Materialism is rooted in a series of assumptions about reality. Among the most well-known are: consciousness is produced solely by the brain and ceases to exist after death; quantum mechanics and consciousness are unrelated; and the world exists independently of our perception. These views form the backbone of a physicalist worldview in which meaning, purpose, and consciousness are seen as byproducts of material interactions.

One often-overlooked assumption within materialism concerns the human heart. The prevailing belief, particularly in modern science and medicine, is that the heart is simply a mechanical pump. This was articulated clearly by Danish science writer Lone Frank – whom I have quoted before in this essay on materialism – once remarked, “In the past, heart transplants were considered very difficult because the heart was given special significance. Today, we all know and feel that the heart is just a muscular pump that can be replaced like a carburetor in a car.”

Such a statement captures the essence of a materialist reduction of human experience, where even the most symbolic of human organs is stripped of all meaning beyond its physical function.

However, in a consciousness-based worldview, this interpretation of the heart seems shallow and incomplete. While the heart does indeed function as a biological pump, it is also seen as an energetic and spiritual center with deep connections to intuition, emotion, and the very fabric of our awareness. According to research from the HeartMath Institute, the heart exhibits properties that suggest it is far more than a passive circulatory organ.

Experiments conducted by HeartMath show that when subjects are presented with a series of images – some neutral, some disturbing – the heart seems to anticipate negative stimuli moments before the brain registers them. This phenomenon implies a kind of intuitive awareness residing in or through the heart, an awareness that appears to be unbound by space and time. Such findings raise profound questions: could the heart be connected to a larger field of intelligence? Could it be that the heart is a bridge to what might be called a ‘super mind’ or collective consciousness?

These questions are explored in the documentary ‘The Power of the Heart’, which argues that not all of our experiences and insights originate in the brain. Instead, it suggests that the heart plays a central role in our emotional, spiritual, and intuitive lives. The film promotes the idea of ‘opening the heart’ as a path to connection, inspiration, and inner truth.

Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, one of the interviewees, shares his personal story of following his heart against the expectations of others. Though pressured into studying law, Coelho knew deep down that writing was his calling. Eventually, he abandoned societal expectations to follow his dream. “A fish cannot drown in water”, he says. “A bird cannot fall from the sky.” To find our divine element, we must listen to our hearts. Following the heart may lead to suffering and risk, but it does not lead to regret.

The heart, in this view, is also the source of love. It is not about seeking love externally but cultivating openness within. Just as a flower does not seek bees but blooms and attracts them, so too can love find us when we allow the heart to shine. Even troubled relationships can be renewed by speaking from the heart. In this paradigm, the heart is not only central to our emotional life; it is the essence of who we are.

A deeply moving story from the documentary is that of Immaculée Ilibagiza, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide. Hidden for months in a small bathroom, she faced unfathomable trauma and loss. Her entire family was murdered. Yet rather than choosing hatred or revenge, Ilibagiza opened her heart to compassion and forgiveness. She forgave the man who killed her brother and mother, a man who had once been her teacher. “I forgive you”, she told him. While the prison warden was furious, Ilibagiza knew that forgiveness was not weakness but a profound force of healing for both the victim and the perpetrator.

Her story illustrates the immense power of the heart, not as a symbol but as an actual force that can transform grief, hatred, and pain into peace and transcendence. The journey from the head to the heart is long and difficult. It demands courage, vulnerability, and deep self-inquiry. As the author of this reflection admits, it is a journey still in progress. But for those seeking genuine answers to life’s deepest questions, the heart – rather than the intellect – may hold the key.

In conclusion, while materialism offers a valuable framework for understanding the physical world, it may fall short in capturing the full spectrum of human experience. The heart is not just a mechanical organ; it is a source of intuition, love, and spiritual guidance. In a consciousness-based universe, the heart is central and not peripheral to who and what we are.