The most difficult of arts is “THE ART OF LISTENING”. This is a viewpoint expressed by a renowned Jesuit, Rev. Fr. Horacio de la Costa, S.J., in one of his homilies that has been published by the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus and the Ateneo de Manila University.
Dwelling on this statement, I pondered on the possible reasons to support its truthfulness. What came to my mind are some attitudes that one has to have in order to really listen to others.
One has to be OPEN-MINDED. To really listen to others one has to admit that no one has a monopoly of the truth. And so, one should consider seriously what others say.
One has to be HUMBLE. The viewpoints of others could be as good or even better than one’s own viewpoint. Thus one should be willing to make adjustments or even discard his own viewpoint in favor of what others say.
One has to be PATIENT. One must be willing to give enough time to others to express their ideas. This requires being quiet and really listening to the one talking until he finishes.
One has to be OBJECTIVE. One has to consider not “WHO” is right, but “WHAT” is right. A viewpoint should be evaluated on its merits and not on the personality of the one who expresses it.
One has to be RADICAL. To seek the truth one must be willing to make extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions or institutions. This means having the courage to depart from the traditional ways of thinking and doing things, if such is not in accordance with what is deemed to be right.
The Art of Listening would require attitudes as mentioned: To be open minded, humble, patient, objective and radical. To develop these attitudes is, indeed, a big order. Hence, I believe there is truth to the statement of Rev. Fr. Horacio de la Costa that “THE ART OF LISTENING IS THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ARTS”.
By: Salvador Cagurangan
Sep. 13, 2009
