Hearts Unfold

Scott Bradley

Say not, "I have found the truth", but rather, I have found a truth."
Say not, "I have found the path of the soul." Say rather, "I have met the soul walking upon my path."
For the soul walks upon all paths.
The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed.
The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.
(The Prophet; "On Self-Knowledge"; Kahlil Gibran)

If we begin at the end of this passage, we understand how it is that our truth is but a truth, and our path but one way into what contains all paths. The heart is more complex than any lotus, and even that unfolds beyond our understanding. Even were I to believe I had fathomed my own heart, how could I deign to believe that I could thereby fathom the heart of another?

The heart is beyond containment; it walks no certain line; nor is it like a reed, fixed and easily grasped. What can we therefore do, but honor every heart and encourage every path?

You can check out Scott's other miscellaneous writings here.