From the Chaplains
Throughout history singers and songwriters have been inviting us to be still and to simply listen.
There are many of these songs but think for a moment ‘Memories’ by Maroon Five or Snow Patrols ‘Chasing Car’s’.
Or if you want to go a little back in time invite you to explore John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a wonderful world’ or Billie Holiday’s iconic ‘Summertime’ from 1936.
Through these songs we are invited to listen not just to the words of the song, but to ourselves.
To listen to our hearts.
To listen to our feelings and intuitions.
To remember things that we may have forgotten that are important to us and to those around us
To listen to the universe.
To make space for something bigger than the need to constantly do things and achieve.
And ultimately to connect in with our inner consciousness and our deepest selves. And, if you are a person of faith, the very breathe of God that lives within each of us.
When was the last time you did this?
When was the last time you stopped and took time to listen to whatever it is that is beyond rational thinking?
When was the last time you stopped and remembered how incredible you are and how much you already know?
When was the last time you stopped and remembered how incredible the world is and how much there is to it that we all too often forget in the busyness of everyday?
This idea of stopping to listen and to trust in something bigger than us that is beyond our rational understanding is a theme that echoes across music, religions, generations, cultures and geography
That something comes with different names.
Some people call it God.
Some people call it the power of love.
Some say it is connection or psy- ability.
Others call is gut instinct or intuition.
Personally, I think it is a combination of these things.
Whatever it is, it is something. There are too many people, too many songs and too many cultures that have given it names for there to be nothing.
The other thing that is common across cultures and religions is that when we take the time to listen to the universe, we find a path to peace and knowing. We find an inner love that is reflected in our words and actions.
The Christian Gospel’s remind us that ‘Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks’ Luke 6.45 & Matthew 12.34.
The Dalai Lama once said “‘World peace must develop from inner peace. Inner peace is not just the mere absence of violence. Peace is I think the manifestation of human compassion.’
13th Century Sufi mystic Rumi said ‘Your heart is the size of an ocean. Go find itself in it’s depths’, and ‘Only from the heart can you touch the sky’
This week I encourage you to take time to discover these ancient, timeless and universal truths by taking time to stop and listen in whatever way works for you.
Some ways you might like to try include:
- Go and visit a Chapel or a place of worship.
- Spend some time looking at the clouds
- Walk in of Sydney’s many Labyrinths, or come and get take one of the small finger versions that we have in the Chaplains office
- Spend time journalling or doodling. Begin with a page of random thoughts or scribbles and see what ends up on the page
- Meditate with a mantra that you repeat. My favourite is ‘Be still and know that I am God’
- Go for a walk or a run and be intentional about noticing the flowers and the ground under your feet
In whatever you do the most important thing is an intention is to find the love for yourself and for all of the world.
My hope is that you find comfort and purpose and vision and renewed passion so that your words and actions reflect your heart.
And that you discover what I already know- that your heart is true and good and loving and kind and compassionate.
Rev. Danielle Hemsworth-Smith
College Chaplain
