Listening is a fundamental value in many aspects of life – be it relationships, communication or spiritual growth.  Listening goes beyond mere hearing; it means internalizing and comprehending what the other person is conveying to us and acting upon it.  Active listening fosters a sense of connection to and validation of the speaker, that you are hearing and respecting him.  This, in turn, builds trust and fortifies relationships. We can break listening down into different forms.  When someone shares his struggles and pains, he is often seeking validation more than solutions.  By simply listening, without the ability or wherewithal to…