Listening is Loving

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” – James 1:19 (NIV)

It has been said that to love well is to listen well. Listening well can be depicted through the traditional Chinese character for “listen, hear, obey” as described below.

The meaning of the various parts of the character (聽) is self explanatory in the active engagement of the ears (耳), eyes (十 目 or “ten eyes”), and heart (一 心 or “one heart”) when listening well. The presence of “king” (王) signifies an undivided attention in “wholehearted” listening to someone of import with “all eyes” on the person. Another interpretation is that a wise king (person) is one who listens well and thus able to discern the good counsel of others.

In summary, “the best listening is the one that demonstrates unique focus and happens with ears, eyes and heart” (Simone Noussitou de Rham).

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