10-Mar-2011

Stop and Listen

Tune in to Your Inner Voice

When you were a kid, your parents told you to “Stop, Look and Listen” before crossing the street. As it turns out, these skills are useful as an adult as well, especially the art of listening. These days, we are confronted with so much information—from text messages to emails to phone calls—that it isn’t always easy to decide where you should focus your attention. Your intuition (that calm inner voice of wisdom) also needs to weigh in as you make important decisions each day.

Try this simple exercise to help tune you in to that subtle inner voice and to calm your mind. Sit quietly and feel the breath as it enters your nostrils. Experience the sensation of air passing over your skin. Listen to all the sounds around you and silently name each one: “I hear the cars driving past; I hear my heart beating; I hear the clock ticking.” Sit for several minutes, breathing deeply and just listening. You will be glad you took the time to become a quiet, yet active, participant in your universe.

Recommended Read: The Sacred Art of Listening: Forty Reflections for Cultivating a Spiritual Practice by Kay Lindahl