Having Ears to Hear

Ears do a lot more than hear.

Do you realize how much of your life depends on the functionality of your inner ear? Your ability to hear, to be active, to balance, to see well, to be coherent, to be aware… all of it depends on a tiny sack of tissue and nerves roughly the size of a pencil eraser. What would life be like without it? Like this…

Now you may be wondering what your inner ear function has to do with teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s see if we can connect some dots.

Just as the health of our inner ear dictates our quality of life to a large degree, our ears and our ability to actively listen to our students with empathy and effort will also largely dictate the quality of our learning experience.

Similarly to how our inner ear impacts our balance, focus, and awareness, our success or failure in listening to those we teach will impact every aspect of the learning experience. If we listen to those we teach with love, respect, and empathy then we will experience being taught by the Holy Ghost. If we don’t listen in this way, we will struggle.

What do the scriptures teach us about listening? Proverbs 1:5 teaches us that “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” Now combine that with Doctrine and Covenants 88:122:

“Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege.”

We talked a little bit about D&C 88:122 in last week’s blog. And it was part of Come, Follow Me last week as well. So, it probably does sound familiar.

For us to increase learning in our classroom and make sure that all are edified, both scriptures tell us that we must listen. But it can’t be passive listening. It requires listening with empathy. It requires internalizing what they’re saying and allowing it to edify you so that you in turn can help edify them. Remember, if we are all to be “edified of all,” then we must believe that every member of the class has something of value to share.

By listening to our students with empathy, we allow ourselves to feel what they feel and see how they see. What a powerful experience that can be! As we engage in empathetic listening with our students, we can join with Christ and “by union of feeling we obtain pow’r with God.” (Joseph Smith Jr., “Minutes and Discourse, 9 June 1842,” 61, Joseph Smith Papers) There is no greater way to invite the Holy Ghost.

Let’s each take a moment and determine the current health of our spiritual “inner ear.” Here are some questions that you can ask yourself to see if your listening is attentive, empathetic, and effective:

Do you listen attentively as your students share their thoughts and feelings?
Do you find your mind wandering to what you want to say next while your students are talking or sharing?
Do you immediately move on after someone has shared, or do you meaningfully engage with them on what they’ve said?
Do you only ask questions to be understood, or do you also ask questions so that you can understand those you teach?
Do you ask clarifying questions about their comments, or do you assume that you grasped what they were trying to communicate?

How did you do? If you’re like me then you will probably struggle with some of these from time to time, and that’s ok! We are all striving to improve, so let’s do it! Here are some ideas that might help:

After someone is done sharing, try restating to them what you heard and understood, and then ask them if you understood them correctly. This can really let someone know you want to understand and validate them. This will likely make your class more comfortable sharing in the future.
Look at those who are speaking with attentiveness. If something they said had special meaning to you, ask them if they’re ok with you writing it down. This can show them that you value their contributions and that you intend to make it part of you beyond the classroom. If you feel good about it, maybe even share how that comment will bless you because it was shared.
Don’t be the only sounding board in the classroom. Feel free to redirect thoughts and questions to the other students. Ask the rest of the class what they understood and thought about what was shared. As you teach this skill to those present, they can all become better empathetic listeners and energetic sharers. As the class share with each other and not just with you, they will become more comfortable and capable teachers and testifiers themselves.

There are numerous ways to increase your ability to listen with empathy and love to those we teach. Share some of them in the comments! I’d love to learn from you as well. This skill will bless each of us and those we teach forever.