WE ARE EXPLORING THE PRACTICE
OF DISCERNMENT
+ Listening is a
magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. When people really listen to each
other in a quiet, fascinated attention, the creative fountain inside each of us
begins to spring and cast up new thoughts and unexpected wisdom.
— Brenda Ueland quoted in Finding What You Didn't Lose by John Fox
+ Way back in 1971,
humorist Erma Bombeck wrote that it seems "rather incongruous that in a
society of supersophisticated communication, we often suffer from a shortage of
listeners." She was not only perceptive but prophetic.
This week, help
reverse the trend. Look for a way each day to listen to someone, letting go of
any other agenda. Remember all the tools at your disposal: concentrated
silence, a nod, simple words of support like "um hmm" or
"oh?" or "wow!" Reflect back what you hear the other person
saying, so that they can hear themselves more clearly. Ask follow-up questions
like "How come?" or "What happened then?" Offer gentle
encouragement to someone by your unconditionally accepting presence. It's okay
if that someone is yourself.
-- Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
+
Discernment
happens more and more frequently and authentically as we develop the ability to
really listen to others. Instead of
thinking of what you are going to say next, how about saying nothing or asking
a question (preferably open-ended) or offer a statement which shows you
understand or are trying to understand.
Be fascinated by each and every person
you meet, by every event and even every thought and feeling. Try to think outside of the box. See things in new and different ways. Trust the process. Let go of any need to control situations in
your life. You usually don’t have to and
you benefit by letting go. This is the
process of creativity which produces more and more compassion, peace, justice
and sustainable abundance.
It is important to realize that much of the significant
discernment in our lives happens in groups where people share experiences,
ideas and wisdom. Group discernment is
as important as individual discernment.
+
Spirituality & Practice offers a
Memes
Gallery on Listening. The meme above is in that gallery.
+
Spirituality & Practice offers
37 Spiritual Practices with an abundance of ideas and resources for this essential practice. Some of my favorites are Attention, Being Present, Connections, Enthusiasm, Imagination, Listening, Meaning, Openness, Questing, Reverence, Silence, Transformation and Vision. Pick one or 2 and see where you are led as you continue to discern your purpose, your path, your mission, your next step.
