3 min

Compassionate Listening

3 Min
Life Coaching
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Cindy Wolk-Weiss, BSW
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher & Healer
Deep and present listening is rare in most of our lives. We all just want to be heard, here's how!
From the community
30 reflections
M
Matthew
Interesting
I tend to be the “designated listener”. Lots of people like to seek me out for advice or comfort. I find that I do typically listen deeply to their plights. But sometimes I see a clear path to resolution for them, and will interrupt before they’re truly finished. Just to get the thought out into the world. So I don’t forget it or let it change as I hear more. I hope I’m of some use and/or comfort to those whom I allow to unload upon me! I like to think I am!
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Brynna
Just listen
I have the problem where I want to fix everything for everyone. It never really occurred to me to ever simply listen and not make an opinion or come up with a solution. Until now.
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Patrick
An Example
Cindy, my friend, this is Amazing! Much of what you share is true. Yet, I have found it challenging to put into practice: you want to make things right or find a solution. My best example of Deep Listening was a woman who shared her thoughts for 90 minutes. At the end, she said “You are a great conversationalist.” Amazing! For 90 minutes I hadn’t uttered more than 10 words. ❤️🙏☮️
C
Cherish
Compassionate Listening
Especially in today’s day and age, we often talk over one another trying to get our point across and in the end, nobody was listening at all. This can lead to one or both feeling negative thoughts of isolation and frustration in the relationship. Sadly, it is true that we often do not truly listen to one another. We seem so busy that we nonchalantly talk and listen to each other. For instance, we ask each other how we doing and often the reply is good and we move on. But, what if the respond is ‘not good’, but rather, ‘I’m really struggling right now’. Are we honestly ready to stop everything and truly give this person our undivided attention? In this powerful Life Coaching session, Cindy teaches us how we can become better listeners by way of compassionate listening. When someone is in a time of need, we first need to become aware of our breathing, recognize our own thoughts and feelings without judgement and become mindful of the present moment. We can then welcome their thoughts and feelings into our hearts as we listen. Even though this can be very hard to do, it is very important that we just listen, without any interruptions or judgments. Then and only then is true compassionate listening taking place. If we can learn to be more compassionate listeners, our relationships with others not only will strengthen, but will flourish! Being there with a compassionate ear is one of the best gifts of kindness and care we can give to others! After all, we all just want to heard!
R
Roza
Just listen...
I may not always interrupt but I do usually have thoughts and opinions that don’t always need to be offered. I need to work on being here for others and to just listen to what they have to say.
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Nicole
Compassionate Listening
I really enjoyed this session and agree that we all need to learn to listen better. We need to learn to hear not respond, give advice or judge. God please open up our ears and hearts to you and others. Help us to truly start listening and being more compassionate.
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Shan
I feel aware of things like my mind is open
I need listen and stop being so wuick to throw my opinion in
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Dana
Be patient
I learned to be patient and calm without trying to panic with feedback
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Kimberly
Compassionate Listening
I learned that I need to better master my emotions in conversations and listen instead of reacting.
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Jackline
Love ❤️
If you love someone no matter what happened between the two of you don’t just decide just listen to your heart ❤️.
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Heather
Compassionate Listening 4/15/20
I learned that I truly feel alone because I am the listener for all my friends and family. None of them take the time to listen to me and I am carrying a heavy load. What is harder is that I have asked significant others to listen - just listen - and they are not willing to do this for me - to help me through hard things. Why? Why can’t people give back?
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Lyndsey
I learned
I seriously feel alone because I listen to everybody else but nobody listens to me and helps me and isn’t a compassionate listener to me.
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Divya
Listening
I have always believed in listening carefully what others have to say. But it’s really difficult to find someone who listens to me too.
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Leslie
I felt that I’m at fault for talking at. I am fixer/a problem solver so I try to help.
I learned that listening without inserting my opinion, be aware of my breath and just listen with my heart and body. Feel their words. Do not interrupt. Repeat what you heard them say...”what I heard you say was this”
E
Erin
Day 1
This helped me prepare for my CASPR test! And I noticed that I felt calm being reminded of how best to make others feel listened to :)
L
Linda
Helps me to face my fears
I learned that God comes to me to really let it go... I can be nice and sweet and be better... Thanks aura, I owe ya... I'm in lancaster, CA ok? Later linda
HB
Hassanatu Blake
Listening
True listening is take in what the person is saying and feeling to really connect and communicate effectively.
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Johnny
Listening
I learn to not just jump in with my opinions but to breathe through those times when I want to jump in and speak. I want to become a better listener and this was very helpful. Instead of even giving an opinion, One must repeat what his or her friend has just said as in “so what I heard you say” in order to help that person‘s friend to truly heal
C
Cynthia
I needed more listening techniques
I learned to listen non judgmentally I want to know how to verbally respond
C
Christian
Relationships
Be a listener and don’t talk over and repeat what you took in
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Shannon
Being mindful
Just listening is the best thing one can do, without attacking or pushing views on others. Letting go of fear of being judged or misunderstood.
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Marie
Mindful listening
Not offering opinions and suggestions and just repeating what the person said like “so what I heard you say is...” and SOFTENING my heart to what they are saying is profound. I will practice this in the future.
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Aj
It is just a good reminder for me to always be kind and just listen to others hurt.
I learned that only listening to someone who needs to be heard can be transformed.
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David
Listening with the intent to hear
I learned that I always want to be heard. I try to control the situation, the conversation with “my thoughts & opinions.” Telling my partner to stop & listen to me, when in truth, I should be listening with the intent to hear & not just jump in with my opinions.
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Gina
Resinated
This session really resonated with me. I so need to work on this as I tend to jump in and try to fix others issues. I’m going to listen to this many more times until I learn to be a compassionate listener. Namaste. 💕
I
Ivy
I felt that this is what I wish people would do with me when I talk to them.
If people (I included) can practice these easy steps, then a-lot more people would feel heard.
P
Pimu
Truth
I recognised many mistakes I have been guilty of. This was a very instructive lesson and felt warm and inclusive.
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Nikki
Learning
I am learning to listen without comment, to let them know that I heard what they are saying but try not to offer an opinion unless they ask.
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Jodie
Me
I want yo he a better listener. I also want to feel heard.
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Patty
Compassionate Listenng
I listened, sat up a little straighter and listened. Guilty. I used to be a far better listener but a loss provided the opportunity to talk much more and my little listening has taken a hit. Thank you for the reminder