| The Vision Quest Everyday Wisdom: Spiritual Guidance for Daily Life by Paul Ferrini The Self is not a known territory, but a wilderness. Too often we forget that. Too often we reach the boundaries of what we know about ourselves and turn back. Now is a time to push past those boundaries, to leave behind the old worn-out mask you have been wearing and begin a search for a new definition of who you are and what comes next in your life. Before you venture out, however, you must talk with your people and put things right. Your journey of self-discovery must not be an attempt to run away from others. You must leave with your relationships strong and your life intact. Otherwise, your journey will be reactive and you will not open to new wisdom or a new perspective on your life. The Gift of Listening We believe that we listen, but it's not true. Listening, if we did it deeply and fully, would transform our lives. Listening is an experience of communion when we choose to be present, when we "hear" with our heart and not just with our ears. Listening is not a casual or insignificant act, but an act of great purpose and beauty, an act that will inspire and uplift. It is a way that we can offer each other love and respect. We listen not to agree or to disagree, but simply to hear each other's experience. And we speak not to obtain attention or approval, but to communicate what is in our hearts and minds. Our greatest joy is not to find agreement with others, but to experience hearing and being heard deeply and without judgment. This outcome can be achieved in every encounter. Paul Ferrini is the author of 28 books on practical spirituality. His work goes beyond self-help and recovery into the heart of healing and has helped thousands of people deepen their practice of forgiveness and open their hearts to divine presence in themselves and other. You can contact him through Heartways Press, 1-888-HARTWAY, heartway@crocker.com or visit his website www.paulferrini.com. Copyright © 2003 Paul Ferrini |
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