Originally posted in German on 25th June 2025
by Heinz Grill
Generally and relatively commonly, people speak today about developing their heart in the sense of thinking from the heart and a feeling of community. Human encounters should seem more tolerant, empathetic and respectful. When people think from the heart is it more the emotional streams of life that gather or more the deeper, universal truths and wisdoms that meet in this centre of human existence? According to spiritual research, true heart thinking and heart feeling is the result of a conscious spiritual path of development of self. Quite particularly through the development of very clear mental pictures, that correspond to a reality of a universal nature, thoughts flow into the depths of this organ of the centre and generate the pleasant soul-warmth of the heart. Careful study, meditation on external objects, and conscious steps towards concentration and perseverance in moral endeavour are urgent prerequisites that enable a feeling in the heart that ultimately encompasses the world and not only individually but universally.
The more people lead esoteric, profound content to the point at which it can enter into society and be used practically in life, the more they permeate themselves, into their depths, with universality. Their hearts breathe in tune with the universe and with subtly sensitive awareness of the world whole. Individuality is then no longer egotistical, one-sided, closed off or extravagant, it becomes animated, sovereign and radiates a reconciling love. This development of the heart is urgently needed for peace work today. However, it requires a carefully chosen path of self-realisation, in which spiritual truths are studied until they are able to express themselves through individuality.
It is very easy to confuse this development of the heart, which actually requires competent training, with the emotional awareness found in alternative-scenes. Many, indeed an infinite number of people, see the true new culture in this very personal-emotional interconnectedness and do not realise, with this, that they have not come any closer to a true depth with content in their soul. Ultimately it is this void without content that unfortunately prevails today in many groups, religions, yoga associations and last but not least in community projects, which often started well but have not been able to maintain their ideals. This void actually increases the longing for emotional connection and with this becomes more of a human need that asserts its place at the expense of universal wisdom. The many false mental pictures of love and kindheartedness, with their very binding and one-sided character, radiate a kind of lack into the world and this lack will be much too easily compensated for in foreign countries with a great deal of painful irregularities.
Here in the western world, we have all we need. However, what is it like in the Gaza Strip or in other crisis areas? The question of how a balance can be created between these cultural fronts directly arises in spiritual training courses and studies. The careful development of each individual’s heart centre is independent of groups, religions, ethnic conditions and could be the best contribution to peace work.1)Recommended reading:
Heinz Grill, The Soul Dimension of Yoga, I2I Publishing p.542)Rudolf Steiner, The Knowledge of Higher Worlds and its attainment, Rudolf Steiner Press
