Living in San Francisco many years ago, I often spent time in Rev. Cecil Williams’ Glide Memorial Church to hear his inspiring message, and to get absorbed in the uplifting voices of the choir. What soaring voices they have!  The choir’s immense talent and passion took me for an exhilarating ride on an uplifting wave of gratitude.  Those moments brought  patches of peace during a difficult time.

Rev. Williams starts his message very quietly, with the words; “listen, listen, listen”…..

long pause.

Just that reminder put me in a quiet, reflective, tuned in space.

There is so much to hear when we listen!  The silence.  Our inner voice.  Guidance.  The wind…

True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment. 

~William Penn

With the same letters of the word LISTEN another word can be formed… SILENT.  We must be silent to listen.

Listen to silence…

                                      …listen to the guidance, listen to the breeze, listen to your heartbeat, listen to your heart’s song, listen to nature’s beauty, listen to peace unfolding.

“The breezes at dawn have secrets to tell you
Don’t go back to sleep!
You must ask for what you really want.
Don’t go back to sleep!
People are going back and forth
across the doorsill where the two worlds touch,
The door is round and open
Don’t go back to sleep!”

-Rumi