The Art of Tracking: How to Listen with Your Whole Self

''Sit, be still and listen.'' -Rumi

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and felt like they were not fully present? It's like they’re hearing your words, but they're not really listening. That's because they forgot the most important part of any conversation—tracking. Tracking is a psychotherapeutic skill where you pay close attention to the storyteller as much as the story itself. You learn how to listen with your whole self, paying attention to body movement, vocal tone, patterns of breath—everything that can help you better understand the person speaking. Let's dive deep into tracking so you can make sure your conversations are meaningful and effective.

What Is Tracking?

Tracking is about listening to what people don't say just as much as what they do say. It requires that we take time to observe our own feelings and reactions, as well as those of the other person in order to gain insight into their thoughts and feelings. This way, we can pick up on subtle shifts in energy or emotion that may be going unnoticed or unspoken by either party. As we learn more about tracking, we become more aware of our own stories and how we tell them.

When doing healing work with clients, it is essential to track them closely; this includes both their verbal cues (tone of voice, word choice) and non-verbal cues (body language). By listening closely for these clues, we can gain deeper insight into our client’s experiences and perspectives which can then be used to inform our therapeutic interventions. We must also remember that sometimes the storyteller is more important than the story—it is important to take time to focus on who is telling us something rather than just what they are saying. This helps us create an environment of safety for our clients by showing them that we are truly invested in understanding their experience without judgment or bias.

We must also be mindful of our own bodies when engaging in healing work with clients; if something doesn't feel right or true for us personally, then it probably isn't true for our clients either! Listening to your body will help you stay grounded and present during therapeutic sessions so that you can provide the best possible care for your clientele.

Tracking is an invaluable tool for anyone who does healing work with clients; it allows us to connect deeply with those we are working with while still honouring boundaries between therapist and client. If this skill resonates with you, consider signing up for a mini workshop on tracking! Together, let’s explore how tracking can enrich your life and those around you!

Photo credit: Cowomen Qziao @Unsplash