#Heart-Mind conflict#

By vermavkv on September 26, 2023 • ( 6 )

The Battle Between Heart and Mind

As I sat down to write this blog, my big brother’s phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. It was a call with some family matters to discuss.

During the conversation, he suddenly asked me a question that sparked a profound reflection: What is the difference between the heart and the mind?

I quickly responded that the heart is connected to emotions, while the mind is rooted in logic and reality. But this question lingered in my mind, urging me to delve deeper into the subject.

Difference between the heart and the mind

We often hear people say that their heart leads them one way while their mind advises another. The heart-mind conflict is a common experience. Our hearts are where we forge emotional connections, where we seek joy and happiness. Conversely, our minds are where we apply reason and logic.

However, it’s essential to remember that the heart and mind are not separate entities; they complement each other.

What we refer to as “mind” is the process of thinking, and it has its rational dimensions. The intellectual aspect of our thinking is what we call “reason.” On the other hand, the deep emotional dimension of our thinking is associated with the heart or emotions.

When someone appeals to our emotions, it elicits sweet feelings if we like them and bitter ones if we do not. For example, if I feel someone is kind, my heart generates warm emotions towards them. Conversely, if I perceive someone as unkind, my heart generates negative emotions.

Thoughts and emotions are not separate

Most people do not experience the depth of their thoughts as intensely as their emotions. For example, we can become angry very quickly, but we may not think as fast.

If we thought as quickly as we became angry, we might not get angry at all. Thoughts and emotions are not separate; they are intertwined in our mental makeup.

Whenever we make any decision, a conflict often arises between our intuitive understanding (the heart) and our analytical thinking (the mind). The outcome is influenced by which aspect of our cognition prevails.

It is true that thought is primarily associated with the mind and emotions with the heart. However, it is also true that what we feel influences what we think, and what we think influences what we feel.

This is why emotions and thoughts are both integral components of our mental processes.

If someone appeals to me, my heart generates positive emotions, and my thoughts tend to align with those emotions. Conversely, if someone doesn’t appeal to me, my thoughts may become more negative.

This dynamic illustrates how intertwined emotions and thoughts are in our mental landscape.

Balance between our hearts and minds

In reality, our decisions and actions are often driven by a delicate balance between our hearts and minds. It’s not always about the mind being right or the heart being wrong. Life’s important decisions require this delicate balance.

Balancing the heart and mind is crucial when making significant life decisions. It’s not always about the mind being right or the heart being wrong. Achieving equilibrium between these two aspects of our being can lead us down a path that feels authentic and fulfilling.

Yes, friends, the heart and mind are not adversaries; they are partners in shaping our thoughts and emotions. Understanding this interplay can help us make more informed decisions and lead a more balanced and emotionally fulfilling life.

Embrace the harmony between your heart and mind, for it is in this balance that you’ll find your truest self. (Pic source: Pinterest)