The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction

Throughout his wise and witty work, McHugh (Introverts in the Church) lobbies readers to prick up their ears. “Listening,” he writes, “comes first.” McHugh predicates this marvelous book on what lousy listeners we are, then proceeds to offer means for changing our habits. What, he questions, would change in us and in our relationships if we listened first? To God? To Jesus? To Nature? To our feelings? To others –especially those in pain? McHugh writes humbly about learning to hear deeply, because “the beginning of discipleship is listening.” He writes intimately, telling his own stories in the same tone as he retells tales from the Bible. McHugh mixes more formal writing with conversational sections, liberally quoting colleagues and resources (from John Coltrane to Homer Simpson) and including personal anecdotes, aphorisms, and loving admonishments tied together with keen humor. This is a persuasive book for those with ears ready to listen to what McHugh has to say. (Dec.)