"Listening looks easy, but it’s not simple. Every head is a world." Cuban Proverb
Today will be another day guided, hopefully, by the wisdom of my horoscope. "You’ll learn all you need to know by listening more than you talk." read today’s message to me and those born under our sign. It is a message that conjures humility in an extrovert….an often opinionated extrovert….one who often thinks by talking. So today, I should be about the work of listening, you say? It will most surely be a welcome state for my colleagues and family.
Listening. As I read these words, I remembered a book I had purchased some time ago. Practicing the Sacred Art of Listening: A Guide to Enrich Your Relationships and Kindle Your Spiritual Life by Karen Lindahl. It is one of those books that looked so good at the time, one I could use in a class or retreat, but has remained unopened. "It happens at work and at home, with strangers and close friends, in heated debates and in quiet conversations, you hear someone speaking, but often you don’t truly listen." writes Lindahl. Perhaps I’ll get around to reading and using it sometime soon.
While in conversation, so many times, I am preparing my ‘brilliant’ reponse to what is being said. I am not truly listening. In conversation with my children, I am often trying to impart some words, thought to be wise, when what they really need from me is my full attention, my deep listening, rather than the words I ‘dreamed’ would inspire them or set them straight. Listening….it is one of the greatest gifts we offer another …the gift of our undivided, nonjudgmental presence to their words, their thoughts, their vulnerability, their strength.
When our children were in preschool, I remember the teachers saying "let’s put on our listening ears" as they began to give directions for a project or lesson. Today I plan to put on my ‘listening ears’ and walk out into the world. I know there are important words to hear, even more important lives to witness. Today, my prayer is that ‘listening’ will be my spiritual practice. I invite you to join me. Who knows what we may learn?