General Information – Your Path with Heart!
During the Holidays, we are drawn away from our routine living. But before these holidays come to a close, I invite you to step back and ask yourself, “Am I following the path with heart?”
These words are from Carlos Castaneda’s book The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge) where he schools his young protégé on how to make a meaningful choice for his life by choosing the path with heart.
“Anything is one of a million paths. Therefore you must always keep in mind that a path is only a path; if you feel you should not follow it, you must not stay with it under any conditions. To have such clarity you must lead a disciplined life. Only then will you know that any path is only a path and there is no affront, to oneself or to others, in dropping it if that is what your heart tells you to do. But your decision to keep on the path or to leave it must be free of fear or ambition. I warn you. Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary.”
“This question is one that only a very old man asks. Does this path have a heart? All paths are the same: they lead nowhere. They are paths going through the bush, or into the bush. In my own life I could say I have traversed long long paths, but I am not anywhere. Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn't, it is of no use. Both paths lead nowhere; but one has a heart, the other doesn't. One makes for a joyful journey; as long as you follow it, you are one with it. The other will make you curse your life. One makes you strong; the other weakens you.”
“Before you embark on any path ask the question: Does this path have a heart? If the answer is no, you will know it, and then you must choose another path. The trouble is nobody asks the question; and when a man finally realizes that he has taken a path without a heart, the path is ready to kill him. At that point very few men can stop to deliberate, and leave the path. A path without a heart is never enjoyable. You have to work hard even to take it. On the other hand, a path with heart is easy; it does not make you work at liking it.”
Does your daily path draw you into your day? Does it invite you to grow and explore and discover? Is the path you are walking path filled with wonder and anticipation? Does your path lead you to breathless moments? When you find and walk your path with heart you are giving yourself the greatest gift of self-care. You will come to celebrate your life. Make it worth the trouble! Walk your path with heart.
These words are from Carlos Castaneda’s book The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge) where he schools his young protégé on how to make a meaningful choice for his life by choosing the path with heart.
“Anything is one of a million paths. Therefore you must always keep in mind that a path is only a path; if you feel you should not follow it, you must not stay with it under any conditions. To have such clarity you must lead a disciplined life. Only then will you know that any path is only a path and there is no affront, to oneself or to others, in dropping it if that is what your heart tells you to do. But your decision to keep on the path or to leave it must be free of fear or ambition. I warn you. Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary.”
“This question is one that only a very old man asks. Does this path have a heart? All paths are the same: they lead nowhere. They are paths going through the bush, or into the bush. In my own life I could say I have traversed long long paths, but I am not anywhere. Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn't, it is of no use. Both paths lead nowhere; but one has a heart, the other doesn't. One makes for a joyful journey; as long as you follow it, you are one with it. The other will make you curse your life. One makes you strong; the other weakens you.”
“Before you embark on any path ask the question: Does this path have a heart? If the answer is no, you will know it, and then you must choose another path. The trouble is nobody asks the question; and when a man finally realizes that he has taken a path without a heart, the path is ready to kill him. At that point very few men can stop to deliberate, and leave the path. A path without a heart is never enjoyable. You have to work hard even to take it. On the other hand, a path with heart is easy; it does not make you work at liking it.”
Does your daily path draw you into your day? Does it invite you to grow and explore and discover? Is the path you are walking path filled with wonder and anticipation? Does your path lead you to breathless moments? When you find and walk your path with heart you are giving yourself the greatest gift of self-care. You will come to celebrate your life. Make it worth the trouble! Walk your path with heart.
Tips – Finding your Path with Heart!
Don Juan counseled his young disciple to roll around on the floor until he found the right spot to begin his path with heart. Your path with heart begins within your own heart, the very core of your being! How do we find that inner place that tells us that this is the spot where our Path with Heart begins?
Questions for Rolling around in your own heart.
Sit with your answers and see if they suggest any particular path for your journey in the new year.
Questions for Rolling around in your own heart.
- What brings you joy? Satisfaction? A sense of accomplishment? A good reason to get out of bed?
- What do you do that causes you to lose track of time?
- What did you love to do as a child?
- What do you want the first line of your obituary to say?
- Is there any dream or talent you really wanted to pursue but never felt like you had the opportunity?
- What have you sacrificed in order to make a living?
- What do your friends say that you are really good at doing?
- What makes your soul sing?
Sit with your answers and see if they suggest any particular path for your journey in the new year.
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