We all experience severe heart break at some time in our lives. 
For many it happens in childhood or adolescence, the time when 
we are most vulnerable. A cold mother, an absent father, being 
different in any way from our peers and ostracized for it - 
these are some of the reasons for the early feeling that 
something is wrong, inadequate and utterly disappointing about 
us. For others, it happens later, when a spouse betrays our love 
and trust, a child is hurt, or our dream of making it big in the 
world is shattered.

It happens -sooner or later- to everybody, yet strangely enough, 
we tend to believe that other people have heaps of money, great 
careers, excellent health, and are blessed with devoted spouses 
and perfect children. Even if common sense tells us that this 
isn't true, we behave as if it were. We hide behind our painted 
faces and empty phrases, as if our wounded heart was a rare, 
shameful thing that had to be hidden at all costs. Even if we 
are the light of every party, our real self never shows up. We 
withdraw and disconnect while telling pretty lies in appearance, 
word and deed. Thus our hearts shrink and harden, and we live 
lonesome, inauthentic lives deep within the fortress we have 
built from pride and fear.

From this point on, two things can happen: either we become 
depressed or cynical enough to believe that staying in this 
barren place and turning into dust is our only option, or we 
listen to the cries of our exiled hearts and become seekers. If 
you belonged to the first group, you would not be reading this 
book. So let's start the search for our true selves. In the 
following imaginative exercise, you will begin to restore the 
lost connection to your heart. You may feel some resistance 
reading these words. Won't this lead to an emotional breakdown, 
or to an eruption of pain and anger? It depends on your 
intention.

If you want to explore your childhood or other severe emotional 
trauma, there are medical and psychological professionals who 
are trained to guide you through that sensitive process.

What we want to achieve here is to find and free our spiritual 
hearts. There is the heart, and there is the true heart. There 
is our "pink" heart, and there is our "golden" heart. There is 
our low heart, and there is our high heart.

Qualities of the low heart: 
   Passion, Extremes, Volatility, Attachment, Emotion.

Qualities of the high heart: 
   Compassion, Balance, Patience, Unity, Spirit, Soul.

Again, our intention is to connect to the high, the spiritual 
heart. This may happen instantly, at the first try. If it does, 
it is a profound, awe-inspiring experience, and you will 
recognize the level of truth instantly. You will realize that 
there is, behind your physically sick or emotionally broken 
heart, a heart that is completely whole and strong and wise. 
However, establishing this pathway could be a much longer 
process. You might connect to "pieces" of your heart at a time. 
Perhaps you will first experience an acute awareness of your 
heart's imprisonment, or your inner space may remain silent for 
a while. Take it easy. Whatever happens is just the right thing 
to happen for you at this point.


EXERCISE: LISTEN TO YOUR HEART

Sit or lie down comfortably, making sure you will not be 
disturbed. Close your eyes. Breathe. Relax. If relaxation does 
not come easily to you, visualize a thick, golden liquid pooling 
in your head. Slowly, slowly, like molasses, it flows down into 
your whole body, making it slack and heavy.

When you feel relaxed, shift your attention to your chest. 
Imagine breathing through your chest. In-out. In-out. In-out. 
Do this as long as you want to. When you are ready, focus your 
attention gently on your heart.

Your high heart, your true heart, your spiritual heart.

Now, and possibly for the first time, greet your true heart. 
Express your gratitude for its continuous, life giving service, 
its protection and guidance.

When you have established a connection, you might want to ask 
questions. Then be quiet and listen.

Listen to the voice of your heart. This voice might express 
itself in words, in feelings, in images, in sounds, or just as 
a "knowing". Learning to recognize the unique voice of your 
heart may take time, so relax if you can't "get it right" at 
first.