Category: Life Coaching

Learning About Your Nature Is to Discover Your True Self

Nature is an article designed to aid in comprehending the essence of nature, the methods to understand it, the necessity of such understanding, and its significance. This article will guide you through understanding the nature of God, your own nature, the nature of others, and the nature of all creation. It may seem overwhelming, but the following content will elucidate these concepts.

WHAT IS NATURE?

In this article, I define ‘nature’ as the inherent state of being oneself, not shaped by nurture or upbringing. Indeed, we are products of both nature and nurture, yet nature often has the practical precedence. Research indicates that even proponents of nurture may be influenced by innate tendencies rather than empirical evidence.

If our natural state did not define us, it would be reasonable to assume uniformity in appearance, thoughts, words, and actions among all humans. However, even identical twins exhibit distinct personalities. They may share appearances, but their thoughts, speech, and behaviors differ, along with their individual preferences and unique fingerprints, assuming the accuracy of scientific claims.

Every entity in existence, from humans to the divine, possesses a distinct nature. Comprehending the true nature of beings is crucial for profound understanding. A meaningful life stems from recognizing our human nature, not from concealing ourselves behind religious or atheistic beliefs. It’s important to note that religion and divinity are not synonymous.

Humans possess a unique nature, distinct from other animals. Despite our shared human capabilities, individual natures result in diverse personality traits. These traits are innate, not fabricated. My personality exists independently of my education; learning merely enhances or diminishes our inherent qualities.

Related: Life Coaching Ultimate Guide

HOW DO WE UNDERSTAND NATURE?

There are numerous methods for us to comprehend nature, which in this context, refers to understanding our human nature, not the environment. We can gain insight into ourselves by reflecting on our past and present thoughts, words, and actions. These aspects can reveal much about who we are. Seeking feedback from others can also contribute to our self-understanding.

However, others may misconstrue our true selves. Therefore, a reliable method to understand our identity is to consider what God has articulated about humanity in the Bible. These approaches help us discern our natural selves. This understanding can be achieved through solitude, by contemplating God’s words to previous generations for a broader perspective, and through inquiry.

Yet, it is believed that God possesses a deeper knowledge of us than we or others might have. By praying for divine guidance, we can learn to value and love ourselves, which is essential before extending that appreciation and love to others. Self-exploration is the key to discovering our true essence, focusing on who we are now rather than who we aspire to be in the future. We exist as we are, without the need for becoming.

WHY DO WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND NATURE?

Understanding ourselves individually is crucial for leading meaningful lives. It enables us to appreciate and love ourselves as we are. However, not everyone experiences this self-awareness. Some people are inclined to view themselves through the lens of others’ opinions and judgments, often leading to false and unproductive self-assessments. True self-understanding makes life significant to us.

Self-understanding is necessary to comprehend God, other humans, and the rest of creation. It allows us to forgive ourselves for our individual wrongdoings. Forgiveness is a sign of self-understanding, which in turn fosters understanding towards others.

By understanding God as He is, we achieve peace with Him. By understanding ourselves as individuals, we find peace within. By understanding others as they are, we maintain peace with them. And by understanding the world as it is, we live in harmony with it. Thus, comprehending the nature of God, ourselves, others, and creation is essential.

WHAT’S THE IMPORTANCE?

Understanding human nature could lead to a life of peace and harmony with ourselves and the world. However, does this understanding always result in individual peace and harmony with creation? While we cannot eliminate conflict, comprehending our human nature and the nature of the surrounding creation can help reduce it.

This is the rationale behind the study of natural sciences, which explores energy and matter, the fundamental components of our physical universe. Yet, this knowledge is incomplete, as the spiritual aspects of these physical properties remain unknown to humanity, even in the 21st century.

The inability to recognize the existence of something does not prove its non-existence. The spiritual realm does exist, and one day, we may be able to study and harness its forces in a laboratory setting.

Understanding the nature of God is crucial to knowing God, highlighting the importance of comprehending nature, be it divine or human. Grasping our nature can aid in reducing self-inflicted conflicts, fostering personal peace. Similarly, understanding others can help decrease interpersonal conflicts, making the understanding of human nature immensely significant.

MY FINAL WORDS

We have reached the conclusion of this article. It has explored the concept of nature, our understanding of human nature, the reasons why self-understanding is necessary, and the significance of such understanding. My parting thought is that history has taught us that despite possessing vast knowledge, we remain human. Essentially, our nature shapes our thoughts, words, and actions.

If you consider yourself a good person, continue in your ways. If you find yourself on the wrong path, strive to comprehend the implications of your actions and make changes to your thoughts, words, and deeds where possible. However, if you struggle to change aspects of your life, accepting yourself as you are may be the best course of action. After all, if God created you this way, why attempt to alter what you did not create?

I trust this article has been beneficial to you on a personal level. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below; your feedback and contributions are highly valued. Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask, and I will assist you to the best of my ability. I pray for God’s blessings upon you and your loved ones, for safety during and beyond the global pandemic. Shalom!

FURTHER READINGS

• What Is Nature?—Wikipedia
• What Is Nature?—Environment and Ecology.

Wisdom Is Your #4 Key to a Meaningful Life

Wisdom is an article designed to guide you in understanding the essence of wisdom, the pathways to becoming wise, its applications, and its significance in our increasingly perplexing and challenging world. Through this article, you will grasp the fourth key to a fulfilling life. Recognizing the various forms of wisdom is crucial, and this piece aims to elucidate them. Now, let’s delve into the insights presented in the article.

WHAT IS WISDOM?

In this article, I define wisdom as the fourth key to a meaningful life, following attentive listening, true understanding, and genuine knowledge. But what constitutes wisdom? It is the ability to distinguish what is right and beneficial from what is wrong and harmful.

Yet, how do we define right or wrong, good or evil? Who sets these standards? Let’s acknowledge that sometimes what we consider human wisdom is actually foolishness. Take cheating as an example; to the cheater, it may seem wise.

The cheater believes their actions are secret, equating this with wisdom. However, this is not wisdom; it is folly. It is folly because, even if the cheater succeeds, they are not truly undetected. This isn’t about religious fear or guilt; it’s a fundamental aspect of our nature. Cheating is a part of human behavior. To claim I am exempt would be dishonest.

Discerning right from wrong must be seen through the perspective of the One who created all things, for He knows the difference. This raises the question: are humans incapable of distinguishing right from wrong? Are we not accountable for our erroneous choices? These are questions each individual must contemplate.

Similarly, to differentiate good from evil, we must view things as the Creator does. By doing so, we can attain His genuine wisdom, untainted by deceit or foolishness. We may deceive others and ultimately ourselves, but this is futile because a watchful presence rewards individuals according to their actions.

Some may argue that this is a relic of 17th-century thought, deemed obsolete. But is it really? Continuing on, I define true wisdom as the capacity to identify folly through the Creator’s perspective. Yet, despite this knowledge, we often find ourselves committing the very follies we recognize.

Related: Life Coaching Ultimate Guide

HOW DO WE GET WISDOM?

We acquire the ability to be wise through two different means: nature and nurture. However, there are two types of wisdom: divine wisdom and worldly wisdom. We are born with human wisdom, which to God is folly because it is based on a lack of knowledge, an unawareness that life is not solely physical.

Who created us? Why were we created the way we are? Can a potter fault the pot for not being what it was intended to be? These are legitimate human inquiries. This unawareness that life transcends the physical leads us to hide from the truth and instead lie for our own temporary or earthly gains.

Some of us are born with true wisdom. We understand that speaking the truth can lead to our downfall, but we choose this path because it is the right thing to do. However, speaking a harsh truth can also lead to crucifixion; so, is this wisdom or folly?

In this world, speaking a harsh truth can be destructive, leading us to err, and we deem it folly. But in the spiritual realm, which is unrelated to religion, it is considered wisdom. We must recognize that there is one who observes all and rewards or punishes accordingly.

Is this fear or superstition? Let’s consider that.

This suggests that our human wisdom is often folly, not only to ourselves but also to divine beings. Being called a fool is unpleasant, yet we all act foolishly occasionally. It’s likely you’d admit to having done so repeatedly.

Acknowledging our mistakes is wise because it’s only a matter of time before attempts to conceal our foolishness reveal us as fools. Thus, we naturally embody both foolishness and wisdom.

We gain the capacity for wisdom from those we’ve encountered in our past. We acquire knowledge from people we are currently meeting. In the future, we may also learn from others we have yet to meet on earth. As you read this, you might be learning how to acquire wisdom. However, our inherent natures and experiences tend to filter what we learn.

WHAT’S THE USE OF WISDOM?

Understanding what we nourish ourselves with is crucial, encompassing both our physical and spiritual beings. The media we consume plays a significant role in how we apply wisdom. We employ wisdom to choose what to listen to, read, and watch, and to understand the reasons behind these choices.

Wisdom is utilized to lead a life of significance. A meaningful life is one of harmony with oneself, with God, with fellow humans, and with all of God’s creation. Wisdom enables us to comprehend ourselves and the world as God does, rather than through mere external appearances.

How do I come to know all this? Could these insights be merely religious assertions or blind faith? Consider this: we use genuine wisdom to understand God as He understands Himself. We come to know ourselves, others, and the entirety of creation as God does.

This profound understanding paves the way for the application of true wisdom, influencing our perspectives and actions. Wisdom guides us to recognize that our earthly existence is purposeful and hopeful, conceived by a thoughtful entity, not arising from mere chance as defined in any language.

WHAT’S THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS TOPIC?

Is wisdom truly important? If genuine wisdom entails a correct understanding of all that we know, then indeed, wisdom is paramount. Without it, we may experience pleasure but not joy.

Pleasure differs from joy. While pleasure may arise from sinful acts and deceit, giving a false sense of wisdom, joy comes from doing the right thing at the right moment.

Joy endures. Pleasure is fleeting, but joy can be everlasting. It transcends mere happiness or temporary physical satisfaction. This underscores the significance of true wisdom.

It brings joy because we are confident that our decisions are correct, informed by knowledge and truth, as affirmed by the Word of God. Wisdom protects us from the suffering that comes from its absence. Therefore, wisdom is of utmost importance, isn’t it?

If one views the Bible as outdated, how can they trust its teachings or find them truthful? Consider this. Read the Bible and make your own judgment. I may not believe the stories occurred exactly as written, but can I derive important lessons about wisdom from it? Indeed, I can. And so can you.

MY FINAL WORDS

By now, you may have grasped the essence of this ability, as discussed in this article, including ways to acquire it, its applications, and the significance of true wisdom. My counsel to you, dear reader, is that we urgently need this capacity for wisdom, and the time is now, not later.

To be truly wise is to perceive through the eyes of God. However, we must acknowledge that such wisdom is not universal. When others lack this wisdom, it is more prudent not to disdain or criticize them, particularly when you and I possess this genuine ability that they lack. We should recognize that our wisdom is not derived from people or our surroundings, but from God.

This ability is innate and nurtured, passed down from those before us who held this wisdom. I trust that the article on Wisdom has been beneficial to you. Would you care to share your thoughts on it in the comments below? Your insights on the articles I contribute to the world are always valued. Moreover, I pray for God’s protection over you and your loved ones during and beyond the global pandemic.

FURTHER READINGS

•  What Is Wisdom?—BiblWord.
• What Is Wisdom (and how to get it)?—Bible Study Tools.

Knowledge Is Your #3 Key to a Meaningful Life

This article is designed to guide you in understanding what knowledge entails, how to acquire it, its applications, and its significance in today’s world. You will delve into the third key to a meaningful life, which promises to transform and enhance your life uniquely. With this introduction, let’s discover what insights the article holds for us.

WHAT IS KNOWLEDGE?

In this article, I would like to employ the term ‘knowledge’ as the third key to a meaningful life. It is defined, in part, as the capacity to understand and comprehend to the best of one’s mental abilities. The first key is attentive listening, followed by understanding. Knowledge follows a thorough understanding of something or someone with which you are well-acquainted.

We can grasp a thing, a person, or a concept. Even situations can be understood, and upon achieving this understanding, we claim to have grasped the essence of the perceived. However, comprehending humans is among the most complex challenges in the world. We may understand each other to a certain degree, but even married couples cannot fully comprehend or know each other as they might believe.

This complexity arises because humans are the most intricate organisms on earth. Our self-understanding is intertwined with our knowledge of God, as John Calvin articulated over a century ago in his work, ‘Biblical Christianity.’ Our self-awareness stems from viewing ourselves through the lens of God, the Creator. Some refer to this as Mother Nature, others as the cosmos, or simply the universe. It is through this lens that we can best understand and know ourselves.

Understanding ourselves as God does allows us to claim self-knowledge. Similarly, when we comprehend other humans and creatures in this manner, we can assert that we have known them properly. This suggests that there are various forms of knowledge, including divine knowledge and worldly knowledge. Divine knowledge is superior as it enlightens us to our place within the entirety of creation, affirming that we are no greater than ants, as Sadhguru expressed.

Related: Life Coaching Ultimate Guide

HOW DO WE GET KNOWLEDGE?

Knowledge stems from two primary sources: nature and nurture. We inherit certain traits naturally, which means we may possess characteristics passed down from our parents. For instance, I might dislike something simply because I inherited the trait from my father. However, upbringing can also shape our preferences, teaching us to dislike something or someone not inherently, but through external influence or instruction.

We distinguish between revelation knowledge and discovery knowledge. Revelation knowledge transcends basic natural knowledge; it is the innate understanding that drives us to investigate our interests. It’s the curiosity that propels us to explore Earth and beyond.

Discovery knowledge involves learning about what already exists; it’s external, whereas revelation knowledge is internal. We derive understanding from both within and without, through experiences, trials, and errors, utilizing all our physical senses to gather information from the external world.

WHAT’S THE USE OF KNOWLEDGE?

What, then, is the purpose of knowledge? Indeed, if knowledge is the key to a meaningful life, then acquiring it is one of the most worthwhile endeavors. Proverbs 4:7 suggests that in all our pursuits, we should seek understanding, implying that true understanding begets true knowledge, which in turn leads to true wisdom.

We will explore the significance of understanding shortly, but let’s consider the application of knowledge. Its use is to attain wisdom, and to gain wisdom is to lead a meaningful life, for without true understanding, life lacks meaning. True knowledge is divine in nature.

To know God as He knows Himself is to know ourselves as He knows us. This extends to knowing others as God knows them, and to understanding and knowing all of creation in the same manner.

The true value of knowledge lies in our ability to appreciate ourselves, God, others, and all of God’s creation. This is the essence of understanding—to be grateful for our lives, whatever they may be. Indeed, life is bleak, even with all the monetary and material wealth in the world, if we do not perceive the world in this divine way. It is evident that many are burdened with depression or stress despite their riches.

WHAT’S THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWLEDGE?

Reflecting on the concept of knowledge, we delve into its significance. Is knowledge vital? Our discussion transcends mere scientific knowledge or understanding the world and its properties. We consider understanding from the perspective of the Creator. It’s crucial to distinguish that my reference to God here is not synonymous with religion or religiosity.

God differs from religion. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ underscores the distinction between God and religious practices. While people may inherently possess religious tendencies, God transcends these; He is omnipresent and universal. Knowledge can be categorized as propositional (facts), procedural (skills), and acquaintance (experiences), yet these represent scientific or tangible forms of awareness.

What we aim to comprehend is the essence of knowledge, which surpasses the mere accumulation of facts. This perspective is paramount in appreciating the broader scope of understanding.

Beyond our physical senses lies a realm of knowledge inaccessible through conventional means. Hence, we should engage our ‘sixth sense’ to grasp the true nature of the world. This epitomizes the essence of genuine comprehension, which is spiritual rather than religious, highlighting the profound disparity between spirituality and religiosity.

MY FINAL WORDS

We have now explored what constitutes knowledge and what does not. Knowledge can be categorized into two types: physical and spiritual. The profound comprehension of ourselves, God, other humans, and the world around us constitutes the knowledge of God. God perceives His creations as inherently good. It is crucial to understand everything as God understands His world and Himself.

You are faced with a choice. Utilize this article to evaluate yourself, God, other humans, and the world around you. Possessing this all-encompassing understanding will lead you to a life filled with meaning, purpose, and peace. May God bless and protect you and your loved ones during and beyond the global pandemic.

FURTHER READINGS

• Definition of Knowledge—Wikipedia.
• Epistemology—Plato.
• What Is Knowledge? A brief Primer—Psychology Today.

Understanding Is Your #2 Key to a Meaningful Life

Understanding is an article designed to elucidate the concept of understanding, the methods by which we acquire it, its applications, and its significance in our interpersonal relationships and beyond. This article delves into the second key to leading a meaningful life on Earth and beyond. With that introduction, let’s proceed to read the entire article to begin our exploration.

WHAT IS AN UNDERSTANDING?

In this article, ‘understanding’ refers to comprehending what we read, hear, or view. It’s the second key to a meaningful life, with the first being attentive listening. We listen to understand others, whether through video, audio, or text.

Yet, do we grasp the intended meaning of what we read, hear, or watch? Answering these questions is crucial to truly grasp the concept of understanding.

‘Misunderstanding’ is the antithesis of understanding, but often they coexist. When I misunderstand, I may not realize it and believe I fully understand. Is it possible you’re experiencing this as you read? Do you truly grasp the essence of understanding?

Understanding others as we wish to be understood is vital. Communication, in any form, hinges on mutual comprehension between sender and receiver. Without understanding, we fall into misunderstanding. Let’s explore how to achieve the understanding we seek.

Related: Life Coaching Ultimate Guide

HOW DO WE GET THE UNDERSTANDING?

This question may seem complex, but it’s one I often encounter from my readers, both online and offline. They’re essentially asking about the origins of human understanding, right? Let’s tackle this question. Our understanding stems from two primary sources: our innate nature and our upbringing, or nurture.

By nature, some individuals may not pay close attention, leading to poor listening skills or becoming easily distracted, which results in misunderstandings or a failure to comprehend the speaker.

Conversely, there are those who are naturally attentive listeners, which facilitates their understanding of various matters. To some extent, we all possess these traits. The second avenue through which we gain understanding is through our education in comprehension.

Even if we’re not inherently adept at understanding others, we can learn to improve this skill. This is why I write articles like this one, to impart knowledge to you and others through digital means.

WHAT DO WE USE UNDERSTANDING FOR?

Understanding is utilized for gaining knowledge. It enables us to comprehend the information we receive, analyze it, and then apply it for our advantage. You employ your understanding to read this and act upon its suggestions for beneficial use. Whether you grasp the text as intended or not is secondary; what matters is that you understand and utilize it, which is preferable to not doing so.

The desire to be understood naturally increases our desire to understand others. This is a reciprocal process. We aim to comprehend other humans and seek their understanding in return. Misunderstandings are a significant source of conflict, both on a personal and interpersonal level. They lead to disputes within families and between families, as well as among clans.

Misunderstandings were even cited as the cause of the South Sudanese Civil Wars, originating from a simple miscommunication within the SPLM, the ruling political party of the nation at the time. Thus, misunderstandings can escalate to problems at any societal level, causing tribal, national, and international conflicts.

However, with understanding, many, if not all, of these conflicts could be averted before they begin. This is how understanding is used to prevent unnecessary conflicts at any level, whether personal or interpersonal. Hopefully, you can now appreciate a few of the reasons and applications of understanding in our lives. We even use understanding to comprehend ourselves.

WHAT’S THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING?

Is our human understanding significant? This is a question I often receive, and it makes me ponder what the asker truly seeks to understand. However, I’ve realized that no question is foolish. So, let’s address it. What is the significance of understanding? As illustrated above, understanding’s utility also highlights the importance of comprehending ourselves and others.

If I could fully grasp who I am, I would lead a life filled with meaning, peace, and harmony, both with myself and others. I refer to self-understanding as self-discovery because it involves uncovering our true selves. We cannot create, recreate, alter, or modify our nature. We can only discover and enhance ourselves, which means we must first understand our true selves before we can improve our identities.

When we understand ourselves on an individual level, we are more likely to understand those around us. But how do we begin to understand ourselves? For me, self-understanding comes from reflecting and examining my life from various perspectives, including my past. I consider my previous thoughts, words, and deeds to truly understand who I am today, rather than who I will become tomorrow. Another method to deeply know myself is to consider what God has said about humanity in His scripture.

By understanding ourselves as the Creator does, we can view other humans through the same lens: as God’s creations. Just as we view ourselves, we can perceive others, and even other living beings beyond humanity. We can observe birds, insects, plants, fish, animals, and all creation in the same light: as made by God.

MY FINAL WORDS

Having explored the concept of understanding, we’ve established that it stems from two sources: nature and nurture. We’ve examined the role of human understanding in learning about ourselves and our environment. This leads to the realization that we must apply this knowledge in our lives, both individually and collectively.

It is my hope that the article on Understanding has been beneficial to you. I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Your feedback is greatly valued for this and future articles. May God protect you and your loved ones during and beyond the global pandemic. Peace be with you.

FURTHER READINGS

• Definition of Understanding—Wikipedia.
• The Importance of Understanding—Lifehack.
• What Is Understanding?—Idtheory.

Listening Is Your #1 Key to a Meaningful Life!

“Listening” is an article designed to teach you the essence of attentive listening, the methods of effective listening, the reasons behind listening, and its significance in today’s world. The article delves into the first of four keys to a fulfilling life. As one of these keys, it offers insights into achieving a life of meaning. With this introduction, delve further into the article to uncover the insights it presents.

WHAT IS LISTENING?

In this article, I define listening as attentive listening, a rare skill since we humans are not all naturally inclined to listen in the same way. Some may possess this skill innately, but generally, we listen attentively only when necessary. For instance, you might listen to me as you read this article, depending on what you expect to gain from it.

However, it appears that we often fail to pay close attention to many aspects of life, even the most crucial ones. Despite nature being fundamental, I believe that cultivating the habit of careful listening is beneficial, regardless of our natural predispositions. As noted earlier, our attentiveness often arises out of necessity.

Attentive listening fosters understanding, which in turn leads to knowledge, and ultimately to wisdom. This is why attentive listening is the initial step towards a meaningful existence. It underscores the importance of learning to listen more than we speak. Indeed, we communicate in silence; we speak even when we are merely gazing at the speaker.

But attentive listening goes beyond using our ears; it involves listening with our hearts. ‘Heart’ here can also refer to the spirit or soul, sometimes used to describe our inner self. Our ears are merely physical receptors, similar to our eyes. To truly grasp a message, it must resonate within us. The mind is another term that aligns with heart, soul, and spirit.

Thus, attentive listening entails engaging with our entire being. It’s about striving to comprehend the message conveyed through any medium—be it written, performed, or spoken. In a video, for example, we must watch, listen, and interpret, which is why it’s challenging not to be influenced by what we consume. To learn more about nurturing our inner selves, continue reading here.

HOW DO WE LISTEN?

What techniques should we employ to listen attentively? There are two primary methods: one is innate, and the other is acquired. As previously stated, some individuals are naturally attentive listeners, remaining focused even when the communication may not contain important content. They listen intently because it is part of their nature. However, we can also learn to listen effectively, which is the purpose of this article—to teach us to listen attentively to almost anything. The technique employed here is self-discipline, which can be inherent but can also be developed even if not present from birth.

At times, we fail to comprehend because we pre-judge the communication as unworthy. Yet, I believe we can glean something valuable from any piece of information, and the optimal way to learn is by listening with both heart and mind. Communication can take various forms, such as audio, video, or text. It is our responsibility to make every effort to understand it.

Consider this: maturity develops through trial and error. It’s through extensive research that I’ve learned to distinguish what’s important from what’s not. I’ve realized that I no longer need to engage with certain content, having understood that it’s more detrimental than beneficial. However, when starting out, it’s crucial to expose oneself to a wide array of information.

There’s content I dislike, such as tribal songs that may insult or glorify negative figures within a community. Yet, I wouldn’t advise against listening to them, as there’s always something to glean from these songs. They’re not inherently evil; they convey insights into the thoughts, speech, and actions of past generations. Having been immersed in it before, I recognize why it’s no longer necessary for me.

The essence lies in the manner of listening. We listen because it’s a natural ability, and we’ve come to understand the significance of listening well. For some, there must be a compelling reason to listen. Since there’s always a reason, we must listen—and do so with full attention.

WHAT’S THE USE OF LISTENING?

The fundamental purpose of listening is to gain understanding. This understanding, in turn, leads to knowledge, which is indispensable to everyone. Knowledge comes in various forms, be it physical or spiritual, but all knowledge is valuable, irrespective of its type. Thus, the act of listening attentively is employed to gain knowledge from what we hear or read. We listen to words that are spoken, performed, or written down. Listening is the pursuit of comprehension, and we listen as a means to understand and to be understood.

For those among us with hearing impairments, listening involves observing actions, such as sign language. This is how they watch the news and comprehend what is being communicated. Therefore, listening extends beyond the mere use of ears.

When we listen, we engage our minds and hearts. This is why, in my native language, words carry more power and description than in English or Arabic. In these languages, it is not possible to speak or convey feelings to the heart as effectively as one can in their mother tongue.

Listening is beneficial, particularly when the content is advantageous in any respect. However, even if what we listen to isn’t particularly special or helpful, the practice of attentive listening is necessary. Without it, we might eventually become resistant to listening to even the most crucial matters. Since listening is instrumental for acquiring both knowledge and wisdom, it is a skill we must cultivate frequently.

WHAT’S THE IMPORTANCE OF LISTENING?

Attentive listening is crucial, as it ensures we don’t miss vital information we might need. For instance, poor listening during a lecture or life coaching session can result in missing important advice. It’s essential to listen to those more experienced than us when they speak.

However, attentive listening isn’t only beneficial when receiving guidance from life coaches and teachers; it’s equally important for these professionals to listen to their clients to fully understand their situations. Listening is vital for all involved parties.

In relationships, attentive listening benefits both partners. A man should listen and strive to understand his wife, and vice versa. Often, men may overlook women’s concerns, deeming them trivial. However, since these issues are significant to women, it’s advisable for men to listen attentively and share their perspectives afterwards.

Often, women are not seeking a solution but rather need to be listened to. While men may approach issues with a problem-solving mindset, this isn’t always what women are looking for. This difference can lead to misunderstandings; men may seek a quick solution, whereas women may want their concerns to be acknowledged repeatedly. This can be frustrating for men who feel they have already addressed the issue and are eager to resolve it.

Attentive listening is not just an interpersonal skill; it’s also about being in tune with oneself. People often converse with themselves more than they realize, reflecting with their inner self. Attentive listening is also a spiritual practice, as individuals engage in silent dialogue with God. It extends to family interactions and can be crucial during one-on-one meetings, within and between clans, tribes, and even political parties.

Attentive listening is a part of life, present in settings like schools and often occurring without our conscious awareness. However, its significance means we should intentionally cultivate it. By doing so, we can develop the listening skills necessary for deep understanding, which paves the way to knowledge and ultimately wisdom. A life lived with wisdom is inherently meaningful.

MY FINAL WORDS

These final words serve as my concluding thoughts on this article. You are now acquainted with what attentive listening entails, the mechanics of listening, its applications, and its significance. The next step is to apply this knowledge in practice.

Perfection is achieved through practice in any endeavor. This delineates the gap between theoretical understanding and specialized, practical knowledge. You may have discovered that attentive listening is an innate aspect of your personality. If not, it is a skill that can be learned and honed to enhance one’s character.

It is my hope that this article on Listening has been beneficial to you on a personal level. If it has, I encourage you to share your reflections in the comments section below. I extend my prayers and best wishes for the health and safety of you and your loved ones, during and beyond the global pandemic. Shalom!

FURTHER READINGS

• Types of Listening—Lumen Learning.
• Listening Skills—Skills You Need.
• What Is Listening?—English Club.