Listen With Full Presence

Reading Marshall Rosenberg’s thoughts about Nonviolent Communication (NVC), I realize that communicating to sustain life and connection rather than discord and separation is not just about the way I speak and express myself—my needs and emotions—it’s also about the way I listen.

And the way I want to be listened to.

Here’s what I glean from Rosenberg:

Listen with full presence:

don’t give advice,

don’t diagnose,

don’t try to fix,

don’t educate,

don’t interrogate,

don’t compare,

don’t tell your similar story,

don’t interrupt,

don’t change the topic,

don’t shut down,

don’t walk away. 

Listen with an open heart, an open mind, and open ears.