Many practice meditation to have special experiences. While they do occur from time to time, they’re not the goal itself. “Meditation practice should result in an improvement in the way we are, how we relate to others, and how we deal with outer circumstances,” Bhikkhu Analayo wrote in Satipatthana: A Practice Guide. This is a sentiment echoed in one of my articles titled “Three Life-Changing Reasons Why You Should Meditate,” which I wrote long before reading Analayo’s book (suffice to say, I was more than pleasantly surprised by this coincidence of thought and outlook on our daily practice). He also writes that “of particular importance in relation to such personal transformation … is a genuine opening of the heart to the qualities of kindness and compassion.” Then he adds, “Such opening of the heart is a better measuring rod for progress in our practice than having extraordinary experiences.” And I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I want to share “Shape of My Heart” by Sting, of which I was suddenly reminded while thinking of the phrase “opening of the heart.” Enjoy!
SHAPE OF MY HEART
from Ten Summoner’s Tales by StingHe deals the cards as a meditation
And those he plays never suspect
He doesn’t play for the money he wins
He don’t play for respectHe deals the cards to find the answer
The sacred geometry of chance
The hidden law of a probable outcome
The numbers lead a danceI know that the spades are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that’s not the shape of my heartHe may play the jack of diamonds
He may lay the queen of spades
He may conceal a king in his hand
While the memory of it fadesI know that the spades are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that’s not the shape of my heart
That’s not the shape
The shape of my heartIf I told her that I loved you
You’d maybe think there’s something wrong
I’m not a man of too many faces
The mask I wear is oneBut those who speak know nothing
And find out to their cost
Like those who curse their luck in too many places
And those who fear are lostI know that the spades are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that’s not the shape of my heart
That’s not the shape of my heart
That’s not the shape
The shape of my heart
Complement this timeless classic from Ten Summoner’s Tales by Sting with our article on how to practice lovingkindness meditation.
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