A daily introspective practice of interrogating the heart's attachments to former identities, revealing which parts of your old self still cause suffering.
The examined heart is a contemplative method rooted in bhakti's demand for radical honesty about emotional attachments. Unlike Socratic examination of ideas, this practice turns inward to investigate what the heart clings to—status, relationships, achievements, roles—that constituted your former self. Mirabai's poetry constantly questions her own heart: Why do you hold onto dignity when devotion requires abandonment? Why mourn a crown when you could have Krishna? This practice involves journaling, meditation, or kirtan (devotional singing) to surface the specific attachments that prevent you from releasing grief about who you were. By examining which identities your heart still grasps, you create space for conscious release rather than repression. The goal is not suppression but clear-eyed recognition of what must be grieved and released for authentic transformation.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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