HAPPY HEART
A Meditation for a Happier Heart
“A loving heart is a happy heart.”
STOP AND DROP
When we stop and reflect on what is most important in Life we may find that it was those times that we felt loved and cared for.
You do not have to wait to be free.
You do not need to postpone being happy.
All too often the beautiful spiritual practices of mindfulness and compassion become entwined with a vision of self-discipline and duty. We see them as taking us through a long road of obstacles that leads eventually to distant benefits.
Yes, there is hard work of the heart and there are demanding cycles in our lives. Yet wherever you are on your journey, there is another wonderful truth called “Living the Fruit” or “Starting with the Result.” The fruits of well-being and the experience of joy, freedom, and love are available now, whatever your circumstance!
When your boss calls and you feel fear or anxiety, when someone in your family is in conflict or duress, when you feel overwhelmed by the growing problems of the world, you have choices. You can be bound and constricted or you can use this difficulty to open and discover how to respond wisely in this unfolding journey. Sometimes life gives us ease, sometimes it is challenging, and sometimes profoundly painful.
Sometimes the whole society around you is in upheaval. Whatever your circumstances, you can take a breath, soften your gaze, and remember that courage and freedom are within, waiting to awaken, and to offer to others. Even under the direst conditions, freedom of spirit is available. Freedom of spirit is mysterious, magnificent, and simple. We are free and able to love in this life—no matter what.
DROP INSIDE THE HEART
Deep down we know this is true. We know it whenever we feel a part of something greater—listening to music, making love, walking in the mountains or swimming in the sea, sitting at the mystery of a dying loved one as the spirit leaves the body silently as a falling star, or witnessing the miraculous birth of a child. At times like these, a joyful openness swells through our body and our heart is surrounded by peace.
We want to be free. We want to be released from fear and worry, not confined by judgments. We want to allow ourselves to trust, love, express ourselves, and be happy.
As we discover trust and freedom in ourselves, we will then find our way to share them with the world.
Finding freedom is an active process that engages your intellect, your heart, and your whole spirit. We begin personally, with freedom of spirit, freedom to start over, freedom beyond fear, freedom to be yourself, and then discover freedom to love, freedom to stand up for what matters, freedom to be happy.
The means and the goal are one—be yourself, dream, trust, and act. You can choose your spirit.
Freedom, love, and joy are yours, in your very life, your exact circumstance.
They are your birthright.
Reprinted with permission from Jack Kornfield