Listening

Hearing is one of the body's five senses. But listening is an art. Frank Tyger

The five senses can be portals into the present. Today I am going to listen. Even as I sit here now and open up my ears I hear the hum of the refrigerator, which is actually quite a relaxing sound. I just heard someone close a car door. And I hear the ticking of my kitchen clock. Wow! That's a loud clock!

Have you noticed how often you close your eyes when you are listening to something especially enjoyable like a beautiful piece of music? You close one sense to totally tune into the experience of another. How often do you bring that same attention to the ordinary sounds of the day? It's interesting how you can't help but be in the present when you are listening.

The use of sound is well known for being a meditative device, whether by repeating the word OM or through chanting. It's an effective way to center your consciousness into the present.

I believe one of the greatest gifts you can give is to totally receive what someone is saying. Today I am going to listen. I'll listen to the birds and the traffic and I'll make sure I give my undivided attention and be present when someone is speaking to me.

I have a CD, which is a continuous chant of the word OM. I'm going to put my ipod in the docking station right now and listen.