Speak, listen, transform: Navigating challenging times with Deep Listening Circles
Crow Mackinnon, Shamanic Voyages & Christa Mackinnon, Sacred Earth Activism
Human beings have a basic need to feel listened to and express themselves.
This need is felt even more deeply during challenging and transformational times when people carry powerful emotions, wrestle with unanswered questions and hopes for the future, and feel concern for the world around them.
They long to express their fears, dreams, prayers, grief, and visions. But they often struggle to find appropriate spaces to speak openly and honestly without fear of judgment, interruption, debate, or division.
Indigenous cultures have long understood the sacred importance of both self-expression and listening within community life. A powerful tradition here is commonly known as the ‘Talking Stick Ceremony.'
In this ceremonial format, each participant is given an equal opportunity to speak from the heart. In doing so, they know they will be listened to respectfully and without interruption, regardless of their social position, background, or opinion.
Just as importantly, everyone is invited to participate in the practice of deep listening. This is about listening without judgment, advice, or the need to respond.
Through this simple, yet profound, practice, empathy, compassion, understanding, and connection deepen naturally. The experience enhances the well-being of both the individual and the wider group.
Indigenous cultures understand that everything is connected and a sense of belonging and sharing in community is vital for individual and collective well-being. Modern society, on the other hand, encourages the myth of individualism.
This myth is based on the belief that we are all separate beings, isolated from each other and from the living Earth itself. Such disconnection can leave us feeling unheard, unseen, and alone.
The power of connecting in circle
But beneath this illusion lies a deeper truth: relationship, community, and our shared humanity weave together to create healing, growth, and well-being. An important strand of this weaving of communities and creating a sense of belonging and connection is the idea of connecting in circles and being able to express ourselves and be heard.
Crow, founder of Shamanic Voyages, and Christa, co-founder of Sacred Earth Activism, have offered these Deep Listening Circles for the last two years, which are based on Indigenous practices. The aim is to create meaningful spaces for people to come together to be authentically themselves, reflect, and offer each other mutual support during times of uncertainty and change.
Previous Deep Listening Circles have explored a wide range of subjects to invite honest dialogue, open self-expression, and collective insight. These include:
Where do we go from here? Visioning the future
Finding our voices in transformational times
Fear, anger, and courage in challenging times
Let’s talk about empowerment.
Crow and Christa have both been deeply moved and humbled by the openness, honesty, and engagement of participants.
“Often, during the first round of sharing, people remain more on the surface as they settle into the space and find their voice,” they say. “But by the second round, something profound begins to unfold, and the sharing tends to go much deeper, with heartfelt emotions, vulnerability, compassion, and deeply attentive listening naturally emerging within the circle.”
Participants consistently say they find these gatherings nourishing, grounding, and supportive as they offer a rare opportunity to express themselves authentically and be truly heard. They find it deeply healing to be heard without interruption, judgement, or pressure to defend their point of view.
If you feel drawn to join us for our next Deep Listening Circle, please check our Events page.