January 15, 2011
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Great Ethic
We would do well to foster an ethic of deep listening, of deep and intentional connection, where a desire to understand supersedes a desire to convince, and the desire to foster healing is stronger than the desire to foment division. (Parker Palmer)
Questions:
What does deep listening mean to you?
What does an intentional connection mean to you?
What does it mean to have a desire to understand superseding a desire to convince?
What does it mean to have a desire to foster healing which is stronger than the desire to foment division?
These answers cannot come from a political party or from a religion. They must come from inside you. Reflect on these questions. And then reflect on your answers.
Comments (15)
Humility is the key. Your questions remind me of the aphorism (did I use that word correctly?),
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a fool. Shun him.
He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep. Wake him.
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is willing to learn. Teach him.
He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise. Follow him.
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That third one is the one your questions remind me of the most, and is closest to a description of yours truly. I’m not very good at answering questions, but I’m hell on talking about them.
@twoberry - Thanks TwoBerry. How was your surgery? I was thinking of you. And thanks for the aphorisms. (yes, that’s correct)
i think they all relate to honesty. if one is truly honest it’s being at one with “what is”.
good questions
@RushmoreJ - Thanks for the comment on these questions.
@curiousdwk - I just realized that I left out the second ”not” in the first one. It should have read:
He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool. Shun him.
it’s people like you who make me feel happy and inspired and worth something. so thank you. ♥
Listening without comments, plans, judgments, or the need to respond. And this occurs only when your mind is quiet, when your thoughts are flowing rather than crowding your mind with distractions, interpretations, judgments, and your ears is hearing the essence of what others say puts us in touch with our own inner wisdom.
@RestlessButterfly - It’s the beauty in comments like that that I’m going to miss. Good luck.
deep listening to me, like when i lay in my bed and the windows are open and i hear complete silence and then the sounds of nature. life outside my room….it relaxes me and i feel content. then i feel apart of whats going on…intentionally become a part of the situation, with out comment or other thoughts. at peace.
my desire to understand above convincing for me is when i dont have to convince someone of my thoughts and feelings and beliefs or whatever the situation may be. i know what i know and thats all that matters. i understand what i believe and really thats all i need to be content again. also, why argue with someone or discuss with someone when you know you are right and theres no convincing someone else of your knowledge of the topic or whatever it is.
from my heart…..
oh and i love you
@LUNAPHIA - Wow. thanks for the great internal reflections. I love what you said and also how you said it.
Oh. and I love you too. (smile)
Great reflections to have and follow and empathise. I am glad I came by and read your posts.
i got distracted by the stockings. those are hawt. you are still here?
I think deep listening consists of not just hearing the words, but understanding the context from which those words were said, so that you understand not only what the person thinks, but also how he feels and why. I think if we can relate on that deep level, then there are few with whom we will be unable to empathize and reconcile.
@rugbugg - Thanks for your comment. I agree 100%. I define empathy as really understanding what and why a person thinks and feels the way(s) that they do. The more we empathize the more we realize “There is no them”