While hanging laundry on the clothesline in the backyard recently, I heard something I couldn’t identify at first. Then I realized it was the sound of a gentle breeze moving the leaves of the trees—so welcome after hearing the hum of my window air conditioner for so many weeks. Earlier this summer, I began a new habit of walking at twilight to see the fireflies winking above the grass lawns and gardens in the neighborhood. Although I was using my eyes, it felt like I was listening to the fireflies making me aware of other dimensions of life.
“The Other Way to Listen” by Byrd Baylor and Peter Parnall is one of my favorite children’s picture books. It starts like this, “I used to know an old man who could walk by any cornfield and hear the corn singing. He was so good at listening once he heard wildflower seeds burst open, beginning to grow underground.” It takes a long time to learn deep listening like that! I can only aspire to it and practice listening with my whole self.
We usually think about listening with our ears but noticing someone’s body language and facial expressions during a conversation, or the energy in a group is listening, too. Noticing silence and honoring it is another way to listen. What is your favorite way to listen?
During this month when our theme is Deep Listening, I encourage us to slow down and listen in different ways. And at the same time, allow ourselves to notice surprises coming in during the regular course of our activities, because that is listening, too. One of the most helpful spiritual practices I follow is to listen to the wisdom of my body and the group body of the people with whom I’m in community. And, of course, the leaves and the fireflies. This month, may we hear the wisdom of all bodies.
Yours,
Dena
Rev. Dena McPhetres, Associate Minister