Changing Hardened Hearts and Entrenched Attitudes

Innately we all have hearts of innate goodness and kindness unfortunately our hearts are not always so open and available. We harden and shield them with our negativity, we protect them with anger, and we conceal them with hostile emotions. We can build shields of protective armour around our hearts to protect us from the suffering of life, from being hurt or disappointed any more.nnFurther and further we step back not allowing our free-loving hearts to function in a caring and open manner and in doing so deprive ourselves of so much beauty, sensitivity and deny ourselves of the capacity to experience heartfelt compassion and spontaneous joy.nnWe wonder at this point why we are alone, so lost within ourselves, so unable to feel true love and happiness? For self-protection we withdraw within our own small self-created worlds where we can become satisfied for any period of time with our own company. But are we genuinely fulfilled, no?nnWe are of course social creatures fulfilled only when our hearts are spontaneous and self-giving. So what is it that can help us break out of our self-imposed isolation, to once again feel inwardly free to express our deepest feelings, to share, to care, to love. Many things may trigger the awakening that our self-created world of isolation is no longer fulfilling.nnIt may be a simple act of self-giving kindness that re-ignites a deeper feeling within our hearts. The sound of a beautiful piece of inspiring music that stirs our emotions, the genuine sadness that we feel when we see someone who has suffered so badly or the tranquil feelings when we experience the beauty, grandeur and peace of breathtaking scenery. Each of these is able to cut through the walls of protection that we have erected to shield us from life's disappointments, and reach into and lift from the depths of our emotional being the genuine feelings of the compassionate and loving heart.nnAt this time we are back in the full glow of the hearts light, alive, free and ready to love. The challenge now is to choose a pathway that reinforces our best intentions and guides us with honesty, wisdom and discernment. The teachings of the great meditation Masters are invaluable at this time. Each has dedicated their lives to the pursuit of inner harmony through the heart's Divine reality. Their wisdom is unparalleled, they have realised the highest Truths and now unconditionally offer these to those seeking contentment, happiness and inner freedom. They embody the crystallization of the blessings of the Buddha's, Masters and enlightened beings. So to invoke him or her is to invoke them all; to merge their heart and mind with your master's wisdom heart with the Truth and very embodiment of enlightenment.nnThe sincerity in the application of your development to your heart's innate goodness through your master's teachings shall ultimately see a shift away from the mind's doubts, fears, grasping, and ego. Here the soft and spontaneous self-giving nature of the heart shall bring into your life unparalleled joy, kindness, love, compassion and care.nnSri Chinmoy the meditation teacher says, (1) " When you choose a Master the mind has to stop. It is the aspiring heart that has to choose, for the heart means oneness. The Master that gives you the greatest joy is the one who you will be drawn to. It is a matter of one's inner feeling and inner affinity. Not only is the Master the direct spokesperson of your own inner teacher, he or she is also the bearer of all of the blessings and wisdom of all the great spiritual Masters".nnRef: (1) From Sri Chinmoy's book - The Master and the DisciplennBiography - Sahayak Plowman by nature is a calm, positive and happy person. He attributes this to the growing experiences gained through his own meditation practice with the guidance given by his meditation teacher, Sri Chinmoy. He is a writer on spiritual topics, compiler of a published book of poetry Sri Chinmoy's Heart-Garden, meditation teacher and web master for Sri Chinmoy Books.com