The Art of Listening

Communication is undoubtedly a skill we need to master in order to do well in any field we choose whether it is verbal or written. We will go through our education careers developing our own writing style and we will still be learning through our working careers, the art of writing is something we all consciously feel the need to improve. The same goes for spoken communication – we accept the importance of clear and concise verbal communication and even Sangh goes in some way to help individuals develop this.

So what is my point?



Well, during the first Abhyas Varg I was introduced to a concept of “active listening”. In the scope of the other issues we discussed, it seems minute, yet I feel it’s necessary to highlight how few of us appreciate the necessity of listening. Listening not with your ears but with your mind and critically considering everything the other person is saying. I certainly suffered from the “Nodding syndrome” where I instantly respond by nodding as a sign of “I’m hearing what you’re saying” rather than “I’m engaged in what you are saying”. It gives the other person a false sense of comfort in and does not allow you to effectively engage into a conversation. This explains why you sometimes come away from a conversation, only to realise when it’s too late that you have an important question or a counter to their argument. I think the issue is not social conditioning or even an issue of arrogance; it’s something you can actively practise once the realisation is there. Over the last two days I’ve been able to engage in conversations with senior karyakatas far deeper than I have done before simply because I listening, questioned, formulated and then spoke. Hence my presence in the conversation was stronger and my level of understanding was much deeper.

I’ve called it the “art of listening” simply because of the significant changes a subtle change in our behaviour can make. Try it yourself! - Don’t be a nodder or “hmmm”-er, start listening!