This last week I was able to hear wisdom throughout the generations. Three African American women from three different generations, Cathrine Meeks, Jacqui Lewis and Cole Arthur Riley, shared their experience and perspective at the annual gathering of AwakeningSoul.
Each of these very articulate women shared the wisdom and learnings life has brought them thus far. Catherine, as many of you know, is the long time Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing. Jacqui Lewis is an author, public theologian and Senior Minister at Middle Church In New York. Cole Arthur Riley is an author, and Executive Curator at the Center for Dignity and Contemplation.
Each of their world views have been shaped by their family, their generation and their present context. In person, through prose and poetry, these three amazing women shared their stories. In part to claim a history and present reality that is often denied by others. Yet also to encourage others to not only learn their true story but also for us to learn our own.
We are all people of story. A story that has been passed down from generation to generation. A story we have been told by those who have reared, raised and influenced us. A story we tell ourselves based on our hopes, fears and dreams. Our stories are filled with wisdom and revisionism. Our stories deserve for us to listen to deeply, to discern deeply, and to do so faithfully.
We are all people of story. As such, we need to truly hear the stories of others. As author of See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love, Valarie Kaur offers,
“Deep listening is an act of surrender. We risk being changed by what we hear. When I really want to hear another person’s story, I try to leave my preconceptions at the door and draw close to their telling. I am always partially listening to the thoughts in my own head when others are speaking, so I consciously quiet my thoughts and begin to listen with my senses. The most critical part of listening is asking what is at stake for the other person. I try to understand what matters to them, not what I think matters.” Valarie Kaur
Stories matter – our story, our neighbor’s story. It is critical for us to dwell deeply in our sacred story – the story of our faith; our family story – the story that has been passed from generation to generation; our story – the story we tell ourselves. And, as importantly, we need to listen deeply to all those same treasures of our neighbor’s stories. It is in learning all stories that we will discover an expansive landscape of truth and wisdom.
BP