Listening

Listening or Hearing is one of the traditional five senses and first step of being Gurmukh leading to belief. It is the ability to perceive sound by detecting vibrations via an organ such as the ear. The inability to hear is called deafness.

In Gurmat, Listening is an important activity that a Sikh must have especially Active listening which is an intent to "listen for meaning". Active Listening is not just an automatic response to sounds. It requires a listener to understand, interpret, and evaluate what he or she heard. Today, the ability to listen is an important skill in interpersonal communication. It improves personal relationship through reducing conflicts, strengthening cooperation, as well as fostering understanding.

Guru Nanak in, japuji Sahib, wrote whole importance of Listening. Listening is first step of Sikh, but what he should listen? TRUTH.

Listening are of two types:

1) Listen from ears 2) Listen From Subtle Ears

Listen From Ears: From our Ears we listen Bani i.e Madhma Bani. With Active listening that bani becomes Vaikhree Bani.

Listen Without Ears (or Subtle Ears): From these ears we listen Shabad, These ears have direct contact with God. Guru Nanak heard Shabad from these ears, this is truth.

Some of Importance of Listening to Gurshabad:

suni-ai dookh paap kaa naas.
Listening-pain and sin are erased.

suni-ai sat santokh gi-aan.
Listening - truth, contentment and spiritual wisdom.

suni-ai laagai sahj Dhi-aan.
Listening – one attains sure dedication.

suni-ai saraa gunaa kay gaah.
Listening - dive deep into the ocean of virtue.

suni-ai anDhay paavahi raahu.
Listening - even the blind find the Path.