The Space Between Words

By Scott Dickman, Compassionate Listening Facilitator

I completed The Heart Is Our Compass workshop last year, and without reservation, I am delighted to share how thoroughly transformative the experience was. My only hesitation in doing so is that space is limited - there were so many moments and experiences deserving of attention that it’s difficult to address them all.

To begin with, I came away with a renewed appreciation for the profound significance of creating a safe space - a container where individual voices can emerge honestly and without fear of judgment. Within this space, people can speak from the heart, free from fear of rejection or criticism.

This environment also allowed for profound personal growth. I experienced the power of being truly heard and, in turn, the gift of listening deeply to others. Reflecting on the various practice exercises, it became clear that when we feel truly heard, healing begins and sometimes even in ways we didn’t realize we needed. For instance, during practice exercises with various partners, I noticed moments in deep listening when something beyond words seemed to move between us. The silences we shared were not empty pauses, but spaces rich with presence and possibility. I began to sense how silence, when honored, can open one’s heart.

Another significant lesson emerged during the exercises and story-sharing, particularly when we practiced suspending judgment. A remarkable shift occurred. There was no need to debate or persuade; simply being present allowed something deeper, more authentic, to surface. In that space, it’s fair to say that humility emerged. I was able to accept my “humanness”, how much I still had to learn, and a connection arose between practice partners that words alone could not explain. Culturally ingrained stereotypes and assumptions began to dissolve, revealing the shared humanity beneath. I recognized not only the pain in others, but also their resilience, their longing to be seen, and the universal desire for connection. My capacity for empathy and compassion expanded as I stayed present, without trying to fix or judge.

Another powerful realization was that conflict, when held with care, can be transformed into connection - not through agreement, but through the willingness to listen and speak from the heart.

Overall, this experience has deepened my commitment to practicing Compassionate Listening - not just as a technique to improve my listening skills, but as a daily practice and a way of being in the world. I completed the workshop humbled and hopeful, ready to continue this lifelong journey of listening with an open mind and, most importantly, an open heart.

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Scott Dickman is a longtime peace advocate who resided in Israel during the '70s. He later joined the CL Israel & Palestine Journey in 2016. He engaged with the New Hampshire Board of Building a Culture of Peace and now serves on the NH Peace Action Board, along with NH Friends of Combatants for Peace and J Street. These organizations focus on reconciliation and bridging differences. He is currently facilitating Israel-Palestine discussions at a local synagogue. Scott is semi-retired, and relishes family time with his new grandson, while pursuing his outdoor passion through conservation easements with conservancies.