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Full Description
We often find ourselves distracted and overwhelmed by a constant stream of information and demand for connectivity. Now, more than ever, we need to develop our capacity for greater presence in our daily lives and relationships. One of the best ways to do this is by improving the quality of our conversations. Dr. Diane Millis offers us inspirational stories, insights and spiritual practices from many faith traditions to increase our awareness of the deep, natural holiness waiting to be unlocked in our everyday encounters.
This resource is a catalyst for anyone who would like to enrich seemingly ordinary conversations as well as for leaders in educational, ministry and corporate settings who want to:
· Increase their capacity to listen deeply
· Become more self-aware and attentive to others
· Learn how to move beyond conventional topics to exploring
purpose, meaning and values in conversation.
Contents
Foreword ix
Introduction xiii
Part One
What Is the Sacred Art of Conversation? 1
Chapter 1: Encountering the Sacred Within 5
Practice: Entering the Cave of Your Heart 10
Practice: Listening to the Conversation in Your Heart 11
Chapter 2: Encountering the Sacred in Each Other 13
Reflection: Souls Who Have Made Us Wiser 17
Practice: Tending One Another's Light— Holding, Beholding, and Being Held 18
Chapter 3: Encountering the Sacred Between Us 19
Reflection: Increasing Awareness of the Sacred Between Us 24
Part Two
Gateways for Conversation 25
Chapter 4: Listening to Your Life 31
Reflection: Steppingstones on the Journey 40
Chapter 5: Noticing and Naming What Gives You Life 41
Reflection: Nurturing Awareness of What You Hold Sacred 49
Reflection: Looking at the World with the Eyes of a Poet 50
Chapter 6: Discerning a Heart-Centered Path 51
Reflection: Listening to Your Inner Guide 60
Reflection: The Thread You Follow 61
Part Three
Practicing the Sacred Art of Conversation 63
Chapter 7: Practicing Attentive Presence: Listening Within Before Speaking Out 69
Practice: Three Deep Breaths 75
Practice: Centering on the Breath 76
Chapter 8: Practicing Receptive Presence: Welcoming All That We Encounter 77
Reflection: The Three Gates 85
Practice: The Welcoming Prayer 86
Chapter 9: Practicing Compassionate Presence: Going Within Before Venturing Out 89
Practice: Offering the Gift of
Contemplative Questions 100
Practice: Sacred Holding 102
Practice: Compassionate Abiding 103
Conclusion 105
Appendices
The Sacred Art of Conversation in Community: Creating Occassions for Contemplative Conversations 111
Appendix 1: Cultivating Contemplation and Compassion in Community through Journey Conversations 115
Appendix 2: Appreciatively Focused Conversations at Home and Work 127
Appendix 3: Conversation Catalysts 131
Notes 139
Suggestions for Further Reading 147
Acknowledgments 151
About the Journey Conversations Project 153
Credits 154
