Compassionate Listening requires questions which are non-adversarial and listening which is non-judgmental. Listeners seek the truth of the person questioned, seeing through “masks of hostility and fear to the sacredness of the individual.” Listeners seek to humanize the “other.” Listeners accept what others say as their perceptions, and validate their right to their own perceptions. Compassionate Listening can cut through barriers of defense and mistrust, enabling both those listened to and those listening to hear what they think, to change their opinions, and to make more informed decisions. Through this process, fear can be reduced, and participants will be better equipped to discern how to proceed with effective action.
Form pairs. Have one partner tell a meaningful story about their service site or experience to their partner. The story should be short, to the point, and include valuable moments of vulnerability or emotion. Have the partner practice compassionate listening. Then have the partners switch roles.
Reflection Questions:
- Using this model of compassionate listening, how did this change the way we engaged in our ability to understand the stories our partners told us?
- How can we use this as a way to share our stories as Vincentians?