What you hear depends on how you focus your ear. We're not talking about inventing a new language, but rather inventing new perceptions of existing languages.
Philip GlassRead
The problem with listening, of course, is that we don't. There's too much noise going on in our heads, so we never hear anything. The inner conversation simply never stops. It can be our voice or whatever voices we want to supply, but it's a constant racket. In the same way we don't see, and in the same way we don't feel, we don't touch, we don't taste.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the challenge of truly listening due to the distractions of our inner thoughts.
Philip Glass highlights the pervasive issue of internal noise that prevents us from genuinely engaging with the world around us. He suggests that our continuous inner dialogue clouds our ability to listen, see, feel, touch, and taste, ultimately hindering our experiences and interactions. The quote serves as a reminder of the importance of quieting our minds to truly experience life.
Themes
ListeningInner DialogueDistractionAwarenessPerception
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a workshop on active listening skills.
More from Philip Glass
All quotes βA new language requires a new technique. If what you're saying doesn't require a new language, then what you're saying probably isn't new.
Philip GlassRead
Similar quotes
Men are generally idle, and ready to satisfy themselves, and intimidate the industry of others, by calling that impossible which is only difficult.
Samuel JohnsonRead
Inner peace doesn't come from getting what we want, but from remembering who we are.
Marianne WilliamsonRead
In doubt a man of worth will trust to his own wisdom.
J. R. R. TolkienRead
I want to state upfront, unequivocally and without doubt: I do not believe that any racial, ethnic or gender group has an advantage in sound judging. I do believe that every person has an equal opportunity to be a good and wise judge, regardless of their background or life experiences.
Sonia SotomayorRead
I don't want people to say, 'Something is true because Tyson says it is true.' That's not critical thinking.
Neil Degrasse TysonRead
Redemption basically is about holistic health, if you want to translate it into modern parlance. What I suggest - based on the Christian tradition but not often preached - is that you can't enter into the fullness of the Pascal mystery of the redemption unless there is a radical transformation of motivation within you.
Thomas KeatingRead