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Co-Listening is a Kripalu Method for really HEARING your partners, friends and others. It is incredibly powerful. You may feel silly the first time you do it, but it gets easier and you will see the benefit so quickly - it is critical that the listener not respond or interrupt in any way - simply sit and hold space for the speaker. If you partner is unable to practice this with you, it would be useful to explore why they are uncomfortable and see if there is a fear of intimacy. This is a very safe and healthy way to establish open flow of communication and intimacy. It also teaches us to be non-judgmental. I had a very judgmental partner this year and it broke down all lines of communication. If one is not loved and accepted as they are, the shadow as well as the light, then that is not love. If you are judged for our shared human frailties - well, your partner may have unrealistic expectations, which are often a way to put up walls to protect yourself, due to fear and lack of ability to surrender to life as it is. I hope you are all able to practice this deep, safe practice - co-listening - with ease! CO-LISTENING Co-listening is an experiential mind clearing process in which the participant enters into a “verbal meditation” which fosters self-awareness and clarity. Co-listening is an experiential process of bonding; it is not counseling. It is a powerful and delightful process of being with yourself and with another, which can facilitate your feeling clear, loved and loving. In order to have this experience work for you, it is important to adhere to the guidelines.
Co-Listening Guidelines
1. Meet daily for 10 minutes. Establish a time of day or night that you agree to meet with your partner. The time may vary according to your schedules, taking place outside of sessions. Select a quiet spot. One of you bring a watch to call time. 2. One person agrees to be the speaker for the first five minutes, the other the listener. Hold the partner’s hand during the co-listening (the speaker’s right hand holds the listener’s left hand, establishing a polarity). 3. The speaker keeps eyes closed during the co-listening experience. Speaker then begins to speak, not filtering any thoughts or feelings, merely allowing a stream of consciousness to flow from the mind out of the mouth. The words do not need to make “sense” or follow any order. (In computer language, like a core dump or down load.) Co-listening is a clearing process. Speaker continues this eyes-closed clearing process for 5 minutes until the listener calls “time is up.” If speaker stops the flow of words, the process still continues for the full 5 minutes. You sit quietly together then. 4. There is no processing, interpreting, problem-solving, analyzing, helping, discussing, or judging during or after the co-listening process. 5. When the speaker’s time is up, continue to hold hands and reverse roles. Now the listener becomes the speaker and closes his/her eyes. The new speaker “talks” for 5 minutes, until the listener says “time is up.” 6. Again, there is no processing, interpreting, problem-solving, analyzing, helping, discussing, or judging during or after the co-listening process. 7. Thank your partner and go more freely about your journey. |
