Read between the lines.
Clue in on subtle signs.
Do you stop at surface level?
Can you start to see a bevel?
Do you only listen to respond?
What if you can coax beyond?
What happens when you delve deep?
Listening to understand, a secret to keep.
Deep listening is the kind of listening that can help relieve the suffering of another person.
-Thích Nhất Hanh
Trading two chats back and forth.
One goes south, the other north.
If you fully engage and connect,
then flowing beauty can intersect.
Share the moments; enjoy every word.
Make the other person feel truly heard.
Start to find and share friendly jokes.
See what authenticity they will evoke.
If you can get someone to laugh with you, they will be more willing to identify with you, listen to you. It parts the waters.
-Robert Orben
Listening is sadly a rare and lost art.
It takes slowing down, tuning in to your heart.
Do you really want to be a tried and true friend?
Then see your conversations through to the end.
Do not check out or get lost in your thoughts.
Avoid those mental ifs, wishes, and oughts.
You can be clever and present all at once.
Embrace each moment, unlike some dunce.
If you want to be a clever person, you have to learn how to ask cleverly, how to listen attentively, how to respond quietly, and how to stop talking when there is nothing more to say.
-Leo Tolstoy
Two souls can sit side by side
and feel no need at all to chide.
Share a moment in peace and quiet.
No need to stir up another riot.
Not every moment needs more speech.
Accept nature’s aid and what it may preach.
When you still your mind and sit in silence,
more insights may rise, offering guidance.
Listen to silence.
-Rumi
It has so much to say.
How well do you use all of your senses?
Can you listen better with fewer pretenses?
How well do you expect to grow and improve
if you continue to control each and every move?
Sometimes it is best to sit back and wait.
Listen for what may appear at the gate.
It is never ideal to rush ahead deafly.
Best to glide along def-def-deftly.
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell.