The Art of Being

Insight, Intuition, Intelligence, Inner peace. All come from within.  Pay attention inward.  Anna Goldstein

There is a voice that does not use words. Listen.  Rumi

The world we live in invites us to be eternally plugged in to external noises. We are invited to listen to the radio, the TV, music, computers, and to one another. And yet silence truly is golden if we allow for these moments. In my work as a counselor, I have noticed that my client’s most authentic and emotionally honest responses come when I allow for space and silence in our conversations. Carl Jung identified that in our early years we do the important work of forming our egos, but as we age we do the profound work of going inward and letting go of our ego.  What would it mean for us to embrace the silent spaces and to listen more intently to our inward voice?

Unfortunately, our culture invites us to go outward instead of inward. We are taught to constantly have an agenda and to make the most of our time and our lives. And so every day we make sure we work, read, watch TV, go the gym, spend time with loved ones, clean the house, brush our teeth, browse the internet & emails, volunteer, and get as much done as we possibly can in one day. These are all important and meaningful tasks and yet our list of things to do often comes before the most important need of going inward. Soren Kierkegaard said, “A person who is a physical being is always turned to the outside, thinking that his happiness lies outside, and when one finally turns inward they discover that the source is within.”

So if we are truly living, then this means we are learning how to “be” and to tune into the sound of our heart beat. Can we get quiet enough and still enough that we can hear the beat of our own heart? But the truth is that we often fear solitude, even though it is the best medicine out there for us. Instead of listening deeply to our heart and intuition, we allow it to become drowned out by the busyness of daily life. We find our value in how much we can accomplish and “do,” instead of finding our value in who we are.

Paul Tillich argued, “Loneliness is the fear of being alone, while solitude is the joy of being alone.” I realize that sometimes I fear silence. For example, if I am driving 60 miles and have the opportunity to enjoy silence, I have noticed that instead of creating a space to go inward and breathe, I try to fill the space with NPR, music, phone calls to friends & family, or even eating. But when I choose to find silence and my inner space, I have noticed I find peace, a softer side, tears, feelings, hopes, fears, creativity, self-awareness, and the presence of God. What do you find when you get quiet and go inward?

Where are the places you are able to experience silence, solitude, or an inward space? I find the art of being when I practice meditation and yoga, offer prayers, attend worship, go hiking, and hold my cat while she purrs. These are some of the places where I practice the art of “being” instead of the skill of “doing.” Thomas Merton asked this important question, “What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves? This is the most important of all voyages of discovery.” So will we take this most important journey of all that helps us to know ourselves and listen to our inner voice and desires? Maybe you can begin this expedition right now by taking the palm of your hand to your heart and then get so quiet that you can hear your heart beating. Take some time to breathe and to listen to your heart. What is it saying to you?

Let’s practice the art of being,

Christy