The question of heart and perhaps the mind - {Reflections Redeemed}

 

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Is the heart the core of the human being? It pumps blood to all parts of the body, but does it also affect our whole being? I am intrigued by the position the heart holds within us. How about the mind and its counter-intuitive relationship to the heart?

Heart vs. Mind in Human Nature

I believe that humans and humanity lack full rational thinking and reasoning. Therefore, systems of logic were created to add structure to our behavior and actions. But which causes more pain—the heart or the mind? Does it differ depending on the source? And what guides us best through life’s dilemmas and dramas? Should we venerate the heart or the mind—or is it the dialogue between them that confuses us the most?

The Heart in Arabic and Islam

In Arabic, the word for heart is qalb, known for its connection to the fluctuations of feelings. The heart is named for its unexpected flows of emotions, which can be contradictory. This is why there is a prayer to protect the heart from such fluctuations. The Qur’an also mentions that heaven is promised to the one who comes with an untainted, good heart after the trials of life.

The Heart in Ancient Egypt

The Pharaohs believed in an afterlife where they would be judged by the weight of their heart against the feather of Ma’at. If the feather outweighed the heart, the person would enter heaven. I recall a post from the Grand Egyptian Museum noting the left foot forward in pharaonic statues. One interpretation suggested it symbolized the advancement of the heart in leadership.

The Greek View of Reason

By contrast, the Greeks developed methods of thinking and reasoning to address what humanity lacked. The Qur’an also emphasizes those who reflect, reason, and interpret as being among the regarded.

Seeking Harmony Between Heart and Mind

Why, then, is it so difficult to resolve this non-linear relationship between heart and mind? Must we choose one over the other? I think both exist in harmony within the same person. While conflicts may arise, eventually, resolution comes, bringing relief. We all have logic, we all have feelings, and we act according to what we believe is best for our interests. The true conflict is not within ourselves, but with the outer world. To resolve it, we must first delve within and make peace, and perhaps then we can extend that resolution outward. Of course, there might be conflict coming from the outside to disturb the peace within, therefore we only hope our attempts to resolve our peace will work.