Listening is a gift that humans can give to one another as a selfless act of love.  I know a lot about this because I have had this gift generously given to me all of my life since birth.  My mother is not just good at it, she is truly gifted.  I have been the receiver of this gift so many times, that it would be impossible to count them all.

Listening is not just hearing, though it can be a part of it.  “Hearing” can be a function of the ear and never be used as a listening tool.  Listening requires total attention to the one who is speaking or otherwise communicating.  People who do not communicate vocally may be deaf signers or people with limits to their ability to make sounds.  I would like to refer to all communication as being equal for the purposes of this commentary.

If one does truly listen, it must be purposeful and attentive.  That’s why “listening” to signing individuals can be included in this.  The only difference is that the “listening” then, is done with the eyes.  In this way, listening is the same, as the most dramatic element of this art is done through these “windows to the soul.”

Another important aspect is the ability to stay still and silent, leave the quiet spaces alone, and not try to fill in the gaps that will naturally occur.  This is difficult, because we want to react and put ourselves into the conversation.  That is the problem.  Listening is not conversation.  It is the lack of conversation that allows the speaker to be heard unconditionally, in order to be  understood.  Conversation is not an act of love.  Listening is.

If one is fortunate enough to have such a listener in his or her life, they are blessed indeed.  And if one has been listened to in this manner, one can learn to be one.  But the most important thing one needs to have is the desire to be there for another person.  In fact, it occurs to me, that if one wants to even consider the possibility of world peace, one must be willing to learn this art.  What a wonder it would be to use our senses in this quest for harmony.  Is anyone listening?