Philosophy...
The world is so empty
if one thinks only of mountains, rivers, and cities,
but to know someone who thinks and feels with us, and who,
though distant
is close to us in spirit,
this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden.
-- Goethe, 1749-1832
The above quote expresses in poetic terms what The Listening Post aims to
accomplish. It’s an amazingly simple concept: The task is to listen carefully
and ask non-judgemental, clarifying questions to enable the visitor to see
alternative ways of handling the situation. When we give advice we deprive
the person of the process that helps them grow and build inner-strength.
In a school setting, students have the opportunity to visit the Post weekly during an academic year, consequently the likelihood of trust building is maximized. As a result, a student may bring up for discussion highly complicated and intensely personal matters. When this happens, a cardinal rule for the Listener is to refrain from giving advice, instead the Visitor is given unhurried time in which to explore ideas or vent anger. During this process, the Listener’s carefully phrased questions are aimed at keeping the flow of communication on an open and objective level. Always, the Listener and the Listenee meet as equals.
The model of question-response-question-response repeated again and again, with only an occasional bit of self-disclosure on the part of the Listener results in authentic communication.