9 Awareness Practices From Plutarch—An Ancient Guide on How to Listen.
Sharing a Simple and Ancient Guide from Plutarch
Plutarch is no Joke! This man is one of the most important voices from the ancient Greek schools of thought. And, there are many pearls of wisdom that remain uknown. Plus, to know how to listen is live a good life. There are good reasons to read his words.
When I discovered this interesting small book with the title “On listening”, I felt deeply that I should share this knowledge. I remember learning and researching a lot about the art of communication at this point in my life. Yet, I don’t think I encountered anything as short and useful as this simple guide from Plutarch.
And, It is interesting how this ancient knowledge relates to modern approaches of effective listening and the art of communication.
However, this advice is not only about how to become a better listener and communicator. I can clearly see how these essays from Plutarch are playing on different layers of meaning. This book is a guide in practicing awareness, minfulness, and presence. The art of mindfulness, philosophy, awareness, and meditation practices of human history are based upon sound and the ability to know what your ears are hearing. To learn how to listen is an essential bulding block of a good life.
9 Fragments of Wisdom from Plutarch on How to Practice the Art of Listening
1.
Greek: «Οὐ γὰρ ὡς ἀγγεῖον ὁ νοῦς ἀποπληρώσεως ἀλλ’ ὑπεκκαύματος μόνον ὥσπερ ὕλη δεῖται, ὁρμὴν ἐμποιοῦντος εὐρετικὴν καὶ ὄρεξιν ἐπὶ τὴν ἀλήθειαν.»
English:
“The mind isn’t a container to be filled up, but like wood, it only needs a spark — a push to think and a desire to find the truth.”
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2.
Ancient Greek: "καθάπερ τὸ σῶμα ἀκινησίᾳ καὶ ἀχρηστία τήκεται, οὕτως καὶ ὁ νοῦς τὴν ἀκρόασιν ἀποδεχόμενος ἀπαθῶς ἀνενέργητός ἐστι."
English:
"Just as the body weakens from inactivity and disuse, so too does the mind remain ineffective when it listens passively."
Comments: Why is important?
Because we need to remember that listening is a sacred act and a great way to remain alive in the present moment. To be present is to have the control of your mind.
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3.
Ancient Greek: "οὐ γὰρ δεῖ ζητεῖν τὸ τέρπειν ἀλλὰ τὸ ὠφελεῖν."
English:
"We must not seek what is pleasing, but what is beneficial."
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4.
Ancient Greek:"πολλοὶ οὐ τὸν λόγον ἀκούουσιν, ἀλλὰ τὸ πάθος ἐπέρχονται."
English
"Many do not listen to the argument, but instead let their emotions take over."
Why is that important?
Because we often filter what we hear through our emotions. When we hear the speach of someone we dislike, we might reject their words even if they are right. In debates, many people attack who is speaking rather than what is being said (ad hominem fallacy). Criticism is directed toward the opponent's character, which is irrelevant to the discussion. Plutarch reminds us to separate emotion from reason. Plus, to take control of your emotions
5.
Ancient Greek: "δεῖ δὲ μὴ παραυτίκα προσδέχεσθαι τὸν λόγον, ἀλλὰ χρόνον ἐᾶν, ὡς πολλάκις αὐτὸν διορθούμενον ὑπὸ τοῦ λέγοντος."
— Πλούταρχος (Περὶ τοῦ ἀκούειν)
English
"One must not immediately accept what is said, but allow time, for often the speaker corrects himself."
Why is this important?
This teaches patience in conversation. Many people rush to respond, but by waiting, we allow the speaker to refine their thoughts and our “reaction” to not be a reaction but a solid action navigated by mind. This is especially relevant in today’s fast-paced online communication, where people react instantly and nurturing a culture of rush. I love the fact that he emphasizes this space between the end of your conversational partner’s speech and your response. I think that this is my favorite advice in this book and maybe the most difficult to master. Even if I have become good at letting the other person finish his speech, I often catch myself rushing to respond immediately. This is the path of becoming an excellent facilitator of a discussion.
6.
Ancient Greek: "οὐ δεῖ τοῖς προσώποις ἀπιστεῖν, ἀλλὰ τῷ λόγῳ τὸν νοῦν προσάγειν."
—Πλούταρχος
English:
"One must not distrust people because of their appearance but focus their mind on the argument."
Why is this important?
Many people interpret a message with filters, by the appearance of a speaker rather than by its truth. We should be able to entertains all ideas, even those that we don’t agree or accept, beyond personal biases that have to do with a person’s appearance or status—whether the speaker is rich or poor, famous or unknown, left or right, blue or green, it doesn’t matter. Their words should be judged on their own merit.
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7.
Ancient Greek: "τοὺς ἐλέγχους δὲ μὴ βαρέως φέρειν, ἀλλ’ ὡς ἰατρικὸν τι δέχεσθαι."
English:
"One must not see criticism as a bad thing, but receive it as if it were medicine."
Why is this important?
It’s common for us to resent criticism. According to Plutarch, criticism can be seen as helpful, like medicine—even if it is unpleasant, it can improve us. You can use this wisdom in workplaces, in your education and personal growth journey, and to increase your awareness about you and others.
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8.
Greek: «Ὁ ἀκούων δεῖ νήφειν, καθάπερ οἱ μάντεις,
τὴν ψυχὴν ἡσυχίαν ἔχοντα.»
English:
“The listener must be sober-minded, like the seers, keeping the soul in tranquility.”
My comments:
This is another simple and deep phrase emphasizing the importance of allowing space to receive. It’s interesting he associates the notion of a listener to that of a seer. As I pointed out in the begining, to become a good listener is the greatest initation in awareness and practicing livinig in the present.
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9.
Greek:
«Οὐ προσήκει τὸν μὴ συνιέντα τὸ λεγόμενον καταγελάσαι,
ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον ἐξετάσαι διὰ τί λέγεται.»
English:
“It is not fitting for someone who does not understand what is said to mock it, but rather to examine why it is said.”
Why is that important? My comments:
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Listening as a Sacred Practice of Initiation and Awareness
About 10+ years ago, I learned how to meditate by using the sounds that my ears can hear. The ability to be aware of the soundscape around you is crucial. It’s a simple, deep, and beautiful practice. It can stay with you for the rest of your life and enrich you with its fruits.
Plus, you can practice almost every day! Whenever you lose the control of you thinking-mind, remember this beautiful awareness practice by Plutarch and you can come back and read it every once in a while.
Kind regards,
Sotiris
