Sound Of The Genuine

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Der Klang des Echten
von Howard Thurman

Es gibt in jedem Menschen etwas, das auf den Klang des Echten wartet und lauscht ... Es gibt etwas in dir, das auf den Klang des Echten in dir selbst wartet und lauscht. Niemand wie du ist jemals geboren worden und niemand wie du wird jemals wieder geboren werden - du bist die einzige.

Wenn du es nicht hören kannst, wirst du niemals finden, was immer es ist, wonach du suchst, und wenn du es hörst und ihm nicht folgst, wäre es besser, du wärst nie geboren worden. Du bist das einzige Du, das je gelebt hat; dein Ausdruck ist der einzige seiner Art in allen Existenzen, und wenn du den Klang des Echten in dir nicht hören kannst, wirst du dein ganzes Leben an den Enden von Schnüren verbringen, an denen jemand anderer zieht.

Der Klang des Echten fließt durch dich. Lass dich nicht täuschen und ablenken von all den Geräuschen, die auch zu deinen Träumen und Ambitionen gehören, wenn du den Klang des Echten in dir nicht hörst. Denn das ist der einzig wahre Wegweiser, den du jemals haben wirst, und wenn du den nicht hast, hast du gar nichts... Kultiviere die Disziplin, auf den Klang des Echten in dir zu hören.

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Kernfragen zum Nachdenken: Was bedeutet der Klang des Echten für Sie? Können Sie eine persönliche Geschichte erzählen, in der Sie den Klang des Echten gehört haben und ihm gefolgt sind? Was hilft Ihnen, die Disziplin zu kultivieren, auf den Klang des Echten in sich selbst zu hören?
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Howard Thurman, "The Sound of the Genuine" (Bakkalaureatsrede, Spelman College, Atlanta, 4. Mai 1980). Rede herausgegeben von Jo Moore Stewart für The Spelman Messenger 96, no. 4 (Sommer 1980): 2-3. Die gesamte Rede kann hier eingesehen werden.



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Seed Questions for Reflection

What does the sound of the genuine mean to you? Can you share a personal story of a time you heard the sound of the genuine and followed it? What helps you discern between your inner voice and your ego's voice?

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26 Past Reflections
PA
Mar 3, 2025
Wow. I have not heard such a clear road map to finding our interconnectedness - through our genuine selves, each of us re-discovering our true being, resonating in harmony.
DU
durga
Jan 23, 2024
everyone's lives is the same, find & know themself first. its helps a lot of things to them.
MS
Jan 3, 2024
this article is so inspirable for me when i read this article i think in my self i have the sound of Genuine
AP
Jul 26, 2023
As sit here looking through my memory for an instance of hearing the genuine in me, to not fabricate a fictional moment of such, I realize I am listening for the genuine in me at this moment.
Even though I don't recall such an instance, I realize my waiting and listening is the hearing of the genuine in me, the authentic Truth of I am.
This is just what replied to my enquiry for an instance of hearing the genuine in me.
KP
Jul 26, 2023
Sound of genuine means to me the ability to see/hear one's authentic self beneath the expectations, messages and ways of being placed on us externally. It is un-learning those ideas and reconnecting with who we were as very young children.
For example, in my life I have lived an intention of compassion for everyone, no exception. This began when I was a young child and witnessed my father being treated without compassion and I was bullied at school. While these are external events, they connected me to the value of compassion. This is the sound of the genuine for me.
If I'm compassionate to everyone it expands love and understanding which feels pretty genuine to me. Not sure I explained this well.
PA
Jul 26, 2023
Discovering (meeting) Howard Thurman late in my own life (70’s) is like embracing a long lost brother.
MO
Jul 18, 2023
Meaning of bacculaureate
MS
MD SUFIYAN Jan 3, 2024
its a noun the same thing as a bachelor's degree from college.
another meaning ;farewell ceremony for graduating seniors from high school or college.
SE
sergebesch
Jul 17, 2023
"non self" is not being experienced... other people really stop to exist when you close your eyes... they fittingly re-appear when you see them... the matrix fills the gap. good dreams everybody!
YA
Jul 15, 2023
To me, the sound of genuine means my true feeling inside. I have been searching for a local group of sports or hobbies for 5 years. They were Outrigger Canoe, Zumba, Hiphop, Veggie Garden, and tennis. I enjoyed them at some level, but not fully and I don't feel that I belong to any of them truly. When I felt selfishness in me, that's my ego and if it is for all including myself, then that's the inner voice collectively.
CM
Jul 13, 2023
WOW- the wonderful one within - is unique and flows from the same Source.
This is so well told - "because the sound of the genuine makes the same music".
FD
Jul 12, 2023
When my intentions focus on others, beyond my own time/space limitations, then I step aside and let her do Her thing.
EV
Eva
Jul 11, 2023
for me the sound of the genuine comes from a place where I am feeling at ease and comfort, and in unity with the surroundings. a place where i have joy and comfort and infinite love with no reason. The sound of ego tries to please and seek validation. that's how i discern it from the sound of ego. Years ago, when i walked to the church in lower manhattan, i heard the sound of the genuine saying to me, "God is in you. You are going to places to activate it, but remember it is already in you." i always remember that sound.
Jul 26, 2023
Bei
JU
Jul 11, 2023
Owning my story and yet being more than my story. Saying yes to that authentic voice, but first listening, being kind in a very soft and tender way to that place of manifest spirit - walking without alarm.
JU
Julien
Jul 11, 2023
This reflection is absolutely critical in our lives to live our true self. I would really like to know from which work this is quoted in Howard Thurman’s work. Could someone tell me that. Thank you.
JC
Jul 8, 2023
Many years ago I copied a shorter version of this message and put it above my desk where I could see it every day. I have memorized it and use it regularly when I speak to audiences. It took a while, but I am finally listening to and following this internal guide.
HS
Jul 8, 2023
Buried deep below the noise of our self-centered cunning, crooked and crafty mind, lies that unobtrusive unassuming voice of our conscience that constantly guides us through the very many ordeals of our lives--if we only cared to keep quiet inwardly and be all ears thirsting to hear what it has to say in the form of a feeling in our guts.
AP
Arlin Pauler Jul 26, 2023
Yes, conscience!
That's our word for the human capacity to discern the genuine from the fabricated. Conscience is knowing without thoughts or words for what we know, a form of intuition.
Conscience is a very useful term I tend to forget to use. Thank you for reminding me.
DD
Jul 7, 2023
I think of the sound of the genuine as the sound of one's own inner truth. I listen for and hear the sound of the genuine in myself often. I don't always follow it but often do. At a meeting of 150 people last week, I heard the sound of the genuine in myself and followed it in terms of expressing it, ie, my truth, though I was concerned that what I had to say would not be well received. My genuine was well received and several people commended me for what I said. What helps me cultivate listening to the sound of the genuine in myself is knowing that my genuine is my truth. My genuine is me. To ignore it is to ignore me and deprive me and others of my genuine. Positive response I've gotten for expressing my genuine also helps me listen to and express my genuine.
JU
Judy Jul 11, 2023
I can see there is an eternal practice to this.
BS
Jul 7, 2023
The sound of genuine is acting from a place of love and kindness. Slowing down appreciating the gifts I have to give to others, my time, deep listening.
WS
Jul 6, 2023
I'm totally in tune with my inner being totally authentic and I suffer for it as people don't like spiritual intuitive people
JP
Jul 6, 2023
Is there soundless sound? Yes. When the noises are created in the noisy mind and by the noisy mind I do not hear my genuine voice. When I and the person are talking with noisy mind we do not hear the genuine voice. According to my understanding, when I listen to my genuine voice as well as the genuine voice of the other person there is genuine understanding of myself and the genuine understanding of the other person. Genuine listening with a quiet mind creates the sound of the genuine. The sound of the genuine has depth in it, the realness in it, the authenticity in it. There is a word in my native language that describes the noisy and meangless sound as bakavas. Such communication causes headaches and frustrations. I have expereinced and I expereince genuine sound when my mind is calm and clear. These are the precious moments when I am able to think and act clearly and wisely. Mindful listening helps me hear my self-created noises and it creates genuine, enriching, and wholesome r... View full comment
AM
Amy Jul 6, 2023
Truth spoken here … “when I listen to my genuine voice as well as to the genuine voice of the other…there is genuine understanding …”. Jackpot!