"The more she practiced, the more she was able to delve deeper into layers of the community..."
conversation, and absorb as much knowledge from Mahant as she could, Blake needed to fully experience what she was hearing in the moment. She had learned active-listening techniques from a mentor in Rishikesh, who described it as setting a clear intention to listen, then smiling and taking a breath when you notice your attention is wandering—like returning to focused attention on the breath during meditation.
When she spoke with Mahant, she remembered to HEAR: Halt, Enjoy, Ask, and Reflect. On the river bank, she had practiced halt, clearing her mind for the conversation ahead. When the gentle criticism came, she was able to enjoy a breath to renew her spirit and physically provide her body with space to process Mahant’s words. She was careful to ask for clarification whenever he explained a foreign concept or pronounced philosophical axioms; she had sought specific instructions for potential next steps. Finally, Blake had shown Mahant what she heard by repeating her interpretation. Reflecting in real-time ensured that she could process his words and show her full attention, all while staying in-tune with the ebb and flow of the conversation.
At home, Blake had practiced active listening with Yamini, especially before public events when Blake intended to connect and learn from other event-goers. She wanted the people to feel heard and welcome when they spoke to her. In addition to the techniques from HEAR, Blake had practiced physical attention like body posture, eye contact, and an accepting facial expression. She listened to Yamini talk about her childhood living along the river and refrained from interrupting or judging anything Yamini said. Most importantly, she always practiced empathy by nodding her head and verbally expressing her understanding of Yamini’s feelings. When it was time to switch turns, Blake had noticed how it felt when Yamini listened to her intently, giving her the time and attention to be fully engaged in the conversation. It became apparent to Blake that another person’s simple act of listening can make you feel whole and understood. The more she practiced, the more she was able to delve deeper into the layers of the community – beyond their loves and daily frustrations, and into systematic uncertainties like the non-point source pollution of the river. Active listening had helped Blake learn from others, recognize points of contention in the community, control her reactions both verbally and physically, and ultimately become a better researcher.
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