“The intimacy that arises in listening and speaking truth is only
possible
if we can open to the vulnerability of our own hearts. ”
--- Tara Brach,
True Refuge: Finding Peace and Freedom in Your Own Awakened Heart
"Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I vow to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others
and relieve others of their suffering....."
--- Thich Nhat Hanh
from the Fourth Precept of the Tien Tiep Order
A
friend who attended the MMM Circle for the first time this week was struck by the openness
displayed in the Circle that morning. --- Thich Nhat Hanh
from the Fourth Precept of the Tien Tiep Order
"Folks were so honest" she said with her eyes glowing, "-- painfully honest!"
I smiled and thought, "Whoo hoo!"
At that moment, I feel a deep gratitude for what emerges in the Mindfulness Circles each week.
The opportunity to converse openly and honestly about what is nearest to our hearts and soul is a rare and precious thing today. In the hustle bustle of our prototypically materialistic society, comparing notes on the Spiritual dimension of our lives doesn't happen all that much. In fact, when I was a kid we were told not to ever talk about religion--or politics.
Obviously, I didn't follow the rules. I majored in political science in college--and have been an avid student of Spirituality for a long, long time. The wisdom teachings that arise in the mystical traditions of all the world's religions and how they play out in the reality of our day to day lives in this world is profoundly interesting to me. I can't think of anything I'd rather yak about.
Of course, communication, in it's true sense, is much more than conversation. Communication happens on many levels.
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