The Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha way of “preparing the heart-mind to actively listen and truly hear” the Dharma also applies to actively listening to and truly hearing people in daily life.
“On this remarkable and unrepeatable occasion,
1. Listen as if what this person is saying is the FIRST TIME,
2. Listen as if what this person is saying is JUST FOR YOU AND ONLY YOU,
3. Listen as if what this person is saying is for the LAST TIME IN YOUR LIFE.”
Simple yet profound advice.
How much misunderstanding, disagreement, and anger at work, in the home, among friends and strangers, on Facebook and social media, and in political discourse could be avoided if we actively listen and truly hear what the other person is saying?
Seeing both sides of conflict with clarity, free from self-centered ego and desires, begins with actively listening to people and truly hearing what they are saying.
JUST SAY MAHALO® 