The Heart of the Matter

By Mary Woods

Chapter 1 — A Change of Heart

I have the vision of Love awakening within our whole hearts through a quickening of consciousness that is so needed on our planet. Like an idea whose time has come, I believe we are all here to experience this revelation because we are ready, willing, and able. Now is the time and we are the people.

Chapter 2 — The Revolution of the Heart

The revolution of the heart calls us to remember the deepest inner knowing of our heart; to know love and to be it through demonstration moment to moment. Because it is the truth in every one of us, it is a revolution that transcends different paths, and perspectives that make us unique, and gives us a direct experience of our commonality.

Chapter 3 — The Spiritual Heart

Love is the key that opens our heart to a state of "being." As Shakespeare said, "To be or not to be, that is the question." Without heart we are nothing, we just seem to exist, but are not truly alive or awake. We have forgotten the Truth of our Being and choose "not to be." When we awaken our heart, we activate our life and "be"-come real. We remember the love within us and choose "to be" who we are.

Chapter 4 — The Compassionate Heart

Compassion comes from the heart and goes to the heart. As we all suffer at one time or another in this world, the comfort we receive from someone who cares, gives us the feeling of not being alone. In the great movie theater of life, it's good to know that we are all in this together.

Chapter 5 — The Intelligent Heart

Science confirms the logic of the heart. Faith, hope, and love are not just religious concepts, but the power to "move mountains" or simply to be the change we wish to see in the world. With a little willingness, the wisdom within our hearts will show us the way to live in love and peace.

Chapter 6 — The Biological Heart

If we view our physical experience as the microcosm of the macrocosm, there is no wonder that our heart dis-ease is a reflection of the collective human heart sickness. As we integrate all the interrelated aspects of ourselves, we recognize our interconnectedness with all life, as the prefix "inter" means mutual. It is in our becoming wholeheartedly healthy that we accept "response-ability" for our part in the interdependence of the whole.

Chapter 7 — Humor and the Happy Heart

The word "humor" originally came from the Latin word for "fluid." Just like fluid usually goes around an obstacle in its' path, humor can show us an easier way around the obstacles we meet in life. When we allow ourselves to be light-hearted and not take ourselves too seriously, we can happily go with the flow.

Chapter 8 — The Heart of the Matter

Love is the heart of the matter. The greatest truths are the simplest...love one another. People are hungry for the simple truth. People are so ready for the simple answer that will save the day. Instead of looking outside for the solution, the revelation is that the answer is within us, within our collective human heart.

About Mary Woods

I live in the heart of Pennsylvania with my husband David DeFebo. It is our family that brought us here. Since it is love that gives our life meaning, we wanted to live close to our loved ones, because home is where the heart is.

For the last 7 years, I have been a wellness coach and nutritional consultant in a health food store. I have worked in spiritual communities for most of my life, including The Omega Institute of Holistic Studies in New York, The Edgar Cayce Foundation in Virginia Beach, and developed my own center called The Open Heart Retreat in Rincon, Puerto Rico.

A Course In Miracles has been my spiritual path since 1984. I am grateful for the time spent as a staff member at The Foundation for A Course In Miracles in Roscoe, NY, where I was privileged to study with Dr. Kenneth Wapnick. I have found this to be the most helpful, clear and impeccable teaching. Applying what The Course says is my life's work.

My life has been a real journey, as Carlos Castaneda would call, "a path with heart." I could tell you my life story, but then, what's really important is not about me. The lives we live in the world are not about our separate little egos, but what really matters is the Truth that is in every one of us. I discovered the heart of mySelf as I searched to find that Truth. What I have found is what I have to give, so my life is about being a messenger.

My goals are to show up for life in the present moment, to ask how I can be truly helpful, and to be willing to listen to my heart. This book is a result of that process. It is my hope that "The Heart of the Matter" will be received as a message of Love from my heart to yours.

You can purchase the book through the Heart of The Matter website www.theheartofthematter.us.