HeyMonicaB

How much you actually listen when someone talks to you? I mean really listen. Like listening without thinking about what you are going to say next, or without thinking about a similar experience you had, or without handing over your advice. I’m sure you’ve been in a situation where there were 3 people talking at once and you can’t get a word in edgewise. It might feel like a battle and you might leave the conversation exhausted and deflated.

Often while someone else is talking, we are very quick to interject our next thoughts, feelings, or experience to show that we relate or to give support. Yet, this can actually be very frustrating for the person who is speaking – they might not be DONE with everything they need to get out yet. Our ego tends to jump the gun a bit too soon and it can leave the other person feeling incomplete.

According to Ayurveda, 1/2 of all healing is simply listening to the client. If you’ve ever been to therapy, you know that the therapist mostly listens. The information given is not only to solve a puzzle, but it’s to help release stagnant, old junk that might be affecting our present self. In the way of talking and self expression, we release the stagnant stuff. There is an energy release of emotions, stress, expressions, and other fodder that could be clogging a person’s mind. Thorough talking, we can let it go.

True listening is not easy, yet true listening is one of the best ways we can help heal someone. It’s quite a wonderful gift to give.  We’ve all been on both sides of the coin and we know what feels balanced and what is…kind of annoying. All I’m saying is let’s become more mindful about how much we listen. Let them finish their thoughts. Let them speak. They are not only giving information, but they are expressing themselves.  And most importantly by listening, you promote healing.