Mindfulness and Your Heart

“Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.” (Buddha)

Mindfulness can be defined as non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. So, being aware of your feelings, as opposed to stifling your emotions, is part of mindfulness.

However, sometimes people can get caught up in the “mind” or “brain” emphasis in the term mindfulness and get turned off by the cerebral or “cold” implication of the word. In such cases it may help to substitute the word mindfulness with wholeheartedness.

Actually, while the English word mindfulness is a common translation for the Pali word sati, which means to hold something in awareness, the Chinese translation is more in line with being “heartfelt in the present moment”. This latter translation emphasizes the importance of witnessing our experience with our emotions as well as our minds.

Keeping the intention of wholeheartedness in mind (so to speak) can remind you that a balanced life incorporates both logic and emotions. Some situations may require more of one than the other.

Think of it this way: let’s say that logic is blue and emotion is red. Combining the two can produce an infinite amount of purple hues, ranging from mostly blue to primarily red, but never is the color 100% blue or red. Neither are we.

So, whether you prefer the term mindfulness or wholeheartedness, try to bring some warmth into your approach to life and your experience. While doing a breathing meditation, you might experiment with focusing on your heart area. Sometimes this can allow you to connect with your feelings and “soften you up” in a new and healing way. Give it a try. In fact, try being wholehearted throughout your day.

“The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.” (Blaise Pascal)