Compassionate Listening–in Israel and Palestine

This year, I have felt "called" to return to Israel and Palestine with a dream that somehow the people on all the various sides of this conflict can lessen their connection to the pains of the past and look for ways to find the things that connect them all as human beings–who want the best for their children and grandchildren. And, I still wanted to better understand the situation "on the ground" and to offer my love and spirit to a future of reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.

To that end, I decided to join a Compassionate Listening Project Delegation to Israel and Palestine. As a group, we hoped to be able to meet with people who are representatives of various "narratives" or points of view and to be able to listen deeply to each person in a compassionate and open-hearted manner and to learn how they experienced their lives.

Our group was made up of a diverse group of  people from around Canada and the United States:

John and Nancy share a chuckle.

We all came prepared to listen, learn and hopefully go away with a much deeper appreciation for the struggles that all the people in this Holy Land feel in their everyday lives.

Amanda has a truth to tell.

We spent the first day learning some of the ground rules associated with listening with compassion. Could we each find within our hearts the possibility of "putting ourselves in the life situation of the other" in a way that allowed us to really feel with them their pains and joys? Could we understand how they might feel the way they did–even if we didn't agree with their beliefs and possibly their chosen actions in any given situation?

Rachel chuckles at some irony.

Susan knows when to listen quiet

We found that doing this was not necessarily easy and it took us focus and dedication to even listen with attention compassion to one another, let alone the people we met along the way. But we tried, did our best and sometimes were even successful!

Ada has something to add.

Shirley loves to meet "the other.

Most of the group were either of Jewish descent or had past or present significant others who were Jewish–and thus had much more familiarity with the the Jewish culture than I had been been exposed to in my life–so my learning curve was larger on that front than some others.

On the other hand, my previous experience from being on this land before–as well as having more experience with Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims in my previous travels, was very helpful for me.

Together we made a great team of Pilgrims, learning together, both from each other, as well as from our hosts, speakers and those we "happened upon" in our day to day activities!

Nancy leads with a smile!

Darla is listening intently.

Yael rolls up her sleeves for action!

 Our leader, Yael, was an official Israeli Tour Guide who had lived here for many years, but now resides in the states.

Susanne and Susan are sharing stories.

She was ably assisted by Susanne, who lives in Israel with her Israeli husband and young son, after their meeting and marriage in Germany where she grew up as a Christian.