Listening as Sanctuary (Online Program)

You may have heard the phrase “listen with the ear of the heart,” and wondered how exactly you do that! In this age of divisiveness, and yet another looming season of political extremism, listening compassionately and respectfully is a skill and practice that is desperately needed for the transformation of ourselves and our world.

Join Certified Compassionate Listening Facilitator, Kathleen Coyne, for this timely overview of contemplative listening that builds on the global multi-faith compassion movement exemplified by the Charter for Compassion, Boundless Compassion, and the Compassionate Listening Project. This program highlights how capacity for listening with a compassionate heart begins with silence, stillness and breath and introduces a four stepped approach to listening with the heart, as well as opportunities to practice.

In this program, we will:
· explore underlying principles of this profound model for conflict transformation,
· be grounded in contemplative practice as a foundational support for listening
· discover compassion as an essential form of attentiveness for this time
· practice core self-compassion and compassionate listening skills, and
· learn how each of us has the capacity to contribute to a more compassionate world simply by listening with an open heart.

Each session will include a short silent meditation, overview of key concepts and skills, and opportunities to practice compassionate listening. Through practice and reflection, we will begin to notice how the other person feels truly heard and a transformation occurs for both the listener and the one being heard.

DATE: Tuesdays, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27/2024

TIME: 6:30 – 9:00 PM ET

COST: Early Bird Discount (purchased prior to 12/1/23) – $160; Regular Cost (purchased 12/1/23 and after) – $175

LOCATION: Zoom – You will receive an email from Well for the Journey the week of the program, (usually 2 days in advance) with the Zoom Link. Please be sure you have received and read this email a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the start of the program. If you are unable to find the email, please search your email folders, including your spam folder. Thank you.

REGISTRATION is required; please register here.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Please read our cancellation policy, here.

FACILITATOR: Kathleen Coyne

FACILITATOR BIO:
Kathleen’s passion for community based transformative processes began at a grassroots level working as a volunteer in a rural British Columbia community. Since that time, she has worked for government in Northern Canada, managed a non-profit in Vancouver’s inner city and worked extensively as a consultant in the non profit sector, focusing primarily on creative planning and dialogue for diverse communities. Her fulltime work life culminated with an opportunity to design and teach Community Leadership and Social Change programs with and for First Nation, newcomer and low- income communities in Vancouver, British Columbia. Kathleen holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Design and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy.

Throughout her life, Kathleen has been inspired by the incredible potential of community when people get to know their neighbours in a deep and openhearted way and commit to learning from and with each other. Turning now to part-time work, Kathleen’s focus has shifted to supporting individuals, families and communities to connect and grow in ways that are respectful of each other, our shared resources and the land we share. To strengthen her capacity to do that, she trained with the Compassionate Listening Project (Compassionatelistening.org) and is now a Certified Compassionate Listening Facilitator.

To deepen her ability to understand the role of compassion in areas of conflict, Kathleen participated in the Journey to the Heart, a 10 day listening journey to Israel and Palestine. She continues to expand her knowledge of compassion centred models through training with the Compassionate Integrity program, advanced Compassionate Listening Training, and other online offerings.

Kathleen is deeply committed to everything that helps to foster compassion for ourselves, each other, communities and countries around the world, and indeed, the Earth itself, the ground of our being. As the Dalai Lama so clearly tells us: “compassion is not a luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability; it is essential for human survival.“ There is no doubt: the time is now!