Lead With Your Heart

"Lead with your heart; the rest of you will follow."

The Peruvian writer Carlos Castenada wrote in his book The Teachings of Don Juan about following your path in life.

This book records the experiences of an anthropology student who becomes the apprentice of Don Juan, a Yaqui indian "man of knowledge" who is also a shaman.  Don Juan, over a period of five years, teaches the author a little of his knowledge. He teaches through giving his apprentice various hallucinogens (psycho-active plants): peyote, datura, and a mixture of psilocybin mushrooms, genista canariensis, and other plants. Each of these plants has its own way of teaching, its own demands and its own kind. Here is an excerpt: 

"I  say it is useless to waste your life on one path, especially if that path has no heart." 

     "But how do you know when a path has no heart, Don Juan?"

"Before you embark on it you ask the question, Does this path have a
heart? If the answer is no, you will know it, and then you must choose
another path."

    "But how will I know for sure whether a Path has a heart or not?"

Anybody would know that. The trouble is nobody asks the- question; and when a man finally realizes that he has taken a path without a heart the path is ready to kill him. At that point very few men can stop to deliberate, and leave the path."

   "How should I proceed to ask the question properly, Don Juan?"

"Just ask it."

     "I mean, is there a proper method, so I would not lie to myself and
      believe the answer is yes when it really is no?"

"Why would you lie?"

"   "Perhaps because at the moment the path is pleasant and enjoyable."

"That is nonsense. A path without a heart is never enjoyable. You have to work hard even to take it. On the other hand, a path with heart is easy; it does not make you work at liking it."

 We know when we love someone that it brings us joy. Converesly, we know when we have chosen the right path because it is a joyful journey. The path of love makes us strong. Anything else, says Don Juan, weakens us.

These are powerful words to contemplate. Lead with the heart and your journey in love will create a new awareness. The path will be good.