Hearts!

Theme

"This culinary interlude probes the heart as the source of inner insight.

Reflecting Together: Opportunities For Discussion

"(The leader selects those topics and activities that are most appropriate for the group and for which there is time.)

A Diversity of Hearts

"The enlarged heart: Psalm 119:32 (KJV) says, 'I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.' Medically, the idea having of an enlarged heart is terrifying, but metaphorically, it is deeply satisfying. When in your life have you felt filled or motivated or inspired, as if your heart were truly enlarged? For what purpose might you wish an enlarged heart? Share your thoughts.

"In a selection from Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim, Edward Hays prays, 'Broaden the boundaries of my heart that it may encompass more than it did yesterday.' What are some ways in which you might enlarge your heart by broadening the boundaries of your heart? How could this change the way you live from day to day?

"The moist heart: Maria Harris says, in Dance of the Spirit, 'Native Americans describe spirituality as having a 'moist heart,' perhaps because native wisdom knows the soil of the human heart is necessarily watered with tears, and that tears keep the ground soft. From such ground new life is born.' What are the advantages of living with a 'moist heart'? Are there times when you have had a more moist heart than at other times? Why was this so? Discuss.

"Listening heart: Mystics throughout the ages have listened with their hearts as they become more and more attentive to God's will. Do you have a listening heart? What are you hearing with your heart these days? Share.

"The seeing heart: In the beloved classic The Little Prince, writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery shares this wisdom through the mouth of the fox: 'And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.' As you reflect on your life, in what circumstances have you seen with your heart instead of your eyes? Where has this 'seeing heart' led you? What are the benefits of seeing with your heart? Talk together.

"The generous heart: A Nigerian proverb says, 'It is the heart that gives; the fingers just let go.' What is your heart open to giving? How does this heart generosity make you feel? What is your heart closed to giving? How does this affect you? What might you like to change? Discuss.

"The mind that is in the heart: Writers in the Eastern Christian tradition name the heart as being the center of the personality and admonish believers to 'put the mind in the heart.' A nineteenth-century bishop, Theophan the Recluse, describes the purpose of Christian prayer this way: 'The principal thing is to stand before God with the mind in the heart, and go on standing before [God] unceasingly day and night until the end of life.' How might your life be different if you stood before God with your mind in your heart? Is there a dichotomy between heart and mind in your life? What would it mean to lead with your heart? Share you thoughts.

Art as Meditation

"Draw a picture of a big heart that represents your own heart. Take a few minutes to sit quietly and ponder what is in your heart these days. Draw it as well as you can. If you wish, add words to the drawing. Don't rush. Be honest. Depict the negative as well as the positive. What did you learn from taking this time to draw? If you feel comfortable doing so, talk about it.

"Now picture the heart of God. Sit quietly and reflect on what this might mean. Draw the heart of God. Add words if you wish. What did you learn from doing this? How is God's heart different from your own? If you're comfortable doing so, talk about what you drew.

Food as Symbol

"Heart-shaped food of almost any kind would be appropriate for this culinary interlude: candies, cake, cookies, little breads, finger gelatin cut with heart cookie cutters. How about spooning the Strawberry Cream Cheese recipe from the summer picnic (chapter 14) into a heart-shaped mold? Be open to various possibilities depending on the occasion and time of day. If you're in a hurry, ready-to-bake sugar-cookie dough purchased in a refrigerated roll is delicious and quick. Roll out dough, cut with a heart-shaped cookie cutter, and bake in the oven. Cool and frost with pink canned frosting or a powdered-sugar frosting made from scratch.

"To make heart lollipop cookies (both adults and children love these), insert a wooden craft stick in the dough before baking. These are cute and a little different. When my children were small, they always asked me to make these for their birthday parties at school.

"For a fancy dessert, bake a decadent cheesecake or rich chocolate cake in a heart-shaped pan. Or try a chocolate cheesecake heart."