Last June 8th, 2010 at the Tuesday Inner Work Circle 12 participants-- several of them new ones-- gathered around for an evening of sharing thoughts, feelings, silence, and conversations...
We talked about our sense of hearing (last time it was our sense of sight) and we reflected on what sounds, words, music, etc. we heard with our ears lately caught our attention and has affected us inside...
The first sharing was about the contrast of silence & noise one participant usually hears nowadays at her home which is being renovated for the first time after almost 20 years or so. She related that while during the day the cacophony of hammers & saws filled the house, silence would settle in once again in the evening to restore peace and serenity among its residents.
Several shared mostly about different kinds of music they have heard recently. Pop music (with English lyrics to help one participant learn the language more), Classical symphony orchestra music (that accompanied a meditative presentation), cultural music (that moves the body to dance but that also brought back memories of political oppression)...
Some shared about more spiritual sounds like the chanting of sacred mantras from particular faith traditions which are believed to emanate positive vibrations; as well as, what was described as non-physical or mystical sounds which are heard only in deep meditation or while the ears are shut (differentiated from the ringing sound heard by those suffering from Tinnitus).
Our Muslim participant shared that what's most important for him is listening to the words of God from the sacred scripture (Qur'an) that continuously nourishes him spiritually. I remember the experience of listening to sacred prayers and chanting from different faith traditions--whether Arabic, Tibetan, Pali, Japanese or in any language -- that although one cannot understand what's being said, one can feel the meaning or the essence of it.
More than sounds merely heard, some participants shared on words or stories they listened to. One shared about words of affirmation that seemed effective as he saw results from recent actual experiences after applying them in daily life. Another participant who had been for many years visiting women in jail recounts how she still gets emotionally affected whenever she listened to their unfortunate life stories.
It was another enriching evening of listening to hearts and minds. One innerworker who was physically absent in the circle participated virtually by sharing an SMS text of his insights on the topic:
"Most of our schooled people know the parts of the ear; the really wise and learned know when to use it-- always. They know how to use it well-- to listen even to the unsaid."
Thank you to those who shared and thank you to those who lent their ears!
For the coming week, we continue our practice of self-awareness by reflecting on the next theme, our Sense of TASTE-- our guide question is:
"What food do i particularly remember tasting recently? What did/do i like or not like tasting?"
Blessings be,
Bathala nawa!
OrlanD.
*INNERWORK is the practice of self-awareness & self-reflection, an inner-cise to cultivate the Self-- which is where any change we wish to see in the world should begin...
The TUESDAY Inner Work CIRCLE is a support group/sharing circle where ordinary people from different faith backgrounds share with one another insights, reflections, personal experiences and life challenges within the backdrop of their respective spiritual traditions as they strive to become true instruments of peace by practicing self-awareness and heart-listening.
JOIN US EVERY TUESDAY 6:00-8:00PM at The Peacemakers’ Circle (Unit 105 PhilDHRRA Partnership Center, 59 Salvador St., Varsity Hills, Loyola Heights, QC. – 2 blocks from McDonald’s/Shakey’s parallel Katipunan Ave. across Ateneo gate 2). Please let us know when your dropping by – tel. 920-7622 or 0918-7822605 (smart) / 0906-3286441 (globe)
IF YOU CANNOT JOIN US for any reason--- why not create your own Inner Work Circle in your area? Think about it!
