Talking to Stephan Hein about his workshop 'How to Stay Positive in Challenging Times'

We asked Stephan a few questions about his workshop and here are his answers - poetic, full of wisdom and simply a pleasure to read.

Why do you think it’s important to consider this specific subject right now?

We are living in very uncertain times that bring change into the lives of many people, both individually and collectively. This can be the cause for feeling lost, anxious or out of control. We may feel threatened about the future, even into the core of our very existence. We have also lost a sense of belonging in our digital high-tech and globalised social media culture, which leads to social isolation and loneliness as “the new epidemic”. This can make us feel unsafe and no longer protected by the sense of human connection that the community once gave us.

What three things can people do to help them face challenging times?

Three powerful ways to regain inner control of our lives could be: 

• Taking time daily to switch off the world outside, for times of stillness and quietness – being with oneself and without disturbance. Banning radically negative information (news or social media channels) or any person with negative influence on us who pulls us away from our innate joy and peace.

• Training the mind in awareness (for example through meditation) to discover ways of detached witnessing, nourishment, compassion and self-healing that connect us to a positive experience of being alive. 

• Making conscious efforts to reach out to the community, fostering a sense of connection, and contributing to new ways of sharing and spending time together in ways that nurture body, mind and soul in inspiring ways. 

How can we help others who face difficult times? Especially if we have no control over their situation.

I believe it starts with giving oneself empathy and compassion and taking responsibility for one’s own experience. Once I have connected to a sense of self-care and looking after myself well I can be of bigger help to others. It enables me to show up as a “listening clearing” for them. Listening from such inner connectedness to oneself can be very healing and positively transforming for another person. It allows them to connect to their inner self-healing in more effective ways. 

What are your thoughts on non-judgemental listening versus giving advice to others when they are facing challenging times?

• Non-judgmental listening is a powerful way to help someone, especially when they are facing challenging times. 

• Life shows up in unique ways for everyone. I need to learn to stand in respect, empathy and compassion for what someone might go through. 

• Rather than “giving advice” it is good to engage in an open and creative conversation that enquires into a world of new creative possibilities that benefit both parties, leading to more positive feelings, incl. courage, hope, resilience, inspiration and joy.

• It is always good to remember that we are multidimensional human beings, so when we feel “stuck” on one layer of life experience, there are always other areas of Life that can be explored. 

• It is important to listen from a “positive place”, to invite the person to discover the positive in their experience and to learn to “lean into” gently what makes them experience suffering. To create spaces to embrace and accept fully what IS can turn out to be a powerful way of transformation and transcendence.

  
  

Photo caption: Stephan Hein