Spirituality/General: Feature Article: The Silent Revolution of the Heart by Swami Dhyan Giten

When Giten submitted this article to us, he wrote, "The current events in Burma are tragic, but maybe they also give nourishment for The Silent Revolution of the Heart." We couldn't agree more.

From fear to love, from darkness to light
and from separation to wholeness

The challenge for the 21st century is the Silent Revolution of the Heart.

It is not a revolution within an organization or a land in the traditional sense with violence, madness and blood shed. It is a revolution in human consciousness. In society today there exists a deep split between the inner and outer world, between intellect and intuition, between male and female qualities, between rest and activity and between outer knowledge and inner wisdom. There is a fast technological development in the society, but we seem to forget the most important factor: our self.

The 21st century means an inner awakening. It means a time to grow up. Many people talk about spirituality, meditation and inner development, but it does not seem to change their lives. Our spiritual development depends on our commitment to our own development. We can use our free will to take on the challenge of life to grow or we can chose not to grow. This is the freedom that life give us and it is our own responsibility, but it seems that it is few people that accepts life´s challenge to grow.

The 21st century represents a choice between the separation of ego and the vision of the heart. The silent revolution of the heart is a shift in human consciousness from the shortsighted perspective of the ego of "me" and "mine" to the focus of the heart on love and the needs of the other. It is a shift in consciousness from the shortsighted separation of the ego and endless desires to the vision of the heart of love, joy, belongingness, wisdom and wholeness. When we follow the way of the ego, the path of desire, it leads to struggle, conflict, exhaustion and separation from the Whole. The way of the heart is about learning to listen to our heart, to our inner source of love, joy, truth and wisdom. It is to be in a deep harmony with Existence.

When our heart is closed it creates an isolated and lonely feeling together with the attitude: "Nobody loves me," "nobody cares about me" and "life is a struggle," which makes us not see the love that is all around us. It is when we open our heart that we discover a sense of unity in love with other people, with the trees, with nature, with the sea and with the sky.

This is the silent revolution of the heart.

The human heart is the solution to the problems of the world.

The human heart contains all the answers. The human heart has the capacity to expand and embrace the whole earth.

How do you consider your place in the world? What can you offer this year to create a more loving, creative and beautiful world? How can the world change this year as a result of your creativity? Will the world be a more loving, creative and beautiful place as a result of your creativity? What can you bring to the world this year that demonstrates your love, joy, compassion, silence and wisdom? The situation in the world lies in the hands of the intelligent and creative people. Imagine a world in love, peace and harmony. See what is needed during this year to realize this vision. See what you can contribute with to realize this vision during this year.