“The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.”
~Rumi
I am generally a person who is not at a loss for words. I talk a lot. I write a lot. I think out loud. I am, perhaps, not very quiet. I jump into conversations and can dominate conversations. I have amazing points that I know I need to get across because I know that others need to hear my perspective and my wisdom. (Okay, so I’m exaggerating a wee bit…)
But I have learned to be quieter more often, and it is amazing. Because when I stop taking up much of the space in a conversation (or situation), I truly hear so much more. I give others space to speak up and to share their ideas and perspective. I hear and learn so much more. Things I never knew and never understood and things I never knew I never knew or understood.
This is also true of the sometimes endless chatter in my head. I can get caught in thinking loops that don’t help me but that don’t end. I can think too much, too often, too “loudly.” But I’ve been working on that one too. I have strengthened my meditation practice, consistently meditating for at least 20 minutes nearly every day, and the stronger that has become, the quieter my mind has become, the more I am able to “hear” from the universe. I am able to see more clearly. I get less caught in my own perspectives and less hung up by some of the crazy thoughts that circulate in my mind.
I am playing each day with becoming quieter and quieter. I am reminding myself most moments to listen more than I speak or think. I am hearing so much more.
How have you learned to hear more by being quieter?
Please leave a comment.
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Whew! You spoke a “whole word” to me this morning. I need to get back to meditating as I had a greater sense of peace when I made time for it. I, too, tend to think through my mouth and over think. I also find that preparing for the interaction helps to quiet my mind and my mouth so that I can listen. Prior to a meeting I play it out in my head where I’m doing more listening than responding AND I’m responding in short bursts versus lengthy explanations which can take away the space from others.
Thank you!
Thank you for your comment, Vivian! I appreciate the great tips you shared for becoming a better listener and opening space for others. And yes, meditation and other mindfulness practices are so helpful in bringing us that much-needed sense of peace.