“To listen is to lean in softly with the willingness to be changed by what we hear.” –Mark Nepo
Whether we are listening to connect with ourselves, or to connect with others, before we can listen, we need to learn how to be present.
We all know what it feels like to share something that’s important to us with another person, only to feel as though and they are merely half paying attention to us. In short, to feel that they are not fully present. We get the sense that they don’t really care about what we’re sharing with them. We interpret their lack of presence as disinterest in not only what we are sharing, but also in us in general.
Similarly, so many of us live a type of disembodied existence where we only pay attention, and listen, to the sensations of our body when we experience pain or discomfort on some level. We do not listen to it unless there is a negative message being sent.
What meditation teaches us is how to connect with the aliveness that is present within our bodies in any given moment, helping us listen and build intimacy with our unique human experience, from the inside out.
Leaning in with the willingness to be changed by what we hear is what we’re doing in meditation. We are getting quiet, so we can lean in and listen to the true longings in our heart, or the desires and pain of the ones we love, and then ask ourselves, “Am I willing to be changed?”
At Awake Wellness, we are committed to exploring the intersection of mindfulness and communication, sharing practical tools and techniques that enhance our relationship with ourselves and others. We invite others with the same shared interest to engage in building a community where we can practice our skills of mindfulness and communication to further our shared values of respect, kindness and understanding.