How Do I Listen?
“How
Do I
Listen to others?
As if everyone were my Master
Speaking to me
His
Cherished
Last
Words.”
—Hafiz, The Gift (renderings by Daniel James Ladinsky).
Listening skills are paramount with spiritual friends. I remember one person I met with for spiritual direction who talked for the entire hour. I never spoke a word. I kept waiting for her to take a breath, but it didn’t seem to happen. At first, I couldn’t understand why she came; but gradually I sensed that she just needed someone to listen to her, to acknowledge the God within her. This became more evident after she sent several other people to me for direction because she said I was so helpful! I also realized that she was a gift to me, teaching me how to listen.
There are many listening exercises we can practice enabling us to be experienced listeners. One is used by a grief recovery group, Walking the Mourner’s Path. At the first meeting of those who are grieving the death of a loved one, the participants divide into pairs, and each person tells the other about his or her loved one. Then they all return to the group as each listener tells the group about the person being grieved by his or her partner. Even though the pairs never work together again, a bond between them often develops that lasts for the eight weeks of the program and longer.
Today’s picture is of one the world’s great listeners, Bishop Michael Curry.
Joanna. joannaseibert.com
