Above is a retelling of an ancient Hasidic tale, retold by Doug Lipman in this article.
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you relate to the notion that it was the listening and not the judgment that caused the transformation? Can you share a personal story of a time listening deeply caused a transformation in your life? What helps you have the patience and commitment to listen deeply?
If a friend/acquaintance talks on and on in a negative and blaming tone, how is best to deal with this? Listening in silence seems to encourage the blaming and the negativity? I have found it less than helpful to remain silent at such times, and have felt the need to propose alternative ways of thinking. Otherwise, the individual just seems to continue with endless streams of vitriol towards whomever/whatever is the current target, and not to move out of this mode? Patient, silent, "compassionate" listening does not always work when people seem determined to remain aggrieved?
Listening is an art but listening other's story/ issue/ matter with compassion.....is like service to GOD. It will unite/ heal and spread love to the world.
This essay by Doug Lipman is for me a beautiful and powerful story. It expresses a lesson that I am still learning. I know that listening allows and facilitates transformation. We heal and transform from inside out, and what we need is a chance to let our inside out, and someone listening nonjudgmentally makes that easier. Feeling deeply listened to facilitated my opening up, expressing me, and learning more about myself. Feeling deeply listened to I felt accepted which enhanced my self-acceptance and self-confidence and being myself, all of which were significant transformation in my life. What helps me have the patience and commitment to listen deeply is knowing the transformative power and satisfaction of deep listening both for the one being listened to and for me as the listener.
listening to what is unsaid is more important than listening to what is said.
This is a timely subject for me... I’ve been living and working internationally now for almost 2 years. I’m amazed at how apropos this theme is to all expats, we need an ear, to be heard about the challenges with transition in regards to differences and adjusting to them; me, too. This theme also rings a bell with me on listening to ourselves and our bodies always, but specifically during times of transition albeit physical or emotional change.