The Listening Story; and the Impact of Social Media and Digital Technology

PREFACE

Stories are an indelible part of how we live.

We communicate the vitality of life through many stories about events that happen every day. In fact, story is critical to our ultimate success and survival on this planet. Informing each other through story is how we evolve and thrive.

There are stories about what has happened to us and what we have encountered. There are fairy tales, news stories, stories of love and emotion, stories of success, failure and redemption, joy and pain, stories both sublime and ridiculous. Poems, parables, songs, books, letters, texts, emails and anecdotes can be as simple as telling someone how the spring rain has brought a super-bloom of flowers or as complex as relating how Einstein’s theory of relativity exists in the universe.

As different as all these stories are, they have one thing in common….. They are listened to !

Listening is what makes a story come to life. It is how we learn and grow as individuals and as cultures.

Without someone…..anyone….. listening, there can be no story. It’s inherent value is lost.

This is not a ‘how to’ book, rather a presentation of the energetic and existential levels of listening and its effects. I believe that an understanding of the ground of being that is listening will be discovered and will unfold a natural motivation to learn more. The reader will develop more awareness of how listening enhances their life and embrace it in ways that speak to them individually.

I offer this as a distillation of my life in sound and listening, a journey which includes extensive education and rich experience as a musician and sound engineer, with a certificate in sound healing. Five decades of growth and learning in this field have culminated into understanding the extraordinary depth of the multi-dimensional nature and power of sound.

Without a deep awareness and practice of listening, much of what sound, voice and music can bring to us falls by the wayside. This is an invitation to move farther on, aspiring to deepen the listening awareness of as many people who will…. yes, …… listen.

So this is a story, one of the grandest of all. A story about how listening is absolutely vital to our well-being and fulfillment. A story of how our quality of life is directly proportional to our quality of listening. It is a story of how the new digital media and technologies are undermining our aptitude for listening. And finally, a story of renewal through avenues of deeper listening that hold the potential for personal and community transformation.

A collection of stories within a story……

The Listening Story.

INTRODUCTION

It was a glorious sunny afternoon in mid-August along the banks of the Saint Vrain River in the Rockies foothill town of Lyons, Colorado. The most amazing sound I have ever heard, came into being. It was the final gathering in the covered, open air performance venue at the four day long Song School songwriting workshop. 150 songwriters had assembled to attend workshops and advance their skills while learning valuable industry information from talented masters of the trade.

After a few appreciative comments, the group leader on stage said Okay everyone, let’s have a final blast of fun and proceeded to give the following directions.  Think of a note in your head. A note that you will sing out loud in a moment. Make sure it is your own note, a note you may even consider your favorite tone. Everyone got one ? A few moments of coalescing occurred, then she continued. Okay, we are going to each sing our note and hold it. While holding your note, listen to the sound that will surround you. Ready ?  Okay…..SING !!!

With much fervor, 150 songwriters sang their note. What ensued was a harmonious spectacular beyond any measure. 150 glorious voices singing out with all 12 notes of the scale represented, in multiple octaves, male and female equally mixed, each with their own unique tone of voice. It is impossible to describe just as a miracle is impossible to describe. Unbounded amazement ensued.

This was a transcendent experience for me that is emblazoned on my auditory memory forever. I can also see the resplendent faces of my songwriting friends as we listened to the magic around us. It had a spiritual feeling and connection. It was an energetic confirmation that 150 diverse voices could create one single sound so magnificent. A profound visceral experience that showed diversity can organize itself effortlessly to become a singular expression of goodness and harmony.

Everyone was stunned into silent rapture as the sound faded. After a short quality time absorbing the beauty that had just occurred, everyone began to hug and cheer and clap with total abandon and appreciation.

As the ecstasy began to fade a few minutes later, we all walked into the knee-high river and began to sing. The adjacent canyon wall reverberated the joy of our songs to our immense delight. With the river rushing through our legs, we sang for at least another hour or so as the approaching sunset began to cast its shadows on the river and canyon wall. Fully satiated by the experience, one by one, we slowly began to walk onto shore and attend to our workshop’s last night of festivities.

We don’t have to wait for special occasions like this one to take in the value of what listening can do for us. Our ears and listening process are ever ready to take in sounds that it will integrate into our well-being. That is why this process exists, a divine design.

With the right intention and attention, listening can inform us with endless discovery and fulfillment in every moment.

So begins the story.

PART ONE: THE FOUNDATION

I will tune my spirit to the gentle sound, of the waters lapping on the higher ground      - Jackson Browne

LISTENING

Take a moment to close your eyes.

Listen to the wind blowing through the trees.

Aaahhh……

Peace always come to my mind and being…..

What is this sound telling you ?

Is it the wispy sound of a soft wind blowing through long, thin pine needles offering a sense of lightness ? Is it a strong rustling, crackling sound indicating that it is the fall season ? Is it a flapping, clattering sound like vertical blinds along a sliding glass door similar to when palm branches are galed upon by a forceful storm ? Is it a grand, mature maple tree with its large, broad leaves making a deep and rich sound in a full breeze ? Are you on a mountain top with a strong sheer of wind sounding its power with that whistle that rides alongside ?

These are commonly perceived sounds that happen every day, yet are often taken for granted as to how much important information is being provided by listening. The many variances of the wind are defined by listening. Listening provides definition to everything around us, all the time.

What then, is listening ?

Listening is the gateway to accessing the power of sound. Sound is that part of the vibrational spectrum of life energy that forms the basis of all human communication and interaction. Animals, and even plants have demonstrated a response to sound, voice and music. Sound is the ‘juice’ of life. With our voices and through music, as well as the sounds of nature and other environments, the richness of life comes alive.

Sound is multi-dimensional and positively affects our lives energetically, physiologically, intuitively and creatively. Listening occurs in three ways; externally with our ears, with our bodies, and internally, with our intuition.

Listening is the entry point and activating source of the profound benefits of sound. Without listening to sound, not only our personal well-being, but also our relationships among all forms of life, would be significantly