Application of Spiritual Wisdom Part 7
September 8, 2025
Application of Spiritual Wisdom Part 7
When we do not know what to do or where to turn, our spiritual practice is more essential than ever, because it helps us focus on listening for what we need. But there is another kind of listening, beyond the use of our two ears, called listening with our “third ear.”
The term “third ear” means intuitive listening, in which we hear not only others’ words but their unspoken ideas, sentiments, and messages. These may be unspoken but are nevertheless communicated. They go unspoken because, for whatever reason, the person does not consciously acknowledge that they have these feelings and attitudes. Another possibility is that they are aware of their sentiments but for any number of reasons, want to keep them to themselves. However, regardless of why the person does not express their thoughts verbally, those very thoughts will likely come across to the person who listens with the third ear. It is a matter of listening to another person’s presence.
So, we “listen” to another’s presence by sensing their energy, spiritual posture, facial expressions, body language, themes, omissions, voice tone, and stories. Underneath their verbal behavior can be huge unspoken comments that may include a plea for help, a wish to be liked, a fear of rejection or any type of fear or desire.
Listening with the third ear can be a spiritual practice. But in this kind of deep listening, we must be clear about our intention. Listening to another’s soul requires that we hold that person in a space of respect and dignity. It means that we want to understand them more fully not for our edification, but to love them in the ways that they will most benefit. We honor them.
Listening for divine wisdom can be compared to listening to others with the third ear. To gather divine wisdom, we listen to the presence of the Divine. We draw near to that presence by holding space for God. This is best done in silent stillness. In this state, so much is revealed because we have detached from the hustle and bustle and are attuned to our thoughts, body, and heart. We look, listen, and feel with as much receptivity as possible. We listen not only with our two ears, but with our very being.
The messages we pick up from the Divine in stillness are affected by our spiritual cognitive style, spiritual sensations in our body, and our heart’s emotional process. Our soul and ego energy can also affect our levels of receptivity in each of the three centers. It is beautiful that the Divine comes to us in stillness and in various ways while providing us with its wisdom.
Spiritual practice: Go into stillness and listen to the Divine with your third ear. How do you experience this?
Self-inquiry: Would listening to another person through your third ear be respectful to them, or would it be an invasion of their privacy?
Dear God, Grant that we hear one another, and offer each other, your sacred grace. Amen
