Mindful Listening Benefits: 5 Ways to Practice Mindful Listening

Mindful listening (sometimes called active listening) is a communication skill that involves being fully present and paying full attention when interacting with others. To be a mindful listener, you need to be more than a good listener—you need to be present in the moment so you can fully absorb the conversation through spoken language and body language.

Mindful listening can help you improve personal and professional relationships. The average person often focuses on their own thoughts, not the person who is speaking, which can lead to misunderstandings. Better listening can lead to better two-way communication—when both parties are present in the moment, they are more likely to show empathy and compassion. Mindful listening can also reduce frustration because both parties feel like they are being heard. The result can be a better understanding of the other person’s point of view or even a deeper interpersonal connection.

Improving your mindful listening skills can also increase the value you personally place on your time, which can improve your overall sense of well-being. In today’s busy culture, it can be difficult to live in the present moment as our minds are on autopilot and we think about everything from dinner plans to every ding of our cellphone. By practicing mindfulness exercises regularly, you can hone your ability to better ground yourself in each moment, so that you are participating more fully in every task throughout the day.

Mindful communication is one way to boost your self-awareness and become a better listener. Here are a few basic mindfulness techniques that you can incorporate into your next mindful listening exercise.

1. 1. Ask open-ended questions. To further the conversation and show that you care about what the other person has to say, ask questions that invite the speaker to communicate their point of view.
2. 2. Pay full attention to the conversation. Often when we should focus on the present moment, our mind wanders. Try to focus on what the speaker is saying instead of formulating a response. One way to do this is to put away your cellphone.
3. 3. Observe body language. There is more to a conversation than spoken language. Pay attention to body language and emotional reactions.
4. 4. Make eye contact. Stay in the moment by making eye contact. This often helps you connect more deeply with the speaker, and you’ll also be able to focus on nonverbal communication.
5. 5. Be patient. It’s often hard for others to communicate their feelings, especially when having difficult conversations. Slow down and give the speaker time to finish their thoughts before you reply.

Find something comfortable to sit or lie on, grab a MasterClass Annual Membership, and dial into the present moment with Jon Kabat-Zinn, the father of the Western mindfulness movement. From formal meditation exercises to examinations of the science behind mindfulness, Jon will prepare you for the most important practice of them all: life itself.