Soulful Listening
Author: Karin Marcus

In this age of instant global communication, it is ironic
that one of the most common unmet universal needs is the
need to be heard. It is precisely because we are surrounded
by so much constant, extraneous information and endless
noise, that we have lost the ability to hear ourselves
think and to be in touch with our wise intuitive knowing.
Perhaps the saddest part of this condition is that if we
are unable to listen to our own hearts, it is impossible
for us to truly empathize with and share the deep felt
experiences of another?

Soulful listening is not simply an auditory process. It
requires the full engagement of the body, mind, and spirit.
Listening is an act of witnessing. It means observing
without judgment or interpretation. To truly listen we must
be fully present in the state of not-knowing. Only then,
can we empathetically receive and truly acknowledge the
value of the individual human experience.

There are three pre-requisites essential to soulful
listening:

First, we must slow down. It is impossible to hear anything
clearly or be fully engaged in the moment when rushing
about. These days, with cell phones and text messaging,
rarely do we stop and listen; we are always multi-tasking.
Soulful listening requires the focused intention of the
body, mind, and heart.

Second, we need to be quiet. This means not only to silence
our speech but also our mind. The ego loves to talk, talk,
talk. Our endless mind chatter insists upon what it knows
and doesn't allow any opening for learning. But our wiser
self likes silence, it likes to listen and to be receptive.
In order for us to be in tune with our inner knowing, we
must still the mind and be quiet.

Third, it takes practice. Soulful listening is an art. It
must be nurtured and exercised regularly. The times when it
is needed the most are often chaotic, stressful, and
rushed; times when it feels impossible to be still, quiet,
and receptive. In those circumstances we are pressed to
know the right answer, rather than asking the right
questions and learning. Only by diligently practicing and
developing our skills in soulful listening can we call upon
it in our time of need.

Here are two activities to help develop the art of soulful
listening:

Activity One: Take a pencil and paper and find yourself a
quiet place to sit outside. Put a small circle in the
center of your page; that represents you. Now listen
carefully. Put a mark on your page for every sound you
hear, noting the proximity and general direction. Try to
identify the source of the sound; it may be the wind, a
bird, an insect buzzing, or a plane overhead.

After about 10 minutes, put your pencil down and notice how
you feel. What has changed in you if anything? What is your
breathing like now, your heart rate, your mood? What have
these few minutes of listening given you?

Activity Two: Our ability to hear our own hearts is greatly
enhanced by learning to listen to others. Set the intention
to soulfully listen to at least one person a day. It can be
at work, at home, or even with someone you meet in passing.
Stop and take the time to hear their words, feel the
emotions behind their speech and mannerisms. Be curious;
think about what you don't know and would like to learn.
Afterwards, reflect upon the experience. How was it
different from your normal pattern? How did you feel
honoring another person's personal experience? What insight
did you can about your own life? It's surprising how much
you learn about yourself when you soulfully listen to
another.


About the Author:

Karin Marcus, Certified Life Coach / Retreat Leader
"Let the beauty of what you love, be what you do" Rumi
Karin@Steppingoutcoaching.com 610-667-5247
http://www.SteppingOutCoaching.com