The Listening Place
My latest piece at the Christian Century. This is an advance view. The piece won't actually be published until the next print issue. This was written in honor of my Quaker friends from the Missouri Valley Friends Conference.
An 18th-century painting of a Quaker meeting hangs in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. In it a figure, perhaps George Fox himself, stands speaking with such passion that his hand is clutching his breast. Around him are gathered members of the Society of Friends. A woman sits with her chin in her hand. A man's finger is laid alongside his cheek. Another man's hands are atop his cane with his chin resting on them. These people are listening with all their hearts, souls and minds. Even their bodies are bent to the task of listening. The painting captures something wonderful that I have found at Quaker meetings.
These people know how to listen.
Last summer my wife and I attended our first Quaker meeting. The worship was 60 minutes of thoughtful silence. A young woman broke the silence and spoke briefly. There was a gentle shift of attention to her and away from individual thoughts and prayers. People shifted in their seats and assumed various listening postures. One man intertwined his hands, leaving his index fingers erect like a church steeple. He tapped them thoughtfully against his lips…
Read more at the Christian Century.
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The folks at QuakerQuaker
Submitted by AychJE on Mon, 01/11/2010 - 11:59.The folks at QuakerQuaker linked to your essay yesterday. You made their "This Week's Web Picks" column :-) I really liked your description of your experience. I was on a retreat with the New England "YAFs" (Young Adult Friends) this weekend, and experienced a very generous listening there as well, both in the short worship sharing session I was present for, and in the less formal interactions with folks at meals and hang out times. That good practice with listening that is gained during Meeting seems to spill over into the rest of life as well.
quietly, elegantly written.
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 01/11/2010 - 13:17.quietly, elegantly written. well-played.
-sarita
prayer
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 01/11/2010 - 16:12.Sometimes it takes a foray into the unknown to see the divine in a new light. Well spoken, with kindness and attention the the silent divine.
Jeremy
wow!
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 01/12/2010 - 03:00.wonderful!
Paul
listening
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 01/12/2010 - 11:12.This is something to think about outside of church as well of course.
I have come to really like your writing.
I think it's time to order your book as a birthday gift to myself.
deb @ talk at the table
Missouri Valley Friends Conference
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 01/12/2010 - 13:26.Gordon,
Thank you for this lovely essay.
And just know that, whatever you received from us in the listening process, we received back threefold. It was a joy having you and Jeanene at Missouri Valley last Fall. (Wow, that feels like a really long time ago.) I continue to feel blessed by that weekend.
Holding you in the Light.
Donna Young
Thank you Donna, We really
Submitted by rlp on Tue, 01/12/2010 - 22:25.Thank you Donna,
We really miss all of you. I still carry the business cards around in my wallet. I had my nametag from the retreat in there until just a week or two ago. I have Rachel's "Gentle Energy Work" card. I take it out and look at it sometimes.
Nothing silences the mind
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/13/2010 - 15:30.Nothing silences the mind and opens the heart like an experience of holiness.
Sounds like Heaven
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 18:30.Your description sounds like heaven. To say what you need to say without armour, without guarding yourself, and to stand in that place with others who love God and love you by listening. I'm a preacher, too, and I know of no place where I can do what you've described here--except in the quiet prayer of my own room.
JR in NC