Practicing what, exactly? Listening, for one thing. Open, receptive, clear hearing -- listening to just what is there -- only that. Sound easy?
Practicing it isn't as easy as one may expect it to be, especially at first when one isn't experienced at it. We do it all the time but without awareness.
Why do this? Why practice listening in a particular way? Well, first of all, by its very nature (and through the intention of doing so), it's necessary in order to come back into one's self. So many of us live our lives "just outside of our ourselves".
To practice listening widely and with intention and doing so without preference to what is being heard is to practice being in a state of receptivity that is most conducive to creative, inspirational, and psychic work. Creating a pathway through practice is the key to quickly achieving naturally peaceful and open (and therefore receptive) states.
Any work or effort in which one's intention is to connect with creative inspiration can, I feel, benefit from practicing the idea that is being written about here. Suggestions are what works for me and is offered for your consideration and discernment.
For example, I am writing this on a steno pad while sitting in a chair on my front porch and will type this into the format for a newsletter later. I'm shaded by several large trees. It's a warm day but there's a very nice breeze. Here is my process. It begins with awareness of the physical body itself. This solidifies centering which is the first step.
I feel my bare foot on the outdoor carpet, the breeze upon the skin of my shoulders, arms and face. Attention settles on my legs at the point where one leg crosses over the other. The feel of the notepad resting upon my knee and the pen in my hand reaches my awareness next.
Feeling centered in the physical body now, attention goes to my breath, "I am aware of breathing in; I am aware that of breathing out." I repeat this as a mantra for a little while. I keep my eyes open but it is my hearing consciousness that is mostly activated due to intention. Next . . .
I allow my attention to expand to the surrounding area now, listening to nearby sounds . . .
