As we move toward the Winter Solstice,

we can reflect on the impermanence

and fragility of everything,

of our tendencies at times to reactivity

rather than being wise and responsive,

and of our interdependence.

Seeing clearly how things are and

our vulnerability to confusion and delusion,

how could we be other than kind?

~Sylvia Boorstein

the practicalities of giving well…

inquiry for today~ what inspires your generosity?

can it be any other way?

Deep listening, compassionate listening is not listening with the purpose of analyzing or even uncovering what has happened in the past. You listen first of all in order to give the other person relief, a chance to speak out, to feel that someone finally understands him or her. Deep listening is the kind of listening that helps us to keep compassion alive while the other speaks, which may be for half an hour or forty-five minutes.

During this time you have in mind only one idea, one desire: to listen in order to give the other person the chance to speak out and suffer less. This is your only purpose. Other things like analyzing, understanding the past, can be a by-product of this work. But first of all listen with compassion. True compassion.

~Thich Nhat Hanh