First, learn how to listen

One of the oldest types of literature in the world is Vedas. Another word for Veda is shruti, 'shruyate anena iti shruti', meaning that which is heard.

The art of listening is the essence of Veda. If one knows how to listen to the master, to enlightened teachers and to everything in nature like Dattatreya, then nature becomes the guru.

To truly listen, the listener within must disappear. The listener is nothing but one's autobiography, identity we carry within us.


There is always a listener inside us. This listener is shaped by our past experiences and conditioning. According to rishis, the listener is often imprisoned by personal opinions, dogmas and conclusions. While listening, these inner ideas interfere with the process. Instead of listening to what is being said, we begin translating it according to what we already know and believe.

Whenever someone speaks to us, we may think we are listening, but most of the time we are merely hearing. The listener inside us constantly edits, judges and interprets words.

This inner translation pollutes the process of listening. If a person genuinely knows how to listen, he or she becomes an enlightened being. Even in elementary classical music, listening plays a vital role. A student takes years to understand and recognise the seven musical notes: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha and Ni.

Listening is, therefore, not easy. Hence, Vedas say 'atmavare shrotavyam', which means, 'First, learn how to listen.'