Mind vs Heart

An idea sparked when I came across the following statement while going through the https://mei-lanmaurits.com/ website: “The inner critic often speaks harshly, convincing us that we are not enough. But judgment does not free us—it only deepens our wounds. By letting go of self-judgment, we open space for compassion, growth, and peace.”

To my understanding, the inner critic is the mind, not the heart.

The heart (the divine voice—in other words, the voice that speaks when ego is absent) tries to nurture us with unconditional love and encourages us to express ourselves. It says that each of us is like a piece of a puzzle, with unique skills (more accurately, a unique composition of body and mind) compared to others, and so there is no place for comparison. It is about collaboration, just like all puzzle pieces which, when fitted in their proper slots, complete the bigger picture. No puzzle pieces will fit into the slot of other piece. There is no competition among them—nothing is considered greater or lesser based on size or any other parameter.

The mind (which speaks from the level of ego like identification with the body, will have very narrow vision), on the other hand, is influenced by external society and focuses on what society portrays as great, like money, position, or power. This is a diversion from one’s core skills. Automatically, comparison arises, as all ego-driven people strive for those same things that society has elevated, and only then does the scope exist to feel either low or high.

This understanding helps me let go of self-criticism and empowers me to focus more on expressing myself.