The Gift of Listening

Margaret Philpot

4th February 2012

Most of us consider ourselves to be good listeners, but the evidence indicates that this is not always so. Were we taught to listen? Yes and no. We were told to listen to instructions and to information imparted to us by parents and teachers. We discover, however, that it is difficult to listen for long, whether it be to information or the needs or stories of others. So many things get in the way: our own priorities, needs, anxieties etc. And yet attentive listening, often to the unspoken message, is at the root of all good communication. This interactive day is concerned with improving our skills when listening to ourselves, and to others, and perhaps also to God.

About the Facilitator

Margaret Philpot has a diploma in counselling/psychotherapy, having completed three years training at the Psycho Synthesis and Education Trust.

She also studied for a BA in Modern Languages and an MA in Linguistics at London University.

She spent many years in the secondary, tertiary and distance learning sectors of the British education system, and has subsequently spent several years leading adult human development groups and is a regular contributor to the Mount Street programme.