Learning to listen

One important aspect of mindfulness is the ability to hear what another person is saying. Lamya Surya Das speaks to this in Awakening the Buddha Within:

As we become more conscious, more aware, we discover the joys of listening and we let go of our need to broadcast. I call this opening the third ear, the inner ear of genuine listening. If we are sufficiently sensitive and aware, we can listen through all the senses.
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Mirror-like awareness clearly reflects things just as they are, without distortion, coloring, or expectation. True listening is a way of stopping and being present so that whatever is being said is immediately apparent, as are all movements in the entire inner and out energy field. This is one aspect of developing awareness. It's a skill that good psychotherapists use to clearly reflect, without distortion or interference, whatever is brought up in a counseling session so that their clients can better see and know themselves, and in this way discover for themselves what they want and need. Freud called it hovering awareness, just being present without judgment or preconception.

It actually makes life more enjoyable to listen carefully and well. It enhances our ability to perceive things as they are and helps us make rich and meaningful connections with others.