writings
date. 2021
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In their book, The One Who Listens (Hollings, Gullick) suggests that to become clear, ‘we need to learn to still ourselves; and we do not listen with the physical ear but somehow in a way unknown’ (1971). There is a sense of vagueness provoked in the use of the term ‘unknown’ that brings upon an uncanny quality. It is unsettling because the unknown is something unexpected and, in this case, requires the body that listens to completely trust in that which is not known. In another sense, it echoes what I can best present through Ben Webb’s short poem:
We did not know each other
And them somehow we did
This kind of doing and waiting
(Webb, 2012)
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Imagine the gesture of ‘leaning’ to help visualize the body surrendering (in this case, into silence) so that we are able to enter deep listening. Merleua-Ponty captures this through his understanding of the body schema. He suggests that the body ‘tends towards the sound’ (2002) implying that, as the body hears the sound, it is only until it ‘tends towards’ it that it begins to listen. In other words, when the body directs itself physically towards the sound, for instance, the melodic guitar down Oxford Street, everything else around it becomes somewhat void. As Ihde writes ‘listening is a gesture towards silence’ (2007). Consciously, the body works to mute the other sounds so that it can focus on attending to the one sound. This sound can only be defined and brought to life through the body listening, without this partnership it will remain blurred in the background of our experiences (Small, 2003).
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Courage
Courage
A definition - the ability to control your fear in dangerous or difficult situation
For someone who isn’t much of a deep thinker - it is probably very easy to just crack on.
deep thinking, - or over thinking - who knows! May be flushed down the toilet hehe.
But it shouldn’t. (not completely)
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Because there’s power in deep thinking if you use it accordingly and perhaps, not put too much pressure or strain on yourself to over achieve.
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When I was a child, I thought like a child, reasoned like a child. When I grew older, I gave up childish ways,
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May we become like a child, to regain that sense of wonder that children have.
The other day I was playing with my second cousin. She’s 8 years old, but a feisty one for sure. What I admired about her was her curiosity to learn and her outspokenness. Outspokenness may seem bad, but I think it’s wonderful to have that confidence.
She wasted no time in telling my Uncle that she had no idea who he was, but his reaction was great he said
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‘Well I remember you... you're gorgeous’.
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I played with her on the piano and she desperately wanted me to teach her what I knew, I too was curious by a little game she had, a new type of rubix cube - but every time I tried to get the hang of it she would snatch it off me and show me how to do!
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They say that children tell the truth. They are courageous.
I read this book ‘The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse’ - it’s a film too apparently! Two wonderful people I know recommended it
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A heartwarming story of hope,
It covers a young boy who cannot find his home, and he meets a talking mole - we love that!
They come across a fox who needs help - not the biggest fan of foxes myself - they always creep me out as you don’t know what they are thinking - lol.
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The story explores the importance of companionship, how we need help along the way of our journey.
Too anyone who struggles to accept help or even worse, accept themselves I can only say,
It won’t do you any favors, you will just be letting yourself down which therefore, will let the people around you down
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But also, take time to check yourself, make a list, take things slowly. Don’t be hard on yourself. This is better. When life gets weird - learn to trust again,
Become like a child, (not completely) but we need that imagination.
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The sweet little story ends with a the horse confessing to the young boy that he has wings, but he doesn’t use them as he is too afraid to fly,
Writing that down, I see how we may do that
And it reminds me of a quote an old friend from school used to recite to me on repeat
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves,
“Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
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How nice,
That we may remember old things, and make them new again.
