The Art of Listening in a Healing Way

by James E. Miller

"The Art of Listening in a Healing Way" is Jim Miller's sequel to his popular book, "The Art of Being a Healing Presence." He describes what healing listening is and how it differs from other kinds of listening. Then 27 short chapters provide helpful insights in how to do this special kind of listening. "A healing listener listens with the eyes." "A healing listener cleaves to silence." Interspersed throughout are intriguing quotations from the ages, as well as the author's floral photography.

Genres: Psychology

Paperback

First published September 8, 2003

About the author

Librarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[D.J. Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Art of Listening in a Healing Way by James E. Miller "reveals the art of being a healing listener" as the back cover states. It's a small book -- 80 pages and truly only half of those pages have full size paragraphs printed on them. On the left hand, even numbered pages are quotes and beautiful pictures of flowers. Still, I would buy this book again with no problem (the price is typically reasonable), and I easily rate it four stars. If I had not been so stingy with my star ratings lately, I would give it five stars because listening is a skill desperately needed today. When listening becomes an art form, all manners of goodness takes place.

The book is made up of statements such as "Healing listening is founded on wonder" and "Healing listening begins with a triple intention." Each statement is explained, described, and illustrated with a combination of instruction, inspiration, research, and example. Occasionally, another quote will be found on the right hand instructional/inspirational side such as the one by Irish poet William Butler Yeats on page 29: "We can make our minds so like still water that beings gather about us to see their own images..." Miller concludes: "Your still presence gives others the opportunity to see their own reflections. Your quiet being offers a hush in which others can find and hear their own voices."

Much of the book may not even be new to the reader; however, it is good to be reminded that the gentle art of listening is a gift we can bring to one person at a time in a world with voices shouting and clamoring to sell us something, whether that which is being sold is an emotion, a viewpoint, a product, or a service.

[Jade]

Listening, genuinely listening actively, is such a lost skill. I have been profusely aware of this over this past year of personal struggle as I paid attention to who was truly listening to me. And actively listening all day as my job, this book helped me understand just how powerful witnessing and companioning is. Some days I feel like I’m the worst therapist of all time. And this book helps me recognize that some [most] days it isn’t even about me as a therapist. I’m planning to keep this book on my work desk as a daily reminder of the power of listening.

[Terra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and simple book of reflections on the healing power of listening. The best part was the many quotes included. A few gems: “I am a person: I told that nothing human is alien to me” — Roman playwright Terence (31).“A friend is one before whom I may think aloud” —Ralph Waldo Emerson (34)“The four cardinal virtues are humility, humility, humility, and humility” —Bernard of Clairvaux.




[Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly recommended (short) book of learning how to listen to others in a way that allows them to achieve a measure of healing in their lives. There are several ways that this can happen, & it takes practice and constant self-reminders that when we open our mouths to offer suggestions or advice, we aren't listening in a way to allow the other person to be felt listened to.

[Katrina Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband read this out loud to me in the evenings and I know my mind wandered at times. Still, I love the way he breaks down the ministry of listening, and includes quotes from other sources. He also wrapped it up with a great example.

[Emily Rayburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book!! Short and sweet, but so full of wisdom. Touches on so many important aspects of listening deeply and reverently to another person. Will reread this book throughout my lifetime!

[DJ Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

Very helpful (and brief) primer on active listening and how to cultivate a healing presence. As with most things of this nature, an inch wide and a mile deep.

[Liaken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Not great, but good. It has some good concepts and is written with sincerity. As I read, I started to want the author to say that to be a healing listener also requires the listener to set boundaries and consider who she wants to listen to. There is a sort of moment where he sort of thinks about sort of saying that. But it doesn't cut it. Especially with the emphasis throughout the rest of the book of turning one's self over to the speaker.

I also felt that each section was written to take up a certain amount of space, rather than being written with the amount of words in order to be communicate the idea. Alas.

[Cat Voors]

Recommend this book to everyone. Very helpful.