How Do I Listen to Thee?
In my morning practice
I listen to the words and sentences
And the whispers in between.
When a challenge arises in my day
I listen to the quiet voice
That helps me find my way.
While I work,
Does my computer hum or grind?
I listen.
I note the music playing in my mind.
Is it harp, flute
Or heavy metal?
With my mantra
I easily change the station.
I listen to the TV, what the characters say
To my cat and whether she purrs or claws
To the cashier at the grocery checkout
The bumper sticker on the car in front of me.
I listen to my friends
Their faces teary-eyed, anguished or beaming
In my presence.
I listen as I eat
Read the Beloved’s sentences between bites
Ponder each as I chew.
On my daily walk
I listen to the ravens caw
Relish the way the clouds skid across the blue.
When I sleep
I listen to my dreams
Note who I meet
And what they say.
When voices yell and berate
I call on the Beloved
To turn them gray.
I listen to the silence of eternity.
All is Thee
Whispering to me
How to be
Love.
Beautiful, Lesley! And very timely for me, wanting to be in more constant communion. I so appreciate your voice!
Tuning into “listening” purely is an art. Congratulations!
What an exquisite contemplation, Lesley. Thank you for the gentle reminder to remain present and “listening” in every moment and every activity if you want to stay true to our Beloved.
How would this not make me to love you, myself, and the beloved more profoundly after listening to your love song, Lesley Ji. <3
Beautifully written. Thank you for this!
So perfect, Lesley–Thank you.
So perfect, Lesley—thank you.
It seems to be a wonderful time for inner reflections. I too have been musing on love and it’s deeper meanings. Such a sweet share, Lesley. Thank you!
Thank you all for your kind words. Truly, as always, this poem helped me. As I noted the ways i could listen, I became more attuned to each and to the whole. We are so blessed to have our Omnipresent Guide.
Lesley, you capture the experience of being present to the Beloved in so many ways in your writings. Thank you for sharing.
Absolutely Worth the read and very touch! Bless you for sharing.
Listening requires being present. I think that is the gift it brings to soul. Beautifully written and deeply touching poem, Lesley. Reminds me to be more attentive to these Shabda messages. Thank you for taking time to write it and for the kindness in sharing it.
As is sometimes said amidst Quakers, “Thee speaks to my condition.” My days just now involve listening amidst the chatter of many anxious souls, holding to the sweet sounds of His inner voice to spread calm amidst their tensions, even when my own pinda inadequacies rear their challenges. Great learning going on! 🙂
I am inspired to quiet my mind and listen to my Beloved. Thank you Lesley for your beautiful channeling in your very special gift of writing.
LESLEY,VERY COOL— MURDOCH
I re-read this poem today when time wasn’t pushing or pulling me, when listening came easier and the words were more deeply received. I believe in this second reading I was closer to the Source that caused this love letter to erupt in the first place. Sometimes a soul just has to express or explode. Thank you again for the peaceful, contemplative treasure you share with all of us. I think I’m listening better now.