HEARING WITH BIG EARS

I was born with big ears, and as time has gone by they have gotten bigger, longer, more important. Having a big head and big ears led to some uncomfortable moments in childhood when perchance the sun would hit the head in a particularly dramatic way. This would create an opportunity for others to laugh and make up strange words like "bulbus". It actually never really bothered me, and in fact made me want to be an actor. Not a clown. Of course, keeping these big ears clean as a child was a conscious effort and an exercise in concentration. I was proud of the elephantine nature of these strange things on the side of my head. As I grew people from various cultures came into my life and made pronouncements about my ears publicly. Long life, strong constitution were some of the things thrown at this frail little "toe head" with the big shiny head and ears. I wasn't bald yet, but secretly could see my own face in the picture of my grandfather with his severely receding hairline and pronounced presence with spectacles that I also shared. My high school picture was the precursor of things to come. Bright and shiny with big ears was the obvious future.
As life took its course I became acquainted with many different cultures and life philosophies. My own struggle to be happy and successful caused me to make some effort to be introspective. That lasted for sometime, but not having the strength of mind to endure the rigours of serious internal discipline I moved on to simpler tasks such as eating, sleeping, fighting and as much mating as possible. This led to desperation and a myopic fixation on my unfortunate emptiness. Gradually, because of a sincere desire to be happy and connect to the greater good, I started to notice that I could hear nice things such as the wind in the trees, birds, music from a passing car, a particular complex series of notes at a Jazz event, etc. Other opportunities came into my world. Chanting ancient holy mantras profoundly moved my inner core from a fixated place to a grand stage with many wondrous events playing out their purpose. I could hear this cacophony in the center of my chest. How was this I wondered? Slowly I tracked this "hearing" to the area of the Heart. I wondered if this is what so many poetic texts and seers were talking about? Another thing was happening about the same time, and that was that I found myself in particular conversations listening to the mood of the conversation. The intention seemed to be more important to me than the actual words. Although not neglectful of the words and purpose the feeling within my chest came more into focus. A sort of blending of intellect and emotion is how I would describe it now. A new way of hearing. The big ears were still important, not vestigial, but hearing now involved both the ears and the Heart. Metaphorically the outside and the inside. I could hear and pay attention so much better, and seemed to navigate through my life in a more secure way. Trusting in the walk of life and myself became stronger. I was listening from a different place. A place where the wisdom of many seemed to gather. The mythical place talked about by many, and now by me. My big ears actually helped me become aware of the world around me and the importance of keeping them clean with nice sounds and the inner ear, the Heart, clean also. Gradually, I am now listening with much bigger ears, laughing and crying but for bigger reasons.