Mindful Listening

Jul 15

Recently, I had some hearing loss in one ear. To help with the issue, my doctor prescribed a single hearing aid. When I was asked what it was like wearing one hearing aid, I often found myself saying it feels like the “Marianne Show” all day long. You see, when I wear the hearing aid, I feel like I’m talking on a microphone. Then I realize that it isn’t always the Marianne Show? All day long, we listen to our own thoughts. And are there often we don’t even hear this inner voice or pay attention to it? But I find that lately, with this hearing aid, I am really paying attention to it. So, isn’t this a practice in Mindful Listening?

(How interesting that it’s called a hearing aid and not a listening aid)

So this month – ask yourself, what are you hearing? Are you listening? What are you listening to?

Don’t Miss Having a Mindful Listening Moment

Mindfulness is paying attention with a kind and curious mind in a non-judgmental way. When you are being mindful, you are taking your time, not rushing or multitasking. Mindfulness is focusing in a relaxed and easy way to what’s happening right now. Mindfulness is also noticing what emotions you are feeling right now and noticing what thoughts are present in this moment.

So let’s practice a Mindful Listening Moment together:

Sit up tall. Make your body still and quiet. Close your eyes. Pay attention to your breathing. Take a slow breath in and a slow breath out. Again, take a slow, long breath in and a slow, long breath out. One more time – Take a slow, long, deep breath in and a slow, long, deep breath out. Relax your breathing and notice your thoughts, how you feel, and any emotions present right now.

In just 3 mindful breaths, you can check in with your thoughts, your body, and your feelings. This is a Mindful Listening Moment.

Do you feel yourself breathing? Where do you feel it? In the nose? Maybe in the belly? Or even the chest? What does the breath feel like? Is it cool or warm? Fast or slow? Is it big or small? Just notice without judging it. Can you hear your breath? What does your breath sound like? Is it noisy or quiet? Just notice and breathe.

This is a mindful listening moment.