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Wonderful piece and findings Matthew. This really feels like the purpose of Resonant World coming into its own. A fascinating confluence that definitely stirred some ideas. I did a short video that people rather enjoyed called 'The Power of Pause in Conversation' last month. I believe it helpfully embodies/resonates with the point you're making: https://youtu.be/sRGK7Kdw03s

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Mar 30, 2023Liked by Matthew Green

I loved this thoughtful piece and the questions it raises about consciousness, listening, and seeing. I have sat in gatherings using the U process, and they are profound - transformation happens!

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Ah, I so enjoyed reading this Matthew, incredibly nourishing and inspirational to hear about Vivianne's experiences and her ground breaking work. I'm going to be enjoying letting all of the detail of your piece settle and bubble up over the coming days. I bumped into a friend on the way back from the gym this morning and I intentionally paused and took a breath in our brief chat, where I normally would have carried on speaking. The moment felt palpable and energised, relaxing and expansive, and it was much more interesting and richer than the usual carry on speaking... Such a small adjustment in our relating felt huge. Did the rhythm and tempo of my (and of our?) universe shift slightly? And a new spacious (and quite unknown) realm reveal itself within me? (and between us?). The 4 levels of listening are so interesting and helpful to have laid out like that, thanks. I have recently been wondering about the musical elements of verbal communication - rhythm, tempo, tone, pitch, timbre, articulation - and the various unconscious influences behind how we are musically in verbal communication. I'm noticing that I put pressure on myself to have a faster tempo speaking than I actually naturally have. And perhaps a slightly harder tone at times than is actually natural for me. And that I put pressure on myself NOT to pause! I'm realising just now that the pause is a common technique in musical compositions that plays that vital role of allowing the fullness of the piece and its form to be experienced and absorbed by the listener. Its time for us to take note isn't it! Thanks again. Katy Cork

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Katy, so glad to hear you were able to find the space in the pause! I also think there's a lot to be learned from really tuning in -- as you suggest -- to the patterns of people's speech. Stephen Porges, creator of the polyvagal theory of trauma, talks a lot about prosody -- how you can tell a lot about somebody's level of trauma from the sound of their voice. Fascinating area, and a reminder of how many different ways we can bring more awareness into everyday interactions.

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Stephen Porges prosody, that sounds fascinating, I'll look it up. Thanks!

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As a Peruvian and meditator I very much appreciate the wisdom in this article :) what a poignant discovery for Vivianna and such important work going forward in re-introducing experiential/embodied spiritual practice to the mainstream....I think Inner work is such a crucial iniciative alongside dev goals but I just wonder-is it possible to fully transform and weave in spiritual practice and inner change whilst living within a patriarchal and capitalist system? how does that impact or affect inner work?....

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