Welcome.
This is Padma Gordon and this offering is called Living from the Heart.
And today's topic is listening.
Listening.
Listening deeply.
Listening to yourself.
Listening to your own heart.
Listening is a skill.
A skill that everyone can cultivate.
A skill that we can rely on to guide us.
To guide us through this mysterious life.
This life that is so full of challenges and tests,
Opportunities and blessings.
So sweet friends,
Let us meditate together and cultivate the discipline of listening.
So make yourself comfortable.
Sit with a long spine.
That's right.
Arrange your body.
Arrange your body so that you can relax.
And let your eyes close.
Let the lids be heavy.
And breathe.
Listen.
Listen to the sound of your own breath.
Listen to the sound of your own breath as it rises and falls.
Just listen.
Relax your mind.
Expand your listening.
Expand your listening.
I am inviting you to listen with your whole body.
With your whole being.
That's right.
So by dropping in and relaxing.
Listening to your breath.
You are opening to new possibilities.
New ways of listening.
Listening and letting any sounds that are happening on the outside,
Including the sound of my voice.
As you listen.
As you listen.
You allow these sounds to point you back to your own beautiful heart.
Every breath.
Every breath points you back to the silence that lives inside of you.
Listen.
Listen and notice.
How does your listening invite a deeper connection?
With love.
With love itself.
Listen and open your awareness as you sink more deeply inside.
Letting your body soften as you open your listening.
Listen.
Listen to the sounds of the birds singing in the trees.
The sound of the wind as it whistles and roars.
And maybe at times you can let your listening include the sound of voices.
Of people chatting,
Bantering.
And this too can invite you into yourself.
Yes.
Into your heart.
Listen.
Listen to the sound of your own breath.
This breath is your constant companion inviting you to listen.
Listen deeply.
And as you grow this discipline of listening,
Your ability to listen and respond will also grow.
Being able to listen and respond is freeing.
Is freedom.
Freedom from these old habit patterns of reactivity.
So listen.
Listening gives rise to an attuned response.
Listen.
Listen to when it is time to speak and when it is time to be silent.
Listen to your inner guidance.
Listen to what calls you deeply.
Listen and respond to what inspires you.
To what enlivens you.
Listen and respond.
Be a participant in your life.
This is your life,
Dear friend.
So listen.
Slow down.
Listen in.
Listen under,
Underneath those voices in your head.
The voice of doubt.
The voice of the inner critic.
Listen underneath.
Listen to intelligent love.
This is your nature.
This is our nature.
And we are here together.
Cultivating the discipline of listening.
Listen to the sounds of nature.
To the crashing of the waves.
To the crack of lightning and the roar of thunder.
Listen.
Listen to the sound of sticks and gravel underfoot as you walk.
Listen to the sound of a child's bubbling laughter and the tinkling of the creek.
Listen to the sounds of the coyotes howling into the open dark sky.
Listen to the sound of someone weeping.
Someone who has loved deeply and lost.
Listen to the sound of ecstasy echoing through the universe.
Listen,
Dear friends.
Listen and open wider.
Listen to the sound of joy and bliss.
Listen and open.
To your own joy.
To the sounds of your own loneliness.
We are all joyful.
We are all lonely.
Sometimes.
And right now,
We are here together.
Listening.
Listening deeply.
So listen and feel.
Listen to what is alive in you.
In me.
In us.
Listen with your whole being.
Let us be still and listen,
Dear friends.
Be so still that you can hear the murmurs of the ancient granite cliffs.
Listen and hear the wisdom of the ancient ones.
Listen and receive the transmission of your own sacred heart.
The more you listen to this guided meditation practice,
The more your listening will open.
Listening is infinite.
Becomes more and more nuanced.
So listen,
Dear friends.
Listen.
Listen and trust.
Listen and rest.
Listen to what is here right now.
Listen to the message from your own heart and honor it.
Honor yourself as love.
And then as you are ready,
Just allow yourself to wiggle your fingers and your toes and listen to the sounds in the space where you are resting.
And as you are ready,
Let your eyes gently open.
And listen.
Listen.
Listen.
