Recently, I agreed to be interviewed for an academic research project about an intense period / experience of my life. A period that is years behind me, that I can now speak about in a much more detached way than when I was in it or immediately past it. The interviewer knows some of my story. In the role of interviewer, her job was to listen, not to interact with my story.
After she left, I found myself at times weeping for no explicable reason. The tears just flowed. Beautiful, gracious, glorious release.
I am reminded of the power of just listening, not interpreting, not trying to put words in someone’s mouth. It is a witnessing that can bring another person into being. Can surface what needs to be surfaced for healing.
I don’t know what was there that was surfaced. I don’t need to know specifics. I am aware that something I did not know was still there was released. I am shifting shape yet again as I lean even more fully into this journey to openheartedness. As I answer the call of what is before me.
And I am grateful.
When was the last time you listened to someone else’s story? Just listened. With curiosity
and compassion, no judgment. When you waited to see if they were finished their thoughts – because more thoughts, more aspect of story arises in the silence – before you asked your next question? When the questions you ask are for the benefit of the story teller and not for your own?
When you listen well enough, you can listen another person into being. When you listen well enough, you can listen another person into healing. Try it. See what happens.
Embracing the Stranger in Me 
such old habits leap and butt right in…a real challenge to self in allowing the listening and then comes the healing – for each. thanks so much for the reinforcements/reminder to practice this art. ~e
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You are welcome. I know the power of listening and even so this experience of being listened to surprised me in its power. It is a good reminder.
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Reblogged this on ShapeShift and commented:
In our Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter trainings, Jerry Nagel and I almost always bring in reflective listening practices from the Compassionate Listening Project which Jerry has been a student and advocate of for a long time. (it’s also one of the places he got his amazing listening skills from.) Whenever people take part in the exercise, they report back how powerful it is to be fully listened to without interruption and how hard it is to listen without interrupting. No matter how good our listening skills are, we can always improve. And, if it is has been awhile since you have been able to tell your story uninterrupted, you might be surprised to find the power of it in your own healing journey.
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Thanks for your insight Kathy! Listening is a powerful tool.
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It is crazy, in the end, how simple it can be. Glad it resonated.
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