Patty Mayeux Blog

In a tiny book called “true love,” Thich Nhat Hanh offers a “telephone” meditation to bring harmony into a relationship. In today’s world, perhaps we could call it Texting Meditation or DMing Meditation. His suggestion to wait a few rings before answering a ringing phone traces back to when we didn’t know who might be on the other end. The noisy notice that used to be a ring creates an opportunity for this short meditation: “I am determined to practice deep listening. I am determined to practice loving speech.” Breathing in and breathing out corresponds with the two sentences. 

If only every conversation began with both participants seeking deep listening and loving speech, telephone or not. To imagine such a two-way love fest makes me realize how shallow I can be. How can I demonstrate the care for the other while they are talking? Is it possible to set my own needs aside to offer love? Can I repeat Hanh’s phrases before engaging with others? Breathing in, I am determined to practice deep listening. Breathing out, I am determined to practice loving speech. It’s a meditation. It’s a prayer. It’s a way to love in the deeps.