What did you find in the fields today, you who have wandered so far away?
I found a wind-flower, small and frail, and a crocus cup like a holy grail; I found a hill that was clad in gorse, a new-built nest, and a streamlet's source; I saw a star and a moonlit tree; I listened... I think God spoke to me.
The fundamental premise of compassionate listening is that every party to a conflict is suffering, that every act of violence comes from an unhealed wound. And that our job as peacemakers is to hear the grievance of all parties and find ways to tell each side about the humanity and suffering of the other. We learn to listen with our "spiritual ear," to discern and acknowledge the partial truth in everyone—particularly those with whom we disagree. We learn to stretch our capacity to be present to another's pain.
~ from "Just Listen" by Leah Green in "Yes!", Winter, 2002
