To BE CHANGED by Listening.
Life often shows up with gifts, and serendipitous moments, when intentions and attention match my love for something.
In this moment. My love for the complexity and nuances of listening.
I’ve been writing and crossing words out on the page. Trying to articulate listening as a subtle, relevant and important part, and heart, of being changed. And then ---
Last Sunday afternoon my partner Kevin and I arrived at a song circle our dear friends Kira and Ian hosted.
We were standing in the open air parking garage in downtown Bend
A view of the white capped Cascade Mountains and a gentle breeze blowing through the open air space.
Eight to ten of us, spread out, in a wide circle.
Bright winter coats and hats wrapped each of us.
With an occasional car engine revving up
We joined our voices
Co-mingling
With the tides of the wind.
And closer to the end of our time together
Ian began sharing about a song he wrote; To Listen is to Lean in Softly.
My ears perked up.
My body did indeed lean in, towards him.
He shared how he often listens and responds and it’s not really where he wants to listen from. (me too)
My heart was thumping loudly with both curiosity and kindred feelings!
Then he shared his 21 word song (words found in a quote/poem from Mark Nepo).
He brought them to life, in his particular yummy way, for us to share in!
We sang this beauty and I can’t even describe the feeling of OMG and Joy in my heart.
The energy of these words and this song symbolize the strand of Sacred heART listening is/can be/become.
Is it possible----In SILENCE we can hear each other home. A part of me believes so!
HERE is Ian Carrick singing To Listen is to Lean in Softly. Give it a listen. Take time to lean in. Sing along. Press repeat. Memorize it if you are inspired. Teach it to your friends and family!!
This week's practice is to notice the essence of this quality resonating somewhere in your body.
What needs to quiet and what parts need to rise up, or tune in, or lean in, or?
Notice any pushing or striving or judging. Let go and let the words, the energy of the song, travel you/we towards this place already there waiting for us.
Thank you Ian Carrick and Mark Nepo!
And HERE is a recent album created by Ian. YAY!
Click HERE to explore the Unheard of Listening online course!
We'll practice and explore and play with our listening together!!
To Cultivating wonder through listening!
Carol
P.S. If you found something in this writing, or this, or this that you would like to share with others feel free to pass it on. The whole post or a line or two that touches you!