A friend wrote on IML:
“Another feeling that brought me to share here is something I want to share
with Paul. Paul, the times you have shared with me something personal
about me – in the workshops or the very small groups in New York – I am
remembering the feeling now – I think no one has ever seen me as clearly or
been able to communicate as clearly to me as you have. I remember having
a wonderful sense of feeling “at home” with you. I felt you were able to
share your full attention with me. Just loving, sweet and heartfelt.
It seems I have discovered a new level for myself, in this remembering.
It feels like something worth exploring.”
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Dear Friend, (Dear Everybody),
You say:
“I think no one has ever seen me as clearly …”
Thank you for sharing that love.
When we see ourselves clearly, and accept who we are, in this moment,
we accept everyone as they are – and that is true love.
And, you know, I think we all see each other very clearly, it is just that
usually we are so full of our own stuff we do not really connect with the other
person – or what they are really communicating. (It is as though we are
waiting for them to finish so we can talk about ourselves?)
If only we would all slow right down, tune in, and really connect with
each other we would be amazed at the closeness.
And I do know the difficulty. Most often the other person is not really
there to connect with – they are just telling their usual story.
“I remember having a wonderful sense of feeling “at home” with you.”
Lovely. If we really tune in to each other, there is only home.
As I say, some people are more easy to connect with – more there.
And that is not an excuse – for any of us.
I know I keep saying this – on one level we are all alone,
and on another level we are all one. We really are.
Not just one family – One.
If you tune in, and really, really listen to, not so much to what is being
said, but the person, you will be amazed at the closeness, the oneness.
Try this. Take some time to really tune in to what a person is saying.
Don’t listen to the words, see if you can sense what they are really saying
about themselves and their situation beyond the words.
You may be amazed at what you pick up about the person.
“It seems I have discovered a new level for myself,..”
What I have found is, if you really listen – to the person – without
judgement, they not only feel accepted, they feel loved. And that’s what
it is all about. True love is unconditional. And that is healing.
One more thing. Not only is real love unconditional, it takes many forms.
Having the courage to say something to someone you know they need to
hear, and will get upset if you say it – is true love.
So, just for today – at least – how about – A Day of Listening.
Love to you dear friend – and all of you
paul