DEEP LISTENING

(C) 2011 Howard McQueen

When we bring all our awareness to bear,
when we set all expectations aside
and just inquire,
we open ourselves to deep listening.

Deep listening penetrates the myriad surface noises,
piercing through all the echoes and ghost signals bound to fear and anxiety.

Deep listening is non-linear.
It does not rest at the rational plateau to try to fix or solve problems.
Deep listening connects us to where we have systematically blocked
or walled ourselves from the essential flow of source.

Deeply listen to the mountain stream.
Deeply listen to the ocean's surf.
Deeply listen to the wind rustling the canopy of trees.
Deeply listen to the icy-laden tree limbs crack in the blizzard's rest.
Deeply listen to the howl of hurricane force winds
or the anxious and pain-filled cry as someone slides off a slippery roof
and falls to break their back.

Years after all these events have passed,
deeply listen NOW and you'll be privileged to encounter
the residue from forces that shape and strip us of feeling safe and secure.
When you are fortunate enough to meet someone who is deeply listening,
don't hold back in telling on your own echoes and ghosts.

AND THEN,
remember to pass on this gift of deep listening ...