The Minority

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.”

-Mark Twain

Each year in January I visit the Hawaiian Island of Kaua’i to participate in what is known as “The Sacred Journey.” It is a special time during which I get to be inspired by wonderful activities and opportunities for deep reflection in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The journey is a part of the ministry of my dear friends, Revs. Rita Andriello-Feren and Patrick Feren who are the Founding Spiritual Directors of Center for Spiritual Living Kaua’i.

One of the annual highlights of the Sacred Journey is going to visit the Hindu Monastery on the Island. The monastery is home to 19 monks who live, study and worship there. It is a welcoming place of immense beauty. Each time I go, I learn something new and wonderful.

During my past two visits our group has been honored an audience with one of the monks, Paramacharya Sadasivanatha Palaniswami. He lovingly shows us the grounds and we’ve been gifted behind the scenes tours of areas not normally open to the public.

That is a lot of set up and back story for what it is that I wanted to offer today. It came up during our last visit with the Swami, and was a great gift for me in deepening my compassion and understanding in my work with other people.

As we were visiting one of the behind the scenes areas of the monastery, the room where the monks have meetings and make decisions, the Swami mentioned that part of their process was to make all decisions based on consensus. Without consensus no decision is made and no movement happens until consensus is reached.

Here is the important part of that… it gives the minority idea in decision making a voice that may otherwise be buried or stifled. It got me thinking about the times I may have pushed a personal agenda without considering the minority voice; there is always wisdom in that minority voice.

We would do well to heed that voice and take it’s point of view to heart. If it is being expressed, there is something to know in it.

Where are you hearing a minority voice?

Are you able to step back and lovingly consider that voice free of judgment?

Can you really listen with compassion, understanding, and allow the wisdom to touch you at the heart level (and maybe even change your mind)?

We perceive it as a tall task to change our minds — but a change of mind is the activity of potential in action and a part of the flow of evolution. After all we don’t know what we don’t know… and what we don’t know may be reflected in that voice.