“Associated with the practice of deep listening is the practice of loving speech. We must learn to speak with love again. This is a thing that can be done daily by yourself with awareness or in a community where brothers and sisters practice loving speech every day.
You have to write in such a way that the other person is receptive toward reading; you have to speak in such a way that the other person is receptive toward listening. If you do not, it is not worth the trouble to write or to speak. Be mindful of your words’ effect on another person.
If you want to open the door to understanding and bring back harmony, say to yourself: ‘I am determined to practice deep listening. I am determined to practice loving speech.’ Saying this vow to yourself qualifies you to talk to another or write to another person.
Relief, peace, well-being, joy, and better relations with others will be possible if we practice mindfulness in our everyday lives. Everybody can practice mindfulness. It is a practice of looking deeply, being calm, and concentrating to listen and speak lovingly. Do this for the sake of your own calm and happiness.”
True Love – A Practice For Awakening The Heart, Thich Nhat Hanh, pgs. 40, 88, 92 – 93.