readrevelation.org

Here's one of my most favorite quotes to support my emphasis on listening as a benefit to communication. "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."

Some try to make a distinction between hearing and listening, such that one really gets it and the other simply knows something is being said. I don't try to make that distinction, seems to me like the words are used interchangeably.

On the other hand, I do believe there are different kinds of listening. For instance, there is listening in order to take the action requested or needed. There is listening that merely provides breathing human companionship with scant attention. There is listening which is really more like hunting an opening to say something.

Then there is the listening that is a gift, silent listening, no-agenda listening, calm presence, available attention. I believe this listening could heal hearts and perhaps whole communities.

This reading ends with the uncovering of religious hypocrisy in this topic. "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."