“What is my one true light,” Sue Monk Kidd asks herself in response to Oprah ‘s question in a Super Soul Sunday conversation. Every woman d’une certaine age has given this some thought. I guess you probably already suspect that I enjoy these tete a tetes that Oprah holds with big thinkers. But I too wanted to know how Sue Monk Kidd has found the courage to live her one true light. Sue Monk Kidd said that she’d read Thomas Merton’s, The Seven Storey Mountain about the search for meaning on her 30th birthday. This book set her on a road of deciding to become a writer and looking for an answer to the question of what is inside of you. But she wrote in isolation for 20 years before “The Secret Life of Bees” became a best seller at age 52. I loved that book but beyond the beauty captured in her characters, I really had not thought about her belief system Her newest book, by the way, is “The Invention of Wings.”
I know that many of you readers have an interior life. Some of us have connected on this very point. But I would sincerely like to know how you tap into the mystery of your interior life, — into this silence– where the divine lives.
I visited a friend recently and she invited me to join her in her early meditation the next morning. She turned on the computer, we settled in together but separately for a 15 minute start to our day. It was not prayer as I had learned growing up. But it was something akin to Sue Monk Kidd’s definition of prayer. She defined prayer as the attention of the heart and once again this speaks to what is inside of you.
There were other nuggets in their conversation that I will use later as meditations in prayer. For example, Sue Monk Kidd talked about a need to be in a place of belonging. In social media speak, we talk of tribes and authenticity but in this context it has nothing to do with spirituality. I feel on some level in trying to make sense of social media that we are talking about this same place of belonging that Sue Monk Kidd talks about although no one would describe it in spiritual terms.
Here are 3 Ways to Give Expression to What is Inside of You
1. Become familiar with the silence that is inside of you. Every Wisdom Teacher I have ever read, met or heard speak encourages a practice of sitting with yourself and listening for what your quiet voice tells you. It doesn’t have to be called anything. Although some call it meditation and others call it prayer.
2. Listen to your intuition. Rarely does your inner critic voice fail you. But sometimes you may confuse what others think and what you think. This is why listening to the silence and learning to recognize your own voice is so important.
3. Speak your intention into the universe and then give it your attention.
This conversation was insightful. What is inside of you? Oprah prepares her interview questions even though these conversations appear spontaneous. I always feel she is in conversation with her guest about how to find that path to what is inside of you and how to discover the essence of who we are.
In closing, may I ask, what is faith to you if it is not paying attention to where you belong. What brings you alive?
Karen Coutu says
Such food for thought. The whole concept of quiet seems so foreign to me since my life is so chaotic. Someday, perhaps I will have that quiet. A girl can dream, right? 🙂
Patricia A Patton says
Yes quiet Karen. It’s true that while totally engaged in parenting, the family and children take up most of your time. But do try to take time for yourself.
Kymberly (@KymberlyFunFit) says
While the word “tribe” does not speak to me at all, meditating does. I enjoy my moments alone though recognize that I can use more moments of silence when alone. That inner chatter is so persistent and practiced!
Patricia A Patton says
Kymberly A.B.S.O.L.U.T.E.L.Y
I absolutely have to practice meeting myself in silence on a regular basis. It is something I am focusing on. I always feel better when I do. Thank you so much for sharing with me.
Carol Cassara says
Your question about faith made me pause for a while. A sign in my office says “Faith is believing things when common sense tells you not to.” and for me, my faith was built of my personal experiences using my personal BS detector. So listening to myself was paramount.
Patricia A Patton says
Cool Carol. Yes I am not sure exactly how I would define faith succinctly. But I agree that listening to oneself is absolutely at the core. Thank you for reading the post. I really appreciate it.
Nicole McLean says
The Secret Life of Bees is such a great and phenomenal book. I am buoyed by the realization that she was in her 50’s when she wrote it. I completely understand the concept of writing in isolation… and I will admit that I do it (have done it) for a long time. Thank you for such a thought-provoking share. It fed my spirit today.
Patricia A Patton says
Hey Nicole. So nice of you to visit the site. I too loved the book and the movie which doesn’t always happen. But I think it surprised me even more that Sue Monk Kidd was so thoughtful, just as you’d imagine someone who truly is a creative writer. Because I am a freelance writer, it is not possible to always follow a thought to its conclusion. I always admire writers who are able to do that. I am so interested in becoming more familiar with boobiesblogspot.com Thank you for being so kind.
arelis cintron says
It seems to be the same. When I pray it’s usually for guidance. I look at everything as if it were a learning experience., a teaching moment. Where do I want to go. Etc. What’s my next step?
Patricia A Patton says
And clearly Arelis when you pray you are going to a quiet place and listening in prayer. It is the same. Thank you for stopping by.
Mandi says
“Listening to the silence and recognizing my own voice” is where I am. I need that. You hit it right on the head that we can confuse what we think with what others think. This post gave me a lot to think about as i have already been in reflection approaching 30 next month.
Patricia A Patton says
Aaah Mandi. When you talk too much or listen too hard to what everyone else has to say, sometimes you cannot get to where you alone are coming from. What I mean is you can get lost if somewhere you have the thought that someone else knows better than you about you. When you get a little lost I think you have to take the bull by the horns: either get guidance from someone who can hear you, not necessarily agree with you, but hear you and help you express yourself so that you can 1) define the problem and 2) start looking at options that fit you. It is all inside of you. But we do need help getting at it sometimes.
Brandi says
Become familiar with the silence that is in you. Yes. That is exactly what I need to learn to do. It’s scary,that silence. But necessary, right?
Patricia A Patton says
The silence indeed can be scary …. initially. But most things that are new are a little scary and this goes away. Know that what you want to do IS approach what is scary so that you can embrace or dismiss it. That is the real deal and this makes everything easier. Hum. That one comes from a deep bowl of wisdom. Thanks for reminding me.
Sharelle D. Lowery says
I love speak your intentions!!…There is so much power in the tongue!!
Patricia A Patton says
Yes there is Ms. Classy Black Girl. I know you how to manifest. Sometimes I even put them on stickies after I open my mouth. Thank you for stopping by the site.
Natasha @ Houseful Of Nicholes says
Articles like this always feel me leaving as if my toes have been stepped on (obviously in a good way) I guess it wouldn’t be such a knee jerk reaction to some things if I wasn’t guilty of not doing them right. Thank you for sharing, and for allowing us to benefit from it as well.
Patricia A Patton says
Thanks Natasha. Don’t feel bad. This is a constant. We all have to always remind ourselves. I appreciate you taking the time to read and share with me. Thank you so much.