#16 The Story-Listening Tool

We are connected

A danger for storytellers is to think they are doing this on their own - that they are the stars of the show.? This is not only not true, but it makes the storytelling less effective.? Best to see yourself as merely an expression of a much bigger network - you are a part of a system.

Whether you are telling a bedtime story to your child or speaking to an audience, it is best and most honest to see all parties: the teller, the listener and the story, as one unit that is interconnected and forming the experience together.? One living thing - and like a LICHEN, you cannot distinguish which is which.

Before speaking, you can see yourself as a series of strands connected to the strands of everyone listening, as well as the environment. And that you are actually responding to the moment along with every other stakeholder.??

So before you start to use the Story Listening tool, this kind of consciousness begins to thin the binary of “me” and “you” and makes it all about a group activity.??

The four kinds of listening is a solid entry into understanding the Tool. The separation of storyteller and story listener become inseparable when you feel the difference between the four. They can be explored separately, or you can use them in order. Here is one way to try them:

When attempting this Story Listening tool, don't forget the important role of making mistakes in this process.? You can imagine your body is a metal detector or a homing pigeon. A sensation yields a certain direction - and you won’t know you are following that direction UNLESS YOU STRAY

This is the role of making “mistakes”.? We can’t even call them mistakes because they are serving the long game of finding the true path.? We NEED those moments of straying to be able to know where to go.? We can’t do it without the mistakes.? So Boldly do it BADLY.? Every day - forever.? Get it wrong so you have a better idea of where to go.??

1. KNOW the different flavors of sensation that show you all the kinds of listening that you can choose.?

This is one tool of 24 that can be used in combinations for the most effective storytelling. Reach out to find out more about each of the tools.