Listening Beyond the Words

Communication is the “lifeblood” of any relationship. In fact, how can we have a relationship without it? Next to respect, communication is the most important ingredient of a good marriage. This is one of two workshops on communication. The topic has been divided into two topics: “Listening” and “Speaking”. This has been done for expediency. Of course, in practice, they are inseparable. Rather than present both workshops together, one right after the other, we have split them up. This allows us to review communication twice. Communication is such an important topic that we believe it bears repeating.

The workshop begins by identifying a common phenomenon: that listening often diminishes after marriage. Some couples feel their partner has been “caught” and there is no longer a need to listen anymore. Others have just found it difficult and have gradually given up. Therefore, the idea which must first be stressed is that listening is even more essential after marriage when partners are trying to live with each other on a daily basis. And, at the same time, listening is often more difficult after marriage because of time and energy constraints, and the stress of jobs and raising a family, etc.

This workshop discusses why and how married couples stop listening to each other, emphasizes the absolute necessity of listening in order to have a healthy relationship, and finally, teaches the technique of reflective listening to help couples begin to re-build their relationship.