What is deep listening?
While I was at university,
I developed a deep sense of shyness and a lack of ability to connect with others.
I came across neuro-linguistic programming and I was very curious to find out more about it in order to resolve this issue within myself and to learn how to understand and communicate with others.
I learned a lot of tools and techniques to be able to understand their internal map of the world.
I was looking at the way they move their eyes,
Their body language,
The words and concepts they are using,
And through these tools and this observation I was aiming to make their experience better in one way or another.
But of course that meant that I wasn't really there,
I wasn't listening.
I was in my mind,
Making up stories about their stories.
Over time I came across non-duality and knew with certainty that the answer to all questions was always to rest as awareness.
So of course that applied also to connecting with others and to deep listening.
It made sense that in order to fully be with another I have to go to that place where we are already one,
To our shared being.
This shared being,
This awareness,
Allows everything to be exactly as it is.
It has no judgments,
No aims,
And on the level of the body-mind there is a surrendering,
A trusting that what needs to be noticed,
Heard and said in return would be perfect.
Understanding this deeply is what would allow you to remain present even when you are with others.
I am also often asked,
What happens when I am asked a question?
What happens is the same.
I rest as awareness,
And awareness itself is not a thing.
So I rest as nothing,
Simply being,
Listening,
Tuning in to the body-mind as well as the other person is speaking.
Every word,
Every concept shared is a concession to the truth of who we really are.
So I listen to the level of concession that is being shared and I go to that level and as much as possible aim to dissolve the question and questionnaire and aim to bring the person back to this presence beyond labels.
Thank you for listening.
