Buddhist Society of Western Australia

We may be good talkers but not necessarily willing listeners. Alternatively, we may be good listeners but not necessarily good hearers as we are preoccupied with our own inner chatter. On occasions, when we do hear, we have the tendency to filter what we hear.

In contrast, ‘total listening’, refers to listening with mindfulness, attentiveness, compassion, kindness and all in silence. ‘Total listening’ is also about listening to our body, our mind and most of all, listening to life.

According to Ajahn Brahm, to love is to listen deeply. He encourages us to respect the power of silence and to develop the art of total listening.