The Sacred Art of Listening

The Sacred Art of Listening
Kay Lindahl
Skylights Paths Publishing
ISBN: 1-893361-44-6
Non-Fiction, Relationships
Reviewed by Dr. Tami Brady

Have you ever been involved in a conversation where you really felt heard? Where you felt that the individual you were talking to actually understood what you were trying to say? Where you didn’t feel the least bit judged, belittled, or ignored? Sounds a bit like a dream doesn’t it?
Sometimes it seems like most conversations are a waste of precious time. Trying to fill in the uncomfortable silence with small talk seems to be a pastime for many of us. Then, when we actually have a real conversation, we end up waiting for the other person to shut up so that we can make our point. The thought never occurs to us that we are missing out on over half of the dialogue and all of the experience.
I don’t think that real communication has to be a far-fetched fantasy. In fact, after reading The Sacred Art of Listening I feel that it within all of our reach to really connect and make good use of the words we share. The notion is simple- to truly listen when others speak. The doing will take definitely take some practice but the result will be well worth effort.