When we truly listen, there’s a sense of leaning in with an openness to being changed by what we hear. So, what happens when we are fully present in our listening? When we embrace pure receptivity, we embody presence itself. You might call this state God, pure awareness, or our true nature. In this space, the lines between ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ blur, and we become a glowing field of awareness. In this open state of presence, we can genuinely engage with life. This is when we fall in love.
Being in this state of listening is crucial for building loving relationships. The more we understand this pure form of listening—where the sounds around us, like rain or another person’s voice, pass through us—the better we can nurture our relationships.
It’s a vulnerable place to be. The moment we stop planning our responses or managing someone else’s words, we lose control. This openness means being exposed to our own feelings of sadness, anger, or discomfort. Listening requires letting go of control, which is no small feat.
Often, when someone speaks, we’re busy planning our replies, judging their words, or trying to present ourselves a certain way. True, pure listening means letting go of that control. It takes practice and isn’t easy, but it’s essential for genuine love. We can’t truly understand someone if we’re focused on controlling the conversation. There’s no room for the other person to be themselves. Listening and fully receiving what others express is a profound act of love.
Ultimately, when we feel heard, we feel connected. When we don’t, we feel isolated. This applies to conversations between different communities, religions, ethnicities, races, and generations. Listening reduces fear, builds trust, and allows love to flourish.
To truly appreciate the beauty of a tree, you need to sit quietly and rest in its shade, standing under it. Similarly, to understand someone, you need to listen to them, be still, and take in who they are, almost from an ‘inside out’ perspective.