Sound Of The Genuine

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Hand-drawn art by Rupali Bhuva
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El sonido de lo genuino
--por Howard Thurman


Hay en cada persona algo que espera y trata de escuchar el sonido de lo genuino... Hay en ti algo que espera y trata de escuchar el sonido de lo genuino en ti mism@. Nunca ha nacido nadie como tú y nadie como tú volverá a nacer jamás, eres inigualable.

Si no puedes oírlo, nunca encontrarás lo que sea que estás buscando y si lo oyes y no lo sigues, sería mejor que nunca hubieras nacido. Eres el/la únic@ tú que jamás ha vivido; tu forma de expresarte es la única de su tipo en todas las existencias, y si no puedes escuchar el sonido de lo genuino en ti, pasarás toda tu vida en los extremos de las cuerdas de las que alguien tira.

El sonido de lo genuino está fluyendo a través de ti. No te dejes engañar ni desanimar por todos los ruidos que son parte incluso de tus sueños y tus ambiciones cuando no escuchas el sonido de lo genuino en ti. Porque esa es la única guía verdadera que tendrás y si no tienes eso, no tienes nada... Cultiva la disciplina de escuchar el sonido de lo genuino en ti mism@.

Hay algo en todo el mundo que espera y trata de escuchar el sonido de lo genuino en otras personas... Debo esperar e intentar escuchar el sonido de lo genuino en ti. Tengo que esperar. Porque si no puedo escucharlo, entonces en mi esquema de cosas, tú no estás siempre presente. Entonces, mientras vivo mi vida, esto es lo que estoy tratando de hacer realidad... estar seguro porque escucho el sonido de lo genuino en mí mismo, y habiendo aprendido a escuchar eso, puedo volverme lo suficientemente silencioso, callado, suficientemente tranquilo como para oír el sonido de lo genuino en ti.

Ahora bien, si oigo el sonido de lo genuino en mí y si tú oyes el sonido de lo genuino en ti, es posible que yo descienda en mi (espíritu) y emerja en ti (tu espíritu). Para que cuando me mire a través de tus ojos habiendo hecho esa peregrinación, vea en mí lo que tú ves en mí. Entonces el muro que separa y divide desaparecerá, y seremos uno, porque el sonido de lo genuino hace la misma música.


Preguntas semilla para la reflexión: ¿Qué significa para ti el sonido de lo genuino? ¿Puedes compartir una historia personal de una vez que escuchaste el sonido del genuino y lo seguiste? ¿Qué te ayuda a discernir entre tu voz interior y la voz de tu ego?



Howard Thurman fue un pionero social, místico compasivo y mentor de Martin Luther King Jr. (quien le presentó a Gandhi). Extracto anterior del discurso de bachillerato en Spelman College en 1980.
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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Add Your Reflection

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!