Heart Centered Listening

Heart-centered listening was one of the first things that we were taught at USM. One of the ideas behind this is that its less important what you say than how you hold the person you are listening to. The trio I did on this was very impactful for me. I couldn't believe how much of a difference it made to really listen to someone while holding the view of their loving essence. I think it makes a huge difference to feel like you have been truly heard.

Some of the notes I took after my trio included the following comments: 1) everyone has a powerful life story to tell, 2) love is best expressed through your eyes, 3) hold the space and try to avoid jumping in with a solution or advice. As a man, it is really hard not to jump right in. I think in some ways I am conditioned to jump in to fix things. I have noticed that when I am in the 'fix it' mode, I am a poor listener. Along with these ideas of listening with your heart, seeing the loving essence of the individual, and not immediately jumping in to fix the problem, is another idea that fits into this and that is to hold the belief that each person has the ability to solve their own problems. Of course, that would mean that I too have the ability inside of me to solve my own problems. Its a good thought and I need to hold onto to it. I can solve my own problems. Cool.