Step 9: Getting Close to Who You Really Are

If we honestly look at our yearnings and desires, they are often rather simple, yet profound. They usually have something to do with wanting feelings of peace, love, and a sense of satisfaction or well-being in our lives. They often have less to do with having things and much more to do with relationships with significant others. To get clarity and understanding regarding those heartfelt spiritual desires and yearnings is to get close to the core of who we really are.

Being ourselves and being in harmony with what is deepest in us is an expression of our "being and becoming our true selves." As I recognize, value, and internalize personal principles and values such as "being loving," "being kind," "being honest," "being forgiving," "being compassionate," " being genuine," being humble," "being spiritual," "being generous," and others, I discover important truths about myself and about the desires of my heart. Clarifying what I want to do, and how I want to be, are both important and complimentary of each other. When I live from the perspective of “being,” I live from the “inside/out.” I work to make and practice choices consistent with how I really want to be.

To get close to who we really are, it is important for us to understand the notion of “our heart.” Our “heart,” or our sense of heartfelt, intuitive, spiritual yearning, is much more profound and important in defining who were really are and what we really want than the wishes of our mind. The “heart” is that part of us that we want to tap and get connected with, because it is probably the most potent source of motivation in our lives. The heart is not emotions. Emotions are a different source of information. The heart is more of a sense, a knowing, an intuition, and an impression; emotions are tied to it, but those emotions tend to be peaceful, deep, and calm.

Our heart is the intuitive part of us. When we talk about desire or heartfelt desires, we are talking about the quiet voice inside of us that is deep and powerful. The heart is that part of us that recognizes spiritual experiences that come from God or our spiritual source. When we speak of the heart, we are referring to the spirit or soul, which is recognized by all of the theistic world religions.

How does your heart serve as motivation for your life’s purpose and mission? Reflect on your heartfelt desires.