NOEMAYA

In a world that often moves at breakneck speed, it’s easy to overlook the profound beauty in the act of simply listening. But what if I told you that active listening is not just a social skill but also a form of meditation that can transform our lives? And it’s not limited to conversations alone; it extends to tuning into the sounds around us, our inner thoughts, and, most importantly, our own bodies. Active listening is an oasis of presence, free from the burden of scheming and responding. I’d like to explore this practice in some detail, and I’ll share how it has become a source of liberation and serenity in my life.

The Essence of Active Listening

Active listening is all about being fully present in the moment, free from the distractions of the past or the future. It’s about hearing and understanding without any ulterior motive. This form of listening sets itself apart because it demands that we put aside our urge to fix, change, or manipulate the situation. It’s about embracing the here and now, allowing it to unfold naturally.

When we engage in active listening, we grant the gift of our complete attention. We create a space for others to express themselves without fear of judgment or interruption. This form of deep listening allows us to connect with others on a profound level and fosters empathy and understanding.

Active Listening Beyond Conversations

Active listening doesn’t confine itself to human interactions. It transcends into the realm of nature, our own thoughts, and the body. Let’s dive into how this practice manifests in these different areas of our lives:

Listening to Nature

I often find myself sitting on a bench near a park on a quiet morning, just to listen to the sounds of nature. The chirping birds, rustling leaves, and distant sound of passing cars—they all come together to create a meaningful whole. I’m not trying to label the birds, identify the trees, or interpret the sounds. I’m just there, listening with open ears and an open heart. I even try to disengage from more passive identifications such as who I am or my geographical location or life situation. This meaningful whole, this symphony of sounds, might as well be presented to me when I am in a totally different location across the world. All labels drop!

In these moments, I become one with the environment, letting the sounds wash over me. The peace I find in these instances is a testament to the power of active listening beyond human conversations. I’m not out there to fix anything or label these sounds, some as pleasant and some as unpleasant, some as natural and some as urban and unnatural; I’m simply there to be present and to appreciate the impersonal nature of all things around me.

Listening to Our Thoughts

Our minds are constantly churning with thoughts, some trivial and some profound. Often, we rush to categorize them, judge them, or search for solutions. But what if we allowed ourselves to listen to our thoughts without the need to engage in or change them? I try not to take a stance with regard to thoughts, treating them like sounds of nature that are outside of me. Who ever said they’re inside me or belong to me! Isn’t that an assumption I’ve taken for granted!

For me, this practice has been a revelation. I sit quietly and let my thoughts flow like a river. Instead of trying to catch each one or analyze their significance, I just observe. It’s astonishing how much we can learn about ourselves when we stop our inner chaotic engagement with the ceaseless mental chatter and simply listen to our inner world. Active listening in this context has led to greater self-awareness and self-acceptance.

Listening to Our Bodies

One of the most transformative aspects of active listening is turning our attention inward, to our own bodies. Our bodies constantly communicate with us through sensations, realities that we either label as pleasant or unpleasant. We often perceive these signals as threats, triggering our “fix-it” mode. But what if we reframe our relationship with our experience of the body and simply listen and stay connected to our embodiment no matter what?

There have been times when I felt an intense, unpleasant sensations throughout my body. Instead of immediately panicking and assuming the worst, I decided to actively listen. I focused on the sensation without interpretation and judgment, and if I could sit with it for a bit more than my usual threshold of intolerance, a remarkable shift would occur. The discomfort ceased to be a threat anymore; by allowing myself to step into it, we became one; we realized we were one to begin with but only apparently separated as a result of persistent interpretation, labeling, and judgment where I had somehow decided to disown these sensations thinking they would harm me. But now, they became my allies. I realized that my body was simply communicating its needs and boundaries, that those abandoned sensations simply have begging me to let them come back home and be accepted as they are.

By actively listening to my body, I gained a new level of peace and freedom. I no longer had to be constantly on edge, ready to fix every little sensation. I learned to trust my body and its wisdom, knowing that it would communicate when something required attention. It was a liberating experience, and it allowed me to embrace discomfort with open arms.

Becoming One with Discomfort

Active listening isn’t just about tuning in; it’s also about accepting. When we actively listen to our bodies, thoughts, and surroundings, we develop the ability to become one with unpleasant feelings and see our avoidant strategies for what they are. It’s a remarkable transformation that allows us to find comfort even in the most uncomfortable situations.

Imagine a moment when you’re sitting in a room filled with tension and conflict. Instead of trying to fix the situation or avoid it altogether, you choose to actively listen to the emotions in the room. You become an anchor of calm amidst the storm. You no longer feel threatened by the discomfort because you understand it.

This newfound comfort in discomfort is a powerful gift of active listening. It helps us build tolerance in challenging situations, knowing that we’re okay just as we are. We no longer need to constantly be on the lookout to fix ourselves or others. Sometimes, we just need to be present and listen.

Practical Nonduality

Active listening is not just a skill; it’s a form of meditation that enriches our lives on multiple levels. By extending it beyond conversations, we become attuned to the world around us, our own thoughts, and the wisdom of our bodies. Through active listening, we learn to embrace the unknown and the uncomfortable, finding serenity in the most challenging situations. This is the essence of practical nonduality.

So, as you go about your day, take a moment to actively listen, not just to others but to the symphony of life that surrounds you inside and outside. Tune in to your thoughts without judgment and listen to your body’s wisdom. You’ll discover a new sense of liberation and comfort, knowing that sometimes, all you need to do is be present and listen.