Deep Listening

AA wrote: I am very struck by the below and support it very much.... as a coach this is very much the basic of what a good coach should do.
I thank you very much for the weekly mails as they function as an enlightment to me! So, please keep on doing this!! 

Deep Listening

You listen deeply for only one purpose – to allow the other person to empty his or her heart. This is already an act of relieving suffering.

                                                                 Thich Nhat Hanh: Creating True Peace

When a person close to you is in distress you sometimes feel very helpless. You search and search for something you can do to help. We want to alleviate the suffering of others by doing things, because that’s so hands on. 

Well, most often you don’t need to do very much: just let him or her talk about it, and be there for that person one hundred percent. Do you best to listen deeply with no agenda of your own. Don’t judge, argue, or come with your own thoughts or reactions.  Just open your heart, be silent and listen. 

It might make us feel uneasy not to act, but deep listening is one of the most important and helpful things we can do for someone who is suffering.