How good a listener are you? Some people think nothing of listening and that may be because they have never listened before. To be fully present in a conversation you have to listen with an open mind. You have to listen to understand. Many of us live in a hurried state and listening becomes a hurried thing. We finish other people's sentences in our heads, we engage in other activities while listening or we may cut people off in the middle of their sentences and ideas just to give our two cents worth.
Why do you suppose people are impatient listeners? My guess is that the ego is at serious play. The ego informs us that we have the answers that what the other person is saying is of no value and that we should step in and set it right. We are so into our own ideas that we do give others the opportunity to share their nuggets with us. When we do this we do not learn from our interactions with others, we merely reinforce our own beliefs and perhaps leave our companions frustrated and feeling a little less than themselves because you did not respect their ideas enough.
Those of us who constantly interrupt others are telling the world hear me, listen to me, I have something important to so, much more important than me, hear me, I am smart, like me, love me, respect me. It is a plea because we feel lacking in something and this is just a symptom of our low self-esteem.
Listening is one of the greatest gifts you can give to someone. Sometimes your ears and feedback are the what your friend or colleague may need and when you give it to them you may never know how much impact that gift may resonate with them.
So, before you open your mouth, listen, really listen and you will feel two hearts beating as one to the same tune. It is a wonderful experience in dialogue and conversation. Try it. The next time you're in a conversation, just be patient and be present, turn yourself into a blank slate, ready to be written upon and feel the energy of consciousness, the force of life and you will know what listening is all about.
Meditation
Today I will listen with an open mind to hear, I will suspend judgement, I will be present. I am present.
