This was such an inspiration. My next Substack this week, is called "Love Is." I "listen it" as a parallel to, so resonant with, yours.
It shares a personal story of my first, direct experience of Baba Muktananda, in 1972, through receiving what is called "shaktipat." Baba was a Siddha Guru. I was not in person with him at the time. Nevertheless the fire energy of his blessing coursed through me
Baba, came from the Hindu tradition rather than the Christian, gave me access to my own Baptism of sorts, with the fire and heat of his energy. I now understand Baptism in a new way, a real way. I never really "got it, " or saw it, or "listened it" before your post.
The way you make Jesus real, and the Christian tradition real, and authentic, is SUCH an inspiration to me.
I feel so close to you, kindred spirit that you are. I love James' comment. Here is the full quote, by Catherine de Heck Doherty Poustinia:
With the gift of listening comes the gift of healing, because listening to your brother or your sister until they have said the last words in their hearts is healing and consoling. Someone has said that it is possible to “listen a person’s soul into existence.” I like that.
Listening as healing. Listening as that which allows us to "see" one another through God's eyes. Listening as enwholing. Listening as an opening into creating a new world to live in.
In a beautiful article by Rachel Naomi Remen, on the difference between fix, help, and serve, she says, Do I listen to you as broken (in which case I n need to "fix you" or do I listen to you as whole? In which case I can serve you.
Hi Amba, what a deep and potent reply to Todd. I think I heard the listening a soul into existence from you at some point decades ago, and didn’t know the original source of Poustinia. And Remen’s perspective on serving so belongs in this distinction of Todd’s. ❤️
Thank. you, James. Yes, I thought about it for a while. His post BLEW ME AWAY.
In fact, I am thinking that Listening, or The Art of Power of Listening, might well be the title of my book. Finally. With perhaps a subtitle of Leading a Meaningful Life, the LIfe you Only Dreamed of Living. Or "The Key to Living a Meaningful and Awakened Life." Or something like that.
LIke Tommy's Dream Life. May he have his Dream Life.
I love that you tied in our tendency to fix, how to listen and WAIT into Pentecost. Definitely a recovering fixer over here! Hope you have a lovely Sunday! 🔥🔥🔥
A church that listens, what a great concept. I too am a recovering fixer and have been trying to listen more. This morning as I heard the text read I wondered is the Church waiting like the disciples for the Spirit? Maybe that’s why we don’t hear it. I think it takes conscious effort to wait and listen for God. Is the Church too busy doing and not enough waiting?
Todd, I’m still “listening” even though I am now writing this.
This is just so:
“Instead, we could be people who listen to understand how God might be speaking through another, even someone with whom we struggle.”
I hold it that you can listen another’s soul into existence by, as you point out, being a clearing for them to share, allowing space between the words, asking a question about their ‘feelings’ (not asking for information) based on what we hear.
Thank you, and thank Angie for the idea of a “word of the year”. Listening is a perfect one.
Yes James, I think we do listen each other into new understanding, more than talking people into understanding. Research shows we make better decisions, create more options and act with more boldness when people listen to us. Listening beats advice giving!
Anna, I love the distinction between fix, help and serve. I’m using that! I’m interested to read your story. I had an experience where the Buddha lead me to Jesus (for another post). Interesting how understanding another religion adds insight to our journey. Thanks for reading.
Dearest Todd,
This was such an inspiration. My next Substack this week, is called "Love Is." I "listen it" as a parallel to, so resonant with, yours.
It shares a personal story of my first, direct experience of Baba Muktananda, in 1972, through receiving what is called "shaktipat." Baba was a Siddha Guru. I was not in person with him at the time. Nevertheless the fire energy of his blessing coursed through me
Baba, came from the Hindu tradition rather than the Christian, gave me access to my own Baptism of sorts, with the fire and heat of his energy. I now understand Baptism in a new way, a real way. I never really "got it, " or saw it, or "listened it" before your post.
The way you make Jesus real, and the Christian tradition real, and authentic, is SUCH an inspiration to me.
I feel so close to you, kindred spirit that you are. I love James' comment. Here is the full quote, by Catherine de Heck Doherty Poustinia:
With the gift of listening comes the gift of healing, because listening to your brother or your sister until they have said the last words in their hearts is healing and consoling. Someone has said that it is possible to “listen a person’s soul into existence.” I like that.
Listening as healing. Listening as that which allows us to "see" one another through God's eyes. Listening as enwholing. Listening as an opening into creating a new world to live in.
In a beautiful article by Rachel Naomi Remen, on the difference between fix, help, and serve, she says, Do I listen to you as broken (in which case I n need to "fix you" or do I listen to you as whole? In which case I can serve you.
And, she says, "only service heals."
Thank you, thank you thank you, for this post.
Hi Amba, what a deep and potent reply to Todd. I think I heard the listening a soul into existence from you at some point decades ago, and didn’t know the original source of Poustinia. And Remen’s perspective on serving so belongs in this distinction of Todd’s. ❤️
Thank. you, James. Yes, I thought about it for a while. His post BLEW ME AWAY.
In fact, I am thinking that Listening, or The Art of Power of Listening, might well be the title of my book. Finally. With perhaps a subtitle of Leading a Meaningful Life, the LIfe you Only Dreamed of Living. Or "The Key to Living a Meaningful and Awakened Life." Or something like that.
LIke Tommy's Dream Life. May he have his Dream Life.
Both Qutes belong in my book, as well.
I am at my desk now.
I love that you tied in our tendency to fix, how to listen and WAIT into Pentecost. Definitely a recovering fixer over here! Hope you have a lovely Sunday! 🔥🔥🔥
Always in recovery! But I feel much freer to not have all the answers.
My word for 2024 is “listening,” so this post is particularly poignant and powerful for me. Thanks, Todd.
It’s good to have a word. My word for the year is “engage.”
What a great word for the year!
A church that listens, what a great concept. I too am a recovering fixer and have been trying to listen more. This morning as I heard the text read I wondered is the Church waiting like the disciples for the Spirit? Maybe that’s why we don’t hear it. I think it takes conscious effort to wait and listen for God. Is the Church too busy doing and not enough waiting?
Eunice, yes I wonder too. So hard to listen and wait. As we too often rush past Advent on the way to Christmas. Always rushing Divine timing.
Todd, I’m still “listening” even though I am now writing this.
This is just so:
“Instead, we could be people who listen to understand how God might be speaking through another, even someone with whom we struggle.”
I hold it that you can listen another’s soul into existence by, as you point out, being a clearing for them to share, allowing space between the words, asking a question about their ‘feelings’ (not asking for information) based on what we hear.
Thank you, and thank Angie for the idea of a “word of the year”. Listening is a perfect one.
Yes James, I think we do listen each other into new understanding, more than talking people into understanding. Research shows we make better decisions, create more options and act with more boldness when people listen to us. Listening beats advice giving!
Anna, I love the distinction between fix, help and serve. I’m using that! I’m interested to read your story. I had an experience where the Buddha lead me to Jesus (for another post). Interesting how understanding another religion adds insight to our journey. Thanks for reading.
Amba, didn’t mean to misspell your name! Auto correct and on my phone waiting for takeoff.