A note from Sean
I believe a lot of teaching is listening as we teach.
Try this today. In your next conversation, let the other person finish, then wait one breath before you reply. Feel your feet and your belly while they talk. If your mind starts composing an answer, come back to the sound of their voice. Afterward, ask what worry sat under their words (question 2) and what you understand about them now that you didn’t before (question 3). You don’t have to fix anything. Noticing it is the practice.
Keep going: What is Mindful Listening? and Listening Meditation.
This suits teachers, managers, counselors, and parents. If the conversation involved conflict or someone’s grief, go gently. Stop when you need to.
