“Those who have ears…”

The other day someone asked me a question.
I know them well, so was not expecting them to hear what I actually said,
but what they thought I said - based on their way of seeing things.

(When someone is a bit more awake than those around them,
they presume they know.)

I know I keep saying the same thing - we do not hear what is being said,
we hear what our mind tells us is being said - based on our old
conditioning.  (If you really heard just one thing someone who is living in the zone says,
you would wake up.)

So once again: Listen. Stop, take a breath, and listen to other other
person -  not what your mind is telling you they are saying.

Now in everyday conversation it is not too important -
because what people are usually saying, is not too important -
stories; ideas; advice - which they are not living themselves; complaint.

If it is someone for whom you have respect,
and they seem to be happier than you are,
listen - not with your mind, but with your heart.
Don’t try to understand what they are saying - just let it in.

This person waited for me to finish what I was saying, then immediately
analysed it, and fed it back. They had absolutely no idea what I was attempting to
share.  Trouble is, they thought they did.

Not agreeing; not disagreeing; and not attempting to understand.
Not knowing.

Un-seriously...