“We need trustworthy relationships, tenacious communities of support, if we are to sustain the journey toward an undivided life.” –Parker J. Palmer
Photo by Kimson Doan on Unsplash
If you have a big decision to make and you’ve taken the time to settle in and listen to the heartbeat of your own life, you may still feel unsettled with what comes next.
This week, I’ll share some teachers available to us in our lives that we often overlook.
Perhaps you don’t need a collection of gurus as much as you need a a group of co-listeners. Here’s how I found mine.
Links + Resources From This Episode:
- Clearness Committee – I know very little about this Quaker practice so this is not an endorsement of this group, merely information if you would like to learn more about the purpose behind a group of intentional listeners like this. Since I mentioned it, I wanted to give you a reference to learn more.
- Episode 24: Look for Arrows (Not Answers)
- Episode 32: Stop Collecting Gurus
- Numbers 6:24-26
- Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
- Get the monthly letter here
Emily,
I loved your podcast this morning and the high value you place on listening. A pastor I heard at a conference made an off-hand comment in the middle of his talk, “I would pay good money for someone just to sit and listen to people in our congregation. Just listen, nothing else.” I also appreciated your reference to the Quaker’s clearness committee. You mentioned there’d be a link to more info on this in the show notes, but I didn’t see it. I am not a Quaker, but we’ve used the clearness committee methodology with missionaries for a number of years. I’ve also used it in a business setting. The “Mastermind Group” concept floating around in the business world today is all about listening and adapting the clearness committee model. Parker Palmer in his book (I think it’s called “Let Your Light Shine”) give a great example of a clearness committee in action. I’m interested in learning more, so if you could post that link I would appreciate it.
By the way, I love your soothing voice. I could listen to you read out of the phone book and be comforted. (Too bad we don’t have phone books anymore. Our artist-daughter says they are the best for cleaning her paint brushes.)
Keep up the great work you are doing.
Hi John. The link to the Clearness Committee is the first link under “links and resources” above. If yours isn’t showing up, please email me at info@emilypfreeman.com and I can send the link directly.
Thanks for listening. Traci
Thank you for your encouragement, John! Truly appreciate it – and YES! That Parker Palmer book (Let Your Life Speak) is one of my favorites. I read and re-read it often.
Good Morning Emily,
I have been listening in for a couple of months now. Thank you for offering these distilled and well portioned out bits of wisdom. I have found them to be so helpful to me weekly….just enough to consider and pray about throughout my week. I really loved listening to Episode 33 just a minute ago. My husband and I are sitting on the doorstep of a new chapter in our lives (we are 56 & 57). We feel kind of lost and clueless. Your podcast has been a great encouragement to me. I especially love the thought that the outcome that we are hoping for is walking closer and closer with our Father in the process of not knowing and seeking His direction. He is a perfect listener and to the degree that we, His children, do that for one another, He is seen, known and glorified here and now. Yay, “Life Together “.
Thank you for for boldly stepping forward to create this podcast.❤️
I wonder what advice you would give to someone who feels incapable of finding vision.
Hi Anna. Great question – thanks for asking it. First, I guess I would say to that person that you are not alone. That it’s okay if you don’t feel capable of finding vision. That hope is not lost even if it may be hiding and that nothing is wrong with you.
I think catching a vision for something in the future can come in fits and starts – and some seasons just don’t allow for it.
As far as advice, I suppose I would say not to try to force it. Give yourself permission to be here now with what is without the pressure of having to figure out what will be or what may be. Take a walk. Pet your dog. Sit in silence. Know that you have a God who is very fond of you, who will not leave you or forget you – that his countenance toward you is one of patience, of lovingkindness, and joy.
I have been listening to your podcasts since you began and absolutely love them. As a Quaker, I was so pleased to hear you talk about clearness Committees. They can be such a powerful tool and experience, especially when God is present.
Emily –
I am not up to date on the podcasts as I tend to just really pause and savor each one. As only God can do – each time I listen for the first time – it seems as if it speaks perfectly to my current circumstances and life questions.
You are a gift and while we have never met – I consider you a true “soul friend.” In this episode you mentioned you believe that even in your podcasts you are serving as a listener – and I want to affirm – yes, you are! As someone in training to become a contemplative spiritual director – I find your insights so enriching and life giving! May the Lord continue to equip you for your important work and may you sense the Holy Spirit’s direction and empowerment moment by moment in every role He has ordained for you!