Listening

I am reading The Sacred Art of Listening by Kay Lindahl, the founder of The Listening Center.  It never occurred to me that a listening center even existed.  But in the 24/7 connected world in which we live, I think it makes sense.  Lindahl says the following:

"Learning how to listen to and speak with each other are essential skills for creating relationships that lead to mutual respect, dialogue, understanding, and peace.  As I explore a spiritual approach to listening, my understanding of what it actually means to listen continues to expand.  Listening encompasses much more than words.  Listening is a way of being in the world.  These reflections speak from that voice."

She calls listening a sacred art because it is giving ourselves and our time to actually pay attention to another person.  It sounds so simple, but yet it can be so hard.  That is way she calls listening a spiritual practice.  Stay tuned for more insights on listening.