Selective listening is a habit that many people unconsciously practice, and can result in missed opportunities for understanding and growth. This article relates selective listening to the Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination in Buddhist philosophy. The Twelve Nidanas offer an understanding of the interdependence of all phenomena and the cycle of suffering that arises from ignorance and the perpetuation of unskillful habits.

The Twelve Nidanas highlight the interdependent nature of existence and demonstrate how selective listening perpetuates the cycle of biased communication. For example, Ignorance (avijja) refers to the lack of understanding of the true nature of reality, including the importance of active listening in communication. Mental formations (sankhara) refer to habitual patterns that are driven by ignorance. These habitual patterns are often prompted by preconceived notions that selectively color an individual’s perception of what is being said. Consciousness (viññana) is conditioned by these mental formations, making an individual prone to selective hearing. Name and form (nama-rupa) refer to the psychophysical constituents that make up a sentient being. In the context of selective hearing, these constituents have manifested in a way that is susceptible to selective hearing.

By understanding how the Twelve Nidanas apply to selective listening, individuals can increase their self-awareness and work towards breaking the cycle of biased communication. This can be done by cultivating awareness of one’s own biases, actively listening to the other person, developing flexibility and openness in opinions, and reducing attachment to a particular point of view.