The Wisdom of Listening

I never received this book

Listening meditation is an all too often overlooked approach to our Buddhist practices. It is so much more than merely an exercise in recreation. Mark Brady presents us with a brilliant book with skilled techniques on just how to master this unnoticed art form. This book goes far beyond some superficial act of just having the capacity to hear. This book is about being truly present in life, about living in love. When the mind settles into meditation, here the sense of self and conceptual mind evaporates. There is a space between thinking. Here is where true listening is rooted. Listening like that connects us to other people, and allows us to actually become who we have always been. Having no ideas, we are free to understand with our very being what another might need. That might be they don't need anything at all. Listening like this let's us see our own life as that of the Buddha Shakyamuni. For further reading on the practice of listening, I recommend another wonderful book published this time by the Tuttle Library of Enlightenment dubbed "Going Beyond Buddha: The Awakening Practice of Listening" by Zen master Dae Gak. The Wisdom of Listening seldom ever gets a break at my house, it's is one of those books I constantly read for insightful sound bites when I feel I might need some pointers. So buy this book, and find your ears of Avalokistvara bodhisattva. Enjoy.

Listening well is hard work. There is no immediate reward for doing it. In fact, the problem of listening well is that we will hear things we don't want to hear. Which is why we don't listen well in the first place. It may even be harder than dieting and exercising.When we think of listening well, we think of listening to others. But how easy is it to apply those great listening skills to ourselves? I don't know about you, but when I embark on a challenging path of personal growth, I like to be inspired, enlightened, and informed. If I'm really lucky, I'll get all three in the same book. I hit the jack-pot with the Wisdom of Listening.Because I have been specializing in couples therapy for 20 years, I think I know quite a bit about listening and communication. And then I got a little humbled when reading Mark Brady's thought-provoking book. Now I listen a little better and almost automatically begin to ask better questions. With better questions comes the potential for a better life. Not bad for an investment that costs less than two tickets to a bad movie.

Each essay in this new book takes a new look at skillful Listening.Perhaps you want to improve your ability to listen to yourself, others, or the earth? This collection reminds us to bring our awareness into the present moment and to attend to our own internal experiences. It's wonderful compliment to deepening one's meditation practice. Or as a guide to being in the natural world in with a new way of perceiving.Brady has pulled together essays from some incredible writers, teachers, and thinkers. But their words are not hollow or dry--they vibrate with practical advice and inspiration to deepen our Listening abilities. It's listening wisdom that asks us to not only use our ears, but all of our senses.Listening doesn't come naturally for some of us...we actually need to learn to do it. When my husband gave me the book, I was defensive at first. "What, you don't think I listen well?" But it's opened up my eyes (and ears! and heart!) and a lot of dialogue between us. I've recommended the book at work, and plan on giving some for the holidays to family! It can only help us all to tune in more, feel less isolated, and enrich our relationships.

What happens when someone listens deeply to us? How does being heard heal us?This collection of essays offers inspired, practical ideas for increasing our listening capacity. Learning to listen with presence, awareness, and love takes begins with the cultivation of listening with our "whole being".The Wisdom of Listening brings reflection on the profound practice of listening from the wise voices of Ram Dass, Joan Halifax, Fran Peavey, Kathleen Singh, Anne Simpkinson, and many others. I am using the book in my holistic health college classes--it's proving invaluable for students from all majors, from business to nursing. Brady has assembled a timely collection, encouraging us to learn to learn the art of hearing with the "ears of the heart."

Wisdom of Listening is a real jewel of a book! Presenting proven techniques used by practitioners in the fields of psychology, clergy, and healthcare, this book offers many gold nuggets of advice the reader can use for better communication with others. I would recommend reading only one chapter at a time, then reflecting on its contents for a few days before reading more. Don't rush this book - the contents are too rich to race through. We all have ears and they allow us to hear. This book goes far beyond the practical mechanisms of hearing and helps the reader to recognize the huge difference between 'hearing' and 'listening.' It guides the reader through various goals and results of listening well. The contributing authors describe techniques with simplicity and clarity. Those who begin to practice the skills outlined in this book can look forward to improved, more rewarding, and more meaningful communication with everyone in their lives. Thank you, Dr. Brady!