General idea: When we close our eyes and try to meditate, we often realize how much we are distracted by noise of all sorts. However, such distraction can be the focus of meditation (so, this type of meditation can be done even when we are in a noisy environment). In this meditation, instead of being frustrated by noise, we take advantage of it. Through this type of meditation, one can develop the ability to concentrate even on distracting stimuli and let go of them. As a result, we can be more peaceful.
Procedure: We sit in a comfortable and stable position and close our eyes. Then, we try to focus on the sound in the environment, or whatever our ears would detect. Although there may be many different sound sources at any time, in this meditation, we will focus on the single most prominent sound. As we hear different sounds, our focus will shift accordingly. When we notice a sound, we do not focus on the source or the type of sound. Instead, we just pay attention to the fact that we hear the sound. In addition, we avoid any interpretation or judgment. For example, even if we hear speech, we pay no attention to the content. We just focus on the act of hearing. Occasionally, we may still find a certain sound causes us to feel or think in a specific way. In that case, we first acknowledge the fact, and then gently bring our attention to hearing.
Connection to everyday life: Since our hearing faculty is constantly working, this meditation can be done whenever we can safely pay attention to hearing. Even in the middle of something, e.g., walking, driving, and cleaning, there may be moments when we are not completely occupied with the activity. Then, we can try hearing meditation as much as we can. By paying attention to hearing without judgment, we can stay away from a flood of emotions and thoughts. This can lead to peaceful moments even during a busy day.