“How do I know the right path?” asked the student.

“That is a truly good question” replied the master and continued  “Most happy people I know who live fulfilling lives answer that question quite simply:
You can recognize the good ways by the fact that they feel good in your heart.”

The student rejoiced at this answer, it felt so simple, true and wise….

But then his smile disappeared and his brow became doubtful, something inside him contracted unattractively instead of expanding freely and finally he asked: “And what if the head says something completely different?”

The master knew very well the point at which his student was standing right now.
Very gently he asked:
“How does the path you have just chosen at this moment feel?”

“Not good.” the student sighed.

“And what are you feeling right now?” the master asked mildly.

“Doubt, insecurity….. and tightness.” was the student’s honest answer.

The master trustingly handed over the situation to silence and the student himself to find the path of understanding.

After a while, the student’s voice emerged from the silence and he said:
“Ooops… I really slipped into a bad feeling for a moment.” his posture relaxed and his smile returned.

“We don’t drown from the short submersion, only when we stay under water too long!” the master grinned very satisfied.
“And also the bad feeling is actually a valuable helper, because it alerts you that you are about to go down a path that is not in harmony with your true being.”

“So I can and may really trust my heart feeling!” the student rejoiced. “Good feelings show me that I am exactly on the path that fulfills my heart’s desires, and the bad feeling shows me clearly and simply that I am about to take a wrong turn.
It’s almost like a compass!”

“Yes so you can imagine it and the needle is moved by nothing less than your soul!”