Why Is Listening the First Step Toward Compassion?

We are living in a time of sound bites, fast food, and rushing from one activity to another. We worry about our productivity and not wasting time. People become easily impatient if they have to wait for anything. Taking time to have a deep conversation with another person is often not in the schedule. 

During Phase 1 of our Sacred Listening Project, our listeners did schedule time to sit with fellow congregants, one-on-one, and hear their stories. They didn’t judge, give advice, or jump in to add their own stories. They gave the gift of their time to just listen. When we gift our time to another person we are showing them compassion. Being able to share our life stories, our passions, our sorrows and disappointments, and our dreams brings us closer to each other. It shows that we value what others have to say. It allows us to share our humanity. 

Phase 2, the discernment part of this project, will be beginning soon. It will further allow us to show compassion to our fellow congregants by honoring what we learned from their stories as we discern how best to move our congregation forward.

by Laura McGraw, Chair of Sacred LIstening