LISTENING WITH LOVE.

Some years ago I went on a two week retreat as part of a mindfulness teacher training programme.

Whilst there it was all lovely as you’d expect it be. There was lovely food and people. Some wise, some quirky, some humorous… Yet all very lovely.

There were some afternoons of complete silence where we only spoke if it were absolutely necessary.

Far far more than the actual training itself, two things stood out that have never left me…

Cleaning was shared equally between everyone. We’d choose from a list of chores and everything was shared and completed without stress, hassle or argument. This left us with a nice environment and time for nurturing and kinship.

In the evenings we’d split off into small groups and sit in different rooms. Some had blankets wrapped around their shoulders, some wore pjs, some curled up in comfy positions… Whatever felt right to the individual.

During these evening gatherings we’d take turns to talk whilst the others simply listened with zero judgement.

Tears would flow, fears, shame, frustrations and annoyances were shared, laughter would at times arise.

There was never talk of “there is something wrong with you”.

No advice was given unless asked for and even then it was gentle suggestions to take or leave depending if it resonated within or not.

ALL was allowed and welcomed in this loving open space.

During one evening when it came to my turn ~ tears fell, possibly for the first time without an inner critic telling me that this shouldn’t be happening ~ without the crunch of attempting to suppress or apologise.

There was still this subtle expectation from a life of conditioning within that was waiting for others to suggest… “this is too much”… “perhaps you need to seek help”… “you’re too sensitive”… “stop being silly”… “shush, wipe those tears”.

This never came.

Loving eyes and welcoming nods remained in place.

I was being seen.

I was being heard.

I was given full permission to be human.

Words left my mouth… “I’m home” I simply said “I’m home”.

Quietly, with loving smiles and gentle nods, the others around me whispered… “Yes”…

Throughout my life there had been this wanting to scream at the world… mostly at parents but also at times… partners, doctors, therapists…

I hadn’t known what this was but now it was clear that I was trying to get others to see…

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME!

THIS is who I AM. Unconditional Love. And at times that comes with deep waves of feeling and tears.

EVEN in spiritual communities there can be this subtle shaming of… you’re only enlightened once these human emotions are bypassed.

I don’t buy into this.

I don’t see anything ‘wrong’ with YOU or ME. No matter how you turn up.

What I do see is that when you turn to me, you realise this too and in this open allowing ~ in this open space, where there is zero suppression… an inner relax happens.

You too see that there is nothing wrong with you and underneath this…

IS peace.

Peace to be human.

Exactly as you are.

👌

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