Four Types Of Listening

Otto Scharmer's article on Four Types of Listening makes me reflect on how do I listen, what's my listening style. "Ya, I know that already." When I read something or listen to something that I already know, my curiosity level is more on the surface level. As the author writes I am listening by downloading. There is nothing new to learn. It confirms what I already know. Breaking News is mostly not really breaking news.
"Ooh, look at that!". This kind of listening has wonderment, something new. It perks my years. It stirs up my curiosity. In the morning when I look out from my window, I marvel when I listen to the birds talking to each other. Though I have heard them talk before but I feel the newness in their chirping. This happens when I read a poem. It may be a new poem or the poem I have read before. I wonder from where does this newness emerge? The author labels it as Object-focused or Factual Listening. It does sound right to me. Maybe, I missed the boat!
" Oh, yes, I know how you feel!" This is Empathetic Listening. This level of listening requires cultivation of the intelligence of the heart. When I see an angry or hateful face or a fearful or sad face my I listen from my heart. I empathize with them. Such listening makes me understand the other person on inner and deeper level.
" I can't express what I experience in words". The author names this kind of listening Generative Listening. This kind of listening happens to me when I am in soul-to soul relationship or spiritual relationship. I am in a Being Zone. I feel at home. I discover my real self. The outer and the inner walls go away. A deep sense of oneness dawns upon me. I would name it Spiritual Listening.
My life journey has gone through different phases of my development. It is an ascending journey with some ups and downs and twist and turns. It is not a straight line. Taking time out to meditate, introspect and reflect keeps me walking on this path.
Namaste!