Bringing back the long lost art of listening.

Do you listen to respond? Or listen to understand?

Nawar kamona imagery, 2020

Is there an approach to cultivate ‘’accurate’’ listening? Or, do you listen to body language, facial expressions?

Do you develop a deep understanding of what they’re saying rather than what our mind thinks they’re saying?

Or do you listen to respond? to answer? but not to hear —

To listen; ‘’give one’s attention to a sound’’.

Perhaps, without making a sound, without interruption. Beyond verbal interruption but internal mental chatter that goes on, that one that excites you to speak up, the one where you don't even recognize what the other person is saying.

Because you can't seem to wait — to have your ‘say’.

Hold your breath.

It’s to listen without judgement, especially without analysis but to raw words through fostering the art of silence.

Bringing back the long lost art of listening: This has helped me —

1. Wait — let the person express their viewpoint.
2. Avoid telling them how they should (feel, act, what they should do).
3. Focus on understanding and learning.
4. ’Give whatever you are doing and whoever you are with the gift of your attention.’’ ― Jim Rohn.
5. Express genuine interest, refer back to what was said and reflect questions.
6. Follow through. Follow up.
7. Connect.
8. No judgement. Remind yourself; this is their story, not yours.

MANTRA: “I foster a heightened level of engaged listening in all my conversations, whether in person or over the phone. When I start to zone out or feel the urge to interrupt, I remind myself that it’s better to tune in and really listen to what the other person is saying.’’ — unknown.

Listening is being authentically and organically changed

moved.

by what you hear —hear(ing), hear(d).

so, how would you respond to that?