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Mother Teresa And Dan Rather On Listening

Dr. Sri
1 min read
Dan Rather, CBS anchor, once asked Mother Teresa what she said during her prayers. She answered, "I listen." So Dan turned the question and asked, "Well then, what does God say?"  Mother Teresa smiled with confidence and answered, "He listens." For an instant, Dan didn't know what to say. "And if you don't understand that," Mother Teresa added, "I can't explain it to you."
Posted by Dr. Sri on April 24, 2014
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51 Reflections shared

Aryae Coopersmith Apr 24, 2014
Dr. Sri -- I really enjoyed you sharing that story last night. Thank you!
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Ammi Apr 24, 2014
Love this ! Thanks for sharing.
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Chris Johnnidis Apr 27, 2014
Quite beautiful, and delightfully mind-twisting, Sri, thanks for sharing that :)
1 reply: Rachael | Post Your Reply
vinod Apr 27, 2014
This is napalm for the mind! Thank you!
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m May 4, 2014
that's a beautiful reminder of the power of silence, and quieting oneself enough to listen for the grace that comes forth.
1 reply: Patti | Post Your Reply
Bob Ritchie Nov 3, 2019
I first heard this several years ago and it has stuck with me. I have been asked to prepare a sermon on prayer and I am going to use this in there somewhere. It has a sense of the mystery of God and serenity.
1 reply: Rachael | Post Your Reply
Dr. Colleen Mac Dougall Jan 31, 2021
Listening is witnessing
1 reply: Themcastillo | Post Your Reply
EricVBailey Mar 4, 2021
*thumb_up_emoji*
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Nitul Ojha Mar 5, 2023
I guess this is what they mean by communion!
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Michael Mar 6, 2023
It's a beautiful moment when we cry tears of hope.
1 reply: Rachael | Post Your Reply
Mercedes Mar 6, 2023
Listening connects us with the wider dimension of life; transcending time and space. It takes me to, when seeing a delicious dish, there is an immediate "shrinking of my stomach..." to make it clearer... a slight yet subtle physical retreat. But when I don't listen and I let my craving be stronger than my perceptions (the not listening) that which I eat, negatively impacts my digestive process. Yes, I cherish that soft voice, profound and powerful; always present!
1 reply: Rachael | Post Your Reply
Sanchi_Chandna Mar 6, 2023
wah! This was like a symphony in my whole body. Almost like, I was listening, being listened by god.
1 reply: Rachael | Post Your Reply
Mandi Mar 6, 2023
wisdom
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Fiona Dightam Mar 6, 2023
I was wonder at how fast life shifts for me when I listen. I love this idea that both God and each of us are witnessing life unfolding, with each of us along our own personal path. It fire with the notion that we are never given anything we are not ready for, even if we still feel unprepared for it! And yet if I follow the guidance things land exactly where I have intended, or maybe how the universe intended. Usually not how I thought it would unfold, but generally amazing how manifesting actually occurs. An example of this from my life was when I built a huge retreat centre with timber frame and straw bale construction. It took 5 years and my heart was in the whole process and my career. My mantra was that I was building it to last for future generations, with a great sustainable structur [...]
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Hareshwar Mar 6, 2023
In that space of nothingness and emptiness life throbs with fulness; one just have to tune into that, and then there is nothing to say or pray for.
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Ed Krall Mar 6, 2023
I have been troubled by what is happening in this country. I have felt helpless in the face of violence, guns, fake news and politicians hurling hatred. I think, "What can I do". I am humbled and inspired by the readings today and the amazing things individuals with faith, hope, conviction and openness have done. It makes me think I could start, by 'listening'.
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khanna johnston Mar 6, 2023
So lovely. I simply say thank you. I thank god for my husband, my parents still being alive, I ask god to help me let go of anger, to watch over my family to be kinder, so I guess I do ask. When I got to temple, I simply try to say thank you. However, I know I ask for good health, and god to watch over people, simply to allow love and peace into their lives.
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sally mahe Mar 6, 2023
Agreed, this phenomena must be experienced.
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jAya iyer Mar 6, 2023
to listen is to melt and become one...
listening to the other person deeply connects to that being
listening in prayer connects dwithin and then there is nothing in or out.
it just is...the roaring stillness of life..love
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Fred Mindlin Mar 6, 2023
What a beautiful anecdote! There is a Circle Song I love: "Listen listen listen to your heart song, it will never forget you, it will never forsake you..."
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Michael Maxwell Steer Mar 6, 2023
I get on relatively well when it’s me and the ‘otherness’, where it complicates is when someonelse or something else is creating a dynamic which demands I follow it. I find it hard to maintain focus within a dualistic environment.
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themcastillo Mar 7, 2023
"I can't explain it to you" summerizes the openning I felt when reading these stories, 4 types of listening and Mother Teresa's. Being strong and clear enough to continue like the football player with his girlfriend and Isaac in the concentration camp to find your truth=love opens me to a way to be in the world.
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Patti Mar 9, 2023
Prayer as listening - and being listened to… A prayerful state is realizing I am one with the Divine - one with all.
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Khuyen Nguyen Mar 10, 2023
I was confused then I heard "noble silence"
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Miriam Feb 11, 2024
The readings resonate very deeply with where I am on my spiritual journey - enjoying, needing and craving silence to be with my soul in communion with the Divine and to grow. I'm very blessed to have a husband (who is the person I thought of during the silence of our Laddership time together yesterday and he thought of me) who listens to my reflections and mullings after my times in silence - and I realize I need to learn to listen to him more. 🙏 for such profound and deep readings.
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Rupali Feb 12, 2024
My mind and heart is usually so clouded I struggle to find quiet to listen
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jacqueline Dolan Feb 12, 2024
I laughed at the truth of this! Listening is the way to hear the voice of the soul, which I need to be reminded of! Listening silences the chatter of the mind!
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K Madhuri Feb 12, 2024
Woww!! Isn't that the perfect communion?! Where you need not do anything to be heard and you can hear even when it's still not said!! My whole body feels like blooming flowers to meditate on this !
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Allie Middleton Feb 12, 2024
mmmmmm….. 🎶🪅🌀💗🔥 sounds like opening to the mystery …
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Rachael Hammerlein Feb 12, 2024
this is so open and together are the words that come to mind. the listening to the spiritual word is a practice i have stared to explore in a way that comes together in a shared force. mabey the word harmony can be applied.
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treva Feb 12, 2024
"Slow down make the morning last just hanging around feeling groovy...." Words from a song that popped into my head....Slow down, bow down n" listen to feel the pulse!
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Bhargavi Feb 12, 2024
Silence speaks
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Dr.Harshita Sharma Feb 12, 2024
All the answers are within so listen, listen and only listen !Take a pause and listen !Thank you so much sharing !
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Sylvia Malkah Feb 12, 2024
I have been cultivating Silence as a need to ease my nervous System.
And to listen to the birds and "the song of the world.
My conversation with God goes on and on and on.
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sharnita chilukuri Feb 12, 2024
We surrender and listen to God. HE then listens to the desires of our heart, the true desires of our heart and Miracles start happening. It all happens in the silence.
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Ruth Levin-Vorster Feb 12, 2024
This makes me smile. I love it. in that deep listening between God and the individual lies all answers and all knowledge.
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brenda krieg Feb 12, 2024
Instead of asking we should listen. Also by asking to a bigger source is going to be waiting for listening.
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Fernanda Regina Vilares Feb 12, 2024
She is God. We are all god and mad of the same matter, then we are just opened to something else, wich is everything.
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Paula ann Hagar Feb 12, 2024
I create stillness during the day and in prayer so that the noise and chaos retreats and I can hear. I listen.
1 reply: Mansiji | Post Your Reply
Ana Javier Feb 12, 2024
That story brought a memory of a conversation I had a month ago. It was deep, and we were both exposing our hearths. The conversation occurred in 3 different moments; in the last one, I said sorry because I wasn't talking or answering anything to my friend. He said it's ok. I can hear your eyes.
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Swati Butola Feb 12, 2024
I want to listen !
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Polly Hespe Feb 13, 2024
My day was filled with gentle listening. As I listened my mind (likely ego) would attempt to clutter and try to confuse. I would hum “om” The vibration of “om” without fail would calm all thought and allow my heart to sing, clearing the clutter. As the day continued to unfold, the air became clearer, the colors more vibrant, my heart filled with true love to be fuller activated with diamond crystal light. Love never fails us, there is and always will be a candle burning inside, that can never be fully extinguished. The candle of hope and miraculous miracles. “I am willing to accept whatever it is I many need (lessons) in my life at this exact moment” whatever that is (lessons) “this too shall pass” So many lessons all within our own self. ho’oponopono I am [...]
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Ireto Oronsere Temofeh Feb 13, 2024
Mother Theresa's method of praying reflects my Silence, Trust, Openness, and Peace (STOP) formula: The virtue of Silence in prayer leads to Trust in God, which leads to Openness to God's grace, which leads to Peace of mind. This S.T.O.P. formula is the best method of praying for us today.
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Diksha Pilania Feb 13, 2024
Listen to the silence. It has stories to share; it has secrets to unveil; it has answers to your question. The state of being is to be present without any biases, without any notions, to just be there and give your whole energy.
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Monica Feb 13, 2024
Simple and true....
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Renjitham Feb 15, 2024
Those answer from Mother Teresa was a balm for my soul - to confirm that God listens, and that I also listen. waiting and listening. letting my thoughts flit in and out holding to none. God listens YAY! Thank you thank God. We then can know what our souls may be saying. God already know what I am thinking, God already know what i am asking. answers are not the only thing I am listening for. Listen, listening. Desire for something profound starts to creep in. let it go. I don't want to create anything. I do need answers to some of the problems I am facing. Be kind. Wouldn't that equal to being a doormat? The fruit will come later. Won't he get the wrong idea that he won and I lost? What woudl I lose? nothing in the deep inside but outerly it will look like I lost some of my dignity. Do I restore that now or wait and listen? "People change by seeking, finding, and nourishing the best of who they are." What is his best? What is my best? How will we change? okay still listening.
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Pradeepta sundaray Feb 16, 2024
What is silence is just to be understood and not to be spoken about, as all real things of substance in life are beyond all descriptions.....
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Ranjit Feb 16, 2024
It the state of nothingness
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JT Mar 4, 2025
Love Nipun's use of "Loud Listening".....I felt that in this piece. So profound,
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allie Mar 4, 2025
we listen together
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Susan ploplys Apr 3, 2025
Nobody wants to be “tolerated”.
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