Have you been frustrated feeling as though no one is able to listen for more than a few minutes at a time or take the time to have in-depth conversations? Yes, attention spans are dwindling at the same time, we are bombarded with way too much information. If you are like me, you probably wonder what is happening. Are we losing the ability to relate to each other in person? So many conversations are now often mediated digitally and this becomes the norm.
There are multiple reasons this is happening. But, then how do you intervene to try to turn this around? What can you do to bring more authentic relating into your life?
If this is weighing on you and you want some alternatives, consider joining an all-new Listening Circle where small group of fellow-humans gather to share with and listen to each other in order to strengthen community. We will explore what it means to listen with all our being. Since the foundation of Heart-Centered Touch is our Touch Practice, we will devote portions of The Listening Circles to listening deeply to each others’ bodies. This is an intuitive practice to be learned and cultivated.
Heart-Centered Touch is forming The Listening Circles to facilitate authentic communication and deeper-listening in order to create, build and maintain deeper connections in our communities.
The Listening Circle is inspired by rituals from ancient times when diverse communities would gather regularly to listen to each other: to their challenges, their losses, their fears. These forums created authentic dialoguing across race, class and ethnic lines stemming from people’s lived experiences. This is a model of diversity and inclusion with the purpose of connecting neighbors with each other facing similar issues and sharing solutions.
Our gatherings start with a grounding practice to root us in the circle and in the space. A quick check-in is next, followed by a guided visualization and consent-sharing to establish safety and connection. The intention is to build a dynamic container to empower us to be fully present to ourselves and to each other. Sharing from an embodied place is powerful practice. When speaking from an”I” experience, we take ownership of our experience and when grounded in the body, this connects us more deeply.