Listening. It’s such a simple act, but in the busyness of life, it’s something we often overlook. In the age of endless notifications and distractions, genuine listening is hard to accomplish. Yet, if we wish to walk the path of yoga and spiritual growth, listening is a skill worth cultivating.
In Buddhism, the “three wisdom skills” or “three kinds of wisdom” are ways of gaining insight into the nature of reality. They are:
1. Śruta-mayī-prajñā (Wisdom of Hearing/Study): This is the wisdom gained through listening to teachings or reading scriptures. It is the foundation where one learns about concepts and philosophy.
2. Cintā-mayī-prajñā (Wisdom of Contemplation): This involves reflecting on what has been learnt, critically examining and integrating the teachings to understand them deeply.
3. Bhāvanā-mayī-prajñā (Wisdom of Meditation): This is the wisdom developed through meditation practice, where direct experiential insight arises. It is the culmination of putting what one has learnt and contemplated into practice, leading to deeper realisation.
Together, these three stages help deepen understanding, progressing from intellectual knowledge to direct, experiential wisdom.
The first of these, Śruta-mayī-prajñā, is where listening comes into play. We might think of listening as passive, but true listening is an active, engaged process. It’s about opening ourselves to what’s being shared, whether it’s the words of a teacher, the teachings of a sacred text, or even the messages from our own body.
Listening requires setting aside our assumptions and being fully present. It’s not just hearing words, but absorbing them, letting them settle into the heart, and allowing them to inspire change within us. Listening is how we begin to understand; it’s how we prepare the soil before we plant the seeds of transformation.
When we listen with this level of engagement, we create the foundation for Cintā-mayī-prajñā, the wisdom of contemplation. Reflecting on what we have heard allows us to internalise it, critically examine it, and begin to see how it resonates with our own life. This is the next step on our journey to deep wisdom.
Ultimately, our path leads us to Bhāvanā-mayī-prajñā, the wisdom of meditation. But without listening, we cannot reach this stage. Meditation is about direct experience, and it brings to life the lessons we have heard and contemplated. It’s where insight blooms, allowing us to truly embody the teachings.
So why is listening so important? Because it’s where the journey begins. Whether it’s in a yoga class, listening to our own breath, or absorbing ancient teachings, listening is what allows us to lay the groundwork for deeper understanding. It transforms our learning from abstract knowledge into a lived, breathing practice.
Listening is an act of love and respect—towards ourselves, our teachers, and the world around us. It’s a practice of humility, of recognising that we don’t have all the answers and opening ourselves to new possibilities. And in this openness, real wisdom begins to grow.
As we move through our yoga practice, let’s make a conscious effort to listen more deeply. Listen to our bodies, listen to our breath, listen to each other, and listen to the wisdom that surrounds us. It’s a skill that takes time to cultivate, but it’s one that is well worth the effort.