Is listening an act of love?

 

Is listening an act of love?....

Through Josh Foundation, we support 16 schools for the hearing impaired in Mumbai. We have supported more than 2,000 underprivileged hearing-impaired kids from these 16 special schools. All hearing-impaired kids are given digital hearing aids according to their requirements. We also conduct a yearly event for all these kids, where we come to know how much they are progressing through these customised hearing aids. Somewhere, we found something still not happening right, and we felt the need to conduct a teachers’ training program in these schools. So, with that purpose, we recently conducted a training workshop for teachers of deaf kids. We divided the session into four parts, where we gave them knowledge about recent hearing diagnostics, their technology, and the revolution in hearing aid technology. The second part focused on rehabilitation programs with the help of technology and how we can implement occupational therapy in their teaching activities. We also wanted to listen to what difficulties they face in teaching these kids and in dealing with their parents.

Another session was conducted with one speaker from abroad who helped them to analyse the challenges they face while teaching and how to overcome those challenges. The fourth session involved a psychologist who helped them analyse where they stand in terms of emotional quotient and social quotient in their lives. They never thought that such a session would help them analyse themselves. Why am I narrating this whole event? Because after the entire training was over, some of the teachers came to me and shared their feedback, which was truly an eye-opener for me.

One teacher said, “For the last 15 years, I have been helping hearing-impaired kids to get an education, but no one had ever appreciated my efforts—until today. I understood technology better, and now I know my task of teaching them can be easier. My rehabilitation efforts can be much smoother if I include simple tips of occupational therapy in all my activities. I don't have to struggle to teach them reading and writing skills. My self-analysis will help me lead a better life. Thanks for spreading such positive energy in our lives with love.” That’s when I realised how special kids want us to listen to their challenges. In the same way, people like teachers and parents also need someone to listen to their challenges. By truly listening to them, I felt love can be spread more strongly if we do so patiently.

It is said that being deeply loved by someone gives you strength to live a meaningful life, and loving someone deeply gives you the courage to be better in life. After conducting such a session for teachers, we realised that our love and respect for these teachers will help them work with these kids with more strength and focus. This will also give them courage, and the kids will get more encouragement to improve and lead a better life. Some incidents in life make you realise how important it is to listen to someone, especially those teachers who teach special kids every day. Today, being Guru Purnima, I salute all those teachers who work hard with complete dedication. Teachers are the best listeners.

We all go through difficulties in life, and sometimes we are blessed with listening ears, maybe God who listens to your prayers, or parents who believe in you, or kids who love you, a friend who knows your struggles, or a boss who never judges your actions but believes in your hard work. Or it could be a doctor who listens when you’re going through physical or emotional pain, or a leader who understands the needs of their people. That’s when you feel you have someone who listens to you someone who loves you and suddenly you develop the strength and energy to fight and overcome life’s challenges.

After conducting this session and working with hearing-impaired kids, I have realised that doing humanitarian work is good, but humanist work is equally important. There is one kind of help that is financial, but there is also something called "listening ears" help which not only supports financially but also guides in such a way that you don’t need to seek financial help again. Those listening ears truly help you find direction. They help transform an individual, and indirectly, the society. The best example is Lord Krishna, who has transformed us over all these years through his teachings in the Bhagavad Gita.

The teachings say that developing sensitivity towards other human beings can lead to efficiency and better direction in life. Listening to others and spreading love through the act of listening can make a person independent, active, efficient in work, self-reliant, and selfless. Everything works best with reciprocity. Giving importance to human beings is more valuable than earning money. Having human values and believing that all humans are equal can empower the world, this is universally taught to us by God. Humanist work is as important as humanitarian work, and that can be achieved best by listening to others with patience and heart. I’m learning this act of listening—what about you all?

Let us make listening a universal language of compassion. Whether it's for special educators, teachers of hearing-impaired children, speech therapists, or parents of special needs kids, giving them a voice by truly listening is the first step toward an inclusive and empathetic society. On this #GuruPurnima, let's celebrate the power of listening, empathy, and inclusive education. Together, we can build a world where every voice matters and every heart is heard.