To Listen is to Lean in Softly

18 Nov To Listen is to Lean in Softly

This song was part of Lisa’s 2020 The World We are Dreaming Playlist project, and all contributing artists gave their permission to have their songs from that playlist be added to this library. Individual parts recordings are not yet available.

Composer & Copyright

Original song copyright Eoghan Carrick, words by Mark Nepo.

Recording

Recorded by Eoghan Carrick.

Lyrics

To listen is to lean in softly, lean in soft with your heart
with the willingness to be changed, be changed by what you hear

A Note About the Song from Eoghan (pronounced ‘Owen’):

The initial quote – “To listen is to lean in softly with the willingness to be changed by what you hear” is from Mark Nepo and I have permission from his estate to use the quote freely.

I heard this Mark Nepo quote on a Tara Brach podcast while driving to work. It struck me because it is so far from how I often have listened to people. What if we really listened with “a willingness to be changed by what you hear.”

How Is this Song Creating the World We Want?

A slower, more spacious, more connected world will require, I believe, better listening. I sing this song to remember that every time I listen I can be willing to be changed. The world I envision is one of rich, transformative relationships, relationships that require this kind of listening.

Teaching Notes

Coming soon.