“To listen is very hard, because it asks of us so much interior stability that we no longer need to prove ourselves by speeches, arguments, statements, or declarations. True listeners no longer have an inner need to make their presence known. They are free to receive, to welcome, to accept.” -Henri Nouwen
Deep listening has become an essential spiritual practice for me. In recent years, I have come to realize that the more I practice deeply listening to myself and inquiring within, the easier it becomes to deeply listen to others. The interior stability that Nouwen writes about above is made possible through that quality time with myself.
As Byron Katie states, “Defense is the first act of war.” The more one may drop their defenses to not only hear but attempt to understand and empathize with another’s perspective, the more unified we may become. It doesn’t mean we have to agree. Rather, it is an act of honoring and respecting the heart and mind of another. In my personal life, this has been a transformative way of meeting the world, and in our community of Unitarian Universalist faith tradition, this tradition feels particularly relevant.
This week, this month, and always, I encourage you to recognize when you may or may not be deeply listening. If I may offer you an invitation, please consider what quality alone time looks like to you, then extend it to another. I am sending out much love and gratitude through this beautiful fall season. I hope to cross paths soon, whether during worship or some of our other offerings:
Youth Group – Pumpkins and Pizza, Wednesday, October 16th, 6:30-8pm
https://uufm.breezechms.com/form/49b05744
Intergenerational Hiking at Seven Mile Creek Park, Saturday, October 19th at 10am
https://uufm.breezechms.com/form/2cf88a5
UUFM Young Adult Connection Lunch, Saturday, October 19th 12-2pm
https://uufm.breezechms.com/form/f4e938
Intergenerational Art Journaling, Sunday, October 20th, 11:30am-1pm
https://uufm.breezechms.com/form/6482e9949384573286
By the way, I attended a wonderful event in Winona last week called Boats & Bluegrass, and they had inspiring signage throughout the event. Pictured is one I enjoyed.