An Understanding Heart

That's the gift that King Solomon asked from God. And God was so pleased with him for asking that He gave him riches and gifts beyond measure, besides.

An understanding heart! Something way beyond wisdom or cleverness or knowledge or insight. Rather are we dealing in empathy, compassion, acceptance, real love! Understanding breaks down barriers, heals wounds, brings comfort. And when understanding is full and mutual in a relationship, you have the nearest thing to heaven on earth.

Kahlil Gibran, as usual, says it beautifully: "Your neighbour is your other self dwelling behind a wall. In understanding, all walls shall fall down ". For, as the Little Prince insists: "It is only with the heart that one sees rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye ".

If only we could accord to others, even the level of tolerance, forgiveness and acceptance we rightly give ourselves, not only would we be living the truth, but we would savour the peace and inner freedom that truth alone can bring. Listen again to Gibran: "Who knows but that your neighbour is your better self wearing another body? See that you love him as you would love yourself.

Ask yourself, what quality do you most admire in others; most appreciate in your friends (without which indeed, you would not hold your friends 'real' or 'true'). The answer, infallibly - an understanding heart!