As a part of my role with Wisdom Waypoints, I have had the privilege of taking a deep dive into Cynthia Bourgeault’s soon-to-be re-released Four Voices Method of Discernment. The course, originally created in 2016 by Contemplative Journal and updated with additional video teachings in 2022, offers a timely approach for this moment of integrating Wisdom into the world.
As many trusted structures are being dismantled and chaos abounds, Cynthia offers us a method of inner listening and discernment, grounded in spiritual practice, that invites respect and kindness in the midst of polarization and tension. In this course, she brings us a clear approach to follow, as well as offering multiple personal and illuminating examples from her own life. From losing her luggage and wanting to turn around and go home to deciding whether to buy a house, Cynthia takes us through situations in her life about which we can all relate.
We have all likely known the inner experience of multiple voices. We hear ourselves say: “A part of me feels strongly about going in this direction but a part of me feels equally strongly about the opposite course of action.” We get caught in discounting or ignoring parts of ourselves while centering voices within that seem better, higher or more spiritual. We end up either totally confused or stuck, or we move forward listening to one voice, heading in directions we can not sustain.
Cynthia helps us to listen tenderly and curiously to the voices within that fall into these main categories:
- Nafs: The Sufi term for our lower, passional soul (often called the “false self”)
- Soul: The deeper voice of our authentic self
- Spirit: The highest, most true and clear voice of our most expansive spiritual aspirations
- Heart: The still, small voice within that straddles the higher and lower voices
With the Four Voices method, we practice listening, slowing down and patiently seeing how each voice is trying to help us with valuable information about the decision at hand. We allow the tension, without collapsing it, and learn to stay with our experience. Only then does Heart, the fourth voice, come online with its signature harmonizing clarity. Heart senses the whole field and is the means through which a still small voice is heard, through deep connection with the fullness of our Being. Heart connects the higher and lower within each of us while also connecting us to the field of Mystery, and the higher realms that download into time, bringing a consensus that balances and coheres our inner dilemmas.
In this timely treasure of a course, we learn to skillfully ‘play our own instrument’ as we begin to recognize how each of these voices speaks within us. As we do this, we can experience a peaceable Kingdom (or community) inside which enables us to offer that same curiosity and compassion back out into the world in service. The world needs us to engage in this work, both individually and collectively.
Wisdom Waypoints will be offering a community learning experience during Lent so that we may practice this method together. Beginning March 19, for four consecutive Wednesdays, Jeanine Siler Jones, Heather Ruce, and Marcella Kraybill-Greggo will facilitate a guided online cohort to move through the course and share opportunities for practice. Let us pause and listen collectively as we create a welcoming space, where all voices are given a place at the table for dialogue, respect and presence.
Save-the-Date for the Four Voices of Discernment Guided Cohort
- Wednesday: March 19, March 26, April 2, April 9
- 6:00pm to 7:30pm ET | 3:00pm to 4:30pm PT or convert to your time zone here.
- Online via Zoom
- Registration details coming soon
The Four Voices Method of Discernment will also be available as a self-guided, on-demand course beginning on February 28. We hope you will consider joining us in our collective work with the course on March 19 as part of your Lenten journey this year.
Our special thanks to Contemplative Journal and Kate Sheehan Roach for initially creating and tending to this course over the years in partnership with our founding teacher, Cynthia Bourgeault. Wisdom Waypoints is pleased to be able to carry on the work.