Edwin Shneidman, who we've written about frequently on this site, was a mentor to Mark Goulston, M.D., the author of "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for Dummies," linked here. Goulston credits Shneidman with teaching him how to really listen to others, particularly patients, in a story he relays, here:
"Mark, if you listen for hurt, fear and pain, it is always there. And when the other person feels you listening and feeling them, they will lower their guard, open their minds and hearts to you, allow you to enter and comfort them and if you’re fortunate, will let you walk them out of hell." -- Edwin Shneidman to Mark Goulston, M.D.
Once again, we see the benefit of listening with the heart and from the heart, echoing yet again the great quote of Paul Tillich, that "the first duty of love is to listen."
