Listening, with the whole of being

Philip Kapleau’s, timeless classic, “The Seven Pillars of Zen” speaks to the “art” of listening:

“Everyone should listen with his or her eyes open and upon the speaker – in other words, with their whole being – because an impression received only through the hearing is rather shallow, akin to listening to the radio.”

What does it mean to listen with the whole of being?

Most of the time we are unable to truly listen to other people; we are completely dissolved in a field of associations. One has to attend to oneself to be able to listen with one’s entire being. In speaking with people you can study what takes your attention away or where you feel the words in the body.

Dag Hammarskjöld describes this process beautifully in his book, “Markings”:

“The more faithfully you listen to the voice within you, the better you hear what is sounding outside. And only he who listens can speak.”

It is also difficult to remember that when we are speaking with one another, we are not just exchanging words as William Segal describes: “When one is still and listens, one begins to be in touch with a mysterious element that is within each of us, which can transform and shape us and can help to transform the world.”

So how does one become inwardly active?

To me, as a Christ follower, it means becoming very intent on the Holy Spirit, to His still small voice within me, who gives guidance and promotes one pointed attentiveness.

The Apostle James chides: “Take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires..”

I earnestly pray that I may be attentive to the Voice, so that I may be a good listener, freely giving my undivided, single pointed attention to others.