Listen, Are You Listening?

By Lili Gevorkian on October 6, 2013

In the constant flurry of assignments, obligations, deadlines, and the pressure to succeed at whatever comes our way, there remains little time to slow down and pause.

Did you stop to smell the roses?

I'm sure there's a number of college students (and others) who can relate to the constant buzzing that shows up from external and internal sources. This past year alone, I've spent more time than ever thinking through my past, present, and especially future in an attempt to make some sense of it.

One can only imagine the amount of mental energy sacrificed from our studies, our relationships, and other parts of our lives. The prolonged stress leads to no end (usually) and is unnecessary.

It wasn't until this past summer that I finally found a way to silence the excess chatter in my brain.

Start listening.

Instead of fighting off those running thoughts, just listen. You don't have to identify yourself with them. You don't have to let them consume you. Just watch as they unfold. Treat all of your feelings: pain, anger, hatred, jealousy, happiness, love, passion, respectfully. Do not resist them; rather, make peace with them.

The “good” or “bad” exists as long as your mind tries to judge. Otherwise, it just is.

The moment you truly focus on the present moment, shifting your awareness away from the past, back from the future and into the Now, emotional turmoil dissolves.

Total awareness is the key. As long as humans try to numb their emotions with a coping mechanism that essentially acts as a drug, it will come back once more, and again, and again, tenfold. The only way to truly get through it is to fully experience the discomfort for what it is. You may have a certain thought and feel that certain emotion but you are not that emotion; you are merely experiencing it. You must not forcefully dismiss or linger with them. 

Observe.

You are a pond, the thoughts merely ripples on the surface.

Our emotions and experiences run on two opposite poles. A duality must exist. As you experience a greater induced high, the opposite end expands similarly. One cannot exist without the other.

Humans are fearful of negatives, the downs, the pain but without that end, the other will not exist or create the pleasures.

Yes, that means you must remain unattached to the feelings that you enjoy as well. But if you're mindfully enjoying your life in the present moment, it will feel far more euphoric than latching on and hoping certain factors remain forever.

Everything is transient and part of a dynamic process that never ceases.
You cannot control all your emotions. You can only observe.

It is critical to shift your attention to the present moment as much as possible. Your school, work, and other scheduled life runs on a different span than this type of awareness. This awareness eventually helps the mind remain calm, at ease, and able to perform more efficiently when going about everyday life.

As you give your body and mind its much needed attention, you will begin to heal. And in creating that daily awareness, you will be better fit to serve others. You must take care of yourself before you can take care of others.

Listen. Are you truly listening?

Listening is a powerful tool. Giving someone your entire attention, which certainly extends to not pretending to listen or thinking about other tasks or what you want to say in response, is one of the most respectful and honest gestures one can extend.

You don't always have to speak or offer advice for someone to know you care.
Less is more.

Watching is powerful, too. Humans can be open books even when they aren't speaking. Start people-watching and soon you'll pick up cues from their body language. You'll become more aware of your unconscious actions also.

There are incredible things found in silence and mind-body awareness.
Through practicing awareness, you will tap into your true self and realize that you're fine exactly the way you are, at this exact moment, and understand that it is all part of the evolution of your consciousness. The calming internal peace that may arise will resonate outwards and help shift things into synchronicity. You will not only become a more sound person, friend, daughter/son, lover, but you will attract others on a similar wavelength.

Whatever you want in your life, you must practice it, and you must practice it well.

Practice listening, practice watching, practice empathy and watch as your life unfolds before you.

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