The art of listening
"The quieter you become, the more you can hear." - Ram Dass
This week a very experienced Alexander technique teacher from the States was visiting and he reminded me of the quality of the receptive hand. It struck me how similar it is to the listening ear.
So many times in my every day life I notice how much me and the person I am speaking to are not really listening to each other. We both come into the conversation with our own experiences and ideas, and we essentially leave the conversation confirming our own ideas, neither one truly touched by the experience. Often times I'm grateful for the chance to let off some steam and I appreciate these interactions as well, but it does make me wonder, what would actually happen if we were to truly hear each other?
So today when I taught, I kept coming back to this idea of the receptive hand. The hand that approaches a student without any desire to change them or achieve anything. Whenever I manage to have this receptive hand, I discover myself navigating uncharted territories. It's very hard to put into words what this space is, but it's not the usual space where we meet. To me it's the present moment, where nothing more is required. A space where essences intertwine and true transformation can take place.
And so tonight I find myself wondering, can this experience of the receptive hand inform my listening ear? What if I could listen from a place of not knowing better or resisting what I am hearing? Not just in conversations, but what about when I am playing music as well? What if I could be present? What kind of transformation could take place?
Journaling prompts: How do I approach conversations with colleagues and friends in my regular life? How satisfying are these conversations? Are there moments where my mind is quiet? Where do my thoughts take me when making music? Where do my thoughts take me when having conversations with others?
