'Sensitivity Training' in listening and hearing.

There are 2 points of focus: the literal, in which we address your ears ~ and the psychological, in which we address your attitudes, beliefs, and mind-set.

Why do We Need this Workshop?

As a culture, we are losing our sensitivity to sound. Increasing numbers of people suffer from severe hearing damage, according to Doctors we've spoken with at a number of ear clinics. This sad state of affairs is due to over-population, misuse of technology and ironically, to the fact that people with damaged hearing continue to turn up the volume just to hear something! Sirens screech above safe decibel levels, headphones brutalize the inner ears of children and teenagers, movie theatre sound systems seem designed for the deaf, cell phones create tumors in the ear, concerts in clubs and stadiums blast the volume way above safe levels, millions of TVs chatter and scream all night long. All of these sounds collide and compete with each other for our attention, and the competition has tragic implications for our ears. It's particularly saddening for those of us who love the universe of Sound above all others ~ whether it be the sound of Nature, the sound of our loved ones' voices, or the sound of beautiful music. To some of us who are auditory learners (about 14 per cent of the U.S. population according to one study) it feels like our ears are being brutalized on a continual basis.

Step One: Participants are introduced to a number of intriguing exercises designed to develop your sensory discernment regarding the World of Sound in which you live ~ and your appreciation for its subtleties, beauty, variety, and dangers.

Step Two: We then invite you to become better listeners psychologically, in conversation with other people, helping you notice that you may eliminate important information by 'not hearing', which can lead to misunderstandings in relationships.

True hearing is a kind of love ~ it answers one of our deepest human needs (to be 'heard', or understood.) In order to enjoy emotional intimacy with a fellow human it's imperative to be capable of both listening and hearing. Unfortunately, our culture is currently suffering not only from auditory desensitization, but also from widespread Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Narcissism prevents us from 'hearing' other people because we are so wrapped up in our own needs. We have not developed a strong 'ego structure' and there is an emptiness at the core of our psyches that is in constant demand ~ we must be filled! There is a hollowness where there should be a solid sense of Self: A hollowness at the core that makes it impossible to love. Although the term 'narcissistic' is bandied about a lot these days, often inaccurately, or as a projection (!), it's really a very serious condition and not something someone can change instantly. That said: training oneself to listen and hear others begins a process of healing that wound.

These are challenging and very fragile times. In India people call it The Kali Yuga ~ the Age of Destruction. Our world is 'heating up', literally and emotionally. We've all noticed. Certainly those of us who live in the primary urban centers. People have become more fearful, more divided amongst ourselves, and more aggressive. We're a far larger population with far less civility. Fewer jobs, more fear. Fewer homes, more fear. Less money, more fear. More fear: more rage.

Is there anything more essential in times such as these than to do everything we can to remain sane and mentally balanced?

In our view, true listening and hearing is part of the process of remaining sane. Firstly, it brings us into deeper, more authentic connection with others to support them by 'hearing them' accurately, and at the same time it helps us to heal our 'narcissistic wound' and to come out of the self-centered isolation the wound has created. In short: It helps us learn to love.

The Listening Workshop is a gentle and non-threatening sensory and psychological (Body-Mind) event.