Words to the soul

A few months ago a group of Tibetan monks came through Paonia. They were raising funds for the hospital that they maintained in India, and part of the fundraiser was a film called the “Dalai Lama Renaissance”. It was about a group of western thinkers who went to meet with the Dalai Lama, to find some alignment with him around the best course of action to take to bring about positive change in the world. I found the film to be alternately fascinating, annoying and profound…my stuff, too, dancing across the screen.

But the moment that has stayed with me was when one woman was talking about how she experienced the Dalai Lama listening to her. My friend and cohort Tom Crum has often talked about that experience for him, when he had a chance to be with his Holiness. He said he felt like the Dalai Lama was his long lost grandfather, totally welcoming, accepting and embracing him, that he had a quality of being when he was listening that was totally present with those in his company. Then when they were on stage together, his Holiness viewed the audience before him as a field of precious flowers, not to be missed, drinking them in.

What the woman in the movie said was that she felt like her words went directly into the Dalai Lama’s soul. She said she had never felt so thoroughly heard.

I’ve been trying to remember that when I’m listening to someone, especially if I find myself getting antsy or impatient. I try to open my heart and soul and let the words in, and be with the person behind the words, heart to heart and soul to soul. It’s a wonderful experience when it happens—so simple, so effortless because there is no need for defense or judgment…just being together, being connected, finding center and compassion. As simple as words to the soul.