The Open Heart

Living with an open heart is a relatively new feeling for me. Oh, I had had glimpses of it ... that turned into short periods ... which ended up lasting for a few days, but this time I think it has stuck!

When I was teaching I had moments when as I looked out over my class my heart would open, and I would feel an overwhelming love for each and every one of my students. They appeared to me as perfect representations of the Divine. But, as soon as I realized that I was basking in the glow of love, the feeling would dissolve. I'd return to being the teacher that saw their academic and behavioral needs. Those moments of pure love, or bliss, left me wanting more, but I was unsure of how to attain it.

It has been through suffering some great losses and allowing my heart to break open from grief that I found the peace and joy that comes from accepting life as it is at any moment. When I relinquished my control, I found that life is perfect even when it isn't ideal. That perfection includes me and all beings. As Shunryu Suzuki-roshi said, "All of you are perfect just as you are and you could use a little improvement." We are all on the path to becoming our best self, but right now we are exactly where we need to be.

Living with the open heart enables me to see all things with acceptance. There's no need to try to change anything or anyone. In this way, I can relax, feel abundant peace, and enjoy the life around me. I can watch with wonder as life unfolds. It allows me to see the miracles that happen each and every day.