Listening

For the last couple of days I have written about my ability to connect with other people, an ability which I value very highly — not just connecting with other people but everyone and everything. One of the main factors determining my ability to connect, is my ability to listen and listen deeply without interference from my clamoring intellect. I attempt to listen not just to the words spoken, but everything the Universe has to tell me. This type of listening requires that I focus, reign in my wandering intellect and become internally and externally quiet. "Listening is a far more difficult process than most people imagine; really to listen in the way that is meant by the masters is to let go utterly of ourselves, to let go of all the information, all of the concepts, all the ideas and all the prejudices that our heads are stuffed with." (Sogyal Rinpoche)