Listening Through the Lens of A Camera
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Watercolor Art Credit: Alanna W. McNeill
When you look at the image of the eye above, what do you see? What is it we see when we look closely? How do we hear? How do we hear when we listen closely? In our world of varying perspectives, and a cacophony of messages, how do we listen closely with our whole heart? How do we listen to our own hearts? How do we listen to the heart and soul of others?
How do we listen more carefully? Is it when we slow down? When we pay attention to how we listen to ourselves, to others, to the Divine, to nature? How do we listen for what we are saying to ourselves? How do we listen for the tone of voice we are using when we talk with ourselves and with others? What is our heart and soul and body trying to tell us? How do we listen to what others are saying? What does the pace of nature try to communicate? What might my body be trying to tell me? Listening in a way that we can feel and see and hear and understand is such a gift!
Photo Credit: Dianne Morris Jones
What does if feel like to exquisitely listen? Is it anxious? Is it fearful? Is it life-giving?
I am a dedicated student of listening. I can’t even put a number on the hours I’ve devoted to workshops, books, TED talks, conversations, and time spent journaling on the topic of listening. I say that with feelings of vulnerability, as you might recall a conversation we’ve had in which I didn’t listen well, rushed through, or offered an empathy buster instead of golden words. I am certainly an imperfect listener, which is why I’ll remain a dedicated student. Listening is a daily practice, a strong intention—not a mastery of skill. Deep listening is an art—an art of practice, compassion, and grace. My desire is to create space with others where we could share our deepest longings, biggest dreams, most ordinary AND extraordinary moments. My desire is that my encounters with God would be active and intimate and I would be present and listen. My desire when I am trying to listen to my inner soul is that I would be still to listen.
The invitation to listening can come in so many various envelopes… contemplative listening, reflective listening, heart listening, listening in groups, listening in conversations, listening on Zoom, listening on a nature walk, listening to our body.
Can we cultivate the eyes and the ears of our hearts so that we can become students of listening? As we put our ears close to our heart, can we welcome the wisdom of our soul?
“When we talk to each other about our fears and dreams, we open up the space for hope. When we learn how to listen to ideas that conflict with our own without becoming defensive, our hearts begin to open and we start to see each other as a part of one human family. We connect at a deep level. When we practice the sacred art of listening, we also learn the art of conversation. It is this type of conversation that can transform our world.” – Kay Lindahl
Photo credit: Dianne Morris Jones
