The presenters encouraged us to develop better listening skills as we heard another person tell his/her story. They also discussed how to expand our awareness of another person as a way of seeing that person's humanity. You can listen to the discussion by clicking here. Try to really 'hear' when you listen to what another person has to share. Listen without offering a comment or suggestion. Listen to understand.

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BELIEF SYSTEM AWARENESS ACTIVITY (see and hear more from the seminar by clicking here.

GOAL: to understand, appreciate and respect different belief systems. This activity takes time and a willingness to work to understand, appreciate and respect others. It is important to adhere to the following ground rules:

• Emphasis should be placed on describing your belief system
• Emphasis is placed on listening to the other’s description of his/her belief system without judgment.
• Emphasis is placed on examining how questions are answered.

Instructions:

1.) In a group, generate a list of the 10 most common questions that you think every person has asked at some time in his or her life. 

Each question must stand alone; there should not be any overlap. Example: What is the purpose of life? What is the nature of good and evil? Are we alone in the universe? Is there a heaven/after life? etc.

(At the weekend seminar some of the questions included: How can I find my true purpose in life? Why was I born? Why are we here, as opposed to there? What kind of people do I want to have in my life? How do I get there from here? What makes students 'tick'? Why does 'difference' make us angry? What is an educated person? What do I want as an epitaph?)

2) Work with group members to reach a consensus on a list of the ultimate 10 questions.

3) Individually, prioritize the group's list of 10 questions, listing the most important first, etc. Then, answer each question in accordance with your own belief system.

4) Share your answers with group members. Show respect for others by listening and setting aside judgments while they share their answers. Remember, you do not have to adopt another’s belief system; however, it is important to know what others believe.

5) Examine and discuss how differently the individuals in your group answered the 10 questions.

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