Lingua Franca is defined as a language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different. It came out of merchant interactions in the Mediterranean ports where many different cultures were represented and many languages were spoken. It allowed people to build enough trust amidst their diversity to do business together. This is an interesting concept with regard to common awareness.
The language of awareness emerges as people begin to trust themselves and experience trust with others. It starts with small transactions and develops over time.
Much like learning a new language, awareness takes practice and attention. It requires that the individual relax the brain enough to let go of attachment to knowledge (the native tongue) and welcome in the rhythm and idiom of a new way of communicating. The language of awareness opens your internal channels so that you can open the best external channels available with others.
It does not come easily. I took six years of Spanish in school but didn’t really become comfortable or conversant with the language until I travelled to countries where it was spoken and I needed to dig deep inside myself to get places and interact with others. I had to let go of my attachment to English and allow the flow of this new way of communicating (and feeling) in order for my fluency to emerge.
It is a process, sometimes halting and awkward, to learn a new language. Learning the language of awareness is no different.
While sitting in stillness, focusing on the breath, we let the brain relax enough to welcome in the new language - the language of the true self. In this space, we experience all the struggles of learning a new language: confusion, inadequacy, fear, anger, frustration, and sadness. But with practice, these feelings dissipate and awareness starts to flow naturally. By sitting quietly with this emerging language, the breath helps to build a vocabulary of awareness.
With the language of awareness emerging parallel to the other languages we speak, we find new ways of understanding others. The language of awareness is very much a Lingua Franca that allows us to interact more gracefully and effectively with others, even amidst conflict and initial distrust.
As awareness grows, so does empathy and compassion. This trio makes for powerful energy with others. It becomes a kind of “awareness of awareness” where tough situations and unhappy feelings can be objectively witnessed and acknowledged. New channels open up that help with solving problems and building stronger relationships.
“I see you,” said the one to the other. And the other felt seen.