You can hear me...but are you listening?

How often do you really listen to what someone else has to say? When you ask, "how are you?" Do you wait to hear the answer? When you are introduced to someone, do you listen to their name? Are you always multi-tasking and partially listening?
Lately I have been trying to really listen to people. And I've realized that it is difficult. It takes a lot of focus and energy. It started with an experience a few weeks back when I met someone new. We spent a long time not saying anything but just looking into each other's eyes. Then slowly we started talking more and more about anything - life, family, friends. The connection I feel when I am with him is incredible because when he speaks I am completely focused on him and lost in his eyes.
Coincidence or not a few days later the book I am reading, The Road Less Traveled, had an entire passage on true listening and setting aside your own stereotypes, desires and expectations so that you can truly understand what the other person is saying as if you were experiencing it.
Then I was at a conference this weekend and there was a session on active listening that had us pair up and star into our partners eyes for 3 minutes while remaining expressionless. It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Just looking into the eyes of a stranger. I felt so vulnerable--without saying anything I felt like he learned so much about me. It was a powerful experience.
The experience of truly listening to someone else-- the connection that exists is incredible... Conversations are so powerful. If you see me starring deeply into your eyes sometime soon don't get alarmed... Truly listening to someone else just shows how deeply you care.