Mind Vs Heart v2

In many traditions, I remember often advising people to follow the inner voice. But this inner voice can arise from two distinct places within — the mind and the heart. The mind is the self identified with the physical body, backed by the knowledge and conditioning gathered since birth. The heart, on the other hand, is the self identified with nothing, the unknown, and is rooted in universal wisdom.

Even as we go about life identified with the physical body, there are moments when we lose ourselves in wonder — those glimpses where we forget our bodily identity and connect unconsciously to something unknown and vast.

I often wonder how to distinguish these two states. I am aware that what I share here is neither complete nor final, but I hope it conveys the essence I wish to express.

When it comes from the mind, there’s never a feeling of completeness — always a bit of confusion, fear, or a lack of confidence. For example, once while waiting at a signal, a beggar approached me. Usually, I don’t encourage them, but something within nudged me to give, and so I did. Later, at another signal, another beggar came, and this time I didn’t feel like giving, so I didn’t. But then doubt crept in: this one seemed weak — should I have given? Logically, at the level of the mind, it made sense to give since he looked frail, but I didn’t. Yet, I was not fully confident that my choice was right. Such confusion arises in all areas — choosing a job, a partner, planning children, or buying property. There’s always at least a tiny lack of confidence or courage. If I decide not to buy a property and its value skyrockets later, regret follows. All decisions that feel incomplete likely come from the mind.

Consider the beggar example again: I felt like giving, so I gave. When the next one came, I felt no urge to give, so I didn’t. There wasn’t a trace of guilt or doubt when closing the window to the second beggar. In any aspect of life — job, marriage, property — when the guidance comes from the heart, there’s 100% confidence. Earlier also, I heard these inner suggestions but my mind, with its limited knowledge and social conditioning, would step in and confusion followed. But when you understand and recognize the heart — the divine being, the self with no identity, supported by a universal intelligence — there will be no doubt. The depths it takes into account, no mind can fathom, such as the true intention behind a beggar’s request, not just outward appearances. Once you learn (learning automatically follows with understanding) to trust the heart, decisions are spontaneous, absolutely confident, and courageous. The only challenge is to stay centered in the heart and not waver between states. But once centered, life becomes a flow. I can say 'no' with confidence — to anyone, at work or home — with no fear of losing a job or breaking a relationship, ready to face anything.

When it is from heart, no balancing, only trust in it, make or break, it does not matter, courageous to face the reality whatever it is. Courageous that it is there always, unconditional**. Such actions are full of contentment. That contentment, satisfaction, fulfilment is amazing and I cannot put that experience in words.

People (typically driven by their mind) will advise compromise to preserve a job or family, even when you did nothing wrong. But when my heart is clear, I simply say no, I mean adhering to my decisions. That is the trust I have in my own center — the self with no personal identity. There’s no calculation or balancing of stakeholders, no exhausting effort to keep everyone happy. This endless balancing act, especially within family, is one of the most painful things to endure. It keeps losing its balance, and constant effort is needed to rebalance. But when actions come from the heart, there’s no need for balance — only trust. Whether things make or break (even death), it doesn’t matter. There’s courage to face reality, no matter what. Such actions are always full of contentment — a satisfaction and fulfillment that is beyond words.

There is a deep, unconditional support from within. That sense is the root cause of confidence, courage and more noble qualities. That’s why I fell in love with it. I perceive the divinity within as my lover, and this makes me feel romantic all the time.

**This unconditionality is a great relief. I get outrageous anger when people put conditions like, do this, I love you, otherwise I hate you. Children are worst hit in this matter as they don't have any choice of saying no to their parents and they will be put all sorts of conditions.