LISTEN!
Life Positive|March 2021
Careless listening is the handicap of our times. People are deaf not because they can’t hear but because they don’t know how to listen. Annesha Banerjee identifies the barriers to listening as an art and suggests how to avoid them
Annesha Banerjee
LISTEN!

On one of the days during the pre-corona times when I decided to spend a day with myself, I chose a cosy cafe at Connaught Place to sit in after hours of walking around Lutyens’, Delhi. Since I was not engaged in a conversation with someone or myself, I found myself overhearing an ongoing exchange at the table nearby, where two girls were sitting. One of them, I realized, was complaining about the other not paying attention to her as she (the latter) was distracted by her phone. “You are not listening to me,” she said and looked annoyed.

My thoughts went back to the times when people complained to me about my lack of attention and vice versa. My friend offered a practical solution to this: He always ensures that he keeps his phone at bay whenever we meet and insists I do the same. This surely helps, but does it really resolve the issue of us not paying attention and truly listening to others?

The lost skill

The best part of human experience is human relationships—the way one person bonds with another regardless of familial ties, sharing feelings and emotions. It is solely on these grounds that people come together to become a part of each other’s journey on this planet. And the key to maintaining these fulfilling connections is communication, of which only one part—talking—is focussed on extensively. Listening, an essential link for successful communication is not given due importance.

This story is from the March 2021 edition of Life Positive.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 2021 edition of Life Positive.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM LIFE POSITIVEView All
Miracles of Mount Maunganui
Life Positive

Miracles of Mount Maunganui

A hike to Mount Maunganui in New Zealand filled Rashi Bunny with a sense of awe and wonder equivalent to witnessing the glory of the Divine Himself

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Navigating Your 20s: A Simple Guide
Life Positive

Navigating Your 20s: A Simple Guide

By embracing the tumultuous journey through her 20s, Abhilasha Srivastava learnt to triumph over the challenges encountered and carve the path for her future

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2024
Inducing Sweet Slumber
Life Positive

Inducing Sweet Slumber

As we are well aware, lack of sound sleep can give rise to physical and mental problems. To ensure a good night's rest, you could follow the suggestions given by Jamuna Rangachari in the next few pages

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2024
Days for the Divine
Life Positive

Days for the Divine

Guided by her mentor Megha Bajaj, Meghana Acharya sends positive vibes into the Universe to ensure the well-being and success of others

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Voices from the beyond
Life Positive

Voices from the beyond

Near-Death Experiences (NDES) have long fascinated humanity-a glimpse beyond the veil, a sneak peek into the unknown that pulsates with wonders, mysteries and intrigue. Jamuna Rangachari takes us through the narrations of a few who went to the other side and returned to share in great detail what they experienced and how it transformed them

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2024
All for the best
Life Positive

All for the best

An academic disaster turned opportunity led Rajeev Hallur to understand the jigsaw puzzle of life, initially incomprehensible to most of us

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Many Lives, One Master
Life Positive

Many Lives, One Master

Dr Bijal Maroo probes into the enigmatic charisma of Swami Omkaranandaji to discover the story behind his uncanny healing powers

time-read
9 mins  |
September 2024
Modern art with a tribal touch
Life Positive

Modern art with a tribal touch

Gautam Bharati and Avani Jain, based in Dungarpur, Rajasthan saw the incredible ability and passion of tribals for arts and decided to do something about it.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
Laugh your way to health
Life Positive

Laugh your way to health

Rupa Bannur, a former IT professional turned holistic health coach from Bangalore began turning to laughter yoga in 2001 after she faced profound loss of precious family members.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
Healing Hands
Life Positive

Healing Hands

When Rupesh Budh Ahmedabad from was 15 years of age, he learnt meditation from his martial arts (Karate) teacher. His teacher also introduced him to Reiki as a healing modality that can cure with just a touch. He told him that advanced Reiki practitioners can cure even from a distance without touching.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024