![]() The universal door of communication has to be opened again. We have little ability to hold an intelligent or meaningful conversation. We do not know how to listen to each other. “We surely have not cultivated the arts of listening and speaking. We are following the challenge of Thich Nhat Hahn who has written, Listening is a way for us to open ourselves to other people, and to ourselves. I love this quote from a guy named David Oxberger, “Being listened to is so close to being loved that most people cannot tell the difference “ For me the call of the Buddha to be compassionate would also be a call to listen. To listen to another, to listen deeply to an “other” can be a great act of compassion. The reason we are doing it in the first place is that we see this as a great opportunity for practice. We haven’t made our first venture out yet, but I am looking forward to it. It is simple, make a sign that says “free listen” and wait for someone to listen to, just listen to. This whole groups purpose is to offer free listening to anyone. Our sangha in Salt Lake is looking to become part of a group called Urban Confessionals. At the same time, I also look at it not only in a metaphysical sense but as a more of a mundane daily practice of hearing the call of the Buddha in each person I deeply listen to. I can appreciate what he was sharing and compare it to the soundless bell that Rev. What he was talking about was more metaphysical than what I took away from it. I had never heard of the concept of “deep hearing” or Monpo (to listen to the Buddha dharma) before. I first came across the idea of listening as practice in Taitetsu Unno’s, River of Water, River of Fire. I know the Buddhadharma has helped me become a better listener. But that seems right for most of us we have a high opinion of our own listening skill and have the tendency to think we are better listeners than we are. For many years I thought I was a good listener and over time I have realized how untrue that was. I have been thinking a lot about listening lately. “Deep listening is more than hearing with our ears, but taking in what is revealed in any given moment with our body, our being, our heart.” – Susan McHenry
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