“One of the tasks of true friendship is to listen compassionately and creatively to the hidden silences. Often secrets are not revealed in words, they lie concealed in the silence between the words or in the depth of what is unsayable between two people.”
― John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
“Real friendship or love is not manufactured or achieved by an act of will or intention. Friendship is always an act of recognition.”
― John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
Yesterday we arrived in County Clare, Ireland which is where John O’Donohue lived and wrote. I find his insights amazing so wanted to use his quotes tonight. I find friendship to be a rare and treasured gift and yes to me, there is always that sense of recognition. Sometimes with really strong friendships, it feels like we have always known each other and when we meet this time, we pick up easily from where we left off, whether that was minutes, days, or lifetimes ago. I don’t mean by this that I believe all close friendships are past life connections (tho more often than not I believe that is the case) but that when we discover or re-discover someone with whom our soul clicks we recognize our heart or another part of ourself that beats inside the breast of another.
As easy as it is to find those we can talk with, how much more amazing it is to find those with whom we can have an easy silence. One in which understanding can be shared. Sometimes we need to speak and know that we will be heard and understood. Recognizing that need in ourselves, we can hopefully sense that need in our friends and learn to listen with compassion and heart when our friends need to speak.
Does this apply only to those we consider our friends? Perhaps there lies the secret towards evolving the human race. What if we decided to listen compassionately not just to those whom we consider friends but to everyone we meet, treating each in the way we would a close friend. Would we then start recognizing each person inside of ourselves thus expanding the friendship circle? Could compassionate understanding be contagious? I truly believe so.
Blessings, G
Some Pictures from Ireland tonight
click on images to see full-size
First Glimpse of Ireland through the Clouds
Celtic Bench Outside Bishop’s Gate Hotel in Ennis
Grotto outside the Franciscan Friary in Ennis
Pyramid Tomb outside the Ennis Friary
Echoes of Aum by G A Rosenberg 
Athabasca River
