Hayati with her parents and sisters

Currently, I live in my parents’ house in Madura, East Java. I returned from Bandung (IofC office) in October 2024. With Inner Listening as the foundational ritual of IofC’s spirit, how do I keep this ritual alive?

I’ve been with IofC for 17 years, and my understanding and practice of Inner Listening have had their ups and downs. Sometimes I feel in tune with the process, sometimes not—until I can truly hear a voice, decision, or answer that I believe is God’s voice: one that does not harm anyone and brings healing energy to everyone.

When I am in the company of my IofC friends, Inner Listening and sharing flow easily and feel very conducive. But keeping up the ritual of Inner Listening and sharing among people who don’t practice it is clearly not easy.

IofC is our home where we nurture and replenish ourselves. Eventually, we have to step out of this home and spread IofC’s energy to others. Outside, everything we’ve learned is tested in real life: how do we truly listen to others with our hearts? How do we live without judgment and respect other people’s stories? How do we become a “safe space” where others feel trusted and comfortable sharing with us? And how do we really radiate the aura of “change starts within” from ourselves?

Life is noisy and full of triggers that are designed to challenge our inner peace. If our Inner Listening foundation is weak, we may get swept away by this noisy flow of life—restless, rushed, careless, unsympathetic, impulsive, and so on. In my family, there is no concrete tradition of pausing (when we are confused or facing problems) or truly listening to one another heart-to-heart. This is the challenge I face as an IofC practitioner living by its values.

Hayati's hometown, in the beach closed to her home

In the face of these real challenges, I continue to practice Inner Listening at home to maintain my connection with myself, care for my inner self, and find my inner peace every day. In addition, I now serve as a Board Member of IofC and as a volunteer and student at the School of Reconciliation (SR). This keeps me connected with my IofC friends through online meetings and SR classes. All of this is very precious to me. I can be honest and authentic with them, and this becomes my healing energy, giving me renewed strength to fulfill and carry out my responsibilities in my hometown.

Stay connected with your Inner Listening!

Thank you.

Writer: Nur Hayati Syafii

Translator and Editor: Ari Budi S

Proofreader: Peter Hayes