Listening is Action
It has been said in many Al-Anon meeting rooms by wise members that prayer is talking to God, meditation is listening.
I used to think prayer was the 'doing' and meditation was the 'resting.' But listening is hard work. It requires the active suspension of my ego. When I'm in a conversation with a person, I'm often just waiting for my turn to speak or formulating my rebuttal. I do the same thing with God. I ask for guidance, but while I'm waiting for the answer, I'm already planning Plan B, C, and D just in case God's plan isn't to my liking.
True listening means putting down my plans. It means opening my hands and dropping the outcome I'm clinging to. This feels vulnerable because if I'm listening, I'm not controlling. But the wisdom I need never comes when I'm shouting my demands. It comes in the pauses. I am learning that the most productive thing I can do for my recovery today is to shut my mouth and open my spirit. The answers are usually quieter than my fears.
I can practice 'active listening' with a person today as a warmup for prayer. When someone speaks to me, I will focus entirely on their words without planning my response. I will notice how hard it is to suspend my own agenda, and then bring that same practice to my prayer time.
