Deep listening requires an attitude of neutral, compassionate inquiry. But, too often, we are not truly present. Too often, we are distracted, thinking about the past or the future, or analyzing our experience. One aim of our spiritual practice is to be truly present with our whole selves in each moment. When we do speak, we are not merely trading information, or even telling interesting stories.
Holy speech comes from a deeper place, and creates something new as it is spoken.
A new space, and new possibilities are opened up in the speaker's and the listener's heart. Good listening happens in the whole body, not only in the ears and brain. When I listen to someone speak, I try to listen with my heart, belly, and skin. In true speech there is something new for the speaker, some discovery, and a sense of aliveness that accompanies this new frontier. This inner frontier of new speech is the Holy Spirit, a dynamic, safe, and sacred place.