@Alan I think I understand what you have said here and it ends well. Not that those two things are related. However, I think that in the end of it… perhaps I need a better definition of heart. I learned something from reading that. And yes Maslow needs to be kept in the box. I will read this again!

I am drawn to the expression “a sense of inner goo”. My problem with the whole “heart’s desire” business is distinguishing a “heart’s” desire from any other kind of impulse. So while I would agree that an absence of harmony between desire and actuality is ultimately unhealthy, I still don’t find myself aligned with the views expressed in your article.

Problem 1: the “level” of desire. This calls Maslow to mind, but without delving into that can of worms…what distinguishes a “heart’s” desire from other desires? The mushy, gooey, irrationality of it? What differentiates this from neuroticism? My point is that the sense of inner goo is an emotional response to a counter-factual narrative. That is, your emotional focus is on an alternative to your real situation, and this alternative is constructed in response to a blend of desires where (and this bit’s important) desires that are currently being met have lower priority than those that are not.

Problem 2: the “nobility” of desire. This comes back to “by their fruits shall ye know them”. When we talk about a “heart’s desire”, we are implicitly asserting that it is good: good for us and, perhaps, morally good (particularly if you equate it with “vocation” or “avocation”). Well, I’m not here to challenge your religious views (or perhaps I am) but a degree of scepticism is in order here. Most of us are capable of great things, but let’s say 5,000,000,000 of us are too busy struggling to survive (back in your box, Maslow!). If my “heart’s desire” benefits myself and a privileged few, is it really preferable, ethically, to a more considered sacrifice of self to the greater good?

That said, I’m sure there are better things for me to be doing than commenting on your blog, Luke. Yet, somehow, this seems to be my highest priority (why else would I be doing it?)

Interesting…