Loving Speech and Deep Listening

Here, I can come back to myself.

Looking up with admiration,

I observe the spiritual characteristics

which clearly shine from the face of the Tathagata.

The Tathagata is the morning light

and the immense space of the firmament,

calm and stable like the moon,

carrying us along

on our journey home

from the world of confusion

to a land of freedom and inclusiveness.

For so many past lifetimes,

we have made mistakes

which have brought about much suffering.

All of us hold onto internal formations.

Sometimes we cannot look at each other.

We lose our capacity to listen deeply

and to speak loving, harmonious words.

The communication between us

meets so many difficulties and obstacles.

There seems to be no way to resolve our suffering.

Every day, understanding and love are fading.

The heavy, obstructed atmosphere stifles all our happiness.

With all my resolve,

I touch the Earth,

determined to follow the teachings

of the Tathagata.

I shall begin to practice listening deeply and speaking lovingly, according

to the way which benefits the practice and my fellow practitioners,

so that communication can be quickly restored.

I shall practice diligently

to guard my body and mind

with mindful breathing

and through awareness of my steps,

so that I can recognize and embrace the anger and irritation in my heart;

so I can sit and listen deeply

with all my compassion

and so the other person has a chance to share

all their hidden suffering.

I want to learn to listen deeply

with sincere loving kindness

So that the other person can suffer less.

I promise the Buddha

that even if the other person says

things that are not true,

even if his or her words are full of blame, I shall continue to listen attentively.

I shall wait for the right time

to find a way to let the other person know what really happened,

so the other person has a chance to rectify his or her perceptions.

I want to practice using

harmonious and loving words

to help the person sitting with me

hear and understand

what I need to say.

But for as long as I still have

some irritation, I shall just practice mindful breathing and mindful walking,

determined to avoid any discussion.

I am determined only to speak

when I am able to master my mind.

Lord Buddha,

Bodhisattva of Great Wisdom, Manjusri, Bodhisattva of Great Action, Samantabhadra,

Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, Avalokita,

Be with me and light my way,

so that I can soon be successful

on the path of practice.