The Art of Listening: Cultivating Emotional Intelligence Through Intuition and a Quiet Mind
In the fast-paced world we live in, where information constantly bombards us from all directions, the skill of listening has never been more crucial.
True listening goes beyond simply hearing words; it involves engaging with others on a deeper level, tapping into our intuition, and quietening the mind to foster emotional intelligence.
The Power of Intuition in Listening
Intuition, often regarded as our “gut feeling,” plays a significant role in effective listening. It’s that subtle sense that guides us beyond the surface of words and allows us to connect with the emotions and intentions behind them.
Intuitive listening involves being attuned to non-verbal cues, such as body language and tone of voice, which can convey more than words alone.
To harness the power of intuition, we must be present in the moment. This means putting aside distractions, silencing the inner chatter, and truly focusing on the person speaking.
When we open ourselves to intuition, we gain valuable insights into the speaker’s emotions, making it easier to respond empathetically.
Quietening the Mind for Deeper Connection
In a world filled with constant noise, both external and internal, cultivating the skill of quietening the mind is essential for meaningful conversations.
Our minds are often racing with thoughts about our own experiences, judgments, and responses, which can hinder our ability to listen effectively.
Practicing mindfulness techniques, such as meditation, can help quiet the mind and create a mental space conducive to active listening.
When we approach a conversation with a calm and open mind, we become more receptive to the speaker’s words and emotions.
This not only enhances our understanding but also fosters a deeper connection with the person sharing their thoughts.
Listening with Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence involves recognizing and understanding our emotions and the emotions of others in the moment.
When applied to listening, emotional intelligence allows us to navigate conversations with empathy, compassion, and a genuine desire to connect.
By combining intuition and a quiet mind, we can enhance our emotional intelligence in listening. This means not only hearing the words spoken but also interpreting the emotions underlying them.
When we respond with empathy and understanding, we create a safe space for open communication, fostering stronger relationships and mutual respect.
In conclusion, the art of listening is a multifaceted skill that requires intuition, a quiet mind, and emotional intelligence.
By embracing these elements, we can build deeper connections with those around us, fostering a culture of understanding and empathy in our fast-paced world.
So, let’s make a conscious effort to not just hear but truly listen, and in doing so, we can contribute to a more compassionate and connected society.
Feel like you want to improve your conversations by becoming a better listener? Workshops and 1:1 coaching sessions are available.
Validation and Confirmation
The past few months I have had the opportunity to be presenting lots of workshops, including Art Therapy workshops to a variety of organizations and audiences. The Art Therapy workshops have been face to face, whilst the Emotional Intelligence workshops have either been online or hybrid.
The action of creating the artwork was and still is a deeply rewarding endeavour. When an artist connects with their inner self they are able to bring forward insights and themes in the images for others to appreciate and to reflect upon.
Using Art as a therapy during a time of grief allows you to express your thoughts, feelings and emotions. This can be done in a variety of non verbal ways such as painting, drawing or clay work.
Eastern traditions have long been more aware of a mind/body connection than the modern Western medical profession which has based much of their thinking on the theory put forward by Descartes who was a French philosopher in the 1600’s. He believed that the mind and body were separate entities which had no influence on the other.
The challenge of creating something that doesn’t add more stress to one’s life! Having printed out an outline of a heart to fill with words or lines to complete this 
As a result, the time selecting the photos for the assignment meant spending some time delving through old files. In addition, reflecting on why I chose each photo and explaining the emotional attachment took longer than expected. Unsurprisingly, many of the photos are of places that I’ve experienced a deep sense of peacefulness and belonging. Included is Lucy the labrador – representing the unconditional love that dogs exhibit to us. Because of the synchronicity of tasks, I have decided to use the photo collage rather than lines or words. 
Day 4’s shape for the 
Take two…. now that I had the hang of constructing the hexagon, it was much easier to stay with a black line marker and see what transpired. With the addition of some compass work and very simple lines and shapes the following emerged. Perhaps I could add colour, but it was relaxing not to have to think about which to choose. It would be interesting to construct a series of hexagons and see what evolved from that.
Using just a blue marker today and straight and curved lines to fill the spaces. Light blue is the colour of the throat chakra. The throat chakra governs the ability to communicate, to speak your truth and if you find that difficult, it means that this energy centre is blocked. If you are in lockdown and finding that you are eating unhealthy food, a mini detox diet may help in rebalancing your energy.