The Importance of Communication

Communication is one of our primal and most significant ways of being in the world as human beings. It is at the root of many of human problems, strife and wars. When communication is not effective, it breaks down and the parts scatter like pieces of paper and land where they may. Not a good idea.

Communication is both an art and a science. It is an art because if you practice it enough times you will master it. It is a science in that there are rules that must be adhered to for communication to occur.

In general because communication is something we do from the cradle to the grave, many people take it for granted and believe that mere chattering, talking or smiling is communication and because it is done in this haphazard, best-guess fashion, we bump into a lot of obstacles that create break-downs in communication.

For communication to occur there has to be a sender and a receiver. There needs to be someone who is speaking and someone who is listening. There has to be a context for that communication in which to locate the message. Context is very important in getting a particular message across. That context involves place, where the communication is taking place, under what condition, the time of day, is it between two lovers, two enemies, two strangers, two people from different cultures who speak different languages, two people with the same level of education, or is it within a school or an institution. Are you communicating inside a coffee shop or in the office? This will help the receiver to understand the message behind the message, the subtext of the message and so on.

Communication requires that barriers be laid to rest so the sender and the receiver of the message can be in contact with each other. Barriers to communication include noises, not giving your full attention, speaking on your cell phone while the other is talking. In today's multi-task work, it's no wonder there are so many troubles a brewing - not only in homes, but it workplaces, places of worship, in meetings etc. Listening is an active part of communication and when you are not listening, the communication is not getting through. Listening does not mean being quiet and pretend you are giving your whole attention while your mind wanders to what's for dinner or something like that. Listening is hard work, it means constantly checking yourself to see if you are present and in the moment. It is difficult but with practice, it can become as natural as eating apple pie and ice cream.