Nestled in the serene Swiss mountains, I found myself at a transformative 12-day personal development retreat. Surrounded by breathtaking views, I felt a surge of confidence in my communication skills. Eager to showcase my abilities, I volunteered to listen first, thinking, "Aha! This is my moment to shine!" The Challenge of True Listening However, just minutes into my fellow participant's sharing, my mind began to churn with judgments and solutions to her problems. I thought
What does it mean to truly listen? Deep listening asks us to slow down, become curious and stay present — not only with another person's words, but with the feelings and experience underneath them. A reflection on listening, empathy and genuine connection.