It Is Only In Listening That One Learns

"Life is a constant movement in relationship. And if one is at all alert, awake to all the events that are going on in the world, this movement which is life must be understood, not at any particular level — scientific, biological, or traditional, or at the level of acquiring knowledge — but at the total level. Otherwise, one cannot share.
You know that word sharing has an extraordinary significance. We may share money, clothes. If we have a little food, we may give it, share it with another; but beyond that, we hardly share anything with another. Sharing implies not only a verbal communication — which is the understanding of the significance of words and their nature — but also communion. And to commune is one of the most difficult things in life. Perhaps we are fairly good at communicating something which we have or which we want or which we hope to have, but to commune with one another is a most difficult thing.
Because to commune implies, does it not, that both the person who is speaking and the one who is listening must have an intensity, a fury, and that there must be at the same level, at the same time, with the same intensity. Otherwise, communication is not possible — especially communion which is actually the sharing. And this act of communion is really quite remarkable because it is that communion, that state of intensity, that really transforms one's whole state of mind.
After all, love — if I may use that word without giving to it any particular significance now — is only possible when there is the act of sharing. And that is only possible, again, when there is this peculiar quality of intensity, nonverbal communication, at the same level and at the same time. Otherwise, it is not love. Otherwise, it becomes mere emotionalism and sentimentalism, which is absolutely worthless.
Our everyday life — not the supreme moment of a second, but everyday life — is this act of imparting, listening, and understanding. And for most of us, listening is one of the most difficult things to do. It is a great art, far greater than any other art. We hardly ever listen because most of us are so occupied with our own problems, with our own ideas, opinions — the everlasting chattering of one's own inadequacies, fancies, myths, and ambitions. One hardly ever pays attention, not only to what another says but to the birds, to the sunset, to the reflection on the water. One hardly ever sees or listens. And if one knows how to listen — which demands an astonishing energy — then in that act of listening there is complete communion; the words, the significance of words, and the construction of words have very little meaning. So, you and the speaker have completely to share in the truth or in the falseness of what is being said. For most of us, it is a very difficult act to listen; but it is only in listening that one learns."
J. Krishnamurti
Excerpt from What Are You Looking For?

Krishnamurti says that everyday life is an "act of imparting, listening, and understanding." He questions the quality of our listening and points out that we hardly ever see or listen. The quote above is an excerpt from a new book called What Are You Looking For? The pages within offer insights into K’s teachings on various topics such as relationships, society, and forgiveness. This book is available to order from our online store.
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Last week we livestreamed the first of two dialogues from The Future of Humanity series on the Krishnamurti Online Radio. The K Radio gives listeners an opportunity to investigate together while listening to curated Krishnamurti material. The radio has an online chat feature, where listeners participate and discuss, question, and explore together in the spirit of inquiry. Click here on Saturday, August 14th at 9am Pacific Time to stream the second and last dialogue from The Future of Humanity series and join us as we inquire together.
On Friday, August 20th at 10am Pacific Time, we will host a dialogue on the Krishnamurti Center ClubHouse account. ClubHouse is a social audio app for iOS and Android where users can communicate in voice chat rooms. This audio-only app offers opportunities to participate through speaking and listening. After downloading, add yourself to the waitlist to be invited to the app. You can follow our account by clicking here or by searching @j.krishnamurti in the ClubHouse search bar.
There's still time to sign up for our last online program of the month, Understanding Krishnamurti: An Inquiry into the Nature of Thought. This program starts on Monday, August 16th at 2pm Pacific Time and will challenge participants to examine the whole of life and the totality of Krishnamurti's teachings. We hope to see you there.
Sincerely,

Jaap Sluijter
Executive Director