by Justine Greene
I had always considered myself a good listener. I was attentive, interested, engaged and have always loved stories that come from the heart.
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Then I joined Callanish.
And I realized that I was just an okay listener.
I was attentive, interested and engaged but as I listened I realized that I was mostly waiting until it was my turn to talk. I was formulating my response, waiting for the pause to add to, or to validate. For my response to be as grand as the sharing of the people before me, I needed to prepare. I couldn’t rely on a good enough response coming to me on the fly. I learned how in the past I had interjected with people whom I thought weren’t great storytellers, or interrupted to add a better point.
Every time we sit in circle on the first night of retreat and the passage Just Listen by Rachel Naomi Remen is read, I hear it as if for the first time. She reminds me about letting go of preparing what to say, and the power of the act of doing nothing at all but to listen with my open heart. I give over my own thoughts to the one who is speaking as I watch my heart float across the room to be in deep meditation with them.
Callanish has taught me to slow it all down. I used to speed through things like a fast train. I saw the blur of the countryside as I passed through not the nuances of the beautiful family houses by the track.
After four years at Callanish I feel that the best part of each day is listening. No action needed. Just show up with my full open heart and listen.
The honour bestowed upon me by the stories shared in these Callanish circles has forever changed my life, my soul, and how I show up in the world.
Thank you dear Callanish for this deep teaching. I am forever grateful.
Justine Greene is our Wizard of Operations. Bringing her clarity of mind and warm heart to each day, Justine ensures flow in the day-to-day running of the organization.