I have been thinking about the human heart and what it means.
There is an organ called the heart, which pumps blood throughout the body more efficiently and continually than any engine or pump in the world.
Then there is the drawing or symbol of a heart, which represents love and romance.
From what I understand, the heart symbol is derived from or at least has come to mean two hearts being sown together. That in turn symbolizes the union and love between a husband and a wife.
Both of these symbols represent the heart and the emotion of love, but how and why does the heart, which is a blood circulating organ, have a connection with an emotion?
Firstly, God has repeatedly, implied a connection between the heart and emotions. Matthew 6:21 "For where you treasure is, there will your heart be also." Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 4:23 "Keep thy heart will all diligence; for out of it are the issue of life."
From these verses we see the blurring of physical and spiritual principles. If we consider the heart as an organ, we see that our heart will be where our treasure is, as in that is where we will be. We trust God to our heart, that it will keep pumping, and that we need to protect our heart because it issue's our life, or blood. Without a heart, or an artificial heart, we die. Thus we need to protect it in battle, in turn having inspired breast plates, flak jackets, and bullet proof vests.
It is also important to keep it strong through exercise.
Then from the spiritual or metaphysical side, our emotions and thoughts will always be with whatever we esteem as our treasure, our love should be focused and turned towards the Lord, and we need to be careful of what emotions we allow into our heart.
Both sides of the coin are important, here is an important example: Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was the first man to "touch the human heart". He knew from the scriptures that everything has laws that govern them (Doctrine and Covenants 88:36). He also knew that it is possible, at least for God, to touch the heart (1 Samuel 10:26). Upon this leap of faith, though taken after research, pondering, and study, he performed the first open-heart surgery using a heart-lung machine.
Thus, he has found that confidence can be taken from the scriptures, and that they are true to both physical and spiritual laws. Yet, this does not explain why even God associates the heart with emotions.
Love, anger, sorrow, and nearly all, if not all, emotions have been correlated to chemicals produced by glands, like the pituitary and thyroid, to trigger reactions in the brain. These processes often do not even need the heart or blood to complete.
Though these chemicals are produced in the brain, the brain then sends signals to the body. These signals stimulate sweat, pupil dilation in the eyes, and sometimes even nervous "spasms" like the jitters or pacing.
The most notable chemical being adrenaline. This chemical increases the heart rate and causes the brain to record and process information faster. Thus creating that "slow motion" feeling. Having the heart beat speed up helps give oxygen and fuel to the muscles for the "fight or flight" response. For either running away or reacting with offense, being able to move, and move quickly, can be the difference between life and death. However, there are some individuals who's brains do not know what to do with this increased blood flow. Thus the muscles contract, locking them up or petrifying them. All of that fuel and oxygen is being used by the muscles to constrict, rather than being used for survival.
Now, it is well known that adrenaline is usually produced from fear or excitement:being scared by a surprise party, getting in a car accident, sky jumping, etc. This has been the cause of the creation of many "extreme" sports. Some people find that they enjoy the "rush" of adrenaline and become an "adrenaline junky".
However, adrenaline can also be excreted into the blood stream from romance. Indeed, adrenaline helps solidify memories (like childhood fears and traumas) and if adrenaline is produced during courtship, that bond of love becomes more memorable and stronger. I believe that is the root behind the term "zing" from the movie Hotel Transylvania.
When someone collides or "bumps into" someone else that they have been developing feelings for, that causes adrenaline to enter the system. This creates that heart skipping a beat feeling. With this premise, one could argue that adrenaline is necessary for love, and vicariously the heart as well.
Now, I am not saying that adrenaline is the only important hormone or chemical associated with love, there are a few, I am just pointing out how one in particular does effect the heart in an "impact"-ful way.
Lastly, I would like to quickly and briefly point out that blood flow is incredibly important with intimacy, especially sexual intimacy. Whether it is simply kissing another individual, or having sexual intercourse, blood (obviously pumped by the heart) fills capillaries and creates the warm to the touch feeling.
So, to some up, though the heart is not a direct cause in the emotion and formation of love, it is an irreplaceable factor.
I leave you with this advice, though you want to shelter and protect your heart, you must also let it fulfill its purpose. You heart is meant to help you love, and if you don't try to love, then part of your heart's potential will not fulfilled. In contrast, to waste and expend your heart's energy more than what is needed, or more than what it is prepared for, can also wear it down and weaken its potency.
I hope that you have enjoyed this post, I know I did. Feel free to leave any questions or comments.
Love,
Jacobugoth
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