Given all the ongoing chaos in our world, I must admit, I find daily meditation helpful–centering and healing. The following “Insight Timer” guided meditation warmed my heart and soul about love and solidarity–I’m hopeful it will touch you as well.
“Imagine a world where there is harmony and peace–where we are all able to grow and evolve and where children thrive because the adults who care for them are filled with love, joy and hope. Is it only a utopian vision–or is it possible? What is needed from us to realize this vision?
The answer can be encapsulated in one word–hearticulture. Hearticulture is exactly what it says–a culture based on the heart. The word culture means the ideas, customs and social behavior of a particular people or society. So how does a society based on the heart express itself? Life is lived from the heart where the heart is given a rightful place at the center of our being.
What are some of the qualities we see in hearticulture? One of the noticeable things we see is generosity prevailing. People accept differences among one another with a generous heart. Generosity of heart is not only how we share material things but is also how well we accept these differences. Are our hearts generous enough to accept the mistakes of others or our own mistakes. Sometimes we have difficulty forgiving ourselves. A pure heart accepts things and rises above differences. And while being forgiving, compassionate or accepting–if we remain aware of that need or if there is a purpose behind it such as to be rewarded in this world or in the hereafter, it is against this naturally growing hearticulture.
In hearticulture we also find humility and there is no better place to be humble than with our nearest and dearest ones. Unfortunately, with those closest to us we’re often hard. We take them for granted actually. We expect respect from others but do not accept others as they are.
With hearticulture, we don’t need the respect from others because we are open humble and accepting by nature. We are all brethren–connect intelligently, morally and spiritually–the main goal of human life. This message is the foundation of a heart-based society. It’s through the heart that we are connect. So with hearticulture we automatically feel this connection. We respond to the world as “we” instead of “I”. In “we” there is no separation, no blame and no desire to create conflict–love prevails.
There are always differences–in fact, differences are welcome and revolutionary as they bring change and expansion of vision, but no conflict results from these differences.
The next thing we see as a result of hearticulture is beauty and tenderness in communication. We learn to master the spiritual principles of communication which says let the flow of conversation be even and in tune with the current of reality. In this way you will touch the hearts of those people listening. How? Remove all sharpness so that your speech doesn’t carry any kind of weight like a current of still air. Let it be soft, cultured, smooth and balanced. The person whose tongue is cultured and polite has a large, pure and noble heart.
Be free of anger and of emotional outbursts. The heart is so tender that it begins to wilt with the slightest disturbance.
As our hearts become pure and light we start to refer to the heart for all of our decisions with confidence and courage–experiencing the wisdom that is found within. For these things to flourish, the practices of heart meditation are invaluable. It is a simple modern-day system that helps us to open our hearts and trust in the bounteousness of God to guide our steps in the right direction. And when we inevitably make mistakes along the way, we continue on learning as we go with a sense of wonder and joy at the next steps in our journey of life.”
Buddha was asked: “What have you gained from Meditation?” He replied: “Nothing.” “However”, Buddha said, “let me tell you what I lost: Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Insecurity, Fear of Old Age and Death.”