Blog

12/02/2025

On listening and holding space

The other day I was walking along a quiet residential street and I saw this little twig with some jelly ear mushrooms on it. They are edible but I never tried. It wasn’t the first time I’ve seen them, but this time it really struck me how close they look like to human ears 👂, don’t you think?

I have since then been reflecting on the marvellous sense of hearing and how lucky we all are to be able to hear, and listen. You might be all familiar with the saying: “listening to understand vs listening to reply”. 

In my work as a transpersonal coach I practice open awareness in my sessions. I do so by cultivating embodied presence and hold space for myself and my clients with openness, curiosity and compassion. 

Hearing what someone is saying without saying anything or interrupting is sometimes what people really need. That sense of feeling heard and comprehended is truly important and seldom experienced. 

🌙How do you feel when you feel heard and understood? 

🌙How do you feel when you feel free to express yourself to someone who doesn’t feel the need to fix or share their opinion on something you expressed? 

I’m not saying that a coach shouldn’t speak to their clients but it’s incredibly important to understand where the urge to say anything is coming from: is it a need to fix? A need to say something to fill the silence? What happens if you remain silent but engaged?

As practitioners we all have a responsibility to reflect on where what we say is coming from and how aware of our personal bias and projections we are. 

Most of us want to help and support others and in doing so my preference is to notice my bodily sensations, posture, thought patterns and emotions. I ask permission before I make any offerings and I make sure to check if I understood what my client said or ask for clarification.

🌙How are we holding space? 

🌙What qualities do we want to cultivate and share? 

May your listening skills be nurtured and appreciated 👂🙏🏼🌱✨