The Sacred Art of Listening

Kay Lindahl, the founder of The Listening Center in Long Beach, California, is author of How Does God Listen?; Practicing the Sacred Art of Listening: A Guide to Enrich Your Relationships and Kindle Your Spiritual Life and The Sacred Art of Listening: Forty Reflections for Cultivating a Spiritual Practice. She is coeditor of Women, Spirituality and Transformative Leadership: Where Grace Meets Power (all SkyLight Paths). Kay Lindahl is available to speak on the following topics: The Sacred Art of Listening The Power of Listening The Transforming Nature of Listening The Lost Art of Listening Is Anybody Listening? The Importance of Listening for Health Care Professionals Click here to contact the author.

Part One: The Beginning

Your Invitation 3
The Circle of Life 6



Part Two: Practicing the Sacred Art of Listening

1. Qualities of Deep Listening
Listening for essence 11
2. A Sacred Art
Listening as spiritual awareness 14
3. Using Silence
Listening to access your stillpoint 17
4. Learning from Experience
Listening for new possibilities 20
5. Communion
Listening to communicate 23
6. Rituals
Listening for meaning 26
7. Dialogue or Discussion
Listening for context 29
8. Seeking Common Ground
Listening to appreciate 32
9. Common Values
Listening for connection 35
10. Presence
Listening from your heart 38
11. Conversations of the Heart
Listening for soul 41
12. Creating Safe Spaces
Listening with love 44
13. Self-Expression
Listening with humility 47
14. Practicing Peace
Listening to understand 50
15. Creating Harmony
Listening for integration 53
16. Delving Deeper
Listening for insight 56
17. Simple Sharing
Listening for experiences 59
18. Love in Action
Listening as caring 62
19. Hearing Nuances
Listening for each voice 65
20. Slowing Down
Listening to reflect 68
21. The Voice Within
Listening for change 71
22. Assumptions
Listening for clarity 74
23. Learning from Passion
Listening for vision 77
24. Contemplative Prayer
Listening for guidance 80
25. The Agenda-free Conversation
Listening with openness 83
26. Cultural Differences
Listening without prejudice 86
27. Attention
Listening for perspective 89
28. Hospitality
Listening as a gift 92
29. Focus
Listening for the holy 95
30. Engage First
Listening beyond appearances 98
31. The Challenge of Change
Listening creatively 101
32. Relationships
Listening for deeper connections 104
33. The Gift of Solitude
Listening to the silence 107
34. Practicing Reflection
Listening for the questions 110
35. A Sacred Meeting Place
Listening through prayer 113
36. Recognizing Intolerance
Listening for your humanity 116
37. Patience
Listening with intention 119
38. Harvest Time
Listening with gratitude 122
39. Being Yourself
Listening with authenticity 125
40. Being Complete
Listening beyond the past 128



Part Three: In Closing

Listening in Your World 133
Principles of Dialogue 134
How This Book Was Created 136
How the Art Was Created 137
Acknowledgments 138
Source Notes 140