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April-June, 2016

The Practice of Listening

by Rev. Larry Glenz, O.M.C.

This lifelong New York boy has been living in Florida for the winter. Although I am an experienced traveler, this has been my longest period away from home on Long Island since my days as a young college student. Getting away, even for a little while, has always offered me the chance to reflect back on my everyday life. Living alone in my Florida condo this winter has again provided such an opportunity.

In this period of relative solitude, I have spent many hours alone with the Course – reading, writing, meditating and connecting to Holy Spirit. Getting quiet and listening to Spirit is an essential part of practicing ACIM, whether or not one lives a busy life. I believe that spending time alone with the intention of making this connection to Him provides the foundation for an ability to have the Voice for God guide you throughout the day.

It is, however, in those moments of conflict with another person that I most need to remember to stay with Spirit. My wife has been working up in New York this winter, but she did take a 12-day vacation to spend time with me here in south Florida. She is a delightful woman and the joy of my life.

But I notice that my only fits of temper all winter came from reacting to things she did or said. They were relatively insignificant things such as criticizing my driving or just telling me strongly what I should do in some situation. Remembering to go to Spirit before reacting is not yet my first response. In fact, defensiveness seems to be most natural.

Alone in my solitude, I look back at these instances of temper and wonder why I reacted so poorly. Reasons for my anger seem justifiable and come to me immediately. But I have learned clearly that I need to step back and look at what set me off. I am never upset for the reason I think.

Which teacher was I with when I reacted with anger? I can remember to ask for another way to look at it. When I remember to ask, I receive an answer that makes sense. Truly, I can laugh at my reaction to my wife’s perceived criticism of me. My experience is that He will let me see it differently … but I need to consciously let Him show me.

Remembering to ask Holy Spirit to let me see as He sees in the moment of conflict seems to take time and practice. And the Course tells me that is what time is for. It still takes me some time before I remember to pause, step back, step aside and let Spirit guide. I don’t need to feel guilty over my emotional outburst because Holy Spirit will use such an incident for a correction … if I let Him.

Living in relative solitude has given me some advantages in my spiritual study. Living with someone else, however, seems to bring more forgiveness opportunities. It is important not to forget to laugh at myself for the moments when, upon reflection, it is obvious that the wrong teacher had my full attention.

The perfect classroom is provided for me whether I am alone in quiet or in the chaos of a busy world. If I am listening, I can hear a Voice say, “Just stay with Me.” So I will continue to practice listening.

© 2016, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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