To listen another’s soul into a condition of disclosure and discovery may be almost the greatest service that any human being ever performs for another. – Douglas SteereI
What is Deep Listening?
Here are the six key points that to me constitute Deep Listening that moves us from the space of ‘Me’ to ‘We.’ This process is also known as compassionate or generative listening, among others. Perhaps we could call it “spiritual listening,” which emanates from a place of discernment, love, compassion and forgiveness.
Since all listening is informed and coloured by our prior experiences and current beliefs and perceptions, it is of outmost importance that we keep ourselves as clear and present as possible at all times, which remains an ongoing process.
Integrating the practice of Deep Listening
Consider integrating the practice of Deep Listening into your daily life. If you are already practising Deep Listening, see where you may still have room for improvement. As you are well aware, family members tend to push our buttons more easily and often provide us with more challenges.
Here are just a few questions and suggestions to guide you in your practice.
To read more go here http://www.martinasteiger.com/From-Me-to-We.html
Here are the six key points that to me constitute Deep Listening that moves us from the space of ‘Me’ to ‘We.’ This process is also known as compassionate or generative listening, among others. Perhaps we could call it “spiritual listening,” which emanates from a place of discernment, love, compassion and forgiveness.
- Listening is contemplative and reflective in nature and is rooted in the heart.
- Deep Listening requires our awareness and attention.
- It can only begin when we choose to engage in it. That means we make an intentional commitment to ourselves, and, of course, others when we converse and listen as whole-beings.
- It must remain open-ended in the sense that it is not directed toward an outcome. It recognizes the possibilities embedded in each situation. It builds trust and enables true dialogue in which we suspend personal opinion and judgement. It serves as the foundation for all healthy relationships. It is the language of love for everyone.
- It requires practice, just like any discipline in the arts or sports. We improve as we practice. Again, this requires commitment to remain open and learn.
- It challenges us to take care of ourselves and fill our cup first so we can come from overflow, and not from substance. This is how we decrease the likelihood of projection, inference, interpretation and more.
Since all listening is informed and coloured by our prior experiences and current beliefs and perceptions, it is of outmost importance that we keep ourselves as clear and present as possible at all times, which remains an ongoing process.
Integrating the practice of Deep Listening
Consider integrating the practice of Deep Listening into your daily life. If you are already practising Deep Listening, see where you may still have room for improvement. As you are well aware, family members tend to push our buttons more easily and often provide us with more challenges.
Here are just a few questions and suggestions to guide you in your practice.
- Set your intention to listen deeply–choose to give the gift of listening, to yourself and others.
- Notice how you feel when someone listens to you deeply.
- Identify places and relationships where Deep Listening is relatively easy for you. Pay attention to how you engage.
- Establish mini-retreats for yourself of 1-3 minutes where you connect with breath and silence.
- Practice contemplative listening, through mindfulness practice, centring prayer or walking meditation.
- In a conversation, keep silent and wait for what wants to arise and be said. Before you speak, ask yourself if what you are about to say, contributes to the conversation. Does it need and want to be said? Remember there are many other ways to connect with other.
- Practice putting your opinions aside. What might make it challenging to put them aside? Look at the potential triggers that you can detect in your reluctance to put your opinion aside.
- Gain clarity over your intentions when you engage in a conversation. Are your comments and questions meant for you to understand, learn, influence, challenge, focus attention, camouflage your own opinion, guide the exploration and more?
- Find role models that excite you and allow you to learn more about the power of Deep Listening that enables us to move from ME to We.
To read more go here http://www.martinasteiger.com/From-Me-to-We.html