Heart and Reason
I love how the messages we are meant to hear make themselves present in our lives at the right time (if we are willing to see and listen). As for example, the quote by Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), which I had heard many times before but not paid much heed to until it came up in a YouTube talk on wellbeing a few days ago.
The heart has its reason of which reason knows nothing.
A day later, my attention was captured again when listening to an online talk by nuclear and quantum physicist Hans-Peter Dürr (1929-2014).
We can experience more than we comprehend.*
For someone like me who is rationally and analytically minded both sentiments are beautiful reminders to
pause ... trust ... let go ... and be open to the unknowable.
They remind me that my carefully formed opinion or analysis of a problem might not be the whole truth, and that sometimes it might be better to simply wait and see, allow things to unfold naturally rather than thinking I have to act to make things happen.
They remind me to find a way to first come to rest in myself, be playful and look for the wonderous rather than the logical.
They also remind me of the importance to replenish myself through meditative or creative practices so as to not get lost in the world of facts and information.
Questions for You
In which areas of your life could you benefit to pause and let things rest for a while?
Where or how could you trust your heart (or gut) a little more without getting lost in reason and logic?
*Originally in German: Wir koennen mehr erleben als wir begreifen.
Food for Thought
This is a story about Amma the "Hugging Saint" from India. The story was recounted in a book written by one of her close associates whose name I have unfortunately forgotten (he came to Christchurch and gave a talk many years ago).
Amma is known as the Hugging Saint as her blessings are delivered in form of a hug. People all over the world line up to receive hugs from Amma. However, people can also ask for help with or answers to distinct issues in their lives. The questions are usually translated by one of Amma's close associates. This is a brief version of the story I was told by the man who acted as translator at that time.
At one of Amma's events a man came sharing his distress and asking for help. He explained that he had lost his job and was no longer able to provide for his wife and two young sons. He also added that he hoped that Amma would pray for him to realise his dream for a baby girl. Amma affirmed that she would do so.
Later in the evening the translator asked her why she agreed to support the man's wishes for a baby girl, if he couldn't even provide for the family he currently has. This didn't make any sense to him at all.
Amma explained that, seeing the man's soul and recognising the depth of his desire for a baby girl, she understood that by granting him his wish for a daughter, everything else would fall into place.
And so it was. They met the man a few years later when touring through his city. He looked healthy and introduced his daughter to Amma with pride and joy in his eyes. He also reported that he has a new job and was earning a good living.
This story has never left me. We simply can't understand the bigger picture. This story has helped me many times to refrain from judging other people's decisions no matter how irrational they appear to me at the time.