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A practical study of all the key aspects of listening - listening to myself, listening to others, listening to the world and listening to God.
- GenresChristian
280 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 18, 2025
I’ve never read a book quite like this: it’s a holistic writing on listening well, including ideas for practice.
For the author, the point is not just to become a better listener of people, but to learn to listen well and attend well 1) to ourselves, 2) to the voice and heart of God, 3) to others - neighbors, coworkers, loved ones, strangers, etc, and 4) to the marketplace, the world, and our communities.
The author takes the reader through each of these relationships and adeptly, with insight and humility, helps us understand and appreciate what it would take to become a listening presence, and gives examples and assignments to help us apply our learnings.
A growth point for me is to be attentive to God while listening to another person. It’s hard to do and takes some practice, especially in listening undistractedly or in setting aside the temptation to quickly give advice or perspective. I like the following encouragement from the author: A good definition of listening to others is, “… being fully present to the other person and open to God on his or her behalf.”
I am often distracted by my own life and agenda or I prioritize my to-do’s throughout my day. I’m leaving this book inspired to love others and my community better by really listening … with eyes, ears, heart, and mind.
“The temptation is to live individualistically and not listen for those needs which are there, sometimes just below the surface.”
I’m also leaving inspired to deepen my ability to listen to God in the midst of life. It takes intentionality, along with establishing a pattern of regular times of stillness (a prayer time or “quiet time”, for example), but I appreciate the author’s encouragement to do so. We might have to fight for it, but there’s the sweet fruit of the with-God life waiting for those who do.
“So often our inner space becomes cluttered and unavailable as we find ourselves driven by conflicting motives and forces. Yet God invites us to “make a chapel of our heart, to which we can from time to time withdraw to have gentle, humble, loving communion with him”. In the midst of each day’s pressures we can move in and out of our inner chapel which will, with use, gradually become a safe place where we can reflect on and respond to what we hear in the market place. And, as we commune with Jesus there, he, the Word of God, will gradually become the center and heart of our living.”
For the author, the point is not just to become a better listener of people, but to learn to listen well and attend well 1) to ourselves, 2) to the voice and heart of God, 3) to others - neighbors, coworkers, loved ones, strangers, etc, and 4) to the marketplace, the world, and our communities.
The author takes the reader through each of these relationships and adeptly, with insight and humility, helps us understand and appreciate what it would take to become a listening presence, and gives examples and assignments to help us apply our learnings.
A growth point for me is to be attentive to God while listening to another person. It’s hard to do and takes some practice, especially in listening undistractedly or in setting aside the temptation to quickly give advice or perspective. I like the following encouragement from the author: A good definition of listening to others is, “… being fully present to the other person and open to God on his or her behalf.”
I am often distracted by my own life and agenda or I prioritize my to-do’s throughout my day. I’m leaving this book inspired to love others and my community better by really listening … with eyes, ears, heart, and mind.
“The temptation is to live individualistically and not listen for those needs which are there, sometimes just below the surface.”
I’m also leaving inspired to deepen my ability to listen to God in the midst of life. It takes intentionality, along with establishing a pattern of regular times of stillness (a prayer time or “quiet time”, for example), but I appreciate the author’s encouragement to do so. We might have to fight for it, but there’s the sweet fruit of the with-God life waiting for those who do.
“So often our inner space becomes cluttered and unavailable as we find ourselves driven by conflicting motives and forces. Yet God invites us to “make a chapel of our heart, to which we can from time to time withdraw to have gentle, humble, loving communion with him”. In the midst of each day’s pressures we can move in and out of our inner chapel which will, with use, gradually become a safe place where we can reflect on and respond to what we hear in the market place. And, as we commune with Jesus there, he, the Word of God, will gradually become the center and heart of our living.”
October 15, 2023
This is number two in my massive drop of book reviews trying to catch up to what I have read. This one I know why I didn't review. Confession time: I wanted to buy as many used copies as I could find before I reviewed it and told y'all how wonderful it is. I simply can not understand how there is only one written review and how people have missed this book!!! Granted, it was written in the UK in 1990, but this author was writing stuff about listening and including reflective questions and practices / exercises long before those things reached their current popularity in books. Her four sections are Listening to Myself; Listening to Others; Listening to the World; Listening to God.
I found out about the book because I know about a course being taught on Listening and the teachers are having the book reprinted for their students. (One of my books came from England and I was so thrilled to get Royal Mail...lol.) This is another one of my books that I am rereading because it is so good. I highly recommend it if you are serious about wanting to learn how to listen.
I found out about the book because I know about a course being taught on Listening and the teachers are having the book reprinted for their students. (One of my books came from England and I was so thrilled to get Royal Mail...lol.) This is another one of my books that I am rereading because it is so good. I highly recommend it if you are serious about wanting to learn how to listen.
January 16, 2026
This was written in the UK in 1990, which feels like a completely different world from my experience in 2026 in California. In some ways, anyway. There are certainly references to events and concerns that seem almost quaint today, and I wonder how the changes in technology and the course of wold events over the past 35 years would influence her if she were to write this book now.
But there are some excellent reminders, practical tips, and insights about learning to listen to ourselves, to each other, to the world, and to God. Best read slowly and thoughtfully with an intent to practice what she says.
But there are some excellent reminders, practical tips, and insights about learning to listen to ourselves, to each other, to the world, and to God. Best read slowly and thoughtfully with an intent to practice what she says.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews