The Importance Of Mindful Listening

Introduction: Unit One introduces the concept of listening and being present as a foundation to collaborative conversations. Three main messages conveyed within both the Clark (2006) and Wong (2004) academic articles are; positioning oneself from a place of not-knowing, mindful listening and the importance of experiencing discomfort mindfully. These messages help to create a space for understanding through listening. A not-knowing stance repositions the client as an expert, mindful listening allows for a non-judgemental gaze, both at oneself and others, within mindful listening, discomfort is viewed as a way to promote individual growth. Creating a space for understanding makes room for a listening silence that embraces dialogue that crosses

Wong (2004) identifies listening rationality as functioning within silence through mindfulness; this silence allows coexistence which permits dialogue to be possible. Clark (2006) identifies a not-knowing stance as a way to co-create understanding. A space of understanding is necessary to work collaboratively across difference. This creation of space relates well to the pursuit of social justice; Wong (2004) asserts that the way meaningful dialogue is facilitated between people located in intersecting and conflicting discursive frames is important for the co-construction of a just society.

Mindfulness:

Without the attachment of discourse such as good/bad, a person may non-judgementally examine their power and gain insights into ways they perpetuate oppression (Wong, 2004). This engagement in critical reflectivity regarding one's own discourses and location of privilege is necessary for the "integration of what one learns and knows with how one acts" (p.4). Action for social justice can begin when "discursive rationality, the dominant form of knowledge" (p.3), is replaced with listening rationality.

The additional resource I found is by Gomez (2015), a community activist and author. Gomez addresses social change as an individual, from a place of love and creating understanding. Her blog details her experience moving from a place of anger, regarding structural racism, to a place of mindfulness by incorporating the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. In addition to her experience of practicing mindfulness within chaos, Gomez further highlights a created space of understanding through dialogue at the end of her blog, which I felt was fitting for the