THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE HEART

The human heart is often considered to be the center of love, feelings and the vulnerability of emotional pain coming from attachments. The spiritually awakened human heart is described with four corners, each containing a facet of wisdom for transcending that vulnerability, which is universal to human life. Without the strength of wisdom, the heart tends to close in response to pain. Without oneness, the heart can become dry and brittle, covered by a hard shell in an attempt to escape vulnerability to pain.

The four corners of the spiritual heart are discrimination, awareness, compassion and understanding. Discrimination is the ability to realize the world’s duality and illusion while seeing the deeper oneness of unchanging truth. Awareness is the ability to be fully present in the moment without judgment, expectation, or attachment. Compassion is the ability to accept yourself and others unconditionally, despite human imperfections. Understanding comes from cultivating mental disciplines such a non-reaction, waiting without wanting and not asking “why” in moments of challenge and chaos. These qualities combined describe the essence of an open, four-cornered heart.

Practice the truth of your heart by hurting no one, not even with the truth! There is a well-known Sanskrit saying: speak the truth, but speak that which is pleasant; do not speak the truth that is unpleasant. Practicing this concept helps you come closer and closer to God. If you are trying to tell the truth to others and they are deeply hurt from it, they will not perceive your statements as truth. This will create an increasing animosity and anger toward you as well as the truth itself. Be kind; be very kind to everyone. You only gain merit by being kind. Truth must open the hearts of others, not agitate them. As you live the life of truth, you will become joyful.

Ma Jaya

Ma Jaya Sacred Art: Fire Lingham series