Why God created us with two ears and one mouth

So that we would listen twice as much we speak is the clear and logical answer. My use of “God” in the title does not mean it is found in the Bible.

The original author of this wise statement was the Greek philosopher Zeno who lived in Citium, now Cyprus, in the years 334-262 B.C. (before Christ). This is to emphasize ever more strongly that in the area of communication, especially while walking in the path of dialogue, STRICTER LISTENING is crucially necessary, a demand of human nature which is very often ignored.

In our 25-year experience of dialogue with Muslim ulama or religious scholars, and with Protestant bishops and pastors, we have learned two lessons which we understand as principles in successful interreligious communication: One, “without silence, words lose their meaning”. Two, “without listening, speaking cannot heal”.

Silence of the body, silence of the mind, and silence of the heart, are what I mean by “stricter listening”. Silence of the body refers to body posture and poise conducive to listening. Silence of the mind refers to absence of mental distractions. Silence of the heart refers to absence of negative feelings or dislikes.

Without this stricter listening on the part of the body-mind-heart the two ears cannot hear, and the words coming out of the mouth — however strong, clear logical and sweet-sounding — cannot convince and heal. So no dialogue happens, only waste of time and plenty of disappointment.

There is a third principle which I will discuss next week.