The fine art of listening

Today (July 18) is World Listening Day, and looking back I realise that there are benefits aplenty to living a life where you spend more time listening than... talking.

Today is World Listening Day! A day of celebration dedicated to the fine art of closing one's mouth and opening one's ears. It might come across as a mundane skill, but let me tell you, the world would be a much better place if more people practiced it. In a society where everyone seems to be vying for the loudest voice in the room, and I mean in the virtual world as well, I’ve discovered that real wisdom often comes from simply shutting up and listening.

I realized early on that listening could be quite entertaining. Growing up in Kerala, I was the kid who'd sit wide-eyed, absorbing every story my parents, elderly uncles in Kerala, and neighborhood friends would share. They spun tales of yore, family sagas, stories of adventure, and village folklore that were as thrilling as any bedtime storybook. I still remember feeling chills running down my spine as I listened to my uncle’s tale of how he once barely managed to escape the clutches of a wily yakshi (a mythological being) while returning home late at night; enjoying- and feeling a tad envious of - the wonderful adventures a country cousin of mine had when he ran off from home on a whim and ended up in Bombay; reliving the adventures and heart-stopping moments as my dad, an ex-army man, narrated tales of his life during the Second World War…

When I became a journalist, my hobby of listening turned professional. Interviewing people from all walks of life taught me that everyone has a story to tell, and these stories often contain more lessons than a thousand self-help books. I’ve interviewed people who’ve climbed Everest, those who’ve faced life’s Everest, and even the ones who’ve turned molehills into mountains. Each conversation was a goldmine of wisdom and wit.

Take William Dalrymple, for instance, who told me among other things, about his near-death experience in Afghanistan. Or Anand Neelakantan, who shared stories that went beyond mythology, delving into the human psyche. Or Manu Pillai unraveling history with a modern twist. Or Adoor Gopalakrishnan laying bare the nuances of film-making. Or Orhan Pamuk telling me how difficult it was to tell the truth

Listening to their experiences has shaped my worldview in more ways than one. I’ve learned that patience is a virtue best cultivated through listening. Through listening, we understand perspectives different from our own, fostering empathy and connection. Plus, it’s much easier than talking—no need to worry about saying something foolish when you're just nodding sagely.

In a world where everyone is eager to share their take on the latest trending topic, perhaps we should all take a step back and listen a little more. Who knows? You might learn something new, make a friend, or at the very least, avoid putting your foot in your mouth.

Are you listening?