Shravana: The ancient art of listening

Coaching is one of the few professions where clients pay to be truly listened to. 

They seek a space where their thoughts, doubts, and aspirations are held without judgment - especially when working through areas that block their growth or clarity.

Yet, this competence of Listens Actively is far beyond nodding, mirroring, or offering timely vocal cues. It is a conscious practice that needs to be cultivated.

What if we discover that our ancient traditions already offer deep methods to strengthen this very skill?

In Indic wisdom, Shravana, the art of listening, is central to learning and transformation. It is not passive hearing, it is listening with full awareness, presence, and surrender. And its expression changes depending on what is being received.

1. Vedanta (Knowledge of the Self): Here, listening means receiving what is taught without preconceived notions or interpretations. The seeker listens as it is, mulls over it once the teacher invites them to do so, allowing truth to unfold directly through the teacher’s words.

   
   

2. Bhagavad Gita: Tailored to the listener’s level and context, inviting practical reflection and alignment with Dharma.

   
   

3. Storytelling from Ithihasa and Purana: These narratives engage listeners emotionally and ethically, helping them integrate values through identification and / or non-identification with the characters.

   
   

In the transactional world that we operate out of, we can benefit from all three forms of listening.

However, in Coaching, our role resembles the Vedantic listener. We must listen to the client as they are, not through our filters of past experience or imagined futures.

Unlike storytelling, where the listener steps into the story, the coach stays anchored outside the narrative, holding a mirror for the client’s inner world. 

Even if the client’s statements are not absolute truths, they represent the truth for them and that is sacred ground for exploration.

When we approach Listens Actively in the Vedanta mould, we seldom get absorbed into the client’s story. We stay fully present, guiding the enquiry through right questions and questions at the right time.

Benefits of cultivating Shravana

1. We become attentive not only to words, but also to emotions and unspoken cues.

   
   

2. We mirror and paraphrase with near perfection, creating safety and trust.

   
   

3. We stay focused on the client’s agenda, not our own.

   
   

4. We acknowledge without attachment, helping clients stay grounded.

   
   

5. We validate without emotional entanglement.

   
   

6. The client experiences insights as their own wisdom, rediscovered and reclaimed.

   
   

Just as Vedanta guides the seeker toward truth, Coaching guided by Shravana supports the client in uncovering their own clarity and strength, as well as discovering ways ahead.

If this resonates with you, i invite you to explore our upcoming residential cohort on Integrating Coaching Competencies with Indic Wisdom. For more details, visit https://www.shrimathyoga.com/coachness.

Listens Actively is not just confined to coaching or leadership but is a life skill and competency to cultivate. 

Wherever communication becomes the bridge for growth, Shravana remains the foundation.