Wednesday, December 29, 2010

States Of The Heart

"The state of one's heart inevitably shapes one's life; it is ultimately the place where everything is decided.
- A courageous heart will go forth and engage with life despite confusion and fear.
- A fearful heart will be hesitant and will tend to hold back.
- A heavy heart will make for a gloomy, unlived life.
- A compassionate heart need never carry the burden of judgment.
- A forgiving heart knows the art of liberation.
- A loving heart awakens the spirit of possibility and engagement with others.


The power of the heart's attitude is expressed beautifully in the New Testament: "Where your treasure is, there is your heart also."  And all through the Old Testament, God is interested only in the heart  - not sacrifices, rituals, or rules - only the heart.  Indeed, the mystical tradition would suggest the heart is beautiful precisely because it is where God dwells: the heart is the divine sanctuary."

John O'Donohue
A Book of Blessings
To Bless The Space Between Us

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