Concerning the Heart

October 8, 2018
by Michael
comments 26
Christ / Course Ideas / Reflections

Beauty is witnessed in the heart.

In the midst of calamity, when the towers are crumbling, and the temples are crumbling, and the skies are crumbling, still the heart is free. It is quiet amidst the waves. Gratitude may enter us then. Beauty may be recognized.

For it is the heart that recognizes its own.

Avowed of neither persecution nor vengeance, the heart has a talent for blessing, for insight, and for gentleness. In the midst of calamity, when something must be done, when the mob is gathering, and one must diminish another in the service of greater good—when deceit and distortion are blackening the skies, and a voice must be raised to be heard—still the heart sees innocence. How can this be?

Is not our anger righteous? Must something not be done?

What say you, my heart?

And still the heart is quiet.

When viewed from afar, the heart is but a stone. Wake up! we shout. The towers are crumbling!  The heavens rending! Now is the time!

And yet, it is true, even here the heart knows the way. For what must be saved has already been saved. This the heart knows. Here is the beginning of reason. Here is permission to recognize the innocent, and behold the beautiful.

What is there to do when what must be done has already been done?

Alert the others. Gather them close. Break the heart open and pass it around, like bread, that there may be nourishment. Offer the heart, that those who know it not might see it and remember. Don’t look for it, but let it come. You will know it has arrived.

For it is the heart that recognizes its own.

26 Comments

  1. Eric Tonningsen says

    I know this, Michael. I steadfastly believe this. But man, in these times, I wish our hearts could will the positive change that we need and seek. Too many people beaten down and feeling hopeless. May their hearts heal and lift them. Thank you for your timely, comforting piece.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply
    • Michael says

      I hear you, Eric. I wish the same, of course. But the beautiful reality in which we live would not force a particular choice on anyone, and I think there is profound wisdom in that. If we don’t redeem the connection and holiness/wholeness that links us each to each, nothing else we redeem will quite matter in the way we hope… If freedom must be taken away, then there is some danger perceived in those to whom it was granted, and I think the heart sees that this is false. We only truly arrive together, don’t we…?

      Peace
      Michael

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • Michael says

      Thank you, Hedy! Thank you for reading and sharing. Our hearts resound in this joy of knowing one another…!

      Peace
      Michael

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      Reply
  4. Walking My Path: Mindful Wanderings in Nature says

    What beautiful words, Michael, as always. Your heart goes straight to ours, and mine resonates with what you said here this morning. Thank you for passing the bread.
    Much love,
    Mary

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Michael says

      Thank you, Mary! Thank you for receiving the bread. It takes both. It is both. I’m glad to share in this knowing with you…

      With Love
      Michael

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Barbara Franken says

    My favorite line too… ‘what is there to do. When what must be done has already been done’… and ‘what must be saved has already been saved’… each can only allow our experience to align with the heart who indeed knows ‘all is perfectly well’… much love to you Michael, Barbara x

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • Michael says

      I read The Prophet this year. It was beautiful and compelling. I don’t know if my writing has reached such heights, but the feeling behind it is there… Thank you for the generosity of knowing this…

      Peace
      Michael

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      • Hariod Brawn says

        Well, I immediately felt the touch of The Prophet in your words, which is a considerable achievement, even though emulation was assuredly far from your mind. Greatness always touches us somehow, don’t you think?

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        • Michael says

          Yes, Hariod, I agree. Greatness always touches us, and if I may book end that with the notion that, as well, greatness abides in each of us somehow. It is our preconceived notions of what this is, and the various downstream thought patterns that arise through our acculturation in the current world, that cause us to see this in but a few. But this is our collective, capital mistake in a certain sense I think…

          Thank you again, my friend.
          Michael

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  11. Harlon says

    Dear Michael, what a wonderful read, I really felt it, there was so much meaning and power in your words that were personal for me, and there we have it, your words give me more meaning and more power. Thanks pal, Harlon

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Michael says

      Harlon,

      So good to see you here my brother. I’ve thought of you recently so it’s great you’ve arrived. Have been meaning to check in and am grateful you beat me to it. Your kind words mean a lot to me. There’s fulfillment in the simple glory of one heart touching another…

      Peace
      Michael

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. InfiniteZip says

    Listening with a mind on what the heart has to say/not say, feeling the vibration when all is right and the death knell when all feels wrong, choose the vibration to lead the way to the peace ❤ immersing myself in A Course of Love and listening with my soul open to the possibilities of what is and will be ❤ nice post Michael, sorry I've been absent from visiting, had to stew on your other posts….they sometimes sail high above my head and I find myself longing for the simplicity of Hafiz (also a book on my nightstand as we speak). Peace and blessings friend, K

    Liked by 1 person

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