Deep Listening

When you speak to a child on a personal basis, or when you deal with an issue, how well are you really listening to them? Do you already have a personal agenda before you begin? Deep listening helps you to let go of all your preconceptions and judgments, and you simply listen to what is said without planning your next words or actions. When you deeply listen you are less likely to make a rash decision which will serve neither the child or yourself. Until you deeply listen you cannot really hear what someone else is saying, and you cannot possibly know how to act skillfully.

Deep Seeing

When you look at your kids what do you see? Is your view clouded by your preconceptions and judgments? Is your vision veiled by your idea of what you believe they should be? Or are you able to see beyond all of that and truly see the person inside for what they are, not anything else? When you can answer yes to only the last question, then you are on the road to truly seeing your children and only then will you be able to enjoy something wonderful together.