This Week’s Quotation:
The simple truth is that the emotional realm responds to a tranquil mind that is willing to understand it. This certainly works among people. Think about the relief it can bring to your heart when you share what you are feeling with someone who really understands you. Even if they don’t “side with you” or agree with you. Just being heard, seen, and understood can put the heart at ease. Psychologist Carl Rogers called it empathic listening. But you don’t have to be a psychologist to listen deeply to what is in the heart of another person and convey simply this, “I understand.”
Becoming a Sun, p.55
A Tranquil Mind That Understands
Author, Becoming a Sun
True?
Try it out. If you really give it a go, I am confident you will see that what I wrote about works.
The first step is cultivating a tranquil mind. Now my mind doesn’t always seem tranquil. In the midst of some kind of creative project, it can be a maelstrom—thoughts and passions flying around. But still, I cultivate a foundational state of tranquility in my life experience so that underneath the creative storm is a bedrock of peace, order, and mental stability. Then, I have that to offer to another person.
The second step is the non-judgmental witnessing of another person. Suspending judgment, you can be there for them. You can be empathetic and compassionate. You can see who they are and what is happening for them.
Practicing this is such a pleasure! You will see how liberating it can be for another person to be seen by you. There are huge rewards to cultivating a peaceful mental state.
The emotional realm responds to a tranquil mind that is willing to understand it.
What does it mean to become a sun?
Every human being is already a sun on the inside—a being of intense love and light. The difference is that some people have the vision and courage to become a sun on the outside. This difference is our human destiny.
5 Responses
I understand. Thank you. I understand. I love you. I understand.
With great respect, Tom
As we live in the place of a tranquil mind the steps you outline come through the true reality of living. Thank you, for your words, David, of living victoriously
. Sometimes there are circumstances that come that challenge the heart. In those situations one can only come to the foundations of communication to oneself and to whatever is going on. When this is the priority all resolves quickly in returning to the space of clarity, peace and tranquility. What a joy in living presence, when the heart is clear and the mind can be present to surround the heart.
So true and you are right, it is a pleasure to practice non judgement. One discovers wonderful things about people. We all have hearts that long for unconditional love, both to give it and receive it. Thank you for sharing these inspiring thoughts David. Love and blessings.
Opening to understanding first – so profoundly true – blessings….
Dearest David!
How magnificent you are to express through your presence of heart, mind, spirit, life, truth of shared journeys we all get to experience.
I want you to know, these shared words, often feel like a ‘Heart Song!’of wisdom, grace, friendship, joy; encouragement and caring to show up MORE, each day!
Thank you from my heart, these expressions of assurances of faith, hope and love! Josie