Tune In: The Art of Listening

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In a world full of relentless distractions, it demands a prodigious amount of willpower and patience for students to even feign attention in the classroom. Given their short attention spans and the superhuman ability to absorb and comprehend only a fraction of what's said, it's doubtful that the youth can truly ascend the mountain of their dreams. Yet, upon that very peak rests the future of our entire planet. It is pertinent to tune in to harness the art of listening.

So, they must learn to discern the various sounds of existence. Their self-righteous assumptions must be gently, yet firmly, deflated for the sake of an egalitarian world, and for that, they must be taught to truly listen.

To genuinely listen is to cultivate the ability to suspend your own thoughts before speaking.

From Analogue to Digital

This used to be an almost automated, not-so-difficult process for those who grew up in the analogue era before the social media giants figured out ingenious ways to numb our hearts, minds, and souls, effectively distracting us from the trials of life.

The present generation of students, finds it increasingly tough to listen and process complex thoughts in classrooms. Hence, as teachers, it should be our foremost endeavour to integrate the art of listening back into our lesson plans. It is, in fact, the most critical skill we can impart today.

If we can teach our students the joy of truly listening—to the genius, the follies, and the vulnerabilities of another human being and themselves—perhaps we will have taught them the art of stillness, being in the present and establishing the healthy bonds necessary to navigate this highly individualized world. We would have put them on the path of creating that utopian empathetic world we all hope for!

So, let's attempt to bridge the gap between our students and their inner core by gentle coercion. Some practices are: 

The Sound of Silence

As a practice, our students don't sit down after wishing ‘Good Morning' until they've proven that they'll be silent. Then, one by one, they’re made to sit, until this deliberate act becomes an automatic ritual and not much time has to be wasted on this. This forced centering, bringing them back to their immediate reality with silence, is not a novel concept. 

Maharishi Ramana, a 20th century Hindu sage revered for his teachings on self-enquiry,  considered silence as the only way to quiet the restless mind and prepare it for true knowledge.

So, my fellow educators, never tolerate the din. We bear the profound responsibility of rescuing these students from the distractions.

We must hold the line, and train them in the beauty of maintaining silence so that they can listen to themselves and others beyond the mind numbing noise.

The Socratic Jab

The Socratic jab, asks questions, rather than lectures, prompting immediate self-reflection. It subtly challenges assumptions, linking present distraction to future dreams. 

Take for example a typical tragic scenario where an instruction is repeated and it has gone unheard for the 5th time, this is how one can deal with it:

"Sir, what is so urgent and important that you have sabotaged your presence of mind which must be practiced daily to give roots to your dreams?"

So, to improve listening, blend humour and logic through pointed questions. This technique, rooted in active listening and contemplation prompts self-realization. Instead of lecturing, disarm with wit to make them connect present actions with future aspirations, fostering genuine engagement.

Listening by the Pen

One practice that's surprisingly worked wonders in the classroom is that their observations about lesson plans must be written down.

Students, fully aware that their lack of attention span can be called out, will make conscious efforts to capture at least 40 percent of what they've heard before they even think about leaving. Circulating and observing their notes at their desks at least twice during the period is also an effective method.

This consistent observation of their notes subtly reinforces the expectation of active engagement, guiding their attention from mere hearing to genuine listening and internalization.

The Cacophony of Conversation

Initiating discussions is as vital as breath itself in these isolated times. 

These young souls, lost in the digital ether, are more acquainted with pixels than people. But a good old-fashioned debate, it's a veritable Pandora's Box, alright – spilling forth a glorious mess of follies to examine. It forces them to listen, truly listen, to the other fellow's perspective.

It's the grand, noisy antidote to their solitary screens, compelling them to finally hear a viewpoint that isn't their own echo. 

Love Listens: The Core of True Teaching

Love them, listen to them

Conclusion

Yet, beneath all the strategies, there's a fundamental truth: our efforts are futile if we don't communicate and radiate love for our students. We need to cultivate classrooms that are true sanctuaries for them. Unless they feel that profound warmth, they won't feel safe enough to share, and they won't truly listen. 

So, let's dissolve the distance between us and their inner worlds with love, remembering Paul Tillich's profound insight:

 "The first duty of love is to listen."