I see the cliffs and rocks veiled in the storms and fog, masked in the darkness of night. I may not be in danger, but I fear for the safety of the ships. They face real hazards, true perilous danger, and I just sit here, beaming this light. I want to stop the storms. I want to clear the fog, to move the rocks and cliffs. I want to illuminate the darkness, but I can’t even do that. I can’t offer enough light to provide clear visibility. I can only beam. I feel I’m not doing enough and I’m angry at myself because I can’t do more to help.”

The wise seagull answered, “You are a lighthouse. You cannot clear the weather or completely illuminate the darkness, and you cannot move rocks or cliffs. Lighthouses do not have these powers. You drastically underestimate the power of your light. You are a lighthouse! You stand in treacherous surroundings, in the midst of storms and darkness, beaming a guiding light; a signal of hope and safety.

Have you considered how ships see you? They see a beacon; a steadfast signal of guidance and safety. In you they see a being strong enough to stand directly in the chaos and danger while beaming a light that says, ‘Danger lies here. Navigate carefully.’ Your light makes a difference. It may not provide clear visibility, but it offers clear guidance. Your light allows others to navigate to safety.”

As the lighthouse contemplated the seagull’s words, he realized his new friend spoke words of wisdom. Lighthouses are not built in safe places. They stand amidst chaos and danger, yet are not consumed by these forces. They stand strong in darkness, fog, and storms, and while they do not fight against these forces, lighthouses provide a beam of light that allows others to navigate safely through chaos and storms.

The lighthouse became excited. He realized that he need not fear storms or darkness anymore, because he was a lighthouse, standing strong and steadfast in his power. He beamed even brighter, realizing that his radiance allowed the ships around him to experience a similar feeling of empowerment as they chose their paths based on his guiding light. Lighthouses allow ships to sail the waves of empowerment. The lighthouse does not tell a ship where to go, but provides guidance in the midst of chaos.

The seagull was right. The lighthouse underestimated his power. From that day forward, he chose to beam his light confidently and stand steadfast as a radiant beacon for all to see.

Many of us who choose to walk a spiritual path can relate to the lighthouse story. We “wake up” one day to find ourselves surrounded by darkness and chaos. As we realize our resilience and choose to stand in our power, we fear for those around us. We wonder what we can do to help them see through the darkness. We want to stop the chaos, settle the storms, and neutralize the perilous terrain. We want to change the world, but we cannot do this; at least not in the way we expect to.

A lighthouse holds no expectations, makes no demands, and passes no judgments. It stands in the midst of chaos without judging or fighting it, without converting others to fight it, and without being consumed by it. Human lighthouses empower themselves as they choose to shine the light of their truth and their hearts for all to see. As others see this beacon of light and choose their path, they sail the waves of empowerment. Human lighthouses empower themselves and others simply by shining their light.

Lighthouses don’t always see evidence of their effectiveness; they don’t always see ships arrive safely at their final destinations. They only shine within their surrounding environment. Human lighthouses shine in the present moment. We do not often see the “results” of our light. Like the lighthouse in the story, some human lighthouses underestimate the power of their light and the strength of their being. They feel as though they’re not enough and as though they’re not doing enough. Then somehow a wise seagull appears. Perhaps a friend or teacher, a book or an article offers a new perspective, or perhaps their higher self communicates with them. Something or someone helps the human lighthouse realize the inherent power of its light; the Light of our spirit.

The light of our spirit impacts all who experience it. The light of our spirit differs from candlelight or a light bulb. It illuminates our innate Divine Intelligence. Divine Intelligence works through us and moves energy through us to others in exciting and mysterious ways. We don’t often see this light with our eyes, but we experience its feeling, intent, belief, desire, and passion.

We broadcast Divine Intelligence through the light of our spirit when we choose to follow a spiritual path, when we are conscious of how we manage our energies, and when we pray and meditate. We share our guiding light with others through simple acts such as listening, laughing, breathing, praying, sharing conversation, and telling stories; we share our light simply by being ourselves and embracing the light of our spirit.

As human lighthouses, we beam the love and truth of our spirit to those around us and to the world. We live as beacons and share our light in many simple ways. Our light makes a difference in the world, even though we may not see it. Through chain reactions of events that occur as more people become empowered, human lighthouses affect true change in the world.