Listening is ‘in’ at the Vatican

News from the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops 2023, which concluded this session at the end of October – by Punya

After a precious, impromptu inquiry session a few days ago – I am an aficionado of Upchara’s monthly Who is in? on zoom – she shared something interesting. She had heard that one of the innovations at the Synod at the Vatican in Rome, that lasted the whole month of October, was the introduction of work groups of a dozen or so attendees around a table: bishops, monks, laymen, women, from different countries, who spoke the same language. There were 35 work tables.

The emphasis was not so much on the discussion but on listening. In fact, after each person had spoken, there would be a period of silence to absorb what had been said.

In an X post, Pope Francis @Pontifex.it tweeted, and I translate: “The essence of the synod path lies in the basic truth that we must never lose sight that its purpose is to listen, understand and put into practice the will of God.”

Of course, as sannyasins we have had the opportunity to learn how to listen during the one-and-a-half to 4-hour Osho discourses daily. Then, in recent years, mainly during the lockdowns, I was introduced to the Circle Project via Suha (who is still regularly running a group in Italian language via zoom), a Women’s Circle in Corfu, and then of course the Inquiry Intensives live and via zoom, such as my favourite monthly sessions organized by Upchara . In all there is strict confidentiality, silence while the other speaks, and no feedback unless requested (in the Circles).

During these practices, the emphasis, for me, is not so much on what I am going to say, but rather on my ability to listen. Just listen, without my mind interfering with counter-arguments, advice, or memories from my own past. This open listening is not only an enrichment for myself but also helps the other go deeper in their enquiry.

Now, what has been introduced in the synod is not to be strictly compared to this, since the tables are in fact discussion rounds, but it shows the opening and respect given to each speaker. Also, in one of the interviews I heard someone say that it’s better to avoid gossip/slander (using the wonderful Italian word, chiacchiericcio) but to rather confront the person directly.

In another TV interview I watched, one of the women was actually a ‘facilitator’. Her job was to help ‘hold the space’ of the work group and, if necessary, suggest some participants ‘go more in depth with their argument’.

In the introductory speech Pope Francis had given, he said, I am again translating, “The synod means: to walk together, laymen, priests, bishops. It’s easy to say in words, but not so easy to put into practice. The synod church is a church that listens, conscious that to listen is more than hearing. It is a mutual listening from which each one has something to learn.”

This process of listening had already started in 2021 when groups in local churches had come together and discussed matters. These notes were then collected by the bishops and brought to the table in October 2023. The 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will conclude in 2024. These councils’ aim is to adapt the Church’s practices and teachings to the modern world and to relations to other religions and creeds.

Interesting also is that the October synod had started with a 3-day retreat!

What was new in this synod too was that it did not only consist, as traditionally, of bishops, but that 25% of the participants were either priests, deacons, nuns and monks, and laymen/women. It included women (54)!

If this method of listening has trickled down all the way into the Vatican, there is hope that it might be applied in many more instances in this conflicted world, starting from our offices and homes, among our colleagues, family, friends, partners.

Related discourses

Listening is a positive silence – Osho says in darshan, “Listen to people. You will learn much about them, about you. Listen to people and you will feel an opening.”
The art of listening – “As you listen to music, listen to me that way. Don’t listen to me as you listen to a philosopher; listen to me as you listen to the birds,” says Osho
Listening means hearing without mind – Osho talks on ‘Listening / Hearing’: “Listening is all that meditation is about – how to listen to that which is already there.”
More: Osho on Listening

A Thousand Ways of Listening: The Circle Project – A Whiff of Freedom – Suha’s investigation into Listening continues by telling the story behind the Circle Project
A Thousand Ways of Listening – “I like it hot!” – A short and insightful note by Suha
Gurdjieff’s father’s advice to his son – “For twenty-four hours, wait; and after twenty-four hours, whatever comes to you, go and do.”
The Art of Deep Listening – Article by Kiran Singh Sirah, the President of the International Storytelling Center (ISC)