4.1 Discussion. Explore “Thinking with Your Heart”

Getting Started

In our modern, “Greek” way of conceptualizing thought processes, we associate thinking and problem solving, even memories, with brain functioning. However, there is another way of conceptualizing thought processes: thinking with the heart rather than with the brain. Consider these passages from scripture:

Luke 2 states, “ People were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.” And, “ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Proverbs (21:2) says,  “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.”

Could it be that thoughts actually come from deep within the heart?

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Discuss “thinking with the heart.”

· Share a time when you problem-solved wisely by “listening to your heart.”

Resources

· Bible

· File: Thinking with Your Heart

Background Information

It is widely believed that humans think with their brains, that cognitive processes such as thought, problem solving, and memory functioning all originate within the brain. We believe that our brains are the “seat of wisdom” and that reflecting and pondering all begin and end with the brain. What if there is more to cognitive processes than we currently understand? What if there is a way to deepen our way of thinking to include the heart? Is there such a way?

Instructions

1. Read  Thinking with Your Heart .

2. Review the scriptures and note others that pertain to “pondering” things in the heart.

3. Reflect on how you are reflecting! In other words, begin to use a process called meta-cognition. Using this phenomenal gift, humans can actually think about how they are thinking.

a. Note the various ways you can think about any particular event in your life.

b. Choose one of your current life experiences. Think about this experience the way you normally would approach the topic.

c. Now, ponder this experience in your heart. Note whether there are any differences between “thinking” and “pondering.”

4. Navigate to the discussion topic and respond to the following discussion questions:

a. Can we “ponder” in our hearts?

b. What would be the difference between “thinking with the brain” and “pondering with the heart”?

c. Give an example of how the two would differ for you.

5. Your initial post is due by the end of the fourth day of the workshop.

6. Read and respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings, as well as instructor follow-up questions directed to you, by the end of the workshop.

7. Your postings should also:

a. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.

b. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.