Would You Like to Be Listened To?
Would You Like to Be Listened To?
I recently became aware of a retired social worker travelling across Canada, listening to people. His project is called You Are Not Alone, I Will Listen - A Cross Canada Journey. His name is Paul Jenkinson. You can find him and his journey on Facebook. I was struck by all the stories of the people he listens to and how his listening is very similar to what I would call deep listening.
He simply listens. Not to solve anything. Not to offer opinion, advice or a right answer. Especially not to reflect the words back or to show that "You are listening". Simply listening.
It's healing. His stories are fantastic.
A mentor of mine, Mavis Karn, teaches deep listening and is fond of saying, "Everyone needs a good listening to."
I am very excited and honoured to be a part of bringing into being a 6-month online program titled "Listening to Ignite the Human Spirit". This program is designed to give you an experience of deep listening and to be able to listen to yourself and others in this way.
Why would you want to?
Deep listening is freeing. For the listener and for the person being listened to. When you listen to another person, yourself, or even just life with nothing on your mind, you fall into a space of love. A depth of quiet emerges. Everything else falls away. There is a feeling of profound connection. Whoever is being listened to can hear their own wisdom from this space. Solutions arise. Problems don't seem so insurmountable anymore. Navigating daily life becomes easy and a daily joy. We can be easy with ourselves and others.
Simply listening is perhaps the greatest gift one human can give another.
It results in profound connection, ease, and a peaceful spaciousness.
When I was in chiropractic school, I had a clinic tutor who always told us to listen to our patients. "Ask them why they think their body is having these symptoms", he would say passionately.
Understand, this was in contrast to all other teachings we had ever learned about the interview portion of an initial visit. We were taught to control or guide the conversation with specific questions to get specific information to make a diagnosis. Other information was irrelevant, and the patient's opinion about themselves was a waste of time. After all, they don't know anything.
But Dr. Ron (whose last name I can't remember after 25 years) kept on saying, "Listen to your client. They will tell you what you need to know even if they don't consciously know themselves." He taught us, in defiance to the rest of the school, to listen with no agenda. To simply listen.
Fast forward 25 years, and I have found this advice to be true in every realm. If asked, people generally know what they need to do about something. It's often very simple, like get more rest. Drink more water. Relax. Don't think about it.
And the second thing I've seen over 25 years is that people don't trust what they know. Usually, after telling me what they know, they are very quick to tell me why they can't. I can't drink more water. I can't get more rest. I can't just let it go!
This is the same in my coaching practice. We look to point out truths about life that raise the tide for all of a person's life areas. For example, if you see how to listen and trust yourself you can navigate any problem like a superhero and your whole life improves. Dramatically. People start to have much better health, make more money, and be able to rest more, among other things.
If I were only allowed one thing to impart to people, it would be to listen and trust (it's a two-part, one thing) your knowing.
If being able to listen more deeply and trusting what you hear is of interest to you, I invite you to pay attention to what you already know and perhaps don't trust or haven't listened to, and then do it.
You can also check out Listening to Ignite the Human Spirit with Mavis Karn and other world-renowned teachers in the art of transforming lives.
With Love,
Sara Joy
Upcoming Events
Listening to Ignite the Human Spirit - Starting on November 6, 2025
The 6-month online masterclass program for everyone ready to spark the human spirit within themselves and others. This online series combines group mastermind explorations with monthly experts in the field. Led by advanced transformative coaches Sara Joy O'Neill, Katerina Fiserova and Bryan Smyers, learn how to navigate life from a space of listening to a deeper part of ourselves to increase productivity, let go of habits, and live with more joy and ease.
For more information and to register: https://thelisteningworld.com/online-program/
2025 FEARLESS World Summit Online Holiday Celebration!
Thursday, December 4th
11am until 3pm EST
I'm so excited to be speaking at this event about how all people already have the peace we seek and how to access this naturally with ease. And it’s FREE!
One Woman Fearless unites thousands of women around the world who are letting go of fear to create the life of their dreams. Join us for our special holiday celebration filled with inspiring speakers, meaningful connections, gifts, prizes and holiday cheer!
About One Woman:
The Fearless Women’s Summits create a platform for women to shine, to stand in their truth, and inspire others to live FEARLESSLY!
Our events and speaker spaces support global projects to empower every woman and girl to be able to live the life of her dreams.
We know the power of every woman’s voice. When we share our gifts and stories with others, we give another woman the confidence to do the same.
One Woman Can Change The World!
Visit https://onewoman.ca/fearless-womens-summit-world-summit-holiday-celebration-2025/ for more information and to register for the event.
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