Ears To Hear

This is one of my favorite things. This conch shell was given to me by a friend who found it while diving in Hawaii. It is actually quite large, and I find it most comfortable to hold with both hands instead of just one.

The conch shell is a gift from the ocean and from Mother Earth. Its medicines have to do with proper boundaries (thus the shell part) and with having ears to hear. It's ocean sounds can only be heard if there is relative silence around us. If there is too much chatter it becomes more difficult to hear.

This is much the same as gatherings. When there is more chatter going on it is amazing how difficult it is to hear the person who is looking right at you and speaking to you. This is part of why I don't go to a lot of social gatherings, especially in public places such as restaurants and bars. The noise level makes it impossible to connect with anyone. Funny how people swarm there to connect with others, yet the opposite effect is more true.

The conch shell teaches us that we need to use our mouths and ears in proportion. We were given one mouth and two ears for a reason. Yet it becomes to easy for people to inflict upon others their verbal diarrhea. So often people don't even listen to each other when there are only two people in the room. No wonder folks end up not feeling validated in their lives!

A wise teacher once said to me, "Everyone knows how to be quiet. Few know when." That stuck with me. Personally, I don't get off on the sound of my own voice. I know some who do. I keep those interactions limited. I find it easier to hear what people are saying when I come from a place of silence, both outwardly and inwardly. This is probably why I get some people who ask me why I don't share everything at one time. They think I am holding back, when actually I am holding space.

Many Warm Blessings for the New Year 2009!

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com