Listening and Understanding

I hear a lot of people complaining that they aren't being heard - at work, in relationships, and at home. If everyone in this situation would use the experience as an opportunity to hone their own listening skills, the world would be a lot quieter, more peaceful and more understanding. You can learn to listen more completely than you ever thought possible. As you sit quietly in meditation, listen to sounds in and around the room you are in. Without judgment, listen to your own thoughts, your fears and dreams, and listen to your heart. Listen without any need to change anything or even to hear anything. Listen with acceptance and patience. Even when what you hear is a desire to jump up and get busy again. Eckhart Tolle tells of one teacher who, when asked, said he learned the incredible stillness that he emanated by watching a cat watching a mouse hole. Try to stay that still and attentive, alert, but also at ease. When you learn to listen to yourself with that much awareness, you will move into your day feeling nurtured all the way to your soul. You will feel less needy or dependent on others to behave in a certain way in order for you to feel happy. Then you will be able to learn to listen that deeply to others. Be reserved in your speech so you can quiet your mind enough to listen, to really listen to others. Listen without thinking about what you will say next, without judging, without criticizing. This will have a profound effect on your relationships and on your life.