IN THIS LESSON

Lesson 5: Going Beyond Words
Words hold meaning, but that meaning is uniquely shaped by each individual’s experiences and perspectives. This lesson invites you to explore the subjectivity of language and the importance of listening beyond the words. True understanding and connection come not from hearing with the mind alone but from tuning into the voice of the heart.

Listening is a skill that can be cultivated and practiced through presence, patience, and an open heart. By learning to quiet the mind’s assumptions and old narratives, you can focus on what is truly being communicated—both spoken and unspoken. This practice deepens your ability to connect authentically with yourself and your partner.

As you develop this awareness, you’ll move beyond subconscious imprints that limit communication and instead be guided by the wisdom of your heart, fostering deeper intimacy and understanding.

Journal Promts

Journal Prompts

  1. Reflect on a recent conversation where you felt truly heard. What made the experience so impactful?

  2. What assumptions do I often make about what others are saying? How can I practice letting go of those assumptions?

  3. When I think about listening with my heart, what does that mean to me?

  4. How does my mind typically react during conversations? Does it race ahead, plan responses, or try to fix things?

  5. What is one situation where I struggled to truly listen? What was blocking me, and how could I approach it differently now?

Connection with your partner

Conversation Starters with Your Partner

Connection Questions

  1. What does being truly listened to feel like for you? What do you need from me to feel heard?

  2. Can we try practicing a conversation where one of us shares while the other simply listens without responding? How does it feel to hold space for each other in this way?

  3. What are the nonverbal cues you pick up from me when I’m communicating? Are they aligned with what I’m trying to say?

  4. Let’s each share one story or memory that shaped how we listen or communicate.

  5. How do you feel when I listen to you with my full attention? What could I do better to make you feel heard?

Practice

There are many yoga and somatic exercises to physically practice opening your heart and signaling your nervous system that it’s safe to slow down and receive. Connecting beyond words takes a deep resonance inside our bodies to feel safe to feel beyond the mind