What is listening?
Listening is a powerful fundamental part of living. In essence, it is the generation of sound from our mouths to create meaning.
Listening is liberating, beautiful and educational. It is understanding each other; we need to listen to each other, we do. Without thorough listening, our world can’t find peace and our relationships can’t be therapeutic. We argue and argue and people strive to be “right” instead of understanding.
Real relationships are therapeutic, fake ones are destructive. The exchanging of truth produces good health and bonding. Opening up and receiving by listening is what all relationships are about.
Listening creates a better version of ourselves. It elevates us, teaches us and is also very entertaining! People gain access to amazing stories and their natural quirkiness comes out, if you listen properly.
We were never taught this basic human skill of listening, not in families nor in school and that’s the source of the damage. People aren’t rude or mean because they want to be, but because they were never taught certain skills or information, which is the same with listening.
Let’s change that. Lets teach you and others why listening is important and how to do it.
Tell us how to listen:
The usual conversation kind of goes like: “I am going to hear the words you say, not think about it, respond with a winning statement that you will agree with ‘I win’ and not ‘I am going to listen to you. My focus is on you.”
Conversations are meant for growth, so real listening means you are actually paying attention to the things said. At the same time they make connections and try to pressure the other person into speaking more about certain matters.
Meditational method:
Meditation is a beautiful form of practice to quiet the mind and the heart, allowing one to be more self-aware and present. However, being present is also silencing the external noise for you to hyper-focus on things that are the most important; like listening to someone (family, friends, lover, superior and others).
RASA:
R – Receive (Pay attention)
A – Appreciate (Make little noises or nods to show that you are engaged)
S – Summaries (Start with “So…..This….That…..”)
A – Ask (Ask questions to familiarize yourself more with the content and engage the brain into creating connections)
Now this is one of those “sure-fire” ways of listening effectively… if anything the real way of listening.
This will be a powerful tool to use for mutual understanding and bonding in any conversation that you have with people. Using this will allow you to have understanding on the topics that you discuss. Use this and see the beautiful results that it produces.
End of conversation:
Listening is a powerful tool in learning, engaging and bonding with people. It allows you to understand together and not create conflict or chaos, but peace and harmony with one another.