Did Brother Lawrence have Tinnitis?
A quirky way to practice the presence of God
To hear the related 5-minute audio file that I uploaded today as my Morning Journal flash briefing for Alexa devices, please click on the play button:
In today’s Morning Journal, I reviewed my lifelong experience with ringing in my ears, or tinnitus. It reminded me of Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century French monk who taught The Practice of the Presence of God.
While working in the monastery kitchen, Brother Lawrence would remind himself that he was in the presence of God, no matter how humble the task. I could find not indication that he, too, experienced tinnitus.
In my meditation practice, I usually follow the breath or say a simple prayer when I notice my thoughts have arisen. This week I wondered, “What if I simply listen to the ringing in my ears?”
The sound is always there, and I can become aware of it even in a noisy situation.
I don’t think anyone else can hear exactly the sound inside my head. This makes the ringing something like a personal call to awareness.
For this I am very grateful.