Compassionate Listening

Friday, October 4, 2013:

In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert mind there are few.

Shunryu Sizuku, Beginner’s Mind

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It is a simple idea that can be difficult to put into action. So much of what happens in debate isn’t communication at all. Usually it amounts to anticipating what the other one is going to say and how to rebut it. There is no listening… no one wants to hear what anyone else has to say unless, of course, we agree with each other. Even then it hardly ever occurs that anything sinks in past our eardrums because our minds are busy thinking of what we can add to whatever is being said. To be quiet and listen takes a beginner’s mind. To still the mind… shut off the chatter and listen… to hear with all our attention… to all our senses. That is where I find compassion. That is where solutions come from: Compassionate listening.

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