Compassion

Yoga

"Listening begins in silence, is developed in attentiveness, and perfected in communication."

I am learning that true listening requires no reaction, only understanding and absorption.  This has an interesting effect when applied to relationships.  If you aren't allowed to react, but required to simply listen and understand, then aren't you naturally being compassionate?  

Listening

Yoga

Some notes from Carlos Pomeda's video The Wisdom of Yoga, Volume I:

The Upanishads lay out the Mukya - antaraiga - sadhana, the principal aids to liberation, or the method of achieving enlightenment:

1. sravana - listening: the kind of listening that excludes everything else
2. manana - reflection: thinking through as a cow chews to prepare the food for digestion
3. nididhyasana - meditation: as a swan separates milk from water in a lake, you absorb what is useful or relevant

I like this because it is a very humble and open approach to learning.  How does your indoctrination into the world affect your ability to be objective, to approach new information without judgement?  I find that I often react with anger when faced with ideas that I have devalued.  My goal for the next four weeks is to observe my filters, set them aside and to approach all new information as objectively as I can.  I'm just going to work on listening.  I expect that this will have far-reaching effects, not only on my yoga practice, but quite possibly in my relationships.  Will the ability to listen without judgement result in compassion?