Now that you have read some of my reflections on Listening in "Are you listening? Really listening?", I'd like to offer six key requirements of the Deep Listening process together with practical suggestions and questions to integrate Deep Listening into your daily life.

I'm also providing you with a few wise quotations on listening as well as a couple of book recommendations.


Here are the six key points that to me constitute Deep Listening that moves us from the space of 'Me' to 'We.' This process is also known as compassionate or generative listening, among others. Perhaps we could call it "spiritual listening," which emanates from a place of discernment, love, compassion and forgiveness. Deep Listening is contemplative and reflective in nature and is rooted in the heart.
    (1)    Deep Listening requires our awareness and attention.
    (2)    It can only begin when we choose to engage in it.
    (3)    That means we make an intentional commitment to ourselves, and, of course, others when we converse and listen as whole-beings.
    (4)    It must remain open-ended in the sense that it is not directed toward an outcome. It recognizes the possibilities embedded in each situation. It builds trust and enables true dialogue in which we suspend personal opinion and judgement. It serves as the foundation for all healthy relationships. It is the language of love for everyone.
    (5)    It requires practice, just like any discipline in the arts or sports. We improve as we practice. Again, this requires commitment to remain open and learn.
    (6)    It challenges us to take care of ourselves first and fill our cup first so we can come from overflow, and not from substance. This is how we decrease the likelihood of projection, inference, interpretation and more.

For the practical guidelines, suggestions and questions, more ideas on the subject, references to other sources and a collection of words of wisdom for your leisurely contemplation, read on here.

I also offer "Listen! What Do You Hear?" as a seminar and invite you to explore this avenue as well.

If you have ideas or kernels of wisdom to share, I invite you to post them on Martina's Musings or on my Facebook page, or email them to me.

Thank you for your willingness to listen with an open heart!