The Art of Active Listening

Active listening is a skill that requires a deep understanding of fundamental principles and dedicated practice. Whether in personal or professional relationships, honing one's listening skills proves beneficial for all parties involved. Despite the significant amount of time we spend listening compared to speaking or reading, formal training in this area is often lacking for several reasons.

One common challenge is the constant stream of thoughts that occupy our minds, making it difficult to swiftly shift our focus and fully engage with what others are saying. Additionally, the habit of talking and interrupting can hinder our ability to let the other person speak uninterrupted, even when doing so would be to our advantage. The eagerness to rebut the other person's statements or the fear of forgetting one's own points can also interfere with effective listening.

 

External factors, such as distractions in the environment, can divert our attention away from the conversation. Preemptively forming conclusions before all the evidence is presented or disregarding statements based on the perceived importance of the speaker can further hinder our ability to listen effectively. Additionally, we may discard information that doesn't align with our preconceived notions or preferences.

 

To combat these obstacles, it's essential to consciously refocus when your mind begins to wander during a conversation. Mental summarization of the information presented and taking notes on ideas for later exploration can help maintain your concentration on the dialogue. Developing good listening habits is a vital step toward becoming a more effective communicator. Active listening not only enhances interpersonal skills but also improves human relations capabilities.

 

By actively listening, you can enrich both your personal and professional life, ultimately becoming a more efficient and effective individual. Creating an optimal listening environment, free from noise and interference, is a valuable strategy for enhancing your listening abilities.

Time and Existence in Ancient Wisdom: Reflections on the Bhagavad Gita

"I am mighty Kala, the eternal time-spirit, the destroyer of the worlds. I am out to exterminate these people. Even without you, all those warriors, arrayed in the enemy’s camp, shall die." This verse from the Bhagavad Gita, 11:32, gained recent fame due to its inclusion in a film featuring physicist Robert Oppenheimer, reciting it as the first atomic bomb was detonated in 1945 in New Mexico.

 

Time holds a central position in the philosophical tradition of India. In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, section I, verse 26, it is explicitly stated that Ishwar—the creator of the Universe—is beyond the confines of time.

 

Within the Indic philosophical system, it is also believed that in the beginning, three forces—sattva, rajas, and tamas—existed in equilibrium. The disturbance of this equilibrium led to the emergence of the Universe, though the reason and manner of this occurrence remain unexplained.

 

This concept aligns with the modern understanding of the time-space matrix. Initially, time and space coexisted in equilibrium, and the disruption of this balance set time in motion while space began to expand, marking the genesis of the Universe.

 

Time, therefore, holds a distinctive role in the grand scheme of existence. When Krishna declares, "I have become time," he reveals his divine attribute to Arjuna by indicating that he has descended from a state "beyond time" to become a part of it. With time's progression, the Universe experiences both its inception and its culmination. This is the essence of Krishna's message: all warriors on the battlefield of the Mahabharata will perish, regardless of one's actions or inaction.

 

Ancient Indians possessed a profound understanding of concepts like time and space, as evidenced in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, which contain nearly 20 sutras related to the concept of time.

 

Notably, verse 11:32 stands as the sole verse in the Bhagavad Gita dedicated to the concept of time. Some consider the Gita to be the essence of all yogic systems practiced in India, lending profound significance to this verse. Regarding many ancient texts, uncertainties persist about whether what we possess today represents the original text or has undergone alteration. These texts were transmitted orally rather than in writing, and with the passage of time, they could have been corrupted or lost.

 

Considering that these scriptures delve into complex subjects such as space-time and the origin of the Universe, it is possible that some challenging verses were omitted or distorted. This might also apply to the Bhagavad Gita.

 

Interestingly, Krishna chose to reveal his Virat (divine) form in Chapter 11, which essentially describes galaxy formation, a brilliance exceeding that of a thousand suns, and a glimpse into the creation of black holes. This transition from discussions on leading a virtuous life and adhering to kshatriya dharma to contemplating space-time and the origins of the Universe represents a remarkable leap of imagination on the part of the author of the Gita.

 

Nevertheless, it is hoped that the portrayal of Oppenheimer in the movie has inspired young minds to delve into the Bhagavad Gita and seek a deeper understanding of its profound meaning.

 

IF HE EXIST

 

 I drive joy there was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting 7 precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting 7 minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste 7 minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 7minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

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