Guided by Love
“A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts. So, he loses touch with reality and lives in a world of illusions.”
As humans, we often find ourselves lost in thought, disconnected from our senses and sweet tender hearts. Any past events that caused us to feel fearful or brought forth heartache can leave us even more cautious, constantly on guard, doing all we can to try to control and avoid further pain. Our minds might attempt to offer refuge from the discomforts we experience, as physical sensations and emotions in the body, yet tend to lead us into a realm of constant planning, problem-solving, and worry.
Personally, as someone who leans towards analysis, my mind is rarely still. It's always busy planning, creating, overthinking, questioning, and even complaining. If I'm not practicing awareness of my thoughts and taking time to observe my state of being, my mind takes over, shielding me from vulnerability and blocking the path to deeper feelings and the flow of love.
The mind isn't the enemy - Though a busy, unfocused mind can keep us stuck in perpetual thinking, distancing us from the present moment and reality.
So, how do we lead with love amidst the constant distractions of the mind? It takes effort to break free from habitual thought patterns, that ultimately are trying to protect us. Dropping into the vulnerability of the heart space can be incredibly daunting if we've felt stressed or unsafe, as most of us have at some point in our existence.
Our hearts, though tender, hold immense strength.
True strength lies in awareness and embracing life fully, both its joys and its pains, as we open to allowing feelings to move through our beings without avoidance or attachment. Leading from the heart truly means acknowledging our own emotions, all the suffering and all the beauty that is present around us in the world, without closing ourselves off to any of it. People in this state are very resilient as they live committed to love, no matter what, and appear radiant to others as the powerful force of love expands beyond them.
What about times when we can’t access feelings of appreciation or love, feel bitter or blocked? When we are in a space of judgment, anxiety, defensiveness, despair, sadness, etc. we might move into the mind and away from the heart (again it’s trying to protect us). Let us find compassion for all that comes with being human and having a mind!
The key to shifting this lies in acceptance, simply observing everything we are experiencing without trying to change it.
Breathe in, breathe out, and acknowledge: "This is what is right now”. Subconsciously holding our breath shuts us off from our heart's wisdom. Keep breathing, keep observing, keep feeling, keep loving, let life flow through you.
Below is a practice to help you cultivate a life led by love.
Acknowledge & Accept Practice
Observe your thoughts for 1-5 minutes and write them down as they are. Appreciate your mind by saying, "Thank you mind, I love you."
Notice your body, emotions, and sensations. Allow them to be there, whatever you feel. Take 1-5 minutes to jot down your feelings. Thank your body by saying, "Thank you body, I love you."
Focus on your breath: feel the air moving in and out, your diaphragm and chest rising and falling. Recognize this life force and say, "Thank you spirit, I love you."
Visualize something that brings you wellbeing and let that feeling fill you. Imagine bathing in love and let it radiate from you.
Place your hands on your heart, stand up, and take a few steps forward, carrying this loving state with you.
Return to this practice several times a day or week to ground yourself in the present moment and lead with compassion.