Let us all fully take in what others are expressing and listen with our ears, our heart, and our mind to better understand the source.
Blue Jay noticed that bear had not said a thing. Finally, Blue Jay asked bear why was she so silent and bear replied, ‘I’m listening and learning. I don’t need to talk; I already know what I know.’” 5
In our usual and everyday discourse, it is rare that we get to express a complete thought without being interrupted. Most people do not fully hear the person who is speaking, because they are concerned with their own opinions, and the need to express those opinions immediately. One way to promote deeper listening skills is to invoke a no pen and pad rule. This rule demands that we put down our physical as well as mental pen and not take notes, but instead really listen and understand what is being communicated to us. We want so bad to reach for the pen and begin our own thought process before we are even able to take in what is being communicated. If we just let go and practice patience, we can feel the tension leave our body and our mind. We become engaged with the speaker and become involved in the conversation. What a beautiful feeling! The ideas and feelings will come out naturally and full of meaning if we can all just allow the conversation to flow and trust the source before we are ready to put our own thoughts into action. Practice patience and active listening. You will be able to truly understand the reason and meaning of the conversation and what you are suppose to take from it. Remember, you already know what you know.
While one listens carefully to what is said, it is just as important to recall that “sometimes humans need to listen to what people are not saying rather than listening to their words.” 6
The Great Spirit created us with two ears and one mouth. The Great Spirit did this with purpose. It is for us to remember to listen carefully to not only what another says but to what she does not say.
5- Kent Nerburn, The Wisdom of the Native American, 10 (New World Library) (1991)
7- Jamie Sams, Earth Medicine, 28 (Harper San Francisco ) (1994)