Questioning is one of the ways that we can drive our senses to become more deeply involved in what we are experiencing. Novice nature observers will often ask questions such as “What’s the name of the bird making that song?” But rather than answer the student directly, trained sensory awareness teachers will reply with a series of questions: “What does it sound like? What’s the quality of the sound? Does the bird sound like it’s calm or agitated?”

Putting a label on what you’re hearing can sometimes squelch your motivation to keep listening carefully. By moving beyond the name of a particular animal, we can delve into the subtle nuances of the sounds around us.

Listening Tips
• Quiet Your Mind
• Go Beyond Names
• Notice Your Noise
• Walk Like a Fox