Are you familiar with the sentiment behind the idiomatic phrase “Home is where the heart is”? If I were to describe the saying’s essence I’d include: a deep sense of relief, safety, comfort, warmth and love connected to a specific place and selected people, which bear no comparison to any other. 

If I’m not mistaken the phrase is mainly used in the context of being away and returning to a special area and/or after a separation later reunited with a handpicked circle. I’ve also heard the term applied when expressing an indifference regarding location as long as accompanied by loved ones. Either way the emphasis lies exclusively on “the outside” (area and/or people) as the source of  rosy feelings. I’m not disputing or criticising having a unique place in one’s heart for the external, be it a spot or certain individuals. But I dare claim this to be yet another expression of the common and unconscious trend of “over-dependence” to the outside for inner satisfaction and harmony.

I’m leaning towards a balanced stand, promoting the ability to generate positive emotions independently from within just as equally as the exterior. The truth is we have the power and choice to self produce and access heartfelt emotions singularly if we wish. Conveniently, the literal interpretation of “Home is where the heart is” seems to suggest my point while also evening out the meaning of the idiomatic expression. 

The literal meaning of “Home is where the heart is” pinpoints precisely which area of the body we should permanently reside in or, minimally, aim to occupy on a regular basis. All pleasant emotions listed above (safety, relief, warmth, love etc) expand from the heart. We feel the physical manifestation of these emotions across the chest when turned on. “Home is where the heart is” literally means living in our hearts, which is a very specific state of being. This also means: regardless of where in the world or with whom, we always carry our home within.

Allowing our awareness to drop down to the heart and activate heartfelt emotions shifts our perception, thoughts and actions. Apart from experiencing pleasurable emotions in the heart, the state also projects outwards causing a positive ripple effect. This is distinctively different from living and operating from the mind, which is cut off from the heart, fueled by fear and  ego driven ( for more info read “Initiate negotiations with your fear“). Unfortunately, the majority of people (especially in western societies) inhabit the mental sphere primarily  with the occasional trip to the heart.  

Whether we ‘re in our heart due to a specific place and individuals versus it being self-imposed, actually makes no difference in experience or impact. However, one of the two can potentially lead to harmful dependency to the outer world if not monitored, has the control to cause fluctuations in and out of the heart space and evict one out of the home completely. Can you guess which one? For many, it might feel foreign to solely access the heart due to a predisposition to gaze towards something/someone else to fill them up with heartly vibrations. Clear examples of imbalances with extra weight on the idiomatic meaning of ” Home is where the heart is” and less on the literal would be: unbearable or paralyzing separation anxiety, a limiting lifestyle or overall fear based living (no risk taking and being a “follower”).

It might be worthwhile developing and valuing self reliance in terms of accessing the heart. This is done by consistently clearing the trails to the heart by swooping off mental and emotional blockages. One of the quickest paths leading down to the heart appears when we dare to challenge the egos fears and heal emotional traumas. These sorts of practices will automatically result in an advancement of inner skills and regulations, meaning we’re evolving and turning the heart into our headquarters.