Art of Listening-The Way to Hear the Unsaid

Do we Listen? A vast majority would hear themselves say, "Yes, I do!"

Do you remember people saying to you- "Listen to me!". Why would they stress asking you to listen when they know you heard what they spoke?!?

"Listening is to understand the essence of the conversation in the exact meaning as intended by someone or something."

We live in a perception-based world. The conversations that we hear are interpreted and given meaning through one's mental perceptions.?To truly listen is to see things for what they are.

When we say listen, it doesn't refer only to the conversation that one hears through the ears. It's what we hear in the mind as a meaning derived out of a situation or context and correlated to our experiences and perceptions.

So, what does it mean to 'truly listen'? Are we listening to the mental judgments or plain words, or the intentions concealed behind the words! Misinterpretations, misjudgments are the common outcomes of lack of listening.?

Hearing happens with the senses and mental comprehension. It transmits the words into mental images and gives meaning in an instant based on what the mind already knows.

Below is a fictional scenario that illustrates mental responses based on Hearing and Listening:?

In a corporation, the boss said-"We have a deadline to meet. I want everyone to put in long hours and complete the same in 3 days. Let's do it."

• Hearing-based Interpretation: "We have a deadline to meet. I want you all to stay back away from your family time and personal life and sweat out at the office for no good reason. It is mandatory to be done to survive at the office."
• Listening-based Interpretation: "We have a deadline to meet. We have to complete the task as per the timeline. We may need to put in more hours if required."

In a Listening based response, the mind is clear and not clouded by interpretations based on false premises.?It is factual and as it is. Hearing-based responses are reactionary and based on preconceived notions and behavioral patterns.

When we listen, we embrace the ability to see things for what they are. There is no space for deriving a new meaning to the context.

How do we Practice Listening?

5 Simple Ways to Practice Listening

1. Acceptance: When we accept a situation or a person for what they are, we create a space of 'no-meaning'. When you let go of the rigidity to expect things or people to be the way you want, a new awareness of acceptance gets created. And from this awareness, one can listen to conversations for what they are.
2. Humility: Humility comes from the acceptance that I do not know everything. It creates a mindset of inclusiveness and creates limitless opportunities to learn and collaborate. Humility allows a person to listen to the intent behind the words and brings out true understanding.
3. List down meaningful Goals: The intention to achieve a meaningful goal makes a person stay open-minded to any opportunity for making it happen. A person, without a goal, lacks purpose and is clouded by perceptions and judgments. They would lack the awareness to listen.
4. Doing one task at a Time: Doing one task at a time is a Zen practice that brings awareness to the present moment. Listening is deep in this state of mind. The quality of the work done from the space of this awareness is absolute.
5. Gratitude and Meditation: Being grateful and showing appreciation for the people and things helps in the acceptance of all that is. Begin by making a daily list of things to be grateful for. Even a 10-minute practice of stillness of the mind before sleep and after waking up activates the ability to listen and not just hear.

Listening is the way to hear the unsaid-the intention behind the words and scenarios. The scope of understanding is deep and intense. Good communication is based on good listening ability. Challenges in relationships are often because of a lack of listening. Once you master the art of listening the choices you make in life happen from the present moment awareness and not from the inferences of the past. Practice, practice, and practice the simple yet powerful art.

?A Unique Personal Development Program

A Conversation from Patterns to Possibilities

You’re reading this message because you know that there’s more to you than others see & sometimes, you feel there’s much more that you can be.?

You experience some barriers in being that whole true expressed self.?

I am here listen to you.?

Why do I want to listen?

I believe that human beings have the power to create their reality the way they wish to and to allow for that to happen, they only need someone to listen to them without any bias or judgment.?

We meet over Zoom on certain days, across the globe, the details of which are available in the link below so you could choose which day, region, language, time fits you and come be with us for those 1.5 hours:

https://www.victormanickam.com/in

The team will get in touch with you with the link for your meet once you have registered.?

Professional Educator

Mani Harish

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