Why Shift Decisions from Head to Heart?
Choosing Heart-Centered Living in a Head-Driven World
The ancient Egyptians referred to the heart as “ieb”.
They believed the heart was the center of life, not the brain.
Living a heart-centered life means living from the heart, not the head.
Away from thinking and towards feeling.
It allows us to connect with our souls and hear our inner calls.
And above all else, it feels so good!
It was the true source of human wisdom.
My personal experience with a head-centered lifestyle tells me that it rarely, if ever, leads to abundance.
It has never been a deeply rewarding life that I have dreamed of.
It’s not that the mind is terrible.
It’s a powerful tool for planning, sorting out details, and taking action steps.
But it’s not the only place you or I should live from.
I would have answered differently if you had asked me how to make decisions just a few months ago.
My answer could have been like this,
- Make a list of pros and cons
- Evaluate possible outcomes from all angles
- Run through each likely scenario until the best solution emerges
Surprisingly, I have taken many decisions by heart over the years.
But I had no realization.
For example, when choosing a degree course, buying a house, buying a new car, etc.
I knew paying the installments for a house or a car loan would be painful.
I made these decisions anyway.
We know our decisions based on our gut can sometimes get us into trouble later.
But these decisions often give us the greatest fulfillment.
Not everything can be compared to monetary gains.
The power of mind
The power of the mind is often revered over the heart in our culture.
Most of the time, we make decisions through our brains.
We often don’t realize we have more options.
These options usually involve something other than Excel spreadsheets, pro/con lists, and endless hours of processing.
There is a deeper place that we can go to more regularly.
A place where we can access our inner heart truth to live in the richness we deserve.
Getting there can be less than hours logged on a therapist’s or our best friend’s couch.
Tapping into our inner heart’s truth takes just a few minutes.
Why to shift from head to heart?
Let us first look at what it means to be conscious from the heart.
As a human being, it is normal for consciousness to surround the head.
In our society, we tend to prioritize intellect and rationality over feelings and emotions.
We are taken over by the thinking mind.
We even identify ourselves with our thoughts.
The mind serves us in many ways regarding learning, planning, etc.
But the mind only knows the past and the future.
It cannot communicate with the present.
It has no access to the deeper presence and compassion that you carry within you.
I came across this amazing concept of living a heart-centered life when I read the book “Think Like a Monk” by Jay Shetty.
Jay Shetty backs a shift from the head to the heart.
It’s about engaging with our feelings and understanding the language of the heart.
And embracing the wisdom that lies within us.
We normally take in a lot of information.
Our brains are slow to process this information.
We spend a lot of time in the landscape of our thoughts.
We pay more attention to the feelings of others and forget to listen to our hearts and bodies.
We’re critical thinkers.
We analyze every angle of problems, perspectives, and solutions.
But we can also be too cautious in a way where we weigh pros and cons excessively, leading to overthinking.
How to shift?
So,
How do I put these lessons into practice in my life?
How do I get out of my head and into my heart?
Getting out of your head can be a big struggle for many people.
Despite the natural ability to feel, it can be difficult to get into the heart.
Sometimes, I wonder why we feel so drained in certain environments.
Accessing the space of your heart is not about living from emotion.
It’s a sense of inner knowing and calmness that can only be known from the heart.
It can’t be understood through the intellect.
The shift works by cultivating a deeper connection with our feelings.
They guide us in decision-making and relationships.
Start by reflecting on your values and beliefs.
Knowing your core values allows you to make choices that align with your authentic self.
What is really important to you?
Which principles are important to you?
What activities make you lose track of time?
What gives you pleasure even without external confirmation?
Your passions are the driving force that leads you to your goal.
Jay encourages aligning your passions with a greater purpose.
How can your unique gifts contribute to the well-being of others or the world at large?
It’s about rising above yourself and becoming a positive force in the collective fabric of humanity.
The challenges ahead
Of course, the path to heart-centered living is a challenging ride.
The very first challenge we face during this transition is the societal expectations.
We feel pressured to conform to predefined notions of success.
Jay’s advice is to be true to your values and beliefs.
Even if they differ from the mainstream narrative.
The heart-centered living doesn’t always come from fitting into societal molds.
It’s about embracing your uniqueness and understanding that fulfillment.
Another hurdle is fear, fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of the unknown.
Jay encourages us to view fear not as an obstacle but as a stepping stone to growth.
We discover our true strength and resilience through facing our fears.
Final thoughts
The teachings of Jay Shetty are not a one-size-fits-all solution.
But it can serve as a guiding light that can fit into the unique rhythm of your soul.
Discover your dharma, ignite your passions, and live with purpose.
Shift from your head to your heart and let the music of your life resound with authenticity and joy.
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