Listening Stillness

Practicing true listening to find stillness is about developing the ability to be fully present, open, and receptive, whether listening to others, nature, or oneself. Here’s how I practice this …

Prepare Yourself for True Listening

Begin with the purpose of being fully present, not to respond or judge but to simply receive. For example, you might tell yourself, "I am here to listen without interference. Then take a few deep breaths to release tension and quiet internal chatter.

Be Fully Present

Put away devices and focus solely on the act of listening.Use not just your ears but your entire being your body, emotions, and intuition—to sense what is being communicated.

Listen Without Judgment

Avoid labeling sounds, words, or messages as good, bad, right, or wrong. Simply let them be. Allow pauses or moments of silence in conversations or your environment. Resist the urge to fill them.

Focus on What Is, Not What You Expect

Enter each listening experience with an open mind, free of assumptions about what you will hear. Pay attention to tone, emotion, rhythm, and unspoken elements in the sound or speech.

Use Your Breath as an Anchor

When distractions arise, return to your breath. Sync your attention with your inhalation and exhalation to stay grounded.

Listen to Others with Empathy

Show you are truly listening by maintaining soft eye contact and relaxed body language. Allow the speaker to express themselves fully without interrupting or redirecting the conversation to yourself. Paraphrase or summarize what you’ve heard to show understanding, but only after the speaker has finished.

Listen to Nature and Surroundings

Spend time in a natural environment and listen attentively to its sounds—wind, water, birds, or rustling leaves. Let the external sounds guide you into stillness by focusing solely on the present moment.

Listen to Your Inner Self

Turn your attention inward to notice your thoughts, emotions, or bodily sensations without judgment. Instead of analyzing or suppressing what you hear internally, allow these sensations to pass like waves.

Reflect on the Stillness

After practicing true listening, take a few moments to notice the stillness within you. Reflect on how the experience of openness and receptivity has grounded you.

By practicing true listening with an open heart and mind, you’ll discover that stillness arises naturally as you let go of resistance and fully engage with the present moment.