Communicating with Others

"We must be aware that the lack of communication always brings separation and suffering,we are committed to training ourselves in the practice of compassionate listening and loving speech.We will learn to listen deeply without judging or reacting and refrain from uttering words that can create discord or cause the community to break.We will make every effort to keep communications open and to reconcile and resolve all conflicts,however small."(by Thich Nhat Hanh from Interbeing).

Have you ever found yourself thinking about other things when someone is talking to you about a concern or problem? We may not even realize we are doing this, but we must make a conscious effort to avoid doing so.First,out of respect for the person,then,with the understanding that this person is not only in need, but values our advice.In this chaotic world, we often find ourselves moving on to the next thing without getting done with the first.