Intuitive listening is a powerful skill that allows us to observe the non-verbal cues of our environment and understand how people are feeling. It involves taking a conscious approach to understanding what is happening around us at any given moment, in order to respond more effectively and compassionately.

The most important aspect of intuitive listening is being present in the moment. This means tuning in to not just what is being said but also paying attention to body language, facial expressions, and other subtle cues that can help us understand a person’s emotions better.

Another important part of intuitive listening is remembering that we are all unique individuals with our own perspectives and experiences.

When we listen to another person, it’s important to try and understand where they are coming from and how their experiences have shaped their thoughts.

12 Recognized Types of Listening You Need to Know

Listening is a complex skill that requires us to be actively engaged in order to be effective. There are 12 types of listening that we should be aware of and practice, in order to become more intuitive listeners.

1. Objective Listening

Objective listening is all about understanding facts and details. It’s important to listen carefully in order to accurately interpret what is being said and make sure you understand the message correctly.

2. Subjective Listening

Subjective listening is about understanding how the speaker feels and their underlying emotions. It’s important to read between the lines to get a better understanding of what the person is trying to communicate.

3. Empathetic Listening

Empathetic listening is about putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and understanding how they are feeling. It requires you to be emotionally present in order to understand their feelings and respond with compassion.

4. Active Listening

Active listening involves being engaged in the conversation by asking questions, providing feedback, or summarizing what has been said. This type of listening encourages a two-way dialogue and helps to build trust between the speaker and listener.

5. Reflective Listening

Reflective listening is about reflecting back on what has been said in order to clarify understanding. It requires paying attention to every detail and responding in a way that shows you were listening.

6. Appreciative Listening:

Appreciative listening is about taking the time to appreciate what is being said and express gratitude for it. It involves openly acknowledging the speaker’s perspective and making them feel valued.

7. Critical Listening:

Critical listening is all about evaluating what has been said and understanding any potential biases or inaccuracies. It requires analyzing the speaker’s words in order to understand their point of view and make an informed decision.

8. Discriminative Listening:

Discriminative listening is about paying attention to the details and recognizing subtle differences in what is being said. This can help us pick up on any inconsistencies or changes in tone that may indicate an underlying message.

9. Comprehensive Listening:

Comprehensive listening is about being open to new possibilities and being aware of the big picture. It involves understanding how all the pieces of a conversation fit together, in order to gain an overall understanding of what has been said.

10. Faux Listening:

Faux listening is a type of listening where the listener pretends to be engaged but is not paying attention or absorbing any information. It’s important to be aware of this kind of behavior and try to avoid it in order to create meaningful conversations.

11. Non-Judgemental Listening:

Non-judgemental listening is about giving a person the space to express themselves without fear of judgment or criticism. It involves understanding another’s point of view and being open to different perspectives.

12. Intuitive Listening:

Intuitive listening is a method of actively paying attention to and interpreting non-verbal cues, body language, and other subtle forms of communication. It requires an open mind and the ability to look beyond the surface of conversation for deeper understanding.

Defining Intuitive Listening

Intuitive listening is a type of active listening that goes beyond simply hearing the words someone speaks. It involves understanding what they are really saying and responding to their intentions rather than just focusing on the words they use. Intuitive listeners try to get into the mindset of the speaker, in order to interpret their true message.

By using their intuition, they are able to pick up on subtle hints and cues in order to gain a deeper understanding of what is being said. This type of listening can create meaningful connections between people and foster strong relationships.

Intuitive listeners take the time to truly listen and understand the speaker so that they can provide meaningful feedback or advice. It also helps build empathy by allowing people to relate more deeply to one another.

Intuitive listening is a valuable skill that can be used in any type of relationship or professional setting. It requires patience, focus, and an open mind in order to succeed. With practice, anyone can become an intuitive listener and benefit from its many rewards.

Intuitive Listening Examples

Intuitive listening can be used in many different situations. For instance, a parent may use it when communicating with their child to gain insight into their feelings and thoughts.

A teacher can use it to better understand their students and provide support. In a professional setting, an employer may use it to get the most out of their employees or better understand customer feedback.

It is also important for couples in a relationship to practice intuitive listening in order to effectively communicate and build mutual respect.

6 Productive Benefits & Goals of Intuitive Listening

Intuitive listening is a powerful tool for developing relationships, forming meaningful conversations, and creating empathy. It has many benefits such as increased clarity, understanding, and connection. Here are 6 major benefits of intuitive listening:

1. Developing trust: Intuitive listening requires paying close attention to the speaker, so it helps build trust between people in a conversation.
2. Improving communication: By observing body language and other non-verbal cues, intuitive listeners can better understand what someone is saying and respond accordingly.
3. Having empathy: When practicing intuitive listening, one is able to connect with the speaker on a deeper level and understand the emotions behind their words.
4. Preventing misunderstandings: Intuitive listening allows people to pick up on signals they might otherwise miss and prevent potential misunderstandings.
5. Strengthening relationships: By being an attentive listeners, intuitive listeners can strengthen relationships and build stronger connections.
6. Learning to self-reflect: This technique encourages individuals to look inward and reflect on their own behavior, which can help them better understand themselves.

3 Fruitful Ways To Prepare For Intuitive Listening

In order to be an effective intuitive listener, it’s important to take the time to prepare before a conversation. Here are some tips on how to get ready for an intuitive listening session:

1. Setting the Environment

Creating a comfortable and safe environment is essential to fostering healthy conversations. Make sure to practice active listening, reduce distractions and be present with the speaker. Here are some tips on how to create an optimal setting for intuitive listening:

1. Find a comfortable, quiet space where you won’t be disturbed.
2. Let the speaker know that you are ready to listen actively and attentively.
3. Turn off all other distractions, such as phones or TVs.
4. Make sure neither of you is rushed or feeling pressure to finish quickly.
5. Acknowledge the speaker’s feelings by mirroring their body language and facial expressions.
6. Focus on what they are saying, not only the words but also nonverbal cues.
7. Be aware of your own thoughts and feelings while you listen.
8. Create an open dialogue by paraphrasing back to the speaker what you heard.

2.  Practice Self-Care and Grounding Techniques

Being an empathetic listener can be emotionally draining, so it’s important to take care of yourself. Practice grounding techniques and self-care activities such as deep breathing and meditation in order to stay present during conversations.

1. Take breaks from intense conversations to give yourself time to process and rest.
2. Stay aware of your own emotions and practice self-care techniques such as deep breathing, journaling, or talking to a friend.
3. Try grounding exercises like going for a walk or meditating to stay centered and connected.
4. Listen to music or watch a movie to distract yourself from thoughts and feelings that may be overwhelming.
5. Use physical objects, such as stones or stuffed animals, as focal points for staying present in the moment.
6. Remind yourself of your own strengths and remind yourself that you are capable of intuitive listening.
7. Seek support from friends and family if needed.

3.  Developing an Open Mind and Heart

In order to practice intuitive listening, it’s important to have an open mind and heart. Listen without judgment and try to understand the speaker’s perspective. Here are some tips on how to keep an open attitude while practicing intuitive listening:

1. Be honest with yourself and be willing to accept all of your feelings, including fear, anger, or sadness.
2. Acknowledge and embrace the perspectives of others without judgment.
3. Make an effort to ask questions in order to gain more insight into someone’s point of view.
4. Challenge your own assumptions and preconceived notions to open up possibilities for understanding.
5. Allow yourself to learn from the experiences of others without feeling threatened or intimidated.
6. Practice being curious and non-judgmental in order to create an atmosphere of acceptance and respect.
7. Maintain an attitude of humility and respect when engaging in conversations.
8. Acknowledge your own biases and work towards being more open-minded.
9. Practice nonverbal cues such as nodding, smiling or making eye contact to show that you are actively listening.

8 Effective Practices To Develop Strong Intuitive Listening Skills

Incorporating intuitive listening into your everyday life can be incredibly beneficial. Intuitive listening can help build empathy and connection with others, strengthen relationships, and create a deeper understanding of the world around you.

Here are some practical tips on how to integrate intuitive listening into daily life:

1. Silence & Stillness

Silence and stillness are essential components of intuitive listening. To practice this, shut off all electronic devices and take a moment to be in the present moment.

Feel the texture of your clothing on your skin, the sensation of air entering and leaving your lungs, and any other sensations that arise. Notice the thoughts that come up without judgment or attachment.

Allow yourself to be fully open and receptive. This practice can help you to become more aware of your own internal state, as well as the emotions and feelings of others.

When we are present in our bodies and minds, we are better able to connect with the people around us and truly listen intuitively.

2. Pay Attention to Your Body’s Sensations

Our body holds an incredible amount of wisdom, and can often warn us if something is amiss. Pay attention to any sensations that arise while you are engaged in conversation with another person.

Notice where your body tenses or relaxes, what emotions it evokes, and how you feel after the conversation has ended. These sensations can be a sign of our subconscious trying to tell us something.

By paying attention to the signals that our body sends, we can gain insight into the emotional state of another person and more accurately respond with intuitive listening.

3. Allow Yourself to Receive

The practice of intuitive listening is not only about sending out love, but also about receiving it. Listening intently and with an open heart allows us to be vulnerable to others, and in turn, can help us grow.

Allow yourself to absorb the emotions of another person without judgment or expectation. Remember that we are all human and none of us is perfect; allowing yourself to feel the connection with someone else can foster a sense of understanding and acceptance that extends beyond words.

4. Notice What’s Going On Around You

In addition to focusing on the other person, it is important to take note of our surroundings and be mindful of how they may be influencing the conversation. Here are a few tips:

1. Listen to the sounds in your environment. Notice the subtle tones and noises that occur on a daily basis. Pay attention to the human voices, birds chirping, cars driving by, and any other sound that may enter your ears.
2. Take notice of all the aromas around you. Are there fragrances you can identify? Can you smell food cooking or something else nearby? Is there a specific scent that reminds you of something from your past?
3. Take notice of all that is happening visually. What colors do you see? Are people walking around or standing still? Are their facial expressions happy, sad, or neutral? Are there objects in the space that are interesting or unique?
4. Notice how people are interacting with each other. Do they appear friendly or hostile in their conversations? Do they stand close together or keep their distance from one another? Do they touch each other while speaking or remain at a distance?
5. Pay attention to physical sensations in your body as well. Feel your feet grounded on the floor or your hands touching something on the table. Observe if tension is present in any areas of your body and pay attention to it without judgment or attachment.
6. Notice how time seems to pass when observing others and yourself in an intuitive way. Does time seem to move faster or slower than usual when being present in the moment without thinking about anything else?

5. Get Familiar with the Different Types of Energetic Impulses

As you practice intuitive listening, it can be helpful to become familiar with the various types of energetic impulses that may arise. Here are some examples:

1. Empathic Sensing: This is when you pick up on another person’s emotions and feelings without being explicitly told what they are.
2. Intuition: This is when you have a feeling or thought that comes to you without any logical explanation as to why.
3. Visualization: This is when you can “see” images in your mind’s eye, usually related to the topic of discussion.
4. Auditory Cues: This is when you pick up on sounds and tones that indicate a certain emotion or feeling.
5. Body Language: This is when you observe subtle physical cues from another person, such as facial expressions, body posture, and hand gestures.

By tuning into the various types of energetic impulses, we can gain valuable insight into how someone else is feeling and respond appropriately with compassionate listening.

6. Develop Your Intuition

The practice of intuitive listening is not only about understanding another person but also about developing your own intuition. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

1. Meditate: Take some time each day to sit in silence and focus on your breath. This will help clear the mind and open the channels for deeper insight into yourself and those around you.
2. Journal: Writing down your thoughts, feelings, and observations can be a great way to explore the nuances of intuitive listening.
3. Practice Gratitude: Acknowledge all that you have in life and express gratitude for everything that comes your way both good and bad. This will foster a sense of openness and connection to the present moment.
4. Connect With Nature:  Spend time outdoors, in nature, and observe all that is around you. Notice how your senses interact with the environment and pay attention to any insights that may arise.

By developing your intuition through conscious practice, you will be better equipped to hear what others are really saying and respond with compassion and understanding.

7.  Expand Your Awareness Beyond the Physical World

Intuitive listening is not limited to just the physical world but can also extend beyond this realm. Here are some ideas for cultivating a more expansive view of reality:

1. Pay Attention to Energy: Notice how different places, people, and things feel energetic. This could include noticing subtle sensations in your body or simply having a sense of the atmosphere around you.
2. Notice Synchronicity: Keep an eye out for patterns and similarities that come up in your life, especially when it seems like things are coming together in unexpected ways.
3. Connect with Spirituality: Explore spiritual practices such as meditation, chanting, or prayer to help open your awareness beyond the physical world.
4. Listen to Your Intuition: Pay close attention to the thoughts, feelings, and sensations that arise in your body and allow these messages to guide you forward.

By expanding your awareness beyond the physical world and tuning into subtle energetic impulses, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and those around you.

8. Utilize Active Listening Techniques

Active listening is a great way to practice intuitive listening and deepen your connection with another person. Here are some tips for utilizing active listening techniques:

1. Focus: Give another person your undivided attention by eliminating any distractions and focusing on what they have to say.
2. Ask Questions: Ask clarifying questions to ensure that you have a full understanding of the conversation.
3. Paraphrase: Summarize what has been said in your own words to verify that you’ve heard it correctly.
4. Reflect: Express back any feelings or emotions that may be coming up.

By utilizing active listening techniques, we can learn how to listen with compassion and understanding and truly hear what another person is saying.

Conclusion

Intuitive listening is a powerful skill that can help us gain more insight into ourselves and those around us. It requires practice and patience, but with time we can become adept at understanding how someone else is feeling and responding appropriately with compassionate listening.

Utilizing active listening techniques, expanding our awareness beyond the physical world, and engaging in conscious practices such as journaling, meditating, and expressing gratitude can all help to foster a deeper connection with ourselves and those around us.

With practice and dedication, we can develop the ability to intuitively listen and be present for another person’s experience without judgment. By doing so, we can create meaningful relationships and foster a greater sense of connection and understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is meant by intuitive listening?

Intuitive listening is a way of connecting to others through mindful, compassionate listening. It involves paying attention to the subtle nuances and energetic signals that come up in conversations with another person, such as their body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, and underlying energy.

By tuning into these subtle cues, you can gain an understanding of what the other person is really trying to communicate and respond in an empathetic and understanding way.

Intuitive listening requires an open mind and a willingness to be present with another person without judgment or agenda. It is about creating a safe space for someone to be heard, seen, and understood.

What is an example of being intuitive?

An example of being intuitive is when you have a feeling or sense about something before you’ve had time to think it through logically. For instance, if someone asks for your advice on a certain topic and you immediately know what they should do without having to consider the situation more deeply, that could be an example of intuition at work.

Intuitive thinking allows us to access information that is beyond the realm of our conscious understanding and can be extremely helpful when making decisions or navigating complex situations.

By listening to our intuition, we often are able to pick up on subtle cues and make intuitive leaps in order to provide insights and solutions that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

Which is an example of intuitive decision-making?

An example of intuitive decision-making is when you are presented with a choice and feel immediately drawn to one particular option without any logical explanation.

Intuition allows us to access information that our conscious minds may not be aware of, so instead of relying on facts or analytical thought processes when making decisions, we can simply trust our intuition to guide us.

For example, if you are considering two career paths and have a strong feeling that one particular path is the right choice for you even though it may not make sense on paper, that could be an example of intuitive decision-making.

By listening to and trusting your intuition, you can unlock insights that may not be available through traditional methods of decision-making.

What are the 4 types of intuitive thinking?

1. Intuitive-Feeling: This type of intuitive thinking relies on a person’s gut feeling and inner knowing to make decisions. It is often deeply connected with emotion and values, making it an important tool for personal decision-making.

2. Visual-Spatial: This type of intuition involves visualizing a problem or situation in order to gain insight. It is often used to solve complex problems, as well as for creative problem-solving.

3. Empathy-Intuition: This type of intuition involves understanding the emotions and feelings of others. It helps us to put ourselves into someone else’s shoes and better connect with them on an emotional level.

4. Intuitive-Logic: This type of intuition is based on analytical thinking and logic, but also involves intuitive insights that go beyond the rational mind. It allows us to look at a problem from multiple perspectives and consider different possibilities for a solution.

References:

Janet Geipel , Boaz Keysar ( November 10, 2022). Listening speaks to our intuition while reading promotes analytic thought. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36355770/

Robert E. Dunn (August 7, 2010). Teaching for Lifelong, Intuitive Listening. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3200/AEPR.107.3.33-38