We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as

Opening Scene – Narrated by Host

The room was softly lit, the evening light fading as dusk settled in. Jack sat at his desk, papers scattered around him, his fingers resting lightly on the edge of a notebook. His eyes were unfocused, gazing at the pages in front of him but clearly lost in thought. The world outside continued on, the sounds of the city fading into the background, but inside, the air felt still, almost heavy with the thoughts that hadn’t yet found their way into words.

Jeeny sat across from him, a cup of tea in hand, quietly watching him. She could feel the weight in the room, the tension that came from something unsaid, a thought that hadn’t yet found its expression. She knew that sometimes, the right question was all it took to help bring the conversation to life.

Host: The silence felt thick with anticipation, as if something important was waiting to be spoken.

Jeeny: Her voice, soft but filled with purpose, broke the stillness. “Jack, I came across a quote today that made me think of you. It’s from Epictetus. He said, ‘We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: His gaze shifted toward her, the weight of the words sinking in. For a moment, he didn’t respond, letting the quote settle in his mind. “It’s a simple idea, but it’s powerful, isn’t it? The idea that listening should be prioritized over speaking. We’re so quick to voice our opinions, to share our thoughts, but how often do we really take the time to listen, to understand where the other person is coming from?”

He leaned back slightly in his chair, his voice growing more reflective. “I think it’s easy to get caught up in wanting to be heard, wanting to express ourselves. But listening, truly listening, is what connects us, isn’t it? It’s in hearing others fully, without thinking about what we’re going to say next, that we really build understanding.”

Jeeny: She nodded slowly, her eyes steady, reflecting a quiet understanding. “Exactly. Listening isn’t just about hearing the words. It’s about being fully present, being attuned to the other person’s thoughts and feelings. When you’re truly listening, you’re not just waiting for your turn to speak — you’re engaging with what the other person is saying, taking in their perspective without judgment or interruption.”

Her voice softened, almost reassuring. “We often think that the more we talk, the more we share, the better we communicate. But communication isn’t just about speaking. It’s about understanding, and that can only happen when we listen twice as much as we speak.”

Jack: His expression softened, a quiet realization forming as he processed her words. “You know, I think I’ve been guilty of this. I’ve been so focused on expressing my thoughts, getting my point across, that I’ve overlooked how important it is to just listen — to truly hear what the other person is saying. Sometimes, I think I’m listening, but really, I’m just waiting for my chance to jump in, to offer my opinion.”

He sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing. “Maybe I’ve been missing the point. The key isn’t just talking more, it’s understanding more. And that starts with listening.”

Jeeny: She smiled softly, her eyes warm with quiet encouragement. “Exactly. And when you truly listen, you give others the space to be heard, to feel understood. That’s where real connection happens. It’s not about having the loudest voice or the most opinions. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued, where their thoughts are given room to grow and be explored.”

Her voice became more gentle, almost like a reminder. “The beauty of listening is that it allows us to truly learn from others, to open our minds in ways that speaking alone never could.”

Jack: He nodded slowly, the weight of her words sinking in. “I think I’ve been looking at communication all wrong. I’ve been so focused on getting my own voice heard, that I haven’t given enough attention to listening. To really understanding others. It’s not just about talking — it’s about hearing, absorbing, and being present in the moment with the other person.”

He smiled slightly, a quiet sense of peace settling over him. “Maybe the next time I’m in a conversation, I’ll focus more on listening than on speaking. There’s a lot of wisdom in silence, in just taking the time to hear what’s being said.”

Jeeny: Her smile deepened, her expression full of quiet satisfaction. “Exactly. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do in a conversation is listen — really listen. And in doing so, we open the door to deeper understanding and more meaningful connection.”

Host: The room felt lighter now, the earlier restlessness replaced by a quiet understanding. Jack seemed to have found clarity in the idea that true communication doesn’t come from the loudest voice, but from the ability to listen — to truly understand where others are coming from. The world outside continued on, but inside, there was a deeper realization: communication wasn’t just about talking; it was about listening, engaging, and building connections through understanding.

End Scene.