The Five Keys to Mindful Communication

Good communication is essential to any healthy relationship, whether it's between spouses, family members, friends, or co-workers, and mindfulness-the practice of nonjudgmental awareness-can help us communicate more effectively and meaningfully with others in our personal and professional lives. Here, Susan Chapman, a psychotherapist and long-time Buddhist practitioner, explains how the practice of mindfulness awareness can change the way we speak and listen, enhance our relationships, and help us achieve our goals. Chapman highlights five key elements of mindful communication-silence, mirroring, encouraging, discerning, and responding-that make it possible for us to listen more deeply to others and to develop greater clarity and confidence about how to respond. Other topics include • identifying your communication patterns and habits; • uncovering the hidden fears that often sabotage communication; • staying open in the midst of difficult conversations so that we can respond wisely and skillfully; • and learning how mindful communication can help us to become more truthful, compassionate, and flexible in our relationships.