Deep Listening and Storytelling, practiced by two people together alternating as listener and speaker, can often shift one or both from a place of “this is awful” into a time of connection and expansion into the presence of the Divine. This shared practice is not a conversation. It is an opportunity to let go of your thinking mind and sink into your place of being as a listener and as a storyteller.

In our society today, it is rare to have five or ten minutes during which someone other than a therapist will just listen to your story without questions or comments and we are out of practice. Most of us find it challenging to share openly with another person. And yet, speaking our truth to another, as we practice letting go of the fears that prevent us from doing so, can begin to break up the emotional entanglements that keep us stuck. The welcoming space of compassionate listening allows the old emotions to come up for release so we can find our own higher perspective and balance. The Storyteller’s time might be emotional releasing rather than words.

Deep Listening is also a practice that needs fine tuning in the best of us. Our minds are so busy trying to figure out what the other person is saying, we often are filled with questions to clarify their story or comments that are designed to help the other person in some way. As Listener, we are invited to come from a place of appreciation and compassion without speaking a word to interrupt the Storyteller. This offers us moments of experiencing compassion without the need for action, moments to sink deeply into our own connection with the Divine as we share time with the Storyteller.

• Invite a partner to explore shared time with you. I suggest that this person not be a close friend or other close relationship. Deep and long-standing conversation patterns and emotional entanglements are difficult to let go of as we open to new practices.

• Establish and agree upon the basics of your shared time – This is not a conversation. Be clear about the role of the storyteller, listener, length of time, frequency of meeting.

• Begin with five minutes each way – You can repeat this two or three times during your time together and the length of time can be extended as you become more comfortable with the practice.

• Complete your shared time with a short appreciation of your partner without referring to the content of their story.

It takes time to build trust in such a relationship, but the potential benefits are limitless. As Storyteller, receiving undivided attention from another from a place of compassion and acceptance is one of the most healing practices available. As Listener, we have the opportunity to just be love and compassion with another in shared time.

Although in-person shared time is always preferable, it is not always available. Telephone calls and on-line face to face apps such as FaceTime and Skype can help fill the gaps between moments together.

Header Image courtesy of Pixabay/stevepb