A Spacious Audio Meditation: Bruno Barnhart + “Home” by Sara Bareilles
"Within us is an abundance that is completely inexpressible, a knowledge that cannot be produced and packaged, a certainty that we are continually forgetting." —Bruno Barnhart
It’s just me and Nitro at home this week. After I chose the reading, a new song by Sara Bareilles came to mind. I set them side by side.
I first tried to record from inside my closet while dinner was in the oven. Scott texted a video of Jordan’s World Cup team heading to the stadium. I tried again after I ate. It wasn’t right. So I went outside, and Nitro jumped up next to me.
The bird noises are lovely. As I read from Bruno Barnhart’s book, Second Simplicity, there were interruptions. A helicopter in the distance. Two jets. A conversation next door. A car on a gravel driveway.
Each time, I paused, went back, and picked up at the point of interruption. Frustrated, I caught sight of the light blue sky; clouds made their slow rounds. I got the joke immediately.
One of the kids liked Scott’s text. Gratitude encircled every negative emotion, and we huddled together for the home stretch.
This one may not be easy to listen to (especially with headphones). Still, it seems to bridge the chasm between these collage elements in a way I can’t explain.
As I pour these words into your hands, your thinking mind may rush in to scoop them all up and make them make sense. This is not a problem.
Is there a deeper listening?
With Love,
Kirsten
Sara Bareilles heard Anderson Cooper and Stephen Colbert share their stories of loss and grief. In time, this song came into being. Hear the story in this episode of All There Is.
My name is Kirsten. In spiritual direction, I accompany folks as they attune to the inner dimensions of life. This way of being together is grounding and spacious. Together, we anchor into presence and a familiar flow of relating. To read more and book a free exploratory session, click the button below.
