Can We Think From the Heart?

Here’s something that Jung writes in Memories, Dreams and  Reflections that might seem to hit you right where you live.  That’s the effect it has on me, certainly.

It comes out of the time that Jung spent amongst the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico in the 1920s, where he became a friend of Ochway Biano, the chief of the Taos pueblos.  In recording the following conversation with Ochway Biano, and reflecting upon it, Jung may have been far in advance of his time:

“See” Ochway Biano said, “how cruel the whites look.  Their lips are thin, their noses sharp, their faces furrowed and distorted by folds.  Their eyes have a staring expression; they are always seeking something.  What are they seeking?  The whites always want something; they are always uneasy and restless.  We do not know what they want.  We do not understand them.  We think that they are mad.”

I asked him why he thought the whites were all mad. 

“They say that they think with their heads,” he replied.

“Why of course.  What do you think with?” I asked him in surprise.

“We think here,” he said, indicating his heart. [Italics mine]

I fell into a long meditation.  For the first time in my life, so it seemed to me, someone had drawn me a picture of the real white man.  It was as though until now I had seen nothing but sentimental, prettified color prints. This Indian had struck our vulnerable spot, unveiled a truth to which we are blind.

 

As always I welcome the comments of those who read, and any suggestions or possible topics that you might have.  Thank you for taking the time to read  my postings!

My very best wishes to you on your individual journey to wholeness,