What does the phrase "Think with your heart" actually mean? Does it tell you what you are supposed to do with your thoughts or even your heart? Whenever I hear someone say "Think with your heart" I immediately assume that they are telling me not to think at all, but to believe without any proof. I think they are trying to sell me on something I really do not want. I think they are trying to take my attention away from what they really mean. Or worse yet,  I think they do not really know the meaning of what they are saying.

Being of the male persuasion, I need to think and I need the proof.<br>

Now if someone came to me and said "I want you to be aware of your feelings" perhaps then I might consider what they meant.  At least I would know they are not confusing thinking and emotion.

What are feelings? Feelings are the response of your body to fear or pleasure.  Feelings are a <b>physical</b> reaction. Emotion is the response in your mind to those physical events. Emotion is how you interpret those physical feelings in your mind.

When I feel fear, certain chemicals are released by my brain. These increase the blood flow in my body, make me sweat and increase my heart rate. I may feel stressed and certain muscle groups may start to tighten. All of these are preparing me to run from that which I fear.

When I experience pleasure I feel light and almost ready to float away. My heart rate slows compared to when I am afraid.  I feel no muscular stress and my muscles are relaxed.  I do not want to leave the state I am in.

Being aware of one's feelings requires mental training. It requires that you become aware of your physical reactions, the feelings in your body.

<b>ANY</b> mental activity is thinking. So please do not tell me to "think with my heart" because my head is the one that does the thinking.

Ask me to become aware of my feelings and I will understand. And that really requires me to think and to train my mind.