Listening is perhaps the most critical skill taught to Whole Health Educators, and it is a skill that requires constant attention and practice. The moment I take my listening skills for granted, I have lost a gift given by a friend, client or stranger. Co-mmunication requires two distinct forms of attention: giving and receiving. If we try to do both at the same time (now fondly labeled as multi-tasking) we risk real traffic congestion in the brain, and we risk losing valuable information that might just change a person's life (ours, another's, or both!). Enjoy this write-up on the value of listening by Linda from Spirituality and Health. Jan
Soul: Listen Up!
The dictionary lists the word “listen” as a verb - reminding us that listening is an active process and asks us:
1) to give attention with the ear; attend closely for the purpose of hearing.
2) to pay attention; heed, obey,
3) to wait attentively for a sound. (Dictionary.com)
Probably the most interesting thing I noticed about these definitions is that all three contain the word “attention.” So, of course, I had to look up that definition, and there I found words like “attentiveness,” “concentration,” “consideration,” “heedfulness,” “observant care,” and “mindfulness.” Teachers and professionals in a wide variety of areas such as leadership, management, and conflict resolution, often describe techniques like “focusing attention on” or “attending to the speaker fully” to be able to absorb the information being shared. They also describe specific tactics to improve listening, such as waiting for the speaker to finish, and listening without thinking about other things, formulating your response, or judging what the speaker is saying.
(Sheryl McGavin, certified instructor, international speaker and examiner for The Upledger Institute, with a private practice in Palm Beach, Florida.) It occurred to me that if we were able to really listen to others, and be observant and attentive, concentrating on what was being said without wandering off in another direction or anticipating our own response, maybe we could also begin to really listen to our own inner voice and be present to it. We could begin to honor it and give it the consideration it deserves. Are we really listening in the full sense of the word? It’s amazing what you can get from a simple reading of the dictionary!
Your Weekly Soul/Body Connection®
August 5, 2009
www.Spirituality-Health.com
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