08/09/2022
The art of listening.
I started a new practice last week of Zen meditation.
It asks of you to become aware of your 5 senses sight, touch, smell, taste and sound. 20mins a day I sit outside, in my car or on my bed and I immerse myself into what I can see, what taste is in the air or my mouth, what smells are surrounding me, the feel of anything around me at the time and sounds starting from the closest and stretching my awareness to as far as I can.
Such a simple yet extremely rewarding exercise. It brings me back into my body, it calms my nervous system, it simplifies everything and allows for clarity and calmness.
My awareness was opened up to the art of listening this week, especially when in conversation with another. The ability to really listen can be challenging, I feel particularly in our current times.
How often do you start thinking of what you are going to reply to someone whilst they are still talking?
How often do you express that you know how they feel and follow on with a story of your own experience?
How often do you use the word 'I' during a conversation?
How often do you feel the need to 'fix' or soothe someone who is expressing themselves?
Most of the time people just desire to be heard, acknowledged and know they are seen in moments of not only despair but just in regular expression of sharing their personal experiences and thoughts.
I invite you to deeply listen next conversation you have, emerse yourself into what they are telling you, ask questions to further discover their expression, release the expectation you hold of yourself to find a solution.
Listening can be the most powerful healer of all β¨